Last updated 16th May 2024
Could YOU be a member of Diocesan Synod, the main decision-making body for The Church of England in Blackburn Diocese?
If so, you have until May 23 to put your name forward for election and we have launched a three-week campaign to encourage people top step forward. More about the launch in this story.
Our Synod considers major strategic decisions; agrees major policy and governance changes and the budget for the Diocese.
Could it be you? #standforsynod More info, including criteria for standing, here https://t.co/qXkMjeiOJA watch video with Synod member Rev. Dave O'Brien. Nominations close May 23. @bpblackburn @JillLCDuff@churchofengland @PHJBlackburn @samcheesman @BDBofE @dchampy0 @The_Gazette pic.twitter.com/ySURO3x2e3
— The CofE in Lancashire (Blackburn Diocese) (@cofelancs) May 4, 2024
It is where debate occurs to set an agreed direction of travel for the work of the Diocese. The officers of the Diocesan Board of Finance; Archdeacons; Bishops; clergy and parishes are all accountable to Synod.
Elections are held every three years and are guided by the Church Representation Rules for Diocesan Synods. They are taking place this year for members of the House of Clergy and House of Laity.
A layperson can be elected from as young as 16 based on several criteria (all in the Rules – see link above – and summarised below) including being a communicant member of the Church of England and having their name on the parish electoral roll. We want as many as possible – especially younger people – to stand for election in 2024.
For clergy elections, the Rules state a ‘Clerk in Holy Orders’ who is a member of a Deanery Synod is qualified for election by the House of Clergy of that Deanery Synod to be a member of the Diocesan Synod.
Anyone prayerfully interested in standing for the House of Laity in our Diocesan Synod should speak to their parish priest in the first instance.
People of all ages can #standforsynod. More info, inc. criteria for standing, on our website https://t.co/qXkMjeigU2 and watch video with Synod member Rev. Susan Seed. Nominations close May 23. @bpblackburn @JillLCDuff @churchofengland @PHJBlackburn @samcheesman @BDBofE @dchampy0 pic.twitter.com/KarEl0cizA
— The CofE in Lancashire (Blackburn Diocese) (@cofelancs) May 6, 2024
Then there is a process for nomination they will be pointed towards overseen by local presiding officers in each of our 14 Deanery areas across Lancashire.
People in parishes are also asked to actively encourage others to stand they feel would make a good member of Synod.
The diocese is particularly keen to build diversity in its synod and would welcome nominations from a range of ages (especially young people); those from different cultures and backgrounds; those from minority groups and those from the full spectrum of church tradition.
The presiding officers for each Deanery are the Lay Secretary and the Deanery Chapter Clerk.
Could it be you? Could you #standforsynod? More info, inc. criteria for standing https://t.co/qXkMjeigU2 + watch video with Synod member Rev. Sarah Gill. Nominations close May 23. @bpblackburn @JillLCDuff @churchofengland @PHJBlackburn @samcheesman @BDBofE @dchampy0 @Sarah7_Gill pic.twitter.com/CC9kteGdNI
— The CofE in Lancashire (Blackburn Diocese) (@cofelancs) May 5, 2024
Date | Event | Action by |
---|---|---|
Wednesday 1 May |
Issue of Notice of Election and nomination papers by Presiding Officer |
Presiding Officer |
Thursday 23 May | Return of nomination papers to Presiding Officer | Candidates |
Thursday 30 May | Issue of voting papers by Presiding Officer | Presiding Officer |
Thursday 20 June | Return of voting papers to Presiding Officer | Electorate |
Friday 21-Tuesday 25 June | Counting of Votes | Presiding Officer |
Wednesday 26 June | Presiding Officer sends result to the Secretary of the Diocesan Synod and every candidate | Presiding Officer |
Be a leader and influence decisions #standforsynod! More info, inc. criteria for standing, here https://t.co/qXkMjeiOJA and watch video with Synod member Alan Roadley. Nominations close May 23. @bpblackburn @JillLCDuff @churchofengland @PHJBlackburn @samcheesman @BDBofE @dchampy0 pic.twitter.com/os8LObeZka
— The CofE in Lancashire (Blackburn Diocese) (@cofelancs) May 7, 2024
A three-week campaign has been launched, calling on people of all ages from parishes across the County to become members of one of our key decision-making bodies, writes Ronnie Semley, Diocesan Communications Manager.
The Bishops of Blackburn and Lancaster, Rt Rev. Philip North and Rt Rev. Dr Jill Duff, are fronting the multi-channel push; including videos featuring the Bishops and 12 current members of Synod; all encouraging as many as possible of all ages to consider standing.
As well as appearing on social media, all the videos in the campaign will also be added to this page on the Diocesan website. (Link to come shortly)
Please share the content with anyone you think will be up for standing for election and would make a good candidate. We want as many as possible to stand.
This new campaign - one of our largest ever - includes external promotion via local and regional media; information here on the Diocesan website; regular content on the Diocesan social media channels every day until the closing date for nominations (Thursday, May 23) and regular articles in the ‘Parish Update’ ebulletin.
Could it be you? Prayerfully consider standing for Diocesan Synod. Info, inc. criteria, here https://t.co/qXkMjeigU2 + watch video with Synod member Paul Ronson. Nominations close May 23. @bpblackburn @JillLCDuff @churchofengland @PHJBlackburn @samcheesman @BDBofE #standforsynod pic.twitter.com/cg9McTVSZy
— The CofE in Lancashire (Blackburn Diocese) (@cofelancs) May 7, 2024
Watch Bishop Philip’s video; share it on social media and encourage as many as possible to stand.
Bishop Philip says: “We are committed through our parishes, our schools and our chaplains to making a real difference as we proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ across this diverse and beautiful county. That vision requires good leadership at every level … in our parishes, but also across our Diocese.
“That's why I’m calling for people across the Diocese to think and pray about standing for Diocesan Synod which has a key leadership role across the whole of our common life.
“It meets two or three times a year, with rich and varied agendas and we need a wide range of people to serve: young adults as well as older people; people from estates parishes and rural parishes, along with other demographics.
“We need all sorts of backgrounds for a Synod that represents the diversity of Lancashire so I really hope you consider putting your name forward.”
Watch Bishop Jill’s video; share this one too on social media and keep encouraging as many as possible to stand.
Bishop Jill adds: “We'd love you to consider if God is calling you to stand for Diocesan Synod which is a key leadership body in our Diocese. We want our Synod to represent all the different communities in Lancashire; all ages and stages.
“If you think your face might not fit, that might be exactly why God is calling you! Diocesan Synod is open to everybody, subject to the criteria that you'll find on the Diocesan website, and we’d love you to step out and join in.”
Could you stand for Diocesan Synod? https://t.co/qXkMjeigU2 Today's video features Noah, Alfie and Will of our Diocesan Youth Forum, with a message for YOU! Nominations close May 23. @bpblackburn @JillLCDuff @churchofengland @PHJBlackburn @samcheesman @BDBofE #standforsynod pic.twitter.com/eF5HxDXZk0
— The CofE in Lancashire (Blackburn Diocese) (@cofelancs) May 13, 2024
To help you make a decision whether to stand for our Diocesan Synod, here are some useful links to explore …
Could you #standforsynod? Find out more including criteria for standing, on our website https://t.co/qXkMjeigU2 and watch video with Synod member Hannah Lockwood. Nominations close May 23. @bpblackburn @JillLCDuff @churchofengland @PHJBlackburn @samcheesman @BDBofE @dchampy0 pic.twitter.com/MMlMXtzRai
— The CofE in Lancashire (Blackburn Diocese) (@cofelancs) May 3, 2024
Ronnie Semley, May 2024