General Synod Election Candidates 2026

Fiona Norris: General Synod Election Address 2026

Church: Canford Parish Church, Wimborne Deanery
Address: 6 Egdon Drive, Wimborne, Dorset, BH21 1TY
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 07435 655340

Proposer: David Morgan, Wimborne Deanery
Seconder: Jane Hazell, Wimborne Deanery
Why I’m standing
The Church of England has the extraordinary privilege and responsibility, through the parish
system, of caring for the spiritual lives and seeking the flourishing of every single person in
this country, whether or not they currently come through our church doors.
God has entrusted the Church with an extraordinary calling: to be the means through which
his light and love reach every community, transforming lives and renewing communities. I
want to play my part in helping the Church of England be all that God is calling it to be, so
that every community might know and experience the love and hope of Christ.
My experience
I have known Jesus as my close friend and constant companion since childhood, growing up
in a rural parish church. My work and life have taken me across different cultures and
Christian traditions including a year between France and Mexico, time with OMF in the
Philippines, and seven years living and working with my husband and two children as part of
a Christian Retreat and Adventure Centre in the Republic of Ireland. These experiences
have taught me the value of learning from differences and seeking to walk together in faith.
Since returning to the UK, I have worked in fundraising, including with the relief and
development charity, Tearfund, followed by a small London-based charity, and since April
this year as Grants Officer for the Diocese of Salisbury, supporting churches to raise funds
for their buildings, mission and ministry. This has given me valuable insight into the
challenges and opportunities facing our parishes, particularly in a predominantly rural
diocese with many historic and listed buildings.
I have been privileged to serve on the House of Laity of General Synod since 2021. I have
been enriched by listening to the breadth of voices and traditions across our Church,
deepening my understanding of Scripture and of one another, and engaging thoughtfully with
debates and motions through careful listening and voting. I have also had the opportunity to
speak on matters of creation care.

What I would seek to contribute
There are a number of areas where I would like to contribute:
●​ Deepening discipleship and helping people get to know and follow Jesus in their
day-to-day lives, rooted in the truth of Scripture.
●​ Supporting parishes through strengthening and resourcing the local church at the
heart of its communities.
●​ Building unity through listening and learning across our differences and seeking to
walk together in Christ.
●​ Caring for creation through continuing to show prophetic leadership in showing
God’s love for all that he has made through courageous care for creation.
●​ Engaging with young people through listening to, investing in and making space for
young people to lead.
●​ Mission and evangelism, sharing the good news of Jesus with everyone, from a
place of genuine relationship and knowing our communities.
My commitment to you
If you choose to vote for me, I would commit to:
●​ Being prayerful and seeking Jesus’ will and guidance in all that I do.
●​ Being faithful and remaining rooted in the truth and authority of Scripture, allowing
God’s Word to shape, challenge and guide me.
●​ Being missional and seeking to see the gospel lived and proclaimed across the
breadth and diversity of our parishes.
●​ Being Christ-centred and seeking to love others as Jesus has loved us.

I would be honoured to continue serving our Church in this way and would be so grateful if
you would consider giving me either your first or highest available preference vote.

With many thanks and every blessing, Fiona Norris

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