The General Synod election process was to have taken place last year [2020], but due to the pandemic General Synod’s last meeting of the current term was postponed to July 2021. The elections to a new Synod were therefore postponed to September 2021, and the Inclusive Election Campaign that began in 2019 had to be paused for a few months.

However, with just over six months to go WATCH, along with other inclusive groups, is once again encouraging and supporting inclusive members of the Church of England to engage with the elections.

If we want to see a General Synod membership supportive of full equality in the Church of England, we need people willing to stand for election later this year.

A new website brings together information about the elections into one space, www.inclusive-synod.org. Please take a look at the website, find out what is involved, and think about whether you or someone you know might consider standing for election. The website will be running until the end of the elections in October and will be updated with extra information as the campaign progresses.