General Synod Election Candidates 2026

Details of all candidates in the 2026 General Synod elections

Election Address

Martha Tsungai Zivito Mutikani

Chichester

House of Clergy


Diocese of Chichester

Proposer:
Revd Jules Middleton

Why | am standing

| am offering myself for election to General Synod because | care deeply
about the life, mission and future of the Church of England.

| believe Synod needs people rooted in parish ministry who will listen
across difference, speak with courage and compassion, and keep Christ
at the centre.

If elected, | would represent the clergy of Chichester faithfully while
contributing to the wider mission and governance of the Church.

About me

| am Vicar of St Augustine's, Scaynes Hill, and previously served as
Associate Vicar in the Uckfield Plurality. Ordained in 2015, | have served
in a variety of parish contexts.

Alongside parish ministry, | have contributed to the wider life of the
Diocese through supporting women in ministry, racial justice and
vocational formation. | am also a Prebendal Canon of Chichester
Cathedral.

My professional background in occupational health brings experience of
wellbeing, governance, risk and resilience - perspectives | believe would
be valuable to General Synod.

Mission and parish life

The local church is at the heart of my vocation. | want national structures
and decisions to strengthen rather than burden parish ministry. | am
passionate about mission, children and young people, and churches
where people encounter Christ and know that they belong.

Revd Canon Martha Mutikani

Candidate for General Synod - House of Clergy

Seconder:
Canon John Wall
[email protected] [email protected]

“That they may all be one” (John 17:21)

What | would bring

Clergy wellbeing and sustainable ministry. Drawing on my
experience as both a parish priest and occupational health professional,
| would advocate for clergy wellbeing, appropriate support and healthy
working practices, including greater understanding of disability and
neurodiversity.

Representation and racial justice. As a priest of Global Majority
Heritage and of African origin, | am conscious that GMH clergy remain
underrepresented in aspects of the Church's leadership and
governance. | am not standing simply to represent one group: | want
decision-making to reflect more fully the breadth of the Body of Christ.
Unity across difference. Our Church contains different traditions,
cultures and theological convictions. | would listen before speaking,
engage respectfully with those with whom | disagree, and seek common
ground without avoiding difficult issues.

Good governance and accountability. My professional experience has
taught me the importance of good governance, safeguarding,
accountability and learning from mistakes. These are not separate from
mission; they help create a Church worthy of people's trust.

If elected

| would bring parish experience, a commitment to clergy wellbeing and
racial justice, professional knowledge of occupational health and
governance, and a Global Majority Heritage perspective.

| will listen to the clergy of our Diocese, remain accessible, speak with
courage and seek to represent your concerns faithfully.

| would be grateful for your support and prayers.

Rooted in parish ministry. Listening across difference. A voice for
the whole Church.

accountability,clergy wellbeing,disability,global majority,global majority heritage,justice,mission,neurodiversity,racial justice,safeguarding,women in ministry,young people


Theological Tradition Terms
Theological Tradition Sentences

Sexuality, Marriage & LLF/PLF Terms
Sexuality, Marriage & LLF/PLF Sentences

Safeguarding Terms

safeguarding

Safeguarding Sentences
My professional experience has taught me the importance of good governance, safeguarding, accountability and learning from mistakes.

Evangelism, Mission & Church Growth Terms

mission

Evangelism, Mission & Church Growth Sentences
I am offering myself for election to General Synod because I care deeply about the life, mission and future of the Church of England. ------ If elected, I would represent the clergy of Chichester faithfully while contributing to the wider mission and governance of the Church. ------ Mission and parish life ------ I am passionate about mission, children and young people, and churches where people encounter Christ and know that they belong. ------ These are not separate from mission; they help create a Church worthy of people's trust.

Doctrine & Formularies Terms
Doctrine & Formularies Sentences

Society, Justice & Inclusion Terms

disability,global majority,global majority heritage,justice,neurodiversity,racial justice

Society, Justice & Inclusion Sentences
Alongside parish ministry, I have contributed to the wider life of the Diocese through supporting women in ministry, racial justice and vocational formation. ------ Drawing on my experience as both a parish priest and occupational health professional, I would advocate for clergy wellbeing, appropriate support and healthy working practices, including greater understanding of disability and neurodiversity. ------ Representation and racial justice. ------ As a priest of Global Majority Heritage and of African origin, I am conscious that GMH clergy remain underrepresented in aspects of the Church's leadership and governance. ------ I would bring parish experience, a commitment to clergy wellbeing and racial justice, professional knowledge of occupational health and governance, and a Global Majority Heritage perspective.

Clergy Concerns Terms

clergy wellbeing

Clergy Concerns Sentences
Clergy wellbeing and sustainable ministry. ------ Drawing on my experience as both a parish priest and occupational health professional, I would advocate for clergy wellbeing, appropriate support and healthy working practices, including greater understanding of disability and neurodiversity. ------ I would bring parish experience, a commitment to clergy wellbeing and racial justice, professional knowledge of occupational health and governance, and a Global Majority Heritage perspective.

Church Structure & Policy Terms

accountability,women in ministry

Church Structures & Policy Sentences
Alongside parish ministry, I have contributed to the wider life of the Diocese through supporting women in ministry, racial justice and vocational formation. ------ Good governance and accountability. ------ My professional experience has taught me the importance of good governance, safeguarding, accountability and learning from mistakes.

Other Churches & Other Faiths Terms
Other Churches & Other Faiths Sentences

Youth & Next Generation Terms

young people

Youth & Next Generation Sentences
I am passionate about mission, children and young people, and churches where people encounter Christ and know that they belong.