General Synod
The General Synod is the national assembly of the Church of England. It came into being in 1970 replacing an earlier body known as the Church Assembly and considers and approves legislation, formulates 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.
Who represents our diocese on General Synod?
General Synod was dissolved on 14 July 2026 and forthcoming elections are to begin in August. The seat allocation for the 2026 General Synod Elections for the Diocese of Carlisle is three clergy and four laity.
General Synod Election 2026 - Timeline
Tuesday 14 July
General Synod is dissolved marking the end of the current quinquennium
Friday 14 August
Invitations to nominate are issued
Monday 7 September
Closing date for receipt of nominations and deadline for receipt of election addresses
Monday 21 September
Invitations to vote are issued and the voting period opens
Monday 12 October
Voting period for voting by paper closes
Tuesday 13 October
Voting period for voting by using elections portal closes
Friday 16 October
Day of the count
Monday 19 October
Deadline for declaration of result
Forms of Return with Election Stages
General Synod Elections 2026 - House of Clergy Candidates Addresses
Click on the links below to read election addresses received by the Diocese of Carlisle for those people standing for the House of Clergy in the forthcoming General Synod elections:
General Synod Elections 2026 - House of Laity Candidates Addresses
Click on the links below to read election addresses received by the Diocese of Carlisle for those people standing for the House of Laity in the forthcoming General Synod elections:
Questions for Candidates for General Synod Election 2026
The electorate was invited to submit questions to be answered by candidates. Please see below responses received for the House of Clergy and the House of Laity.
House of Clergy Candidates' Answers
House of Laity Candidates' Answers
- Questions to candidates for General Synod House of Laity
- Christine Burgess - Answers
- Julie Burrows - Answers
- Portia Crees - Answers
- Jason Dobb - Answers
- Ruth Hutchings - Answers
- Charlotte Lait - Answers
- Susan Leighton - Answers
- Nigel Orchard - Answers
- Rachel Rose - Answers
- Nancy Tweddell - Answers
- Andy Walkingshaw - Answers
- Harry Wilsenach - Answers
Full Results of General Synod Elections 2021
Useful Links
The following links are all available on the Church of England's national website: