General Synod Election Candidates 2026

General Synod Election Statement
My name is Emma Collins.I am standing as a candidatee for the house of laity. I worship at
St Margaret’s Church in Barming, which is part of the parish of Barming with Teston in the
Diocese of Rochester.I have worshipped at St Margaret’s for 16 years, but I have been a
member of the Church of England for 34 years since the age of six.
My journey of faith began when I attended Brownies at my local church hall. The Girlguiding
groups once a term were invited to attend and take part in Church Parade. I took it very
seriously and was regularly part of the Colour Party. Being part of this termly act of worship
sparked my interest in the Church, and I wanted to know more.
At the age of 13 I was baptised and confirmed at a service in my local church. My journey
continued there for many more years. I helped with holiday clubs for children, helped to lead
the youth group, sang in the choir, and took part in other performances and various parts of
services. I then moved to the area where I now live and began worshipping at St Margaret’s.
My experience in the Church
I currently serve on the PCC as one of our two Deanery Synod representatives. I am now in
my second three-year term in this role, which has given me a valuable opportunity to
understand the wider life of our parish and deanery and to listen to the views and concerns of
others.
I am also heavily involved in working with the children and young people of our parish. This
has been a passion of mine for many years. I have worked in both paid and voluntary roles in
this sector and have experience of working with children and young people in both church
and education settings.
I have worked in education as a Teaching Assistant in a secular setting, as well as working
with the Church in association with our local primary school. My experience has included
working with children in mainstream education as well as specialist settings.
For around three years I have also served as our Parish Safeguarding Officer. This is a role I
feel privileged to have been trusted and encouraged to undertake. It carries a great deal of
responsibility and can be challenging at times, but it is also extremely rewarding.
Safeguarding is something I am deeply passionate about. I am a good listener, and I am good
at noticing things that are not always obvious. These are important qualities when working
with people, particularly children, young people and those who may be vulnerable. I would
bring this same approach to General Synod: listening carefully, asking questions, and making
sure that people’s experiences are not overlooked.
More recently, I have become part of a team leading sung worship on a Sunday. Singing has
always been something I have enjoyed, although I have not always had the confidence to put
myself forward. The Lord was calling me to take that leap, and so I did.
It has been an amazing experience. It has helped to build my confidence, but more
importantly, it has helped me to grow in discerning and listening to the Holy Spirit. I believe
this has been an important part of my journey and has contributed to my discernment about
standing for General Synod.

My experience of disability
Three years ago, I had what was a minor accident which resulted in an injury to my left foot.
I expected a brief period of recovery and for everything to return to normal. Unfortunately,
that was not the case. Instead, it became the beginning of a completely new normal — one
that I am honestly still coming to terms with. I was diagnosed with a rare and currently
incurable chronic pain condition. It has left me unable to walk and has resulted in me
becoming disabled.
This experience has changed my life profoundly. It has changed the way I see the world, the
way I experience everyday life and the way I think about accessibility and inclusion. It has
also made me realise how important it is that the Church listens to disabled people and
understands that accessibility is about much more than simply whether someone can get
through the front door. Our churches should be places where everyone can come, worship,
belong, serve, and meet God. Church buildings and our wider Church life should be
welcoming to everyone, including those with physical disabilities, hidden disabilities,
neurodivergence and other additional needs.
I want to use my experience to be a voice for disabled people and to encourage greater
disability awareness across the Church of England. I want us to ask not only whether
someone technically can access our churches, but whether they genuinely feel welcomed,
included, and valued when they arrive.
In addition, I am particularly passionate about working with children and young people. My
experience of working with children and young people, both within the Church and in
education, has shown me the importance of listening to them, understanding their individual
needs and creating environments where they feel safe, valued, and able to be themselves.
As a mother of two children, one of whom is neurodivergent, I also understand the
importance of making sure that families who have additional needs do not feel that Church is
a place they cannot access or belong. I want to see a Church that makes room for children and
young people in all their diversity and that supports families rather than making them feel
that they must fit into a particular mould.
Why I am standing for General Synod
I am standing for General Synod because I have something valuable to offer. I would bring
34 years of lived experience within the Church of England, alongside experience of Deanery
Synod, PCC life, safeguarding, children and youth work, education, worship, and disability.I
would bring a willingness to listen. I would want to listen to the experiences of people in our
parishes, to understand the challenges they face and to stand for them faithfully. I would not
claim to have all the answers, but I would be prepared to ask questions, to listen to different
perspectives and to work constructively with others.
I want to be part of building a Church that is safe, welcoming and accessible; a Church that
listens to children and young people; a Church that values disabled people and recognises the
gifts they bring; and a Church where everyone has the opportunity to discover and grow in
their relationship with God. Iwould be honoured to have the opportunity to serve the wider
Church of England on General Synod and to continue that journey by listening, learning,
standing for and serving. I would be grateful for your support.

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