General Synod Election Candidates 2026

Since moving to Chichester, after finishing
university, the south coast has found its way
into my soul. The combination of sea and
hills is difficult to beat. The Diocese of
Chichester is a wonderful place to live and
minister and I am passionate about making
the diocese a safe and inclusive place where
everyone is welcomed to worship and offer
their gifts.
Before ordination I worked in education,
particularly working with those excluded from
mainstream provision, those children on the
edges of the education system. This taught
me that offering time and care can turn a life
around.
My spare time was used volunteering with
the church, getting involved in the start of
24-7 prayer, Cultural Shift and student
church in Portsmouth. After feeling drawn to
ordination I found my way up the candle
learning to appreciate the complexity and
richness that comes from liturgical,
eucharistic worship. My sending church was
St George’s Whyke, I trained at Ripon
Cuddesdon on the mixed mode track, I
served my title at St Thomas à Becket,
Pagham, my first incumbency was at Holy
Cross, North Bersted Bognor, and I moved to
my current benefice about a year ago.
Parish ministry is definitely
the one for me. I love the
variety, the complexity, the
multi-tasking and
opportunities to connect
not just with people of faith
but those in the community.
Even though it can be
challenging and thankless
at times. I love the variety
of people I meet each day
from the oldest to the
youngest in our society
offering them love and
hope however it is needed.
If I could wish for just one
thing, it would be easier to
manage churchyard
procedures!
Parish life
Revd Jo King
Rector of the Benefice of
Chidham & Hambrook with
Funtington with West Stoke &
Sennicotts
A bit about me
I am committed to equality for everyone, at all levels and roles
within the church, regardless of disability, economic power,
ethnicity, sex, gender identity, learning disability, mental
health neurodiversity or equality

Some ideas about the areas of General Synod’s
work that might be important to me and indicators
on how I might vote on particular issues.
Young people and children
Through my roles as Padre to the Air Cadets and
part of the clergy team at Bishop Luffa I get to
spend time with amazing young people who are
passionate about all sort of things. I also get to
see the challenges they face from all sides and
would always look for ways in which the church can
facilitate and encourage their understanding of
God’s unconditional love for them.
Safeguarding
There is still work to be done to ensure that our
safeguarding legislation is the best in the world I
would support survivor led, trauma informed and
independent policies.
Parish Ministry
It is important to me that General Synod represents
and understands the concerns of local parish
priests, those doing the job on the ground. In my
current role I am learning more about the
challenges of being present in different
communitiies at the same time. We need to keep
reimagining our worship and church life to enable
us to share God’s love with each generation, whilst
ensuring that we are not expecting our parish
priests to be all things to all people all the time to
the detriment of their health.
Disability access
As part of the disability advisory team in the
Diocese, we are working hard to encourage
everyone to consider access in all their efforts. I
am particularly interested in the work Synod is
doing to support and encourage the vocations of
disabled or neurodiverse clergy, we need to inspire
creative ways of rethinking ministry that allows
everyone to flourish.
Equality of opportunity
Whilst much has been done on some areas of
equality within the church, there are still
opportunities for rigged applications processes and
less than transparent appointment procedures.
Robust, fair and transparent processes benefit
everyone.
A massive thank
you to those people
who have believed
in me enough to
nominate me, Revd
Lisa Barnett and
Father Paul
Armstead, I
appreciate your
support and
encouragement.
Also to those who
offered to support
me, including
Mother Jessica Reid
and Rev Buff Stone.
There is not really
enough room to
mention all the
areas I am
interested in. Here
are a few more
highlights:
the environmental
crisis
clergy wellbeing
clergy pensions &
pay
financial burden of
the upkeep of
ancient buildings
worship for each
generation

Please make
me your first
preference
vote!
what matters to me

benefice,clergy wellbeing,disability,environmental,equality,gender identity,inclusive,liturgical,mental health,neurodiversity,ordination,prayer,safeguarding,vocations,young people