General Synod Election Candidates 2026

GENERAL SYNOD ELECTIONS 2026
HOUSE OF CLERGY · DIOCESE OF SHEFFIELD
T H E R E V D
Sarah Maughan
for General Synod
P R O P O S E D BY
Revd Canon Lucy Sablan
Team Rector, Manor Parish
S E CO N D E D BY
Revd Canon Fr Andrew Howard
Vicar of St Wilfrid, Cantley
Who I am
I grew up in a working-class, ex-mining village in South Yorkshire, and I
have a deep devotion and loyalty to my roots. They have shaped who I am,
how I see the world, and how I minister. My options at 16 yrs old were the
sewing factories or the Coal Board. I chose the Coal Board and worked in
the finance department. University simply wasn’t an option for my
working-class family.
I walked into church when I was 40 years old, after many years away. What
followed was something I could never have imagined. My faith exploded
into the most incredible encounters with the Holy Spirit, and my life was
completely changed. I made a promise to God that I would share that
experience with anyone and everyone who would listen.
Ordination was never on my radar. How could someone like me – a
comprehensive-schooled woman with few qualifications – ever be
considered for ordained ministry? And yet, after much discernment, prayer
and encouragement, miraculously, that is exactly what happened. My
goodness me, what an amazing journey it has been! I was ordained in
2019, I have been married for 26 years to a wonderful man, and together
we have three grown-up sons and a 10-year-old granddaughter.
My current role
Today, I serve in the wonderful village of Thurnscoe, a working-class, ex-
mining community in South Yorkshire. It is a community with a growing
population, but also one that experiences significant deprivation and
inequality. According to the Church Urban Fund, Thurnscoe is in the top 2%
of deprived parishes. I love it here!
“
I am pleased to commend Sarah. She is an excellent and energetic priest who is passionate about the
hope we have in Jesus Christ transforming the lives of individuals, congregations, and wider society. Sarah
ministers very fruitfully in an ex-colliery community. She has a proven ability to share the gospel in a way
that is welcoming to people of all backgrounds and walks of life. She would helpfully bring all the
experiences of ministering in such a parish to Synod and would seek to keep her parishioners in mind,
those who attend worship and those who don’t, when it came to the business of Synod.
Revd Harry Steele, Director of Mission and Discipleship, Diocese of Coventry

REVD SARAH MAUGHAN
HOUSE OF CLERGY · DIOCESE OF SHEFFIELD
My theology is actually very simple:
We are all God’s children.
No exceptions.
“
I am committed to equality for everyone, at all levels and roles within the church, regardless of disability,
economic power, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, learning disability, mental health, neurodiversity,
or sexuality.
What I believe
I cannot bear injustice of any kind. I have a deep desire for
every person to know their own worth and to understand
that they are loved, valued and matter. Much of my
ministry is about bringing people together, building
relationships and creating community. At the heart of it
all are the words of Jesus: “Love one another as I have
loved you.”
I am a natural evangelist. I love nothing more than getting
to know people, hearing their stories, walking alongside
them and encouraging them in their faith – wherever they
are and at whatever stage.
I believe the Church needs to be rooted in the real lives of
real people. We need to listen to communities,
particularly those whose voices are not always heard. We
need to make sure that working-class people know that
the Church belongs to them too – not as a project to be
fixed, but as equal partners, leaders and disciples in the
life of the Church.
This starts in parishes and communities, where parish
churches, priests and leaders need support and resources
to grow and energise the people of God. We also need to
care for God’s Creation as the poorest in all societies
suffer the most in the climate and nature emergency. I
take safeguarding very seriously and ensure robust
systems are in place where I minister, recognising that it is
essential that we listen to and learn from voices of
survivors and victims.
Why am I standing for
General Synod?
General Synod is important to me because I want to
bring the voice and experience of working-class
communities, particularly those in the North of
England, into the conversation. I want to help with the
divisions in our beloved Church of England. I love and
desire to work with those of different theological views
and believe we can work well together. I will be
nominating my dear friend Fr Andrew Howard. Our
theological differences do not impact our friendship,
respect and working relationship; our example should
and could be mirrored across our churches. This will
bring unity, kindness and in turn reflect on those who
not yet know Jesus.
I would also bring the voice of the clergy ‘on the
ground’ as many now work across a number of
parishes, exploring avenues for support e.g. in
administration and buildings maintenance to free up
more time for mission and vocations of others.
I do not pretend to have all the answers. But I do know
the communities I come from. I know what it is like to
feel that Church, politics and decision-making can
sometimes happen somewhere else, by people who do
not understand your life or your community. I would
bring to Synod a passion for people, a commitment to
justice, a love for the Church, and a determination to
make sure that every voice is heard.
Most of all, I would bring my deep belief that every single person is a child of God.
Thank you for reading my statement. I hope you will give me your first preference vote, with
Revd Jacqui Jones, another inclusive candidate, as your second preference.
Revd Sarah
Please get in touch if you’d like to:
Mobile  07595 466712
Email  [email protected]

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