Voting opens for General Synod

Voting for this year’s General Synod election is open from Monday 21 September to 13 October.

The General Synod plays an important role in shaping the life and direction of the Church, bringing together representatives from across its communities to consider the issues, challenges and opportunities facing the Church today.

Voting paper House of Clergy

Voting paper House of Laity

As candidates put themselves forward for election, this is an opportunity to get to know the people who are seeking to serve in this important role – their backgrounds, experience and the perspectives they would bring to the Synod. Below, we name the candidates and give readers the chance to learn more about those standing for election.

Standing for the House of Laity are:

• Mr James Chantler Mayne
• Mr Clifford Cocks
• Mr Henry Cole
• Canon Karen Czapiewski
• Mr Jonathan Hawken
• Ms Hannah Leckebusch
• Mr Robert McNeil-Wilson
• Mr Olabanji Olanipekun
• Ms Hilary Pentycross
• Mrs Margaret Sheather
• Mr Nicholas Tall

There are four seats available to fill in the House of Laity.

Standing for the House of Clergy are:

• The Revd Jennifer Fellows
• The Revd Julia Hook
• The Revd Natalie Jennings
• The Ven Katrina Scott
• The Revd Oliver Strange
• The Revd Charlie Styles
• The Revd James Turk
• The Revd Roger Widdecombe

There are three seats to fill in the House of Clergy.

We hope these profiles will help you get to know the candidates and give you a clearer sense of their experience, priorities and hopes for the Church. We encourage you to take the time to read through each profile and consider the contribution each candidate could make to General Synod as you prepare to vote.

Whoever is elected, we pray that they will be supported in their ministry and encouraged as they seek to serve and represent our wider Church community.

Hustings were held online at 6pm on the evening of Tuesday 15 September. A private link was emailed to those eligible to vote. If you have not received the link and believe you should have, please contact Kerry Pateman, ku.gr1790763417o.coi1790763417dsolg1790763417@name1790763417tapk1790763417

The lay Deanery Synod members vote for lay candidates, and the clergy vote for clergy candidates. The voting period is 21 September to 13 October.

FAQs are on the Church of England website →