General Synod Election Candidates 2026

Susan Kennaugh
[email protected]

CANDIDATE FOR GENERAL SYNOD

Proposer: Mr S Hamer

Seconder: Mrs S Waring

I feel privileged to have represented the Diocese of Sodor and Man on General Synod for the
last eleven years. The experience has been very enriching and I have felt proud to speak to
people about our unique heritage and to make many friendships across the theological
divides.

Personal Details and Employment

I work as a pension consultant for a large international company and I feel that an active
working person like me brings some “real world” perspective to the Synod.

I am married to Max who is on active service in the Royal Navy and our time is divided
between the Isle of Man and the United Kingdom depending upon the demands of the service.

My contribution so far

As you imagine, with a husband in the Royal Navy, I was thrilled to support the Armed Forces
Covenant.

With my experience handling legislation in my day job, I do not shy away from Synod debates
on legislation which have a habit of emptying the chamber more often than not.

I was delighted when Synod managed to secure a modest payment for PCC’s when clergy take
funerals at the crematorium and fully supported a successful Private Members Motion
regarding how the Church can support families who cannot afford to pay for funerals.

I try as far as possible to raise the profile of Sodor and Man at fringe events through the use
of questions and active participation in discussion groups.

During the next Quinquennium the Liturgical Commission has promised to review the
calendar, so I hope to ensure, if I am elected, that the wish of our Diocesan Synod to see
Bishop Thomas Wilson included is successful.

Current Debates and the Needs of Our Diocese

During my eleven years on Synod and over this time taking part actively in discussion groups
and meetings I have come to make friends with people across the theological divides. I have
found this enriching and encouraging. This experience I hope will, God willing, equip me to
work across boundaries and this will be vital if we are to build upon the work of Living in Love
and Faith.

It is important that this new process is not rushed but that all engage in it so that meaningful
progress will be made. In my position, I will defend the Church’s biblical and traditional
understanding of marriage, the sanctity of life and the importance of family as God’s gift to
us all. I do though wish to see a way forward to enable the Church to be one and to welcome
all.

There are fears at this time that traditional parochial ministry may be under threat and during
the last Quinquennium especially a majority in Synod have robustly defended the Parish
system and if elected I will seek to support any measures that may be brough to direct more
support and funding to Parishes.

We must all recognise the financial problems that the Church is facing. I consider, however,
that reducing the numbers of stipendiary clergy should be the very last resort and that we
should encourage vocations to ordained and other ministries as a priority. I also support the
recently introduced Clergy Conduct Measure and believe that the Church should be very
serious about examining recent failings in supporting clergy who face false allegations about
their conduct.

I would like to be a part of seeing the governance review of the Church of England coming to
fruition after working on it for the last five years. It was disappointing when the Ecclesiastical
Committee resisted the legislation that we had worked so hard on, citing that they wish for
the new Safeguarding model to be finalised before we take these steps in streamlining
governance.

The journey towards a new and better safeguarding model is though almost complete and
Synod are anxious to see its conclusion as a priority.

Please remember all General Synod candidates in your prayers.

Yours in Christ,

biblical,clergy conduct,liturgical,living in love and faith,marriage,pcc,pension,safeguarding,stipendiary,traditional,vocations