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General Synod Address
Ruth Dearnley OBE
I am standing for election to the General Synod because I believe in a Church that is welcoming
to all and the gift to serve and transform the world: a Church where every person would know that
they are valued, loved and made in the image of God.
Every day and season offers historic opportunities and challenges for the Church around the
world but I do believe the Church of England is facing a time limited moment to define and
communicate itself. I am a life long Anglican member from birth, to now entering my 6th decade,
and I would like serve as a part of the Synod for this moment.
I don’t think we, as a church, should assume any residual right to be present in local communities,
a national role or to influence globally. Yet that is our opportunity, and we will be called to account
for how we have sight of the future and actively shape who we are becoming, together.
I was born on the Wirral and went to University in Newcastle Upon Tyne to study law. I came
south with my future husband who I met during his ordination training at Cranmer Hall, Durham. I
trained as a teacher and my first job was teaching at Church of England primary school in the
East End of London whilst living in New Cross with a friend who was the vicar of the local church.
Mark and I got married in 1992 and we welcomed 2 children into our family who are now both
married.
I have been a Licensed Lay Minister (Reader) for 30 years in Southwark, Oxford and St Albans
dioceses. I serve and support my local Anglican church, working as part of ministry teams
alongside Mark. I love preaching and teaching and have been involved in all aspects of church life
over many years whether its youth and children’s work, arts and music, local community activities
and pastoral care. I have always believed that the Church is at its best when it is deeply rooted in
the life of its community not just serving people, but being alongside, creating together.
I have a deep commitment to human dignity which has shaped my work over the past 2 decades.
I was part of founding and leading, as CEO, the global organisation STOP THE TRAFFIK, working
to prevent and disrupt human trafficking. This has led me to work across financial, legal,
government, commercial, charitable and law-enforcement sectors, bringing people together to
tackle a problem that no one individual or organisation can solve alone. I led the building of a
movement to stop trafficking on the foundation of my belief that when we connect people, share
intelligence (what we know), listen to lived experience and use the tools of technology and data,
we can change the way the world works. I have learnt how a globally networked movement can
operate around the world whilst targeting locally led action. My work has involved investing in
relationships with many faith networks. This includes the Anglican Church locally, where I have
lived and served, nationally as partners, where the Church of England agreed at General Synod to
become one of the early partners of STOP THE TRAFFIK, and alongside the Anglican Communion
raising awareness of the issue globally and finding ways to take action locally.
Whilst in St Albans I have been part of bringing this issue to life. I was privileged to preach at the
St Albans Pilgrimage (June 2026) sharing how we can open doors, share our stories and create
community and individual resilience. Whether we are driving global networks or leading local
transformation, we are only able to do this when we reach out across barriers that divide us and
invest in what unites us.
I believe the Church has a unique capacity to do this. The Church is a global movement that is
locally rooted through our parochial network. We have relationships, networks, buildings, frontline
provision and most importantly, people. The church at its best brings these gifts together ensuring
that the impact is felt locally, nationally and globally.
Our parishes can be a trusted space for those who are vulnerable, a place where people can
reach out, be heard and share their journey. We can shine a light on our society, not to stand apart
from it, but to understand it, amplify our voice to challenge and co-design our shared future.

I thrive when engaging with the world as it is, considering the way it will be and exploring the way
it could be. Artificial Intelligence and new technologies are changing our society, shaping culture
and impacting individuals. I have engaged in applying these tools, leading early adoption and
using tech for good. I am passionate in my work, my ministry and in all parts of my life, to
reimagine spaces where the love of God can be encountered, where people belong, and where
transformation is possible.
I love the image of the Church as a people on the move: continually re-pitching our tents while
building on the gift of the foundations we have inherited. Our challenge is to discern the future
and shape our lives so that we can serve as followers of Christ.
If elected, I would bring to General Synod:
•
A deep commitment to supporting the human dignity of all
•
A life long church member and thirty years of experience as a Reader and lay minister,
serving within the local Church and seeing the difference that people can make when
they give themselves to their communities.
•
Experience of creating systemic change, building movements and networks across
sectors and across nations.
•
A belief in globally connected and locally engaged where communities are equipped
rather than simply instructed.
•
A commitment to listening to people and valuing lived experience, particularly the voices
of those who are most vulnerable or least heard.
•
A willingness to engage with technology, AI and the changing culture around us, while
keeping human relationship, wisdom and Christian discernment at the centre.
•
A determination to help the Church demonstrate its impact and tell stories, bringing
greater transparency and giving voice to share the journeys we are on.
I would want to serve a member of Synod to support a church that convenes, connects, creates
and remains curious. I am aware of Synod’s role and seek to bring my experience, who I am and
eager to learn. I am someone willing to listen deeply, ask ourselves the difficult questions and
imagine what God might be doing next. As we step out together, we discover that we too are
transformed. God is at work in our world. Our task is to have the humility to notice, the courage to
join in, and the imagination to create the spaces where others can flourish.
‘Ruth exemplifies the kind of Christian leadership our Church needs. Over the ten years I have
known her at St Peter’s, she has consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to people, an
ability to bring diverse voices together, and a passion for helping individuals and communities
flourish. She listens generously, challenges thoughtfully, and inspires through both word and
action. Whether preaching, serving, or building relationships, Ruth combines vision with practical
wisdom. She has an extraordinary gift for creating meaningful connections that lead to lasting
impact.’
Lisa McCurdy
St. Peters Church
Member of Deanery Synod
‘Ruth will be a truly superb General Synod representative. She brings a real understanding of
parish ministry and also extraordinary ministry for the world’s most vulnerable who we are called to
serve. Ruth is a national and international leader. Our Diocese and the national church will be
greatly blessed by Ruth as a General Synod member.’
The Very Revd Jo Kelly-Moore
Dean of St Albans