General Synod Election Candidates 2026

Standing for the House of Laity of General Synod
Dr Alan Dowen, Lay Chair Chester Deanery
Canon Dr John Mason, Acting Lay Chair Chester Diocese

Dear Deanery Synod member,
Five years ago, your votes gave me the extraordinary privilege of representing and serving
the people of Chester Diocese at General Synod, for which I am thankful to you and God for
choosing me for this ministry. Five years later, now knowing how Synod works and after
much prayer and thought, I am asking you to consider voting for me again to represent you
as a Chester lay member on General Synod.
I am not particularly special, like you I am a follower of Jesus and a flawed one at that. I do
my best although I fall short at times.
Having worked in warehousing for almost 25 years, 4 years ago I changed jobs and now work
as the Bishop of Chester’s Finance and Administrative Clerk. This is a role and ministry that
allows me to connect with clergy and laity throughout the diocese, and that has helped me
to understand better the difficulties and the joys that parishes face and how the diocese
works. I’ve also worked in retail (shops) and a window factory.
I have many years’ experience of PCC (including running meetings as Vice chair), and of
being a youth leader, both with my church and 20 years involved in Scouting, I’ve also been
blessed to take part in a Diocesan Lay Conference back in 2005 and I am also a current
member of Diocesan Synod and Deanery Synod.
My time on General Synod has been a fantastic experience, and I have learnt so much over
the past five years, discussing so many different subjects, and I have spoken in debates on
such things as Low Income Community Funding, Funeral Costs and Synod Elections. To me
being a member of General Synod is about more than just one subject. It’s about so many
different things from legislation, to presentations, to discussions, sometimes on life changing
and life affirming issues and at the centre of it all, a trust in Jesus and that the Spirit will
guide us.
I continue to believe that General Synod should be a place where any relevant subject can
be discussed in a safe and welcoming environment. It is important to listen to all points of
view in any debate or discussion, even if you don’t agree with some or all of them, so that a
full understanding of the issues can be reached and if you are still unsure, then praying for
guidance is essential.

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Jason Clarke General Synod 2026
I believe in total inclusivity, which means every follower of Jesus from the most conservative
to the most liberal and everything in between. Why? Because we are all the body of Christ
and the body is not whole unless we are all together. That is why I am standing as a
Together for the Church of England Candidate because they most match my ethos about
how we should treat one another.
I am passionate about social care issues, workers’ rights and particularly the way companies
treat their employees, poverty and homelessness, youth work
Equipping our poorer parishes so that they may help those in their local community to
encounter Jesus. I think it is terribly wrong that parishes in our diocese cannot get Lowest
Income Community Funding, because we are classed as a wealthy diocese.
Looking after the environment, enabling parishes to be greener as they work towards Net
Carbon Zero and at a pace that works for individual parishes.
I am also passionate about how we spread the good news and putting the words of the bible
in everyday language, so that those words can be understood by all. We need to reach out to
all, regardless of age, ethnicity, social background, sexuality, ability or language because we
are all children of God. Our role is to bring all to know and love Jesus as their saviour, and to
do that in a way that is comfortable for those we interact with.
I hope that if it is God’s will I may serve and represent the people of Chester Diocese once
again on General Synod. I ask you for your prayers, not just for me, for all candidates who
feel a calling to this important ministry.
Yours In Christ
Jason Clarke Email: [email protected]
Don’