General Synod Election Candidates 2026

[email protected]
Nominator: Steve Ring
Seconder: Susan Ghinn
07763 523499
C O N T A C T
About Me
My name is Emily Gadd, I am 23 years old, and I worship at St Luke's,
Maidstone.
The Church of England has been central to my life for many years, but
my faith has become much more than simply attending church.
Through God's grace, my relationship with Jesus Christ has grown
into the foundation of who I am. Along the way, I have developed a
deep love for Scripture, Anglican worship, and the mission of the
Church to share the hope of the gospel with every person.
Like many Christians, my faith journey has included times of joy,
challenge, doubt and growth. Those experiences have strengthened
my trust in God's faithfulness and shown me the importance of
churches where people can ask honest questions, encounter God's
grace and grow as disciples of Jesus Christ.
Why I Am Standing
I am standing for General Synod because I care deeply about the
future of the Church of England. As a young lay member, I want to
bring the perspective of a generation that loves the Church, believes
in its mission and wants to see it flourish for years to come. Too
often, young adults are spoken about rather than listened to. I hope
to be a voice that encourages younger people to engage with the life
of the Church while learning from the wisdom and faithfulness of
those who have served for many years.
I believe the Church of England has a unique calling to serve every
community in this country. Our parish churches are places of
worship, prayer, pastoral care and witness, and I want to help ensure
they continue to be places where people encounter the transforming
love of Jesus Christ.
Faithful and Welcoming
One of my deepest convictions is that every person should feel
genuinely welcomed in our churches, regardless of their background,
circumstances or life story. Whether someone has attended church
for decades or is walking through the doors for the very first time,
they should experience the love, kindness and hospitality of Christ
through His people. Every person is made in the image of God and
deserves to be treated with dignity, compassion and respect.
At the same time, I believe that true welcome and faithful discipleship
belong together. The Church best serves the world when it remains
rooted in the truth of God's Word while extending Christ's invitation
to everyone. I believe we are called to be a Church that welcomes all
people with open hearts, while faithfully proclaiming the life-
changing gospel of Jesus Christ.
My Vision for the Church
I long to see a Church that is confident in sharing the gospel,
committed to prayer, rooted in Scripture and eager to serve its
communities.
I want to see churches equipped to nurture disciples of all ages, with
particular attention given to children, young people and young
adults. They are not simply the future of the Church—they are an
essential part of its life today. We should encourage and equip them
to use the gifts God has given them in the service of His Church. I also
value the breadth of the Church of England. Although we worship in
different traditions and may disagree on some issues, we are united in
our calling to follow Jesus Christ and make Him known. I believe
General Synod should be a place where people listen carefully to one
another, speak graciously, and seek God's wisdom together.
My Commitment
If elected, I will seek to serve prayerfully, faithfully and with integrity.
I will listen carefully to those I represent, approach every decision
with humility, and seek to balance conviction with compassion. I will
work to support the mission of our parish churches, encourage
younger voices within the Church, and contribute thoughtfully to the
important decisions facing General Synod. Above all, I will seek to
remain faithful to Jesus Christ and to the calling He has given His
Church.
Thank you for taking the time to read my statement. It would be a
privilege to represent you on General Synod, and I would be grateful
if you would consider giving me your first preference vote.
May God continue to guide and strengthen His Church as together we
seek to make Christ known throughout our communities.
Emily Ann
Emily Ann
Emily Ann
Gadd
Gadd
Gadd
Emily Ann
Gadd
H O U S E O F L A I T Y
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