General Synod Election Candidates 2026

Christina Baron
for General Synod 2026
Nominated by Steven Pugsley, Lay Dean, Exmoor deanery
Seconded by Val Barker, Lay Dean, Yeovil deanery
I live in Wells and am a member of the congregation and the PCC of St Thomas’,
where I used to lead the Sunday School. I have been Lay Dean - or, as it used to be
called, Lay Chair - of Shepton Mallet Deanery and Lay Chair of Diocesan Synod. I am
a member of the Board of Patronage, which appoints clergy to some parishes in the
diocese.
I was first elected to represent Bath and Wells on General Synod in 2013 and in 2017
had the privilege of being elected by General Synod to the Crown Nominations
Commission, which has the responsibility for discerning those whom God is calling to
be diocesan bishops. Recently I had the great honour of taking part, with
representatives from across the world-wide Anglican Communion, in the prayerful
process of nominating the new Archbishop of Canterbury. If I am re elected to General
Synod, I will have one more year left to serve of my 10-year term on the CNC.
Before I retired I was a lecturer at the University of Bath, teaching courses on British
History and modern Britain for overseas students. I have chaired two local NHS Trusts,
based in Bridgwater and Clevedon. My husband, Alan, is a former churchwarden and
we have three children and seven grandchildren.
“Christina has been
a strong and
committed voice for
the laity at all levels.
Over many years she
has worked hard to
connect our
deaneries with the
diocese. She has a
proven track record
as a powerful
advocate for Bath
and Wells at General
Synod.
Steven Pugsley,
Lay Dean of
Exmoor
Christina BARON
1
”

Christina Baron
DearDeanerySynod member,
It has been a privilege to represent you on the General Synod and I
hope you will give me your support to continue. General Synod
deals with matters of importance to the Church and to wider
society - such as safeguarding, where more remains to be done to
ensure that survivors are listened to and that past abuses can never
happen again. I support safeguarding becoming fully independent
of the church.
As one of your General Synod representatives I have spoken at a
number of Deanery Synods and have taken one group from Bath
and Wells to London to see General Synod in action. If re-elected I
hope to visit more Deanery Synods and to organise more group
visits to General Synod.
Questions at Synod can be a valuable was of raising issues or
getting information. I have asked questions on behalf of Church
members, most recently about Festival Churches.I am always
happy to raise concerns which people let me know about, such as
recently about development of land belonging to the Church
Commissioners.
Syond debates a wide range of matters, from liturgy and church
flowers to the situation of Palestinian Christians. All synod
business starts with worship and is supported by prayer and I hope
that you will remember synod members and their work in your
prayers during the next five year term.
Please do contact me if you want to know more or to ask me any
questions.
ChristinaBaron
[email protected]
01749-675071
07745-423253
Our parish churches
•
Parishes and parish
churches are the
foundation of the Church of
England. It is important to
reach out to people wherever
they are, through chaplaincy
in schools, colleges, hospitals
and wherever people gather,
and through new forms of
worship in new places: this
work should be valued and
celebrated but the parish
must be affirmed and
supported as the outward and
visible sign of the unique
mission of the Church of
England - “here for all the
people of England.”
•
All my children, and my
husband, sang in St Thomas’
choir and two of my
grandchildren are now
choristers. Over hundreds of
years, English church
music has given expression
to faith and drawn people
closer to Christ. This is a
precious heritage which the
Church of England should
support.
•
As parishes and dioceses
struggle financially, they have
to devise projects and then
bid for funding from the
national church. Bidding takes
time and energy and can be
demoralising for unsuccessful
applicants. More money
from the Church
Commissioners should go
directly to support parish
ministry, without competing
against other parts of the
church.
Christina BARON
1
ABOVE ALL, please do use your vote.
Voting closes: 5pm on Monday, 12th October if you are voting on paper
5pm on Tuesday, 13th October if you are voting via the elections portal
Inclusive Church
I am committed to equality for everyone
at all levels and roles within the church,
regardless of gender, disability,
ethnicity, socioeconomic status, mental
health or sexuality.

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