General Synod Election Candidates 2026

General Synod Elections 2026 — Chelmsford Laity

Philip Carnelley — Election Address
Dear Elector,

A quick resumé: I’m Lay Chair of Redbridge Deanery and a member of Bishop’s Council; |
have served on Diocesan Synod and Redbridge Deanery Standing Committee for about 10
years (and Deanery Synod member before that). | have worshipped at my local parish since
moving to London, served on the PCC and sung in the choir. | was churchwarden of
Wanstead Parish from 2008-2013. My career has been in IT consultancy, and consequently |
have a strong interest in Al and its impact on society.

| am standing for election to General Synod for two primary reasons. First, | wish to support
the policies and principles that | believe will move our church forward toward a healthier,
thriving future, firmly rooted in Christ’s teaching; and thereby driving mission and ministry in
Chelmsford Diocese and more widely. (More on this below).

Second, better representation for the Barking Episcopal Area. In the last Synod, Chelmsford
had no lay representatives from Barking — yet, though it covers less than 10% of the Diocese,
Barking area holds over half its people. If elected, | intend to act as a conduit between Synod
and the Barking area, and to advocate for its needs.

| wish to briefly comment on the topics which I think most important to be progressed in the
next Synod, to enable more effective mission in Chelmsford Diocese and across the land.

First, Issues and actions that need more emphasis in Synod than in the past:

• Action on church buildings: in my deanery, as elsewhere too, buildings maintenance

is a constant drain on finances, on time and effort that could otherwise go to
mission. We need more support from the centre and a national strategy — in my view,
a new church-state partnership.

• Societal impact of Al: Al’s power and reach are advancing rapidly and will transform

employment and relationships — the church will need to respond, and often pick up
the pieces. But Al can also be of benefit, supporting the elderly, disabled and those
with special needs. Synod should ensure a strong Christian voice shapes Al’s
development and regulation.

• The increasing burden on lay volunteers: the ever-growing weight of health and

safety, employment law, safeguarding and charity reporting requirements on
churchwardens and PCCs is becoming unmanageable. Synod should call a halt to the
ratcheting-up of regulation and better support those affected — otherwise volunteer
numbers will keep falling, and clergy will be left even more burdened.

There are some issues that have had much emphasis already but which remain critical:

• Climate change: much has been said already, but recent events at home and abroad

show the need for action is only growing. Yet Synod should stay realistic about what
it can ask of churches given their resources, and support them accordingly.

• Safeguarding: further independence and trust, both inside and outside the church,

are paramount — alongside clearer guidance and streamlined procedures for local
(voluntary) safeguarding officers.

• Inclusion for all: I’d wish to vote in favour of anything in line with our Lord’s teaching

on tolerance and neighbourly love, meaning that ethnicity, disabilities and sexuality
are no barrier to full participation in our church.

• Encouragement of priestly vocations: falling ordinand numbers and an ageing clergy

age profile are a real concern. Lay vocations are valuable but can only supplement,
not replace, priests, and the ever-larger combination of benefices risks our mission in
Chelmsford and beyond.

Thank you for reading. | hope you will place me high in your election preferences. | promise
to work for the church’s mission, advocating for policies that help the church, the Diocese
and our local area to thrive. If you have views on any of the above, on what | should be
doing, I’d be delighted to hear from you.

Yours in Christ,

Philip Carnelley

ageing,climate change,elderly,finances,mission,pcc,pccs,safeguarding,sexuality,vocations