General Synod Election Candidates 2026

Revd Anita Colpus

Candidate for General Synod

Rector at TRINITY Lewes

The Rectory,
Southover High Street,
Lewes BN7 1HT.

07786 268612

[email protected]
Please do contact me if you have any questions.

Proposer: Revd Sam Carter
Seconder: Revd Tim Crook

To my brothers and sisters in Chichester Diocese,

I am offering myself to serve the Diocese of Chichester and the wider Church in standing for election
to General Synod. Some of you may be surprised to see this from me, as Synods are not my natural
environment; however, I am deeply committed to the Church of England, its flourishing, and its call
to be the body of Christ here on earth.

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. As we continue with the process to appoint a new Bishop of
Chichester, I want to assure you that I am wholeheartedly committed to the five guiding principles.

There are always significant challenges to face, and this next quinquennium will be no different.
Being distinctively different as disciples of Jesus, and counter-cultural in an ever-growing secular
country, we need to be committed to proclaiming and demonstrating the gospel, as Jesus showed
and taught us. I am committed to doing this.

I pray frequently for renewal in the church and revival in our land: for people to encounter the living
God through the Holy Spirit; to be transformed into His likeness; and to be obedient followers of
Jesus.

As you prayerfully consider how to cast your vote, I would be honoured if you would entrust me with
your first-preference vote (or second, or third….).

Please do contact me if that would be helpful as you ponder and pray.

With love and prayers,
Anita

About me…. I am married to Richard, and we have two daughters – Hannah is 20 and Rachel is 19,
and we are in an early season of learning life with Max, our Cockapoo! I enjoy coffee with friends,
musical theatre, jigsaws, holidaying in our caravan, walking by water, and getting up early before the
rest of my family have realised the day has started!

I have been part of the Church of England all my life. I came to a personal faith at the age of 16, and
have belonged to and served the Church in various ways ever since. I would describe myself as
orthodox, evangelical, and charismatic in my theology and tradition.

2003 – Ordained and served my curacy at St Peter’s, Notting Hill in London Diocese
2007 – Licensed to a benefice in Sittingbourne (Canterbury Diocese) while my primary focus was
caring for my two young daughters.
2010 – Vicar at St Luke’s, Reigate (Southwark Diocese)
2021 – Rector at TRINITY Lewes (Chichester Diocese)

There are clearly many complex and important issues that the Church of England is addressing;
below are just some of the topics that I am particularly passionate about:

Clergy well-being: I regularly hear from my colleagues and friends about the pressure and
demands they feel, and how that is impacting their mental health and general well-being. I am also
concerned about the inappropriate use of clergy disciplinary measures, and just how vulnerable
clergy have been to being put under a CDM when it has perhaps not been the correct or best process
for a given situation. I’m aware that this has been on the General Synod agenda, and that change is
coming, and I would certainly engage with any future related discussions around this work.

Vocations:
I am passionate about seeing people pursuing the vocation God calls them to. The
depth and breadth of the CofE should be reflected fully and fairly, which requires a range of
appropriate pathways, for the whole body of Christ to flourish and grow, so that people can be
equipped and released to serve the Church as God calls and leads.

Confidence in the Good News of Jesus: Without giving you a sermon, I believe we sometimes
appear to have lost confidence in, and have watered down, the gospel; we appear to have lost our
boldness to witness Jesus in our communities. Secularism dominates society, and the Church has
lost her way. (I am obviously generalising, and I don’t intend to offend, but space here is limited!) I am
willing to be courageous and encourage change in how we ‘do church’, and to encourage fresh ways
to demonstrate and proclaim the good news of Jesus. We need fresh ideas for evangelism,
discipleship, and gathered worship – bold, I know, but necessary, I believe.

Safeguarding… Finance… Human Identity and Sexuality… these (and more) are also pressing and
sensitive topics demanding General Synod’s attention. I would gladly give of my best to engage in a
constructive and Christlike manner in all debates, in His strength.

Please be assured that I commit to pray and prepare for meetings of General Synod. If I am elected, I
would of course be glad to listen more to you – to understand more fully your context, your situations,
your priorities, and what you would like to see on the agenda at General Synod.

Thank you for reading this, and I would be extremely grateful for your high preference vote.
Thank you.

With love and prayers
Anita

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