General Synod Election Candidates 2026

Revd Brenda Forrester
Vicar of St. Francis of Assisi, Ingleby Barwick
IME2 Formation Advisor for Cleveland Archdeaconry

Proposed by:
Revd Canon Richard Carew, St Edward the Confessor, Dringhouses, York,

Associate Area Dean of the Deanery of York (York West)
Seconded by:
Revd Canon Tessa Stephens, Benefice of Nunthorpe, Area Dean, Stokesley
Please vote for me as a new and fresh voice on General Synod, a fellow parish priest
with a real heart to represent the clergy voice. I understand clergy wellbeing and long
to see all God’s people flourish. Thank you for reading.
Bio
Living in Co. Durham since the age of one, I moved south of the Tees for my current post.
Married with two grown children, we share our house with rescue cats and dogs. I have three
degrees (BSc. Agricultural and Environmental Science, MA Counselling, BA Theology, Mission
and Ministry). My first occupation was with adults with autism, before retraining as a
counsellor. I worked with private clients, then specialised in addictions, set up and ran a
substance misuse department in a youth offender’s secure unit. A career break came with the
advent of children, additionally supporting my husband’s business as company director and
selling my art in shops around the northeast. I became a practising Christian at age 36. There
shortly followed a most unexpected calling into ministry!
Ordination year was 2018 at Durham Cathedral. I served my curacy with a wonderful TI, Revd
Canon David Glover at Holy Trinity, Washington. David moved to be rector of Hexham Abbey
in the imminence of the pandemic, which left me curate in vacancy for the next year, in the
most stretched and saddest of times.
My first (and current) incumbency began April 2022. 2023 added a new role as Vocations
Advisor before moving to the IME2 team as Formation Advisor for Cleveland Archdeaconry in

1. In that year, I was a participant in the annual Clergy Consultation Conference at Windsor

Castle, hosted by St. George’s House.
In 2025, I filmed a year’s worth of spiritual reflections for a national news channel. Serving on
Diocesan Synod in both Durham and York, this is my first application for General Synod, again
following an unexpected call to stand for election. It is fitting to serve here at St. Francis of
Assisi; this particular saint is someone I have long admired, along with St. Cuthbert of Holy
Island and St. Hilda of Whitby. If I were a biblical character, it would probably be a mash-up
of Elijah, Jonah, Peter and Mary. Standing for synod feels a minor miracle in itself, but also
firmly of God.
In spare time I still create, writing poetry and learning portraiture. Sea swimming is a
favourite, as is reading, gardening and spending time with family and friends.

My Heart is for…
Honestly? Christ, Christ’s people and God’s Creation. I am a simple beggar, helping other
beggars find bread. I believe there is a place for all under God’s wing and among a church
family. The bible is my inspiration, not just for preaching but also for every action plan.

Particular areas of passion include…
Seeing all God’s people flourish I follow with interest the Save the Parish movement.
Whilst not a signed-up member, I agree in placing the focus back with place, people and
priest; transforming funding structures to enable parishes to thrive. When a parish is
sufficiently resourced, works of deep discipleship, mission and evangelism can be the focus
and the local body of Christ released to thrive and increase. This is happening here in my own
parish, where the laity and I have grown the ministry of God’s people, maximising every
available resource and encouraging the gifts of all God’s people who worship with us.
Since moving here, we have more than doubled in number, deepened greatly in discipleship
and almost doubled our FWO. We now work with 7 out of 8 schools and have a SALT (Spirit
Awake Leadership Team) planning meeting 8 months of the year, with 18 team leaders and
role holders from the congregation. SALT is the hub of our discernment and decision making.
We are a transformed parish, silver eco church, home groups, a sending parish for vocations
and excited to expand further missionally into the town in 2027. This experience I bring to
synod.
Clergy Wellbeing Since called into ministry, I have been regularly and gravely concerned
with the experiences of fellow clergy. With a background in counselling, I am acutely tuned
to the many internal challenges and ministerial strains clergy hide from their flocks. There is
immense need for more support for clergy: vocationally, financially, in parity and compassion
of treatment, practically and in pastoral and training support, including for underrepresented
demographics. The National Vocations Crisis is very real. The clergy role is increasingly
impossible to do in a healthy way. I will be a voice for the unseen and under-resourced system
we find ourselves ministering within. I will champion your voice at synod.
Transforming Systems I believe our USP is in being disciples. 30% of adults are currently
seeking greater spiritual meaning in their lives, an even higher percentage among the youth.
When we focus overly on current hobby horses, our missionary discipleship is diminished. I
will bring to synod a Christ focussed voice, advocating our unique place in society as the
Church of the land, whilst also promoting ecumenical work with our Christian brothers and
sisters in other denominations. Teesside enjoys astonishing levels of ecumenical unity, which
has attracted £0.4M investment in Bible Society mission support this autumn. I realise not all
areas are as supported, which can feel isolating, at times. We live in the book of Acts, with
Christ’s mission continuing on! Whilst it is vital we are safely and responsibly governed, surely
our main job is to stand at the door, showing Christ to this hurting world. If we continue to
fragment our focus, how will these 30% of adults (and even more youth) find Christ? I will
advocate keeping a Christ-centred focus in this time of spiritual seeking.
‘…the fields are ripe for harvesting.’ Jn. 4:35.
Get in touch
If you have any questions, please email me on: [email protected]. I am also
really keen to hear your priorities for the new Synod. Thank you for reading, please consider
voting for me ‘a new and fresh voice on the scene’. With every blessing, Brenda.

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