The General Synod decides on key issues in the life of the national Church of England, ranging from legislative and policy decisions to more routine matters.
The Synod is given power by Parliament to pass ‘Measures’ which, on approval by Parliament, become part of the law of the land. General Synod also has a strong interest in current affairs and social issues.
Structure
General Synod is elected every five years by a system of proportional representation. It is made up of three Houses: Bishops, Clergy and Laity with a maximum total number of members of 467. The House of Bishops includes all diocesan bishops plus seven suffragan (or assistant) bishops. In addition to clergy elected from the dioceses, the House of Clergy also includes cathedral deans, a representative of prison chaplains and clergy employed in the universities. The House of Laity is composed chiefly of lay people elected from the dioceses. General Synod meets two or three times a year in London or York.
Our current lay representatives
- Mrs Anna De Castro
anna@opc.org.uk - Miss Jane Patterson
janeepatterson@aol.com - Dr Cathy Rhodes
cathyrhodes3@gmail.com - Mrs Michaela Suckling
michaela.suckling@gmail.com
Our current clergy representatives
- The Reverend Eleanor Robertshaw
eleanorbox@yahoo.co.uk - The Reverend Canon Rick Stordy
rick.stordy@sheffield.anglican.org
General Synod Vacancy
There is a casual vacancy on the General Synod House of Clergy for the rest of the current quinquennium (to July 2026). Elections will be held this year to fill that place.
Standing for General Synod is your opportunity to represent the concerns of your community and your diocese at a national level. Members of Synod have a say in national legislation that affects all parts of The Church of England.
The Church of England website has a great set of resources to help people to understand the process, why they might stand and what difference they can make. Read more.
The timetable for the elections is as follows:
- Nominations Open Wednesday 18 June
- Nominations Close Wednesday 16 July
- Deadline for Election Addresses Wednesday 23 July
- Voting Opens Wednesday 30 July
- Voting Closes Wednesday 27 August
- Notification of results w/c 1 September
Nominations forms and accompanying notes, including those who qualify for election, can be downloaded below.
If you have any questions about standing for General Synod in the Diocese of Sheffield please email presiding.officer@sheffield.anglican.org