General Synod Election Candidates 2026

Jonathan Frais LLB, BA, Dip. Theol

Rector of St Mark’s Church, little Common (Bexhill-on-Sea)

Proposer: the Revd Paddy MacBain, Vicar of All Saints, Danehill (Deanery of Uckfield)
Seconder: the Revd Tim Crook, Vicar of St Mary Magdalene, South Bersted
(Arundel and Bognor Deanery)

Dear fellow clergy in the Diocese of Chichester,
What I stand for

God himself, as revealed in Christ, whose glory we seek

The gospel of God’s wonderful acts, centred on the cross and resurrection

Godly living, empowered by the Spirit, as we grow in knowledge of the Saviour
Who I am
I am 61 years old (born in 1965) and was married to Ruth in 1999. We have four children.
The oldest lives in London, the middle two are at university, and one is entering Hastings
Sixth Form College. They all went through the C of E Secondary School in Eastbourne (St
Catherine’s). I have been at St Mark’s for twenty-one years and thank God that St Mark’s is
growing and paying its PMC. I was Rural Dean of Battle and Bexhill from 2015 to 2025.
I am Chair of Churches Together in Bexhill (overseeing the work of Bexhill Foodbank and
Advice Centre) and convenor of the ecumenical clergy group. I am also Chaplain to the
Royal British Legion (village branch) and work closely with Scouting packs and Guiding
groups. My hobbies are reading history, sea swimming, and walking with my family along
the coast. I am a member of the Diocesan Evangelical Fellowship and Church Society.

Prior to that, I was Anglican Chaplain in Kyiv (Ukraine), 1999-2005, and Assistant Chaplain
at St Andrew’s, Moscow, 1996-99 (supported by Intercontinental Church Society, an
Anglican Mission Agency). Twice a month I convene a prayer meeting for Ukraine. For
several years I was a board member for a mission society operating in Central Asia which
supported churches in Islamic regions of the Former Soviet Union, and Iran and Afghanistan.
Contact me on 01424 843 733 or [email protected]

The challenges ahead
Vision and Strategy. At a time of spiritual searching, clergy need to be encouraged to
maintain the integrity of the Anglican tradition which is both Catholic and Reformed. Our
mission is parish-based and should have the full support of the Church Commissioners.
Marriage and Children. Family deterioration has assisted the youth mental health crisis. Let
us be known for supporting marriage, motherhood and fatherhood.
Vocations and CDMs. Clergy work long hours for little pay and receive much criticism while
feeling isolated. They proclaim good news but the threat of legal challenge is intimidating.
Systems and structures must be just and fair so that they operate with integrity and care.
LLF (Living in Love and Faith). I welcome the end of this process and the dismissal in the
July session of General Synod this year of a Private Member’s Motion to weaken the
teaching of the Church of England as set out in the marriage service. But the issue has not
gone away! We need to support the House of Bishops’ acceptance of the Legal Officers’
advice that stand-alone services for same-sex couples is a change of doctrine and requires
two-thirds majorities in each of the Houses of Bishops, Clergy and Laity.
Women and Men in Ministry. I accept the wisdom and pragmatism of the Five Guiding
Principles in supporting mutual flourishing.

Environmental issues. The drive to Net Zero is too heavy-handed, causes unnecessary
problems in the parishes, and needs to become more flexible.

Legacy issues. Project Spire is a well-intended but unworkable initiative to make reparations
for the slave trade. It would be better to remember the part played by Christians in Britain in
ending the slave trade and to invest in tackling modern slavery.

Issues around the start and end of life. The latest effort to introduce Assisted Suicide is a
huge sadness and the decriminalisation of abortion up to birth under the Crime and Policing
Act is a tragedy. May the Church defend the vulnerable and stand for the voiceless.

Global challenges. We need to stand against violent aggressors such as the current regimes in
Russia and Iran. Meanwhile, let us identify with the persecuted church in North Korea,
China, Afghanistan, northern Nigeria and elsewhere.

Thank you, Jonathan

Please give me your Number One preference vote.

“We bless thee for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life;
but above all for thine inestimable love in the redemption of the world
by our Lord Jesus Christ, for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory”
– A General Thanksgiving, BCP

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