General Synod Elections

General Synod is the national assembly of the Church of England. It shapes and approves laws that affect the whole of the Church of England. It agrees new forms of worship, debates matters of national and international importance, and approves the annual budget for the work of the Church at national level.

In Autumn 2026, elections are happening for new General Synod members. Those elected will serve for five years. Members are a mixture of bishops, clergy and lay people. Almost anyone who attends church regularly is likely to be eligible to stand as a lay member.

The Diocese of Durham is represented at the Church of England's General Synod by four 'Proctors in Convocation' or members of the House of Clergy and four Members of the House of Laity. In the 2026 General Synod elections the nomination period closed at 5pm on 7 September 2026 and the following are standing for election to the House of Clergy and House of Laity. Where Election Addresses have been provided by a candidate there is a link to his/her address adjacent to his/her name.

House of Clergy		House of Laity
Nichola Chater	Link to address	Alistair Bassett	Link to address
Alexander Jones	Link to address	Alison Blackburn	Link to address
Mark Mawhinney	Link to address	Adam Ellison	Link to address
Simon McMurtary	Link to address	James Hall	Link to address
Mark Miller	Link to address	Jamie Harrison	Link to address
Chantal Noppen	Link to address	Paul Hobbs	Link to address
Donna Robinson	Link to address	Hanna Lucas	Link to address
Matthew Tarling	Link to address	Khaiko Makwela-Wali	Link to address
		Catherine Mayes	Link to address
		Joanne Nolan	Link to address
		Tim Packer	Link to address
		Richard Scothon	Link to address
		Helen Smith	Link to address
		Frances Stenlake	Link to address
		Guy Wingate	Link to address

The voting period will open on Monday 21 September 2026 and close at 5pm on Tuesday 13 October 2026. Those eligible to vote will receive information about how to vote. This information will be sent to their e-mail address or postal address where an e-mail address is not available.