General Synod Election Candidates 2026

General Synod 2026 Candidate Statement - Diocese of York
Gillian Holmes
Email: [email protected]
Mobile: 07803038393
Proposer: Christian Price - Member of York Deanery Synod,
PCC Secretary St Lawrence Church, York
Seconder: Evan Garrod - Member of York Deanery Synod
I am standing for General Synod because I believe in
the vocation and witness of the parish and the national church. My life in
the Church of England began after graduating in English from London
University, where immersion in medieval and Reformation literature led
me to explore theology more seriously. I was confirmed by Bishop
Graham Leonard, and since then have been an active church member,
serving on PCCs, and always seeking to strengthen the life of the local
church.
My life has been shaped by faith, by family, and by long experience in
public service. I hope to bring perspective, compassion, and a
commitment to listening - especially to those who are often overlooked.
Personal Background and Experience
Family and Formation: My son, born with severe disabilities has been my
greatest teacher and has profoundly shaped my faith. Through him I
learned what persistence, courage, and cheerfulness in the face of
immense challenge truly look like.
He led me to help establish an independent support service for families in
North Yorkshire-still thriving thirty years later. Because of him, I gained
experience in advocacy, speaking publicly, campaigning, and writing.
Most importantly, I learned the importance of giving voice to the
voiceless, respecting lived experience, and listening for what is unsaid
rather than simply the loudest voices in the room.
Professional Life: For the past nineteen years I have worked for York’s
public libraries in roles ranging from library manager to governance
support, board administration, PR and communications. I now work as
administrator for the ABC Parishes – a group of churches in rural west
York.
I am also chair of a charity doing Christian work in South India and trustee
of an alms-house charity and have been a board member on other
charitable bodies, large and small where I learned how vital good

governance is. My work has consistently centred on enabling others to
flourish.
Evangelism: At St Lawrence’s Church in York - where I serve on the PCC

• I have witnessed remarkable renewal. When I moved into the parish in

the 1990s, the church was marked for demolition. Over the past decade, it
has been transformed with many people - including 18-25s - discovering
the Christian faith, the Church’s traditions, and the riches of the Book of
Common Prayer. They are breathing new life into traditional forms and
sharing them with confidence and joy. This renewal has convinced me that
evangelism rooted in Scripture, sacrament, and tradition is both possible
and powerful.
The Parish: I love the Church of England and am hopeful that it can
recover its purpose by focusing more attention on the transformational
work happening daily in parishes. But experience has shown me how easy
it is for the most needy to be denied resources. This is why I support the
work and mission of Save the Parish. If we are bold enough to alter the
structures and release more funding for parish clergy, then the good news
will be able to flow to so many more people.
The draft replacement for the 2011 Mission and Pastoral Measure must
protect parishioners’ rights to object to diocesan pastoral reorganisation.
My experience advocating for disabled children and as a volunteer in a
parish has taught me how easily large institutions can seek to overrule the
views of small groups.
Church Finances and Stewardship: The Church Commissioners have a
duty to ensure resources reach the parishes where assistance is most
required. I will work to ensure that duty is honoured.
Safeguarding: It is vital that the Church gets safeguarding right for
survivors and those attending churches now. I am committed to proper
safeguarding at every level of church life and would work to ensure that
the experiences of survivors drive deeper change to our structures.
There is pressure to abolish the Seal of the Confessional. This would
interfere with a sacrament explicitly referenced in the Book of Common
Prayer. I support the Catholic Group’s defence of the seal.
Conclusion: A lifetime of faith, and the experience with my disabled son,
have taught me that grace is always personal. Every person is a mystery
known to God alone, and the Church’s mission is to meet each one with
reverence and compassion. This is the spirit in which I seek to serve on
Synod. I would be very grateful for your first (or high preference) vote at
the General Synod Election.

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