General Synod Election Candidates 2026

Ruth Hutchings

Who am I?
• Most importantly, a follower of Jesus!
• Growing Younger Minister in the North Westmorland Benefice.

Why do I feel called to serve on General Synod?
For a long time, I have felt called to contribute what I can to a positive future for the Church of England: a future
which sees unity and a church in which everyone is welcomed and belongs. I also strongly believe that the voice
of children and young people, and of church schools, should be heard in all parts of the church, including
General Synod. I believe I can help speak for them in that space.
After much prayer and consideration, I believe that God is asking me to offer to serve on General Synod.

Skills and experience
• BA Religious and Theological Studies.
• Over 10 years’ full-time, paid ministry, including with Network Youth Church and in an Local Ecumenical
Partnership (C of E, Methodist, URC, Baptist) in Winchester Diocese.
• Partner with the National Society for Education / Growing Faith Foundation as a Growing Faith Hub
Leader.
• Partnership with the Diocesan Board of Education, attending their annual conferences and training.
• Church school governor.
• Active Deanery Synod and PCC member.
• Worked with the Police and Fire Commissioner’s office and Westmorland and Furness Council to obtain
grants for local projects including a minibus and improvements to public buildings for youth work.
• Active part of a Christian Good Neighbour Project, working in partnership with our Local Authority,
offering pastoral support and other ministries. Through this I pioneered the delivery of food parcels to
families, during the school holidays.

“Ruth is really good at listening. She works with us all the time so
knows who we are and what we want. Having someone speak
for us is good and we trust Ruth to represent our opinions, not
just her own.”
Member of youth church, aged 13

Growing Younger
I believe it is our responsibility, as the church, to help children and young
people know there is hope, and to show this through God’s love.
As part of my current role I have set up and lead a weekly, liturgical
youth church that brings children and young people together to worship
and socialise. This work is integrated with the two youth weekends away
that I organise each year, where there is time to build deeper
relationships and worship together.

Through my ministry I have seen the amazing work that church schools do. They are vital for our ministry with
children and young people, and we must work with them and help resource them better.

Children and young people are often underrepresented in the church but have great insights, thoughts and ideas
that need to be heard and acted upon. They are not just the future of the church, they are the church today. If I
were elected, I would make sure that children and young people heard about and understood what is
happening in Synod and that their voices are heard as part of conversations and debates.

Rural Ministry

Having grown up in a rural place and now being called to minister for many
years in rural locations, I understand the importance of the church in these
communities, and its particular needs, as they differ from other contexts.
The models and practices of the rural church and communities have so much
to teach the rest of the church. However, the rural church also needs more
support and resources to be able to sustain ministry in sparsely populated
areas.
The Body of Christ
The unity of the church is essential to its future and growth. 1 Corinthians
12:12-31 says that we are the body of Christ. We not only need one
another, but we must look after one another and value each other. This
includes a whole range of things from disagreeing with one another well to
feeding those who need food. It’s seeing everyone made in the image of God.

I believe the church should be a place where everyone knows the love of
God and every voice is valued.

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