General Synod Election Candidates 2026

Martin Auton-Lloyd
Nominated: Sara Stonor DL, Dallington Deanery
Seconded: Alyson Heath Storrington Deanery
I am seeking re-election to the General Synod for a second term because I want to represent this
diocese and to be an advocate for the values that I stand for.
•
I want to be a part of a Church that is there for everyone, where no one is excluded and all
of us are welcome at the table to share in the greatest gift that we have been given, the love
of God.
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I value the diocesan concept of the Household of Faith that has been developed over the
years, giving us the ability to work together on all that unite us: the care for the
marginalised; the support of families and children; the care for the elderly and lonely; and
importantly the ability to reach out to those who think that the church is not a place for them.
The Household of Faith allows us, like every household, to be united and strong on much
but to disagree well on other areas.
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I believe in the parish as the basis for dealing with all of the many challenges the Church
faces. Bringing the good news afresh to this generation to inspire people and bring them in
to know Jesus, against backdrop of so many other messages is hard. Parish Clergy and
Laity demonstrate the lasting love of God, and I am grateful to be in a Diocese where the
Parish, together with the Priest, is recognised as the key to mission. My working life shows
me that the strong link between Priest, Parish and Community can be a tremendous force
for good. The Cure of Souls, places that duty on the Priest and, in turn, the Laity to ensure
we work for everyone, not just those who join our congregation, truly being a Church for all.
GENERAL SYNOD INVOLVEMENT
I have spoken in debates on food poverty and sexuality, made written submissions to consultations
on several issues as well as asking questions on a variety of topics.
Living in Love and Fatih
I have voted in favour of the process, wanting to see all loving committed relationships recognised
as a gift where two people can come together as one to live a life committed to each other. When
the House of Bishops starts the next steps in this journey, I want to enter the process with an open
mind; as in Synod and then the wider Church we discern God’s will on how to order this part of our
life together.
Safeguarding.
I know the need for a robust system, that is transparent, effective and informed by survivors to
understand the trauma that many of them have suffered. The development of national safeguarding
bodies and policy is essential to enable strong teams to be built in each Diocese. Teams that are
part of the Diocese, independent from the direct control of Bishops and their Councils. Safeguarding
cannot be a service that is “done” by a third-party organisation but must be an organic and integral
part of the Diocese. Much work remains to be done to get safeguarding to a place where we as a
Church can be confident that we have a system that is fit for purpose. If elected, this is something I
would want to play a role in.

Church National Institutions
I have also followed the work on restructuring the Church of England’s institutions closely. With the
need for a simpler clear system of managing the national Church’s life and assets this work has
been halted but, when it returns to Synod, I would want to see a direct link between how these
assets are managed and linked to those working in the Parishes. All too often in large complex
organisations the grass roots get overlooked.
Synod groups
The sharing of experiences, ideas, and our faith in the fringe sessions of Synod has played an
important part in helping me to understand the needs of others. I have joined three groups whilst on
Synod.
• The Rural group I joined the group to share my experience showing as a church how we can
support those in rural communities who struggle.
• Affirming Catholics in Synod. This group brings together people on Synod who are Liberal
Catholics. We share together in the Eucharist and support each other during the Synods.
 Together for the Church of England group an inclusive body working to demonstrate that the
Church is there for everyone regardless of race, gender, sexuality, disability or any other
barrier to church.
About me
I live in the centre of Hove, having moved to Brighton in 1989 and am currently the CEO of CDA
Family Support Work. I worship at St Nicholas Church, Brighton, having done so since 1989. In that
time, I have been on PCC, set up the Friends of the Church as well as serving for two four-year
terms as Churchwarden. This has given me a great insight into how important building a strong
Church community in a Parish and being a visible presence in the wider community is.
Current Church Posts
• Lay Chair of Brighton Synod since 2017
• Elected member from Brighton on Diocesan Synod since 2018.
• Bishop’s Council since 2025
• Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory Panel
•
Diocesan Mission Fund.
Away from church life I have a love for social history and understanding history through the lives of
people rather than events. I currently serve as Chair of the Brighton and Hove City Commemorative
Plaque Panel, the body that awards “blue plaques” for people who made a real difference to the
lives of others or were trail blazers in their field of work. To relax I enjoy music especially Handel,
Purcell and Bach, with a particular pleasure being opera, especially trips to Glyndebourne.
If elected, I would work on your behalf to help build the Church so that it is a place where all are
welcome, there to serve and not to be served.
Please consider giving me your first preference or highest possible vote so I can continue this
important work shaping the governance of the church I love.

Martin Auton-Lloyd
[email protected]

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