General Synod Election Candidates 2026

MY CHURCH BACKGROUND

I am a qualified social worker with 30+ years’ experience in
mental health services with adults and children. My
professional life has included safeguarding, risk assessment,
advocacy, commissioning and collaborating with people and
families in complex circumstances.

Experience has taught me to listen carefully, work
collaboratively, weigh evidence, manage complexity and speak
up for people whose voices may struggle to be heard. I would
bring this skill set to General Synod.
My wife, Tonnie, and I live in the same house in the village of Borstal where I was
born. I am an inclusive evangelical whose faith was initially shaped by the
charismatic movement. At St Matthew’s I worship within a liberal Catholic tradition.
I value the breadth of the Church of England and believe our differences can enrich,
rather than separate us.

I am a PCC member and serve on Rochester Deanery Synod. I occasionally preach,
regularly read Scripture, and serve as a welcomer/sidesperson. These roles keep me
immersed in the everyday worship, mission, and practical life of a local parish.
WHY I AM STANDING
WHO AM I?
NOMINATED BY
THEIR WORDS
I was born in the parish of Borstal (St Matthew). Returning to
my roots and this parish has been deeply meaningful,
strengthening my conviction that the local church matters -
being rooted in place, serving people through generations, and
providing a Christian presence in every community.
I am standing for General Synod to bring a representative
parish-focused lay voice to General Synod. I would listen
carefully, represent local churches, and contribute
constructively to the decisions that shape our Church. I
love the Church of England and believe in its calling to
proclaim Christ, serve our communities, and share God’s
love.
GILL CAIN
Candidate for the House of Laity
Diocese of Rochester
CANON ELLEN COUZENS
IAIN KITCHENER
Lay Member of Chapter,
Rochester Cathedral
Church Warden,
St Mary’s Church
"Gill has a long and faithful
history of service to the church
and passionately lives out the
gospel. She embraces and
promotes church in secular
contexts, online and in person,
supportively challenging
injustices and helping people to
explore their views deeply."

CONTACT ME
[email protected]
Please contact me
with any questions
about my candidacy
MY PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

IF ELECTED, I WILL
LISTEN
REPRESENT
CHALLENGE
CONSTRUCTIVELY
WORK
COLLABORATIVELY
REPORT BACK
I believe every person is made in God’s image, equally loved and valued by God. The Church
should be a place where everyone can belong, participate, and grow.
Scripture calls us to recognise and remove barriers that prevent people from encountering
Christ and finding a home in his Church. These barriers can include gender, disability,
neurodiversity, mental health, ethnicity, sexuality, age or socio-economic circumstances. I
support the full and equal participation of LGBTQ+ people in the life and ministry of the
Church; being in a same-sex marriage should not in itself prevent full involvement and/or
ministry. Inclusion and mission are inseparable!
WHAT I WOULD WORK FOR IN GENERAL SYNOD
STRONG LOCAL CHURCHES
MISSION
AN INCLUSIVE CHURCH
Faithful in Christ Inclusive in Welcome Rooted in Parish
“WE ARE
MEMBERS OF
ONE ANOTHER”
ROMANS 12:5
I WOULD VALUE YOUR
FIRST PREFERENCE
VOTE, OR HIGH
ALTERNATIVE
PREFERENCE.
I desire to see a Church of England confident in sharing the good news of Jesus Christ and
serving the communities where God has placed us. We live out our mission through
worship, welcome, relationships,and everyday presence. I would encourage the growth
of chaplaincy and new forms of mission while advocating for stronger parish
churches. The question for General Synod is not “Parish or new mission?” but “How can
we enable both to flourish?”
The local parish is one of the Church of England’s greatest gifts: a Christian presence
embedded in every place, accompanying people through every life stage and everyday
community life. Our church faces real pressure around volunteers, finance, buildings and
changing communities. I would press for equipping and renewal, rather than for mere
preservation. I would speak about funding and resourcing sustainable parish ministry at
the national and diocesan level, encouraging adequate funding for smaller and less wealthy
parishes.
Good governance means open accountability, vigorous safeguarding and responsible
stewardship. I would ask tough questions, scrutinise proposals, and ensure decisions are
made transparently and responsibly. I would bring my professional expertise and experience
of safeguarding, assessing risk, understanding vulnerability and working within complex
systems to General Synod. I understand that robust safeguarding is fundamental to creating
a Church that people can trust enough to belong and flourish. When safeguarding has
failed, we must listen to victims and survivors, learn from failures and ensure that
accountability leads to effective and lasting cultural and systemic change.
GOOD GOVERNANCE & SAFEGUARDING
Gill Cain House of Laity Candidate

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