Information about election of new clergy and lay members to General Synod.
General Synod is the national assembly of the Church of England. It shapes and approves laws, agrees new forms of worship, debates important matters and approves the Church’s national budget.
This Autumn, elections are happening for new General Synod members.
Those elected will serve for five years. Members are a mixture of bishops, clergy and lay people. Six people will be elected from Church of England Birmingham – three clergy, and three lay people.
Nominations for election opened on 14 August and closed on 7 September 2026.
Due to the number of nominations exceeding the number of seats in both houses, there will be an election for both the House of Clergy and the House of Laity.
How the election process works
The lay Deanery Synod members in the diocese vote for lay candidates, and the clergy in the diocese vote for clergy candidates.
The voting period starts on 21 September and ends on 12 October (for postal ballots) and 13 October (for electronic ballots). The results will be announced on 19 October.
For those who are eligible to vote, voting will be via an online portal, or by post for those who had previously advised the Presiding Officer that they are without email.
Candidates standing for election
The following candidates are standing for election in Church of England Birmingham:
House of Clergy (listed alphabetically)
Candidate: The Revd Jenni CREWES
Nominated by: The Revd Canon Louise Shaw and The Revd Paul Hinton
The Revd Jenni CREWES' Election Address
Candidate: The Revd Toby CROWE
Nominated by: The Revd Bekah Clark and The Revd Canon Nejib Boumenjel
The Revd Toby CROWE's Election Address
Candidate: The Revd Canon Douglas MACHIRIDZA
Nominated by: The Revd Canon Catherine Grylls and The Revd Mark Bennett
The Revd Canon Douglas MACHIRIDZA's Election Address
Candidate: The Revd Theresa MORTON
Nominated by: The Revd Dr Al Barrett and The Revd Tracy Browne
The Revd Theresa MORTON's Election Address
Candidate: The Revd Tendi MUDZVOVERA
Nominated by: The Revd Canon Duncan Hill-Brown and The Revd Adrian Evans
The Revd Tendi MUDZVOVERA's Election Address
Candidate: The Ven Phelim O’HARE
Nominated by: The Ven Jenny Tomlinson and The Revd Canon Geoff Lanham
The Ven Phelim O’HARE's Election Address
Candidate: The Revd Dr Katie STOCK
Nominated by: The Revd Amanda Featherstone and The Revd Dr Sam Gibson
The Revd Dr Katie STOCK's Election Address
House of Laity (listed alphabetically)
Candidate: Canon Dawn BRATHWAITE
Nominated by: Ms Lorraine Lampon and Mr Nicolas Hudson
Canon Dawn BRATHWAITE's Election Address
Candidate: Dr Chisom Favor ELIAKIM-IKECHUKWU
Nominated by: Canon Anesu Muyambi and Miss Emma King
Dr Chisom Favor ELIAKIM-IKECHUKWU's Election Address
Candidate: Dr Rachel JEPSON
Nominated by: Mrs Ruth Cooper and Mr Adam Chinery-North
Dr Rachel JEPSON's Election Address
Candidate: Mr Peter JORDAN
Nominated by: Mr Adam Bennett and Mr Barney Taylor
Mr Peter JORDAN's Election Address
Candidate: Canon Anesu MUYAMBI
Nominated by: Mrs Adeola Victoria Okoi and Dr Chisom Eliakim-Ikechukwu
Canon Anesu MUYAMBI's Election Address
Candidate: Mr Jonathan PEARSON
Nominated by: Mr Obidike Ukaegbu and Canon Anesu Muyambi
Mr Jonathan PEARSON's Election Address
Candidate: Mrs Ruchica VADLAMUDI
Nominated by: Mr Peter Jordan and Mr Barney Taylor
Mrs Ruchica VADLAMUDI's Election Address
Candidate: Mr Matthew VAUGHAN
Nominated by: Mrs Theresa Harris and Mr Geoff Holt
Mr Matthew VAUGHAN's Election Address
Candidates may now request a list of the registered Electors in their House by emailing the Presiding Officer at elections@cofebirmingham.com.
Candidate responses to elector questions
To help Electors learn more about the Candidates and their priorities, we invited them to submit questions. The Presiding Officer received 28 questions and grouped them into seven key themes, covering the main issues raised. Candidates were not required to answer any or all of the questions.
Read the candidate responses to elector questions.
Information about Election Addresses
An Election Address is an opportunity for each candidate to set out why they want to be elected and what they could bring to the role. All Election Addresses provided to us by candidates are published on this page.
Publication of an Election Address should not be seen as an endorsement of any candidate by Church of England Birmingham. Church of England Birmingham is not responsible for any comments or opinions expressed in Election Addresses.
Find out more
Watch this short explainer video: What is the General Synod?