vacancy
As Growing Mission Strategic Lead I work with churches in moments of change, particularly through vacancy and with our Interim Change Ministers.
one of seven people - and the only woman - on the Vacancy in See Committee producing the Statement of Needs describing Peterborough Diocese and what we needed from our next bishop, as part of the process leading to the appointment of Bishop Debbie Sellin.
I have served on Diocesan Synod, the Vacancy-in-See Committee, and have been elected to the Crown Nomination Commission in search of our next Diocesan Bishop.
I have served on PCCs, been Lay Chair of the Deanery Synod for nine years, and served on the Diocesan Bishop's Council, Diocesan Synod, Vacancy in See Committee and Diocesan Board of Patronage.
• I chair the prayer group on the Vacancy in See Committee.
My background equips me well for these responsibilities: Church Leadership and Transition: During a parish vacancy and throughout the isolation of the COVID -19 pandemic, I helped sustain our parish community by writing and distributing a weekly pastoral newsletter to keep isolated members connected until we could safely regather.
Our church’s own experience of vacancy and the work done by a host of volunteers has underlined the need to support and value those volunteers.
Chair, Consultation subgroup of Guildford Vacancy-in-See Committee (current)
I am concerned that the London Vacancy-in-See Committee has not specified that the next Bishop of London should be someone who ordains women: it is unreasonable to expect female clergy to be overseen by a bishop who personally does not believe women should be ordained or undertake leadership roles in the Church.
York Vacancy in See Committee
I was chairman of the DCC for several iterations and until this year I was Churchwarden at St Aldhelm’s, Radipole, serving 6 years which included an 18-month vacancy where I had responsibility for leading the church.
I have been elected three times to Diocesan Synod, served as an elected representative on the most recent Vacancy-in-See Committee, been Chapter Clerk for the Deanery of Hammersmith & Fulham, and been a Vocations Adviser.
I have served on several of the working groups connected to LLF/PLF, and also on the House of Bishops Standing Commission on the 5 Guiding Principles, initially covering the complementarian episcopal vacancy in Maidstone/Ebbsfleet.
David moved to be rector of Hexham Abbey in the imminence of the pandemic, which left me curate in vacancy for the next year, in the most stretched and saddest of times.
I have been an active member of the Diocesan Synod and Bishop’s Council for the last five years, and I have served on the Vacancy-in-See Committee.
I have been a member of the Diocesan Evangelical Fellowship for 23 years, of Deanery and Diocesan Synod for 20 years and the Vacancy-in-See Committee for 13 years.
Personal background I have been the Interim Minister for Swindon Deanery since January 2026, working with parishes in vacancy on strategic and leadership direction.
o c e s e : Peter serves on Bishop’s Council, College of Canons, St Martha’s College, Vacancy-in-See and Dorking Deanery Leadership Team.
We must also continue with +Andrew’s legacy, as well as supporting +Paul during the Vacancy.
I have been a member of the Deanery Synod the Diocesan Vacancy in see committee, The patronage board, The Archbishops Council and the Diocesan Mission and Pastoral Committee.
Presently on the electoral roll for St Bartholomew’s, Orford, and have been churchwarden, now Lay Elder and PCC member as well as on the Deanery Synod, Diocesan Synod, Vacancy In See, Board of Patronage, Suffolk Archdeaconry for Pastoral Care, and Bishop’s Council.
I was elected to General Synod for a casual vacancy in 2025 and having attended two sessions of the last set, I feel that I now have an understanding of how synod works and over the next five years will be able to contribute fully as a more experienced member.
I serve on the Bishop’s Council, am Acting Area Dean, chaired the Drafting Group for the Vacancy in See Committee where we worked well together across different traditions, and I was elected to the Crown Nominations Commission who nominated Bishop Andrew.
Why I am standing again: In September 2025, I was elected to the General Synod to fill a vacancy.
Diocesan Responsibilities: Elected Diocesan Synod member, Vacancy in See Committee member, Crown Nomination Commission member, Canon Emerita, Bradford Cathedral Chapter Non-Executive Director, member of Bradford Anglican Council for Social Aid (grant making, Bradford Episcopal area), Chair – Bradford Hate Crime Alliance (charity), member of Crown Prosecution Service Regional Hate Crime Scrutiny Panel member.
This diocese has shaped my ministry from the very beginning ¢ Governance experience in the Church, Education and Charitable sectors ¢ Formation through Windsor Leadership and the Incumbents Leadership Programme which has equipped me with leadership skills that help me serve well at a national level ¢ Volunteer leadership background including over a decade as a Commissioned Officer in the RAF Air Cadets which shaped my approach to supporting teams and volunteers ¢ Service on the Vacancy in See Committee which has given me insight into national processes and episcopal oversight, including being part of the Crown
London’s Vacancy-in-See Committee (2025 – 2026)
This is particularly important for churches facing a vacancy.
My own Parish has a new Incumbent Priest after nearly two years of vacancy.
