{"id":102,"date":"2012-10-22T07:19:17","date_gmt":"2012-10-22T06:19:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.wheldrakechurch.org.uk\/?page_id=102"},"modified":"2026-08-07T22:15:05","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T21:15:05","slug":"news-items","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/www.wheldrakechurch.org.uk\/?page_id=102","title":{"rendered":"News items"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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To: Clergy, PCC Secretaries, and General Synod Electors in the Diocese of York
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From: The Chairs of the Houses of the York Diocesan Synod
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Dear Friends,
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Over the next few years, the General Synod will play an important role in shaping the future of the Church of England. Together, we will be discerning how we grow as disciples of Jesus Christ, help more children and young people explore faith, support mission in our parishes, and plant new worshipping communities both in person and online. We will also be continuing to work towards a Church that is simpler, humbler and bolder.
This autumn, a new General Synod will be elected. This is an opportunity for you and members of your congregation to help ensure that the Church of England’s national governing body reflects the views and experiences of people across our diocese.
General Synod brings together bishops, clergy and lay people from every diocese. It makes decisions on worship, doctrine and legislation, considers the Church’s finances, and debates important social, moral and national issues. Those elected are expected to contribute thoughtfully to these discussions and represent the people who elect them.
To stand for election to the House of Clergy, ordained colleagues must hold a licence or Permission to Officiate (PTO) in the Diocese of York.
Any lay person can stand for election to the House of Laity if they are over 18, a member of the Church of England, and on the Electoral Roll of a parish, mission initiative or cathedral. All lay candidates must be nominated and seconded by two members of a Deanery Synod. We encourage you to consider whether you, or someone in your parish, could offer this important ministry, particularly people from groups that are currently underrepresented. If they are not already a member of your PCC then membership of General Synod would automatically make them a member.
We will be electing six clergy and six lay representatives to serve on the General Synod for the next five years.
Even if you do not stand for election, you can still play an important part by voting and\/or by holding these elections in prayer. All beneficed and licensed clergy, and lay members of Deanery Synods (except co-opted members), are eligible to vote. That means that your Deanery Synod reps will have a say in the body that will shape the Church of England into the 2030s.
Voting will take place between 21 September and 12 October 2026 for postal votes, and until 13 October 2026 for online votes.
Further information about the elections, including how to stand, is available at www.dioceseofyork.org.uk\/general-synod . Please could you share this information through your parish communications, whether that’s a newsletter, website or social media channel.
If you are not a member of Deanery Synod and would like information about nomination arrangements, please contact Peter Warry, the Presiding Officer, or Kirsty McCullough (kirsty.mccullough@yorkdiocese.org).
A few practical reminders:<\/p>\n\n\n\n