Candidate Statements

Coach with Christians Against Poverty,

I am also deeply aware that most of us minister in contexts where poverty exists alongside affluence.

I believe it is vital that all our parishes have a place at the table, and that those amongst us experiencing poverty are supported.

Alongside this I was pleased to support relevant items in General Synod, including Rev Alex Frost’s motion on encouraging/supporting working-class vocations, and a motion on reviewing the limited access to national LINC funding.

With the cost-of-living crisis ongoing and economic inequality growing, championing our lower income communities continues to be urgent.

With the cost-of-living crisis ongoing and economic inequality growing, championing our lower income communities continues to be urgent.

My experience over several years of working with and supporting refugees gives additional insight.

It also asked the diocese to publicly commit to a deployment strategy that responded to these needs.

Alongside this I was pleased to support relevant items in General Synod, including Rev Alex Frost’s motion on encouraging/supporting working-class vocations, and a motion on reviewing the limited access to national LINC funding.

He brings valuable experience of ministry within LINC parishes and a genuine concern for low-income parishes and clergy wellbeing.

Alongside this I was pleased to support relevant items in General Synod, including Rev Alex Frost’s motion on encouraging/supporting working-class vocations, and a motion on reviewing the limited access to national LINC funding.

We all come from “somewhere”- I’m an evangelical with a liturgical/cathedral background and catholic formation- but we don’t have to be in silos.

I want to bring that same energy and enthusiasm to Synod, and to argue for a Church that has confidence in its parishes, confidence in its inheritance and, above all, confidence in the Gospel it exists to proclaim.

We should be strengthening parishes, not managing their decline, and ensuring that national and diocesan structures enable rather than inhibit local mission.

CONFIDENCE IN FAITH AND MISSION

Synod’s guiding principle should be to facilitate as concretely as possible local churches’ fulfilment of this fundamental mission.

The decisions being made now about our parishes, buildings, resources and mission will shape the Church my generation inherits — and, in time, the Church we hand on.

They matter because the life of the Church is lived elsewhere: in parish churches where people worship, children are baptised, marriages are celebrated, the dead are mourned, communities gather, the lonely find companionship, the searching find faith, and the Gospel of Jesus Christ is proclaimed.

I am fortunate to be part of a thriving parish church, with a strong tradition of music and liturgy and, above all, a real sense of community.

My own Christian background has taught me that no single tradition possesses the whole Church.

I am fortunate to be part of a thriving parish church, with a strong tradition of music and liturgy and, above all, a real sense of community.

We should be strengthening parishes, not managing their decline, and ensuring that national and diocesan structures enable rather than inhibit local mission.

General Synod necessarily deals with structures, legislation, finance and policy.

I grew up in Northern Ireland as a Presbyterian, in a family with Presbyterian, Anglican and Roman Catholic roots.

I am theologically orthodox and seek to welcome all with compassion and without distinction, whilst being committed to the traditional doctrine of Christian marriage as received by the church catholic.

My final role in schools was as a pastoral manager and safeguarding lead.

I have a heart for Christ and reaching people with the gospel.

In the deanery I work well with other parishes, particularly on Mission, where I have taken part in street witness.

In the deanery I work well with other parishes, particularly on Mission, where I have taken part in street witness.

I stand in the Catholic tradition and value the power of the sacramental life to mediate God's grace and encounter the risen Christ.

I stand in the Catholic tradition and value the power of the sacramental life to mediate God's grace and encounter the risen Christ.

I am theologically orthodox and seek to welcome all with compassion and without distinction, whilst being committed to the traditional doctrine of Christian marriage as received by the church catholic.

I firmly believe parish ministry remains the way for the Church of England to fulfil its historic calling to be a Christian presence in every community and believe that traditional Anglican and eucharistic worship, both Common Worship and BCP is at the heart of this.

After returning to the church of my youth, I spent a year at Cuddesdon before being priested and serving a curacy at Pershore Abbey in Worcestershire.

I am privileged to I have experience of serving in non-stipendiary and stipendiary ministry and the challenges faced in both.

I am privileged to I have experience of serving in non-stipendiary and stipendiary ministry and the challenges faced in both.

I served in both state and church schools and loved my role.

I firmly believe parish ministry remains the way for the Church of England to fulfil its historic calling to be a Christian presence in every community and believe that traditional Anglican and eucharistic worship, both Common Worship and BCP is at the heart of this.

After returning to the church of my youth, I spent a year at Cuddesdon before being priested and serving a curacy at Pershore Abbey in Worcestershire.

Sexuality and relationships, diversity and inclusion will continue to create debate and division

The Living in Love and Faith project helped us to understand the experience of others and also their fears, but has disappointed many in delivering so little change to our practices.

Sexuality and relationships is an area where we are in conflict between a changed view of human nature and a traditional view of male/female relationships.

I was an elected member of General Synod 2015-2021, where I contributed to a number of debates including those on the environment, women’s ministry, school inclusion, and ‘Conversion Therapy’, and submitted questions on environmental and other issues.

I was part of the discussions on sexuality and relationships, and published articles on sexuality in Christian Today and in the Church Times.

Safeguarding, both historic and ongoing will also continue to be a key concern Declining numbers and income, and hence a decline in paid clergy numbers, challenge us about what the Church of England is for and how to maintain and develop its role in the future.

I hope we can find a workable ‘solution’ that keeps us together in our Christian mission to all people.

I hope that the Holy Spirit can guide us into a new way of living together with our differences, recognising our imperfect understanding but also the many areas where we agree and share a mission. (I’m a member of ‘Inclusive Church’ which encompasses race and disability as well as gender issues.) Climate change and loss of biodiversity are of enormous significance for us all, but especially for our children and grandchildren.

I was also an elected member of the Mission & Public Affairs Council, which addresses ethical, environmental and medical issues.

I’m standing again for General Synod because I want the Church of England to thrive and grow, continuing to inspire people in every community with God’s love, justice and hope, and to support and encourage them in their lives.

Climate change, extreme weather, biodiversity, and especially how these might affect the poor

Nationalism, and internationalism, migration, social division, housing and poverty

Nationalism, and internationalism, migration, social division, housing and poverty

AI – how it will affect us both positively and negatively, both practical and ethical issues

I hope that the Holy Spirit can guide us into a new way of living together with our differences, recognising our imperfect understanding but also the many areas where we agree and share a mission. (I’m a member of ‘Inclusive Church’ which encompasses race and disability as well as gender issues.) Climate change and loss of biodiversity are of enormous significance for us all, but especially for our children and grandchildren.

I hope that the Holy Spirit can guide us into a new way of living together with our differences, recognising our imperfect understanding but also the many areas where we agree and share a mission. (I’m a member of ‘Inclusive Church’ which encompasses race and disability as well as gender issues.) Climate change and loss of biodiversity are of enormous significance for us all, but especially for our children and grandchildren.

Poverty and inequality have increased, with increasing foodbank use (often run by churches), and our society seems to take a position driven by self-interest.

Poverty and inequality have increased, with increasing foodbank use (often run by churches), and our society seems to take a position driven by self-interest.

Poverty and inequality have increased, with increasing foodbank use (often run by churches), and our society seems to take a position driven by self-interest.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a new challenge to us all, and might bring profound changes to our patterns of work, and to our ethical responsibilities if we delegate decision-making to algorithms.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a new challenge to us all, and might bring profound changes to our patterns of work, and to our ethical responsibilities if we delegate decision-making to algorithms.

Together with evident impacts of social media and screen addiction, especially on children, we must inform ourselves about these trends, and be alert to their impact on those around us, seeking also to bring our spiritual and pastoral experience to bear on policy-making.

I’m also a member of the Diocesan Net-Zero Steering Group.

I was an elected member of General Synod 2015-2021, where I contributed to a number of debates including those on the environment, women’s ministry, school inclusion, and ‘Conversion Therapy’, and submitted questions on environmental and other issues.

I was an elected member of General Synod 2015-2021, where I contributed to a number of debates including those on the environment, women’s ministry, school inclusion, and ‘Conversion Therapy’, and submitted questions on environmental and other issues.

I was also an elected member of the Mission & Public Affairs Council, which addresses ethical, environmental and medical issues.

I’m strongly committed to environmental action, and use a car-club rather than own a car.

