Revd Becky Hancock – Vicar of Bawtry with Austerfield, Mission, Everton and Mattersey

Becky was ordained as a priest in 2018 and has served in her current parishes since 2020. She has also been appointed Lead Mission Enabler for the Riverfold Cluster.

“I came to faith through an ordinary village church in this diocese. I want to help ensure that, wherever people live in our diocese, there are churches where they too can encounter the living hope of Jesus Christ.”

You can read the rest of her election address here.

Revd Jo Lees-Robinson – Vicar of St Saviour’s Church, Nottingham

Jo leads St Saviour’s in the Meadows, in south Nottingham. Having worshipped at Trinity since 2017, Jo and her husband, John, were invited to lead St Saviour’s in 2023.

“The Church will naturally grow older, but it will not naturally grow younger. Psalm 145 reminds us that ‘one generation shall commend your works to another’, and this, I think, is a beautiful description of intergenerational worship and mission. We constantly need to attend to this and ensure our churches and schools are resourced and equipped to press into the places and spaces that stretch us.”

You can read the rest of her election address here.

Revd Dr Ian Paul – Associate Minister at St Nic’s, Nottingham

Alongside his ministry at St Nic’s, Ian works as a freelance theologian and Managing Editor at Grove Books. He has also supported churches during periods of vacancy.

“Church Growth continues to generate controversy! Some question whether we should be thinking about this at all—but numbers are people, and surely we want to see more people encounter the love of God in Christ for themselves?”

You can read the rest of his election address here.

Ian Boothroyd – St Michael’s, Farnsfield

Ian brings experience from a career in local government, as well as previous roles as a trustee of the Church of England Pensions Board and Diocesan Secretary in Durham. He now serves his church as a Lay Reader.

“The proposed new Independent Safeguarding Authority should be set up as quickly as possible – to increase confidence within and outside the church, and limit the continuing damage from cases of abuse, and from the failures to deal with them effectively. The Synod will need to expedite the proposals and the legislation.”

You can read the rest of his election address here.

Peter Harris – Holy Trinity, Southwell

Peter is a PCC member at Holy Trinity and serves on Newark and Southwell Deanery Synod. He also brings experience from a range of roles in healthcare and non-profit organisations.

“Peter committed to equality foreveryone, at all levels and roles within the church, regardless of disability, economic power, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, learning disability, mental health, neurodiversity, or sexuality.”

You can read the rest of his election address here.

Laura Taylor – St John the Baptist, Stanford on Soar

Laura serves as a Local Mission Leader in her parish and works as a Parish Giving Officer in the Diocese of Leicester. Her experience also includes serving in PCC roles and working as a secondary school teacher.

“In my job, I see the impact that the rising cost of ministry has on churches, with fewer churches able to support and sustain stipendiary ministry. I would like to see Synod consider distributing resources to better strengthen and support the ministry of local churches on the ground.”

You can read the rest of her election address here.

Stephanie Whitehead – Christ Church, Southwell

Stephanie trained as a scientist and medical doctor before becoming involved in church life, first serving on a PCC in Bristol and now in Chilwell. She has also given her time to volunteering in a variety of settings beyond the church.

“Across the country, many people are struggling with their mental health, and this is reflected in our churches too, among both lay people and clergy. I am grateful for the work General Synod has done in recent years to encourage better pastoral care and mental health support. There is more to do, however, as increasing numbers of people seek spiritual and pastoral help in times of distress. I would want to help the Church grow as a safe, supportive and hope-filled community, from local parishes through to national decision-making.”

You can read the rest of her election address here.