General Synod Election Candidates 2026

Dr Hannah Kinsey
Introduction
I am a member of St Nicholas Church; Stevenage and I am standing for
election to General Synod because I care deeply about God’s church and I
want to use the gifts God has given me to serve Him. If I were to be elected
as one of your representatives in St Albans Diocese, my time on General
Synod would be shaped by the prayer that I would "Trust in the Lord with
all your heart and lean not on your own understanding" Proverbs 3:5

About me
I am 34 years old and I am an Associate Professor in Pharmacy for a university (part-time), teaching
and conducting research. I am married to a vicar, Revd Edward Keene, Rector of St Nicholas Church
and St Mary’s Church, and my hobbies include reading, swimming and completing puzzle books.
NB: I have retained my maiden name due to my profession in Higher Education.

Serving my church
Sunday School
I lead Sunday School lessons for our 3-11s, which brings me great
joy to see our children learning more about Jesus. I know the joys
and challenges in delivering and maintaining a children’s ministry
at church when volunteer numbers are low.

PCC Membership
I am a member of the PCC and my main responsibility has been to apply for grants to fund roof
repairs and further ministry in the parish. I therefore understand the financial pressures that many
churches in the Diocese face, both in relation to maintaining historic buildings and payment of the
parish share.

The ‘Vicar’s wife’
As a clergy spouse, I regularly host welcome meals and congregational meals at the
vicarage, attend civic events, serve our community at Christmas and Easter events,
visit parishioners, and meet one-to-one with women in the congregation for prayer
and pastoral support. The wellbeing of clergy and their families across the Diocese
is a topic which is close to my heart, as I witness first-hand the pressures that our
clergy face daily.

Serving in our Diocese
I was elected to serve Stevenage Deanery on Diocesan Synod in 2024. As a member of Diocesan
Synod, I was then elected to serve on the:
• Bishops Council - the standing committee of Diocesan Synod
o Agenda Group – a subcommittee that sets the agenda
for Diocesan Synod
• Vacancy in See Committee - the group that drafted the
statement of needs for the new Bishop of St Albans
o Crown Nominations Commission - the committee
responsible for shortlisting and interviewing
candidates for the position of Bishop of St Albans
I am an active member of all these committees, asking questions and contributing to the
discussions. I recognise the importance and impact that committees like these have, affecting all of
us in parish church life. I am member of Save the Parish as I believe that every community needs
their church and vicar present, in order to proclaim the good news of Jesus to our neighbours.
My priorities
If I were elected as one of your representatives on General Synod I would support:
Finance
Clergy welfare

• Divestment of resources from the centre
back to the parish church
• Reduction in parish share payments
• Adequate funding for the rural church

• Improved standard of clergy housing
• Reduction in clergy workload, notably
administrative duties
• Clergy spouses and their families’
wellbeing

Growing the church
Good governance

• Churches to begin, recommence, or
maintain a children’s ministry
• Development of volunteers to take on
important roles e.g. church wardens

• Implementation of good safeguarding
practices
• Good stewardship of resources
nationally and locally

How I will represent you
St Albans Diocese is made up of churches and congregation members who represent a wide range of
traditions and perspectives on many aspects of church life. I am committed to listening carefully to
each of you, engaging respectfully, and communicating openly with you.

Voting
I will be praying as each of you discern who to vote for, and that the elected representatives will serve
the Diocese faithfully. I should be grateful to receive a high preference vote from you.

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