Candidate Statements

These are complicated and often painful discussion, but they are essential if we are to ensure the future life and witness of the Church of England.

Each of these requires a prayerful, biblical, and carefully considered response if the Church of England is to bear faithful witness to the living Lord Jesus in a messy and hurting world.

My prayer is that I will be a vibrant and faithful witness to the living God, honouring Him in submission and obedience to His word, relevant and accessible to all, that we might be worthy of the title ‘Bride of Christ’.

As a priest, I now sit comfortably across church tradition; I have worshiped and ministered in a variety of churches, and I feel drawn into Christ whether it be kneeling at Benediction in Anglo Catholic worship or singing repetitive songs in Evangelical worship.

Each of these requires a prayerful, biblical, and carefully considered response if the Church of England is to bear faithful witness to the living Lord Jesus in a messy and hurting world.

My prayer is that I will be a vibrant and faithful witness to the living God, honouring Him in submission and obedience to His word, relevant and accessible to all, that we might be worthy of the title ‘Bride of Christ’.

Accepting that difference and diversity are a part of life means being aware that the topics of race, wealth and poverty, sexuality, neurodiversity, mental health and well-being are things that affect us all because we are a community.

Accepting that difference and diversity are a part of life means being aware that the topics of race, wealth and poverty, sexuality, neurodiversity, mental health and well-being are things that affect us all because we are a community.

Accepting that difference and diversity are a part of life means being aware that the topics of race, wealth and poverty, sexuality, neurodiversity, mental health and well-being are things that affect us all because we are a community.

Paramount though, is our commission to mission as exemplified in the Five Marks of Mission, where we show Christ’s love to others in service, in combatting injustice, in caring for our world and in the proclamation of his good news and the nurture of those who have come to faith.

Team Vicar/House for Duty, Incumbent of the Oak

I served my Curacy within the Winchcombe Team and post curacy I remained within the Winchcombe Team.

Licensed as a Team Vicar, in my current post as House for Duty, I am the incumbent of the Oak Hill Parishes, responsible for Worship, mission and outreach in Alderton, Dumbleton, Gt Washbourne and Wormington.

There are big questions for us around inclusion, finance, clergy numbers, safeguarding, lay ministers and around what we believe and practice as a Church.

Severnside Benefice T & W Deanery

There are big questions for us around inclusion, finance, clergy numbers, safeguarding, lay ministers and around what we believe and practice as a Church.

It’s so important that we engage and inspire the next generation, equipping them to take on leadership roles within the church when they grow up.

I have spoken in a number of debates that matter to me and our diocese, including safeguarding, motions on encouraging working class and lay vocations, Living in Love and Faith and the importance of the parish.

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

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

Prior to starting my current job as Lay Ministry Development Officer for the diocese, I worked for the NHS as a nurse, midwife and safeguarding training officer, and as Assistant Chaplain at St. Oswald’s Hospice in Newcastle.

I have spoken in a number of debates that matter to me and our diocese, including safeguarding, motions on encouraging working class and lay vocations, Living in Love and Faith and the importance of the parish.

NIC DENYER, TYNEMOUTH DEANERY, HOUSE OF LAITY CANDIDATE, GENERAL SYNOD 2026 I am standing for re-election to General Synod because I’m passionate about parish ministry, I care about enabling the gifts of all, I’m committed to Newcastle Diocese and I love the Church of England Proposed by; Robin Brims (Corbridge Deanery Synod Secretary, General Synod lay rep 2021-2026) Seconded by; Carol Griffiths (Bamburgh and Glendale Deanery Synod Secretary, Bishop’s Council and Diocesan Mission and Pastoral Committee elected rep) A BIT ABOUT ME

I have spoken in a number of debates that matter to me and our diocese, including safeguarding, motions on encouraging working class and lay vocations, Living in Love and Faith and the importance of the parish.

EQUALITY I firmly believe that the Church of England needs to be a place where we all can find welcome, hospitality and affirmation, both for who we are and for what God has called us to be.

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

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

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

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

I am open-minded, committed to listening well and advocating for equity and justice.

I am a member of the Ministry Development Board and the Working Class Task Group, and am confident in speaking into such conversations, always bringing the needs of our diocese to the table.

I am passionate about the work I do now, and in enabling the varied and diverse gifts and vocations God has given to all of us.

I have spoken in a number of debates that matter to me and our diocese, including safeguarding, motions on encouraging working class and lay vocations, Living in Love and Faith and the importance of the parish.

I am passionate about the work I do now, and in enabling the varied and diverse gifts and vocations God has given to all of us.

I have spoken in a number of debates that matter to me and our diocese, including safeguarding, motions on encouraging working class and lay vocations, Living in Love and Faith and the importance of the parish.

I have publicly advocated, and will continue to do so, for the full affirmation of same-sex marriage whilst allowing for diversity of theological expression and conscience as we have done with the acceptance of the ordination of women

I have publicly advocated, and will continue to do so, for the full affirmation of same-sex marriage whilst allowing for diversity of theological expression and conscience as we have done with the acceptance of the ordination of women

I have publicly advocated, and will continue to do so, for the full affirmation of same-sex marriage whilst allowing for diversity of theological expression and conscience as we have done with the acceptance of the ordination of women

I was involved in some of the early iterations of Youth Alpha, pioneered night club chaplaincy, worked with young women at risk of abuse, worked ecumenically on outreach events and helped the churches I have led to grow in confidence.

Safeguarding

Listening to the voices of survivors of church based abuse has had a profound impact on my ministry in recent years and I believe must continue to shape policy and practice across every area of church life Recognising the good changes that have been made in recent years whilst never being complacent and being open to continued learning Grassroots parish mission

Listening to the voices of survivors of church based abuse has had a profound impact on my ministry in recent years and I believe must continue to shape policy and practice across every area of church life Recognising the good changes that have been made in recent years whilst never being complacent and being open to continued learning Grassroots parish mission

I joined my first church governance committee aged 16 when the hotly contested debate was whether we should invest in the newly published Combined Mission Praise hymn book!

My passion for evangelism and for sharing the love of Jesus in word and deed has always shaped my life.

I was involved in some of the early iterations of Youth Alpha, pioneered night club chaplaincy, worked with young women at risk of abuse, worked ecumenically on outreach events and helped the churches I have led to grow in confidence.

For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbour as yourself.” Galatians 5:1-14 I’m standing for election because I believe passionately in the mission and ministry of the Church of England in all its diversity and in an inclusive church where everyone is enabled to flourish.

Listening to the voices of survivors of church based abuse has had a profound impact on my ministry in recent years and I believe must continue to shape policy and practice across every area of church life Recognising the good changes that have been made in recent years whilst never being complacent and being open to continued learning Grassroots parish mission

With nearly two decades of experience in ordained ministry across five diocese and across a range of settings I believe I am well placed to represent our diocese in the conversations, debate and discernment of General Synod.

Coming from a charismatic evangelical background my formation for priesthood at the College of the Resurrection was something of a steep learning curve but I found within the Anglo-Catholic tradition a language for my love of worship and a deep tradition of social action rooted in theological integrity from which I continue to draw.

..let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream..

Coming from a charismatic evangelical background my formation for priesthood at the College of the Resurrection was something of a steep learning curve but I found within the Anglo-Catholic tradition a language for my love of worship and a deep tradition of social action rooted in theological integrity from which I continue to draw.

Justice

Having been a Wakefield ordinand in 2004 and having served my curacy in the Mirfield Team Parish I have since been on my travels serving as a school chaplain, vicar of a rural multi parish benefice, rector of an urban civic parish church and since 2023 in Cathedral ministry first at Canterbury and now latterly part of the team at one of our three Cathedrals in this unique diocese.

Supporting the well-being of clergy and encourgaing vocations to lay and ordained ministry I have had the privilege of fostering and encouraging the vocation of numbers of people including those called to authorised lay ministries and have supervised and trained context-based ordinands and curates.

Having been a Wakefield ordinand in 2004 and having served my curacy in the Mirfield Team Parish I have since been on my travels serving as a school chaplain, vicar of a rural multi parish benefice, rector of an urban civic parish church and since 2023 in Cathedral ministry first at Canterbury and now latterly part of the team at one of our three Cathedrals in this unique diocese.

I was involved in some of the early iterations of Youth Alpha, pioneered night club chaplaincy, worked with young women at risk of abuse, worked ecumenically on outreach events and helped the churches I have led to grow in confidence.

Supporting the well-being of clergy and encourgaing vocations to lay and ordained ministry I have had the privilege of fostering and encouraging the vocation of numbers of people including those called to authorised lay ministries and have supervised and trained context-based ordinands and curates.

Supporting the well-being of clergy and encourgaing vocations to lay and ordained ministry I have had the privilege of fostering and encouraging the vocation of numbers of people including those called to authorised lay ministries and have supervised and trained context-based ordinands and curates.

I have publicly advocated, and will continue to do so, for the full affirmation of same-sex marriage whilst allowing for diversity of theological expression and conscience as we have done with the acceptance of the ordination of women

I have publicly advocated, and will continue to do so, for the full affirmation of same-sex marriage whilst allowing for diversity of theological expression and conscience as we have done with the acceptance of the ordination of women

My Christian faith was formed from a young age growing up in the Methodist church, who taught me to preach and to sing.

I had a sense of vocation to ordained ministry as a teenager, and this ultimately found expression through the Church of England after 10 years spent in professional Youth and Community Work.

I was involved in some of the early iterations of Youth Alpha, pioneered night club chaplaincy, worked with young women at risk of abuse, worked ecumenically on outreach events and helped the churches I have led to grow in confidence.

Human Sexuality.

Human Sexuality.

I am against anything that excludes anybody, we need to be open to one-another in love, respect, and care, and finally allow same sex blessings.

I am against anything that excludes anybody, we need to be open to one-another in love, respect, and care, and finally allow same sex blessings.

This will never change the nature of marriage.

Safeguarding - I welcome the steps Synod have taken.

I have an MA in international Business, and I will support the national church and the various community strategies to help those who are struggling with the cost-of-living crises; to support the vulnerable and marginalised, and to look at various strategies to use our resources better to support church growth and clergy wellbeing.

I have an MA in Christian Ethics, and as Anglicans we are part of a strong moral tradition.

The Cathedral also moved under my leadership to support refugees.

I have an MA in international Business, and I will support the national church and the various community strategies to help those who are struggling with the cost-of-living crises; to support the vulnerable and marginalised, and to look at various strategies to use our resources better to support church growth and clergy wellbeing.

I have an MA in international Business, and I will support the national church and the various community strategies to help those who are struggling with the cost-of-living crises; to support the vulnerable and marginalised, and to look at various strategies to use our resources better to support church growth and clergy wellbeing.

Synod must not split into camps, but be more united, as Archbishop Sarah is endeavouring to achieve.

Huge misjudgements have been made and more needs to be done to have more transparency from the top down and to rebuild trust by the nation in the Church of England.

Finances.

I left the Church of England, and stepped down from General Synod, and was for ten years Dean of St. Paul's Anglican Cathedral Nicosia, in the Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East being closely connected with the Roman Catholic and Orthodox Churches.

Inclusivity: The last quinquennium has tested our understanding of synodality, as we sought to make the Church of England both a place of fuller belonging for LGBTQI+ people and enabling those with more conservative views on gender and sexuality to belong and to flourish.

Safeguarding remains one of the Church's most important responsibilities.

During the last quinquennium, I spoke in debates, took part in consultations, and sought to ensure that the experience of our local churches and diocesan safeguarding team was heard as the Church developed more independent and robust safeguarding arrangements.

I’m an inclusive catholic, by tradition and conviction, while believing that God calls the whole Church, across all its traditions and perspectives, to share together in God's mission of love and transformation.

For me, synodality reflects the nature of the Church as the Body of Christ, where every baptised person shares in the life and mission of the Church and is called to listen and discern together.

The Church faces significant challenges in the years ahead: nurturing discipleship, supporting leaders, stewarding resources wisely and serving communities faithfully.

These challenges require us to draw on the gifts of the whole people of God and discern together what faithfulness and mission look like in our time.

I believe good governance is a missional necessity, enabling the Church to use its resources effectively and accountably in pursuit of its calling.

The proposed Mission and Pastoral Measure will return to Synod, and I am keen to ensure that reform supports parishes as they navigate change.

If elected, I would continue to bring that experience to Synod, helping to ensure that national decisions remain grounded in the life, mission and challenges of the local Church.

She is committed in the diocese to working across difference to encourage our clergy and churches to nurture faith and serve our communities for the sake of the gospel.

I’m an inclusive catholic, by tradition and conviction, while believing that God calls the whole Church, across all its traditions and perspectives, to share together in God's mission of love and transformation.

At a national level, General Synod brings together legislation, debate and discernment on matters affecting the Church, the nation and the wider world.

This commitment to shared discernment matters at every level, from General Synod to PCCs and local congregations.

I have also contributed to debates on legislation affecting clergy and parish life, including the new Clergy Conduct Measure.

Before ordination, I worked in education, as a Head of Religious Education in secondary schools and Chief Examiner for a national awarding body.

This commitment to shared discernment matters at every level, from General Synod to PCCs and local congregations.

As a member of the Synodical Reference Group, I argued for funding arrangements that are sustainable, transparent and fair, providing clearer support for dioceses and parishes while remaining grounded in the realities of local church life.

If elected, I would want to speak and vote for: encouraging church growth through parish evangelism and mission; growth in lay discipleship including an emphasis on stewardship; sustainable support for parish ministry including simplification of governance and safeguarding and practical help with HR and policies and procedures; good theological formation for clergy and lay ministers; and would pay keen attention to matters of morale, retention and ongoing clergy training.

I am standing for General Synod because I believe the Church of England needs people who can hold together parish commitment, theological breadth, pastoral realism and Gospel hope.

I am also clear that parish clergy need greater support and encouragement to be able to prioritise evangelism and growth over the ever-increasing demands of governance and maintenance.

If elected, I would want to speak and vote for: encouraging church growth through parish evangelism and mission; growth in lay discipleship including an emphasis on stewardship; sustainable support for parish ministry including simplification of governance and safeguarding and practical help with HR and policies and procedures; good theological formation for clergy and lay ministers; and would pay keen attention to matters of morale, retention and ongoing clergy training.