Safeguarding, both historic and ongoing will also continue to be a key concern Declining numbers and income, and hence a decline in paid clergy numbers, challenge us about what the Church of England is for and how to maintain and develop its role in the future.

standing for election to the House of Laity, General Synod elections 2026 Proposed by: Simon Harper, Corbridge Deanery and Chair of Diocesan Finance Committee Seconded by: Carol Griffiths, Secretary of Bamburgh & Glendale Deanery Why am I standing?

standing for election to the House of Laity, General Synod elections 2026 Proposed by: Simon Harper, Corbridge Deanery and Chair of Diocesan Finance Committee Seconded by: Carol Griffiths, Secretary of Bamburgh & Glendale Deanery Why am I standing?

Decline in attendance and finance, use of historic assets, our parish base, role of laity

I think we must also all be willing to adapt and accept some level of sacrifice in our stewardship of God’s wonderful creation, as well as persuading our Government and Industry to change things on a larger scale.

I’ve been a lifelong member of the Church of England, and I’ve attended several churches (one ecumenical) in East, West and Tynemouth Deaneries as Janet took up different posts.

I’ve served on PCCs, Deanery Synods and Diocesan Synod, and I’ve served on Bishop's Council and Finance Group since 2012.

I’ve served on PCCs, Deanery Synods and Diocesan Synod, and I’ve served on Bishop's Council and Finance Group since 2012.

I’ve been a lifelong member of the Church of England, and I’ve attended several churches (one ecumenical) in East, West and Tynemouth Deaneries as Janet took up different posts.

• sustainable funding for parish mission,

We should not be moving away from this and becoming involved in areas which are not our concern - supporting net zero carbon emissions and project Spire, for example.

We should not be moving away from this and becoming involved in areas which are not our concern - supporting net zero carbon emissions and project Spire, for example.

The £100 million allocated for project Spire should be used for strategies which will make a difference to the church moving forwards.

• greater recognition of the contribution made by volunteers, churchwardens, PCCs and

• supporting the next generation of clergy and lay leaders.

SE4 1LT [email protected] I am standing for General Synod because I believe deeply in the parish church and its potential to bring the Good News of Jesus to every community in our nation.

During that time I have seen first-hand what parish revitalisation can look like:

A commitment to revitalisation I don’t believe some churches should just keep getting bigger and bigger by attracting Christians from surrounding parishes, instead, I think it is the responsibility of larger churches to resource and give sacrificially to enable other local parishes to thrive.

Funding that enables mission From experience I know that the way national funding is distributed can have an enormous impact locally.

I want to advocate for funding that enables sustainable parish revitalisation, mission and service.

I want to advocate for funding that enables sustainable parish revitalisation, mission and service.

many ‘Love Brockley’ ministries including free therapy for families with children with additional needs, subsidised professional dance classes, support for those suffering from domestic violence, parenting support, recovery from addiction and practical help getting back into employment.

many ‘Love Brockley’ ministries including free therapy for families with children with additional needs, subsidised professional dance classes, support for those suffering from domestic violence, parenting support, recovery from addiction and practical help getting back into employment.

many ‘Love Brockley’ ministries including free therapy for families with children with additional needs, subsidised professional dance classes, support for those suffering from domestic violence, parenting support, recovery from addiction and practical help getting back into employment.

• A church graft to Kidbrooke sending people and finances to revitalise the parish and provide

I am committed to equality for everyone, in all roles within the Church, regardless of disability, economic power, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, learning disability, mental health, neurodiversity or sexuality.

I am committed to equality for everyone, in all roles within the Church, regardless of disability, economic power, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, learning disability, mental health, neurodiversity or sexuality.

I believe that God is concerned about how we should treat one another - with kindness, love and respect – and not about what consenting adults do in their bedrooms or whether they choose to live with a gender identity that does not match the one they were assigned at birth.

This does not mean that I believe ‘anything goes.’ There is much cruelty and exploitation of people in our society and we, as the Church, should be calling out promiscuity, unfaithfulness and domestic violence – and honouring relationships that are committed, faithful and caring, whether they are between people of the opposite sex, the same sex or non-binary.

For too long many have, both in the recent and the distant past, been complicit in theologies that we ultimately come to see as harmful and untrue to the Gospel.

It is a joy and privilege to serve the people here and encourage them in their mission to make disciples of Jesus and bring healing to our world.

It is a joy and privilege to serve the people here and encourage them in their mission to make disciples of Jesus and bring healing to our world.

It is a joy and privilege to serve the people here and encourage them in their mission to make disciples of Jesus and bring healing to our world.

It has been a fabulous opportunity to witness ministry and mission across different traditions and contexts.