General Synod is the national assembly of the Church of England.
It came into being in 1970 under the Synodical Government Measure 1969, replacing an earlier body known as the Church Assembly.
Elections will be held in the Autumn of 2026 for the quinquennium 2026 – 2031, the relevant dates for these are as follows:
- Nominations will be open from 14 August 2026 – 7 September 2026
- Elections will take place from 21 September 2026 – 13 October 2026
- The electorate will be the clergy and lay members of deanery synods as of the date of dissolution – 14 July 2026 – i.e. for laity, those elected at this year’s APCM meetings.
General Synod Representatives for the quinquennium 2021 – 2026
2021 – 2026
Proctors in Convocation:
The Revd Canon Dr Tim Bull
The Revd Canon Lucy Davis
The Revd Jonathan Stevens
The Revd Rachel Wakefield
The Revd Dr Nicholas Weir
House of Laity:
Canon Peter Adams
Mrs Sheila Bissell
Mr Tim Fleming
Ms Rebecca Mynett
Ms Emma Robarts
If you wish to contact the General Synod Representatives you can do so by using the email address GSReps@stalbansdiocese.org
Results sheets for the 2021 General Synod elections
Results sheet for 2024 Casual Vacancy election (clergy)
Results sheet for 2025 Casual Vacancy election (lay)
Find more about General Synod on the Church of England website including agendas and papers, as well as a link to watch Synod debates (live, if in session, or recordings from previous debates).
The General Synod has powers in the following areas:
- To pass Measures which, if approved by resolution of each House of Parliament, receive Royal Assent and thereby become part of the law of England.
- To legislate by Canon, subject to Royal Licence and Assent.
- To regulate the Church of England’s relations with other churches and to make provisions for matters relating to worship and doctrine. It can make provision by Act of Synod, regulation or other instrument in cases where legislation by or under a Measure or Canon is not necessary.
- To approve, amend, continue or discontinue liturgies and make provision for any matter (except the publication of banns of marriage) to which rubrics of the Book of Common Prayer relate and to ensure that the forms of service contained in the Book of Common Prayer continue to be available for use in the Church of England. The Synod also decides the form in which ministers and officers of the Church of England are required to assent to the doctrine of the Church of England (the Declaration of Assent).
- To consider any other matters of religious or public interest.
- To approve (or reject) the central Church budget each year.
If you wish to contact the General Synod Representatives for this Diocese you can do so by using the email address GSReps@stalbansdiocese.org
