Between 9–13 February, Bishops, Clergy, and Laity from across the country came together for the first General Synod of 2026.

The gathering was attended by our Diocesan representatives. They are: 

• House of Bishops: The Rt Revd Neil Warwick 

• House of Clergy: The Revd Canon Alice Kemp, The Revd Adam Beaumont, The Revd Kat Campion-Spall 

• House of Laity: Dr Brendan Biggs, Mr Ed Shaw, Mrs Christiana Olomolaiye. 

Summary of Proceedings 

Monday 9 February 

After the formal opening, the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, welcomed the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury, Sarah Mullally. 

Synod then turned to two amendments to standing orders. The first updated provisions to enable members to join meetings online. The second implemented the commitment made in 2025 to strengthen the voice of young adults in the Church’s national decision making, welcoming five Youth Representatives to Synod. Both items were approved. 

Members went on to discuss the report of the Business Committee, which outlines the agenda and business for the days ahead. 

The day concluded with the first of two questions sessions on a wide range of subjects relating to the life and mission of the Church. Members submit questions in advance in writing enabling Synod then to spend more time in the live question-and-answer sessions discussing follow-up questions in more detail. 

Tuesday 10 February 

The second day of Synod began, after Worship, with new Archbishop of Canterbury, Sarah Mullally’s, first Presidential Address. She spoke of approaching her ministry with calm, consistency and compassion; of nurturing confidence and hope rooted in the Gospel; and of recommitting the Church to transparency, safeguarding, and the flourishing of the local parish and communities. 

Synod then turned to a number of legislative items. Amending Canon No. 44, relating to the exercise of ministry by Armed Forces chaplains, which was enacted. 

The Clergy Conduct Measure (CCM) was then reintroduced to synod following feedback from the Parliamentary Ecclesiastical Committee. Synod agreed an amendment, reversing the presumption of private hearings so that tribunals and courts will normally sit in public. Final approval for the Measure was then secured comfortably across all three Houses. 

Synod then approved changes to the Church Representation Rules concerning PCC decisions taken by correspondence, introducing the requirement that at least one third of members must give written approval and that no member objects. The motion passed with strong support. 

Just before the break for lunch, prayers were said for the Bishop of Guildford, Andrew Watson, following his announcement of a cancer diagnosis. 

The afternoon began with a presentation and extended Q&A on Living in Love and Faith. Members engaged with the House of Bishops’ January 2026 statement, which outlines the conclusion of the LLF programme in its current form, the continued monitoring of Prayers of Love and Faith within regular services under Canon B5, and the establishment of new governance structures - the Relationships, Sexuality and Gender Working Group and its Pastoral Consultative Group. 

Synod then endorsed the vision of the Archbishops’ Commission on Reimagining Care, commending parish level good practice and urging national policymakers to draw on the Commission’s proposals as they develop a National Care Service.. 

With additional time available, The Business Committee moved to bring the Lowest Income Communities (LInC) Funding debate forward from contingency business to this sitting, which was approved. 

After debate, Synod agreed an amendment from Carl Hughes, to remit LInC funding reform to the wider review of the Church’s funding framework. The amended motion asks the Archbishops’ Council and Church Commissioners to report back to Synod on alternative approaches to LInC distribution that align with the outcomes of that broader review. 

Wednesday 11 February 

Persecution of Christians around the world, the impact of the mental health crisis in UK and the Church’s own progress on establishing an independent safeguarding body were among subjects discussed at the General Synod on Wednesday. 

Members began the day with a service of Holy communion at which the Archbishop of York preached. 

Most of the rest of the morning was devoted to a debate on mental health and the Church. The motion as passed calls for those training for ordination to have specific courses on how to support people facing mental health challenges, and for counselling and therapy to be available to clergy, among other recommendations. 

Afternoon business opened with a presentation on proposals to establish a new independent oversight body for church safeguarding from Dame Christine Ryan, the independent Executive Chair of the Church’s Safeguarding Structures Programme Board. 

Members then spent time discussing two pieces of liturgical business: the establishment of a new annual Festival of God the Creator and an annual commemoration of 21 Christian men who were killed for their faith by Isis terrorists in Libya 10 years ago – an example of modern day Christan martyrs. 

Synod members scrutinised a new Code of Practice for Mission Initiatives, making a number of amendments. 

Thursday 12 February 

Synod began with worship led by the Diocese of Gloucester. 

The Synod agreed to take note of the report of the Standing Orders committee. A series of amendments were approved as follows: 30,26, 40, 39,38,34, 35, 36, 38, 42,43. The General Synod approved items 46, 41, 44 and 45 on CNC membership. 

Synod backed a motion from Worcester Diocese, introduced by the Bishop of Dudley, Martin Gorick. The debate included a short film from the village of Harpley, Worcestershire, where the sustainable church flowers movement began. The motion, which received strong support, does not set any rules, but encourages churches to source local flowers and foliage, and avoid using single use plastics, including floral foam which breaks down into microplastic particles. 

The General Synod voted to redouble efforts to combat poverty and to speak out about the causes of poverty, as well as helping people in need through practical work such as food banks. 

The General Synod approved a motion on Living in Love and Faith affirming that the programme will conclude by July and commending the House of Bishops in establishing the Relationships, Sexuality and Gender Working Group and Relationships, Sexuality and Gender Pastoral Consultative Group for continuing work. 

The full text of the motion is here: 

That this Synod: 

a) recognise and lament the distress and pain many have suffered during the LLF process, especially LGBTQI+ people; 

b) affirm that the LLF Programme and all work initiated by the February 2023 LLF Motion and subsequent LLF Motions will conclude by July 2026; 

c) thank the LLF Working Groups for their committed and costly work, which will now draw to a close with the conclusion of this synodical process; 

d) commend the House of Bishops in establishing the Relationships, Sexuality and Gender Working Group and Relationships, Sexuality and Gender Pastoral Consultative Group for continuing work. 

The motion (item 20) was carried.

Friday 13 February 

General Synod heard that progress has been made but more work needs to be done to increase working class lay and ordained vocations. 

The Bishop of Barking, Lynne Cullens, who is heading a key advisory group drawing up a strategy to encourage working class vocations, spoke of progress but said research showed that there was still a ‘long way to go.” 

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Sarah Mullally, welcomed the work to encourage working class vocations. She highlighted shift workers, saying that 27 per cent of the UK work force regularly work evenings and nights – and they will include many potential lay and ordained ministers. 

Working class vocation and ministry next steps motion was approved. 

Find out more about what happened at Synod here

Image: Geoff Crawford / Church of England