Diocesan Synod By-Elections

10/07/09

By-Elections of members of the House of Clergy and House of Laity of the London Diocesan Synod are currently taking place, owing to the existence of vacancies following the main election.

Timetable for the London Diocesan Synod By-Elections

Who can be elected?

Details of the full requirements can be found on the nominations forms. However, the position in brief is as follows:

Any clergy man or woman who is a member of a deanery synod can stand to be elected to the House of Clergy of the Diocesan Synod by the House of Clergy of the deanery synod.

Any lay person who is taking communion (at least three times in the last year), is confirmed, is at least sixteen years old and whose name is entered on the electoral roll of a parish in a deanery can stand to be elected to the House of Laity of the Diocesan Synod by the House of Laity of the deanery synod. Certain other people may also be qualified: as set out in the notes at the end of the lay nomination form.

Who should stand for election?

Anybody who qualifies to be elected and who feels they have a role to play in representing the views of their deanery and the churches in their area should consider standing for election. All persons who have a contribution to make and would like to do so should complete a nomination form and return it to the Presiding Officer (address on the form). The Diocesan Synod should reflect the rich diversity of the congregations in this world city, and if you feel you can play your part please stand for election.

Who elects to the London Diocesan Synod?

Each deanery in the Diocese elects a certain number of people to the Diocesan Synod in proportion to its size. The clergy representatives for each deanery are elected by the clerical members of the deanery synod (except co-opted members), i.e. clerical electors, and the lay representatives for each deanery by the lay representatives of the deanery synod (except co-opted members), i.e. lay electors.

What is the London Diocesan Synod?

The Synod is the body of representatives of the clergy and lay people in the Diocese, which meets together with the bishops, archdeacons and other senior post holders in the Diocese to discuss matters of concern to the Diocese of London, and to make provision for those things that require some form of action or statement. The Bishop of London consults the Synod about matters when it is appropriate to do so. The Synod also has a role in representing the views of the Diocese of London to the General Synod and wider national Church, particularly when asked to do so by the General Synod or Archbishops’ Council. The Synod receives the accounts of the Diocesan administrative body, the London Diocesan Fund, and approves the total amount of Common Fund to be collected each year.

It is important that the Synod reflects the range of views and opinions present in our churches, and that it goes about its business prayerfully and faithfully. However, the Diocesan Synod may not make any statement on the doctrine of the Church – this is one of the roles of the General Synod.