This has enabled me to be involved in Diocesan Synod, Bishop’s Council, the Transformation agenda, and, the Vacancy in See Committee ensuring a deep understanding of what makes our diocese what it is.
None of this is to minimise the huge contribution made by lay people in the life and mission of the church, but high vacancy rates are placing far too much pressure on retired clergy, and in many places moving forward in mission is proving very difficult due to a lack of stable ordained leadership.
I work closely with churches in vacancy and with the Vacancy Resource Group.
My current church has now been in vacancy for a year and I have been active in ensuring that our governance, administration, day to day work and worship in the Parish has continued.
Over the past year I have had the privilege of serving on General Synod, filling a casual vacancy for the Diocese of Gloucester.
Recently our vicar has retired, and I am honoured to be part of the lay leadership team co- ordinating worship during the vacancy.
Alongside parish ministry I have served on Diocesan Synod in three dioceses—Lincoln, St Edmundsbury & Ipswich and Peterborough—and was privileged to serve on the Vacancy in See Committee during the appointment of our current Bishop.
Being part of the Vacancy in See process recently (following the announcement of Bishop Martin’s retirement) has been fascinating.
I was a member of the recent Vacancy in See Committee for Southwark and am the Lay Vocations Champion for Wandsworth Deanery
I have also served and worked with the wider diocese through co- option to the Vacancy in See Committee; election to the Crown Nominations Commission for our diocesan bishop; membership of the Bishop's Advisory
I chaired the Vacancy in See committee in our last Arch- episcopal vacancy and served on the Crown Nomination Committee which nominated Archbishop Stephen.
I was Chair of the Vacancy in See Committee that led to the appointment of +Sophie.
• Vacancy in See Committee - the group that drafted the
Chair Lichfield Diocesan Vacancy-in-See Committee (Current)
In 2022 I had the privilege of serving as Vice Chair of the Vacancy in See Committee and Chair of the Drafting Group for the Statement of Needs which resulted in the election of Bishop Philip.
For my entire 40+ years in Dorking, I have been a member of St Paul’s Church, where (at different times…) I have served in the following ways: Leader of the 11s-14s group, and a helper in the creche; Leader of a midweek homegroup; Churchwarden for 5 years (including during a Vacancy); PCC Treasurer (3 separate stints!) and PCC Secretary; World Church Team leader (supporting overseas mission partners); Care home visitor; Preacher and service leader (including taking funerals).
An example of delving into the boring bits was when, with a Vacancy approaching, we heard of planning to let our Vicarage for “… the year it will take to get someone in post.” Some research (going all the way back to the Benefices Measure of
Consequently, we were in formal Vacancy for under six months.
During our current vacancy, I find visiting clergy to take services and organise sidesfolk and our Holy Dusters.
My village church is experiencing its third vacancy in ten years, placing additional strain on volunteers and local clergy and inevitably weakening congregational life.
Elected lay member for both the Vacancy in See Committee and Crowns Nominations Commission for the successful nomination of +Michael Beasley, the Bishop of Bath & Wells.
We are a welcoming, inclusive church, part of a two-church benefice and are about to go into vacancy but blessed to have an SSM priest and a retired priest with PTO as well as enthusiastic and Spirit-filled lay people.
I was elected to fill a casual vacancy on General Synod in July 2024 and again have been able to support the uplift in clergy stipend and pension and the importance of clergy well-being.
I am Associate Minister at St Nic’s, Nottingham, and engage in ministry, teaching and writing in a wide range of contexts, including supporting churches in vacancy.
I continued to be actively involved in local church ministry during my time in theological education, and as Associate Minister at St Nic’s I also support other churches, especially those in vacancy.
As a member of General Synod during the last quinquennium, I am a member of the Vacancy in See Committee, and I have recently been elected as a diocesan member of the Crown Nominations Commission which will appoint our next diocesan bishop.
At present I am serving on the PCC at Christ Church Coalville as Finance Lead, which has recently been placed into Vacancy and am a member of the Denary Synod
In 2024, I questioned the lack diversity in our diocesan Vacancy in See Committee and Crown Nomination Committee (CNC) for the selection of our next diocesan bishop.
I have served as a member of the House of Bishops for the past year having previously been elected following a casual vacancy.
I’m also a member of the Diocese’s Vacancy-in-See Committee (VISC).
I was elected to General Synod last October in a casual vacancy and attended the February and July Synods.
Knowledge of this Diocese from 12 years’ ministry here during which I have served on Diocesan Synod, Bishop’s Council, Bishop’s Staff as Dean of Women’s Ministry, Vacancy in See and CNC.
On the Oxford Vacancy in See Committee, I was amazed that we still had to vote on whether to accept a bishop who does not ordain women.
Though not among those elected, I might have found myself serving again if a vacancy had arisen.
I have served on General Synod for a year after a Casual vacancy election in 2025 and have thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
Synodical and committee experience ● Member of Lichfield Diocesan Synod 2021-2023 ● Member of Bristol Diocesan Synod 2023-present ● Elected member of Bristol Vacancy-in-See committee 2025
On the Vacancy-in-See committee, I worked hard to ensure that the broad spectrum of traditions and contexts across our Diocese was represented fairly.
(Chair, Vacancy-in-See Committee)
(Bishop’s Council, Vacancy-in-See Committee)
Also on Wulfrun Deanery Synod (Lay Chair designate), Diocesan Synod, Bishop’s Council, Vacancy-in-See Committee, and a Trustee of St Chad’s Retreat Centres which owns and runs Shallowford House (of which I have been a prayer supporter for nearly 40 years).
of a casual vacancy.
Due to the retirement of Mark Ireland, which left a vacancy for a Blackburn clergy representative, I was privileged to serve on General Synod for one year to complete the term of office.
There should be a cap on new internal compliance and procedural requirements (with an exemption for safeguarding), and a recognition that a long-running vacancy triggers a decline in church attendance and giving.
As more churches go into vacancy/interregnum, and the number of churches in a benefice increases, any help from an incumbent is likely to reduce if not disappear.
• Vacancy in See Committee
I was a Proctor in Convocation (elected member of the House of Clergy) in the last quinquennium having filled a casual vacancy and I am seeking re-election to the General Synod.
In Mere, a parish with a difficult recent history, we have managed to come together as a congregation during a prolonged vacancy and become a vibrant, more financially sustainable church (paying our share in full) whilst building an increasingly strong presence in our local community.
• Church warden for six years including time of vacancy and extending into Covid
Revising the vacancy process to maintain healthy churches Dear elector,
Election address for application for General Synod vacancy – Please give me your first preference
censed lay minister helping to cover with the preaching and leading team while in vacancy.
Within the diocese, I sit on the Vacancy in See Committee, the Racial justice and Inclusion Task Group and the Feeding our Faith Board.
Virtually all of this year I have spent in a parish with a vacancy, which has given me valuable insight into how parishes cope during this time and perhaps some of the difficulties they face in the 21st century when having to follow rules developed last century.
Member of the Vacancy in See Committee.
I am standing for re-election to General Synod having already served for 18 months following a casual vacancy.
I have just served as the chair of the Vacancy in See Committee (VISC) for London, at the request of the Bishop’s Council.
I have been a churchwarden and a parish rep in vacancy so understand the pressures of small church resourcing.
(2024 - 2026) Member of the Vacancy in See Committee for the appointment of the Bishop of Leeds Member of Diocesan and
I was also a member of the Vacancy in See Committee and will be part of the Crown Nominations Commission that will elect the next Bishop of Southwark.
In 2024 I chaired the Diocesan Vacancy in See Committee responsible for discerning the needs of Worcester Diocese for our new Bishop.
Supporting broader representation and greater equality on Vacancy in See Committees.
A year spent looking after a church in vacancy, who were going through a difficult time.
I have recently had the privilege of serving on the Vacancy in See Committee, and I am honoured to have been voted onto the CNC.
Church experience General Synod rep 2025-26 (In casual vacancy election) Chudleigh Church treasurer &
I was on the London Area Council and I am currently a member of the York Vacancy in See Commiftee.
As both laity and clergy I have served at Deanery and Diocesan Synods in the Dioceses of Salisbury and Portsmouth and have had the privilege to have served on General Synod for the last 2 years having been elected to a casual vacancy in 2024.
I have twice been a churchwarden while the parish was in vacancy.
I also have served as a church warden for 7 years - three of which were during a vacancy.
My experience has been developed through serving as a member of the Vacancy-in-See Committee for the Diocese of Oxford during the process of finding our new Bishop of Oxford.
We are now four years into another vacancy and have been folded into a much larger group of eleven parishes and our Priest in Charge post has twice failed to attract an application.
I was on the Clergy Conduct Measure Revision Committee and have also been a member of a committee of Archbishop’s Council - the Advisory Group for the Terms and Wellbeing of Ministers, which works to ensure that our clergy are well cared for and can thrive in parish ministry. ● I am also Vice Chair of our Vacancy in See Committee and have been elected to the Crown Nominations Commission to help us find the 100th Bishop of Lichfield in the coming months. ● My experience of being a trustee of CPAS and Church Society helps inform my governance work in the wider church, together with service as a governor at our church school for over ten years, and on CEEC and Lichfield Diocesan Evangelical Fellowship. ● I’m married to Neil, a vicar, and we have three young adult children, and a large lurcher.
In our diocese we see this in the vacancy rate, running at over 25% for the last few years.
project and a clergy vacancy, I want to see that small churches are supported so they can get time away from maintenance to build their congregations.
Member of General Synod and consequently a member of Diocesan Synod Member of the Risk and Audit Committee of the Archbishops’ Council Member of the Archbishops’ Council Current chair of the Diocesan Vacancy-in-See Committee
Lastly General Synod Members are automatically ex-officio members of the Diocesan Vacancy in See Committee, where I will be outspoken in a commitment to our Diocese remaining a broad church where all traditions are valued.
• Full attendance at Diocesan Synod and throughout Vacancy in See Committee