Do you feel called to be part of national church decision making? There is an opportunity for someone to represent the Diocese in the General Synod for one year.
This is because the 2015-2020 General Synod has been extended until July 2021 due to Covid-19, so we need to fill a vacancy until the dissolution of the General Synod in July 2021. After this, elections will be held for the new General Synod that will commence its term of office in November 2021.
The vacancy is for a lay representative. Anyone who is on the electoral roll of a parish church in the Bristol Diocese can stand, as long as they are not a member of clergy.
Candidates must be proposed and seconded by Deanery Synod Lay members.
General Synod is the governing body of the Church of England and normally meets two or three times a year in February, July and November. Members have the opportunity to speak and vote in debates that shape the future of the Church of England.
The person who is elected will join two other lay representatives from the Diocese as well as three clergy representatives.
David Froude, General Synod Bristol representative:
“It has been a privilege to serve in the House of Laity of General Synod over the last 10 years. These have been times of challenge and great change as Synod has grappled with what it means to be an inclusive church.”
Please do think and pray about whether you, or someone who know, would be willing to stand in this election.
The completed Nomination Forms must reach the Presiding Officer by 12 noon on Tuesday 1st September 2020, to be delivered by post or in-person to the Diocesan Office.
The election timetable can be found here.
More information for candidates can be found here.
If you have any questions, please contact Graham Shaul or Sally Moody.