Introducing our new General Synod representatives

As a diocese, our congratulations to Reverend Liz Hull and Mrs Susan Kennaugh, elected to represent the clergy and laity of our diocese on the Church of England General Synod.

Our Presiding Officer, Jessica Gray, had received one nomination for the vacancy for a Proctor in Convocation, and two nominations for the vacancy of representative in the House of Laity when nominations for the General Synod Elections closed on Monday.  Today she has confirmed that, following the election process, Revd. Elizabeth Hull has been elected unopposed as Proctor in Vocation and that Mrs Susan Kennaugh has been re-elected to represent us in the House of Laity.

House of Clergy:
The Reverend Elizabeth Hull

Revd. Elizabeth Hull is Vicar of St Thomas’ Church and Chaplain to St John Ambulance on the Isle of Man.  Liz trained in our Diocese and did her Curacy here.
Liz has lived on the island since 1989 originally coming to Isle of Man to work as an Occupational Therapist in Mental Health. She is married to Steve who is from the Isle of Man and who is a licensed Reader in the Diocese.  They have three adult daughters and one grandson.
Liz has an active interest and involvement in environmental issues and Amnesty International, regularly joining vigils for Palestine in the last two years. She is a member of the Isle of Man Choral Society and both she and Steve are allotment holders.
Steve and Liz were former chair and secretary of Greenpeace IOM before parenthood made life too busy and now have re-engaged with environmental groups and Amnesty International.
In Liz’s participation with General Synod she hopes to represent the views that she feels many within the Diocese hold of inclusivity within our church.

Here is Reverend Liz Hull’s full Election Address.

House of Laity:
Mrs Susan Kennaugh

Mrs Susan Kennaugh, a lay member of our Diocesan Synod, has represented the Diocese of Sodor and Man on General Synod for the last eleven years.
She works as a pension consultant for a large international company, ​she is married to Max who is on active service in the Royal Navy, and she supported ​​the CofE’s adoption of the revised Armed Forces Covenant​ in 2025.
In her eleven years on our Diocesan Synod, Susan has taken part in discussion groups and meetings, making friends with people across the theological divides. She has found this enriching and encouraging, and hopes the experience will equip her to work across boundaries on CofE issues such as Living in Love and Faith.
During the next Quinquennium the CofE Liturgical Commission will be reviewing the church calendar, and Susan hopes that our Diocesan Synod’s wish to see Bishop Thomas Wilson included will be successful.
Among the measures to be debated, Susan intends to support any that may be brought to direct more support and funding to Parishes, and to defend the current Parish system rather than reducing the numbers of stipendiary clergy.  Also the Clergy Conduct Measure, supporting clergy who face false allegations about their conduct.  Susan’s experience in handling legislation in her day job enables her to engage in Synod debates on legislation.
As we thank Revd. Liz Hull and Mrs Susan Kennaugh for taking on the responsibility to represent us in this way, our thanks also to all involved in the elections, the voting process and the organisation.

General Synod is the assembly of the Church of England across England, Europe, and the Isle of Man, bringing together bishops, clergy and lay representatives from all dioceses.  It plays a vital role in shaping the life and work of the Church, debating important issues, considering legislation and helping to set the Church’s direction and priorities.

As our newly elected representatives, Revd. Liz Hull and Mrs Susan Kennaugh will contribute to these discussions, bringing the experiences and perspectives of churches and communities across the Diocese of Sodor and Man. They will also help keep to us up to date about developments in the Church of England..

Together we hold up to God in prayer

~ Bishop Tricia and all who serve on General Synod ex officio
~ those elected as they prepare to take up their roles
~ those who offered themselves for election to serve on General Synod
~ all involved in the Church of England General Synod
~ for wisdom, discernment and unity in the future of Christ’s church in the British Isles.

The new General Synod will meet for the first time in London in November 2026.

General Synod Return of Election Results 2026
General  Synod House of Laity Text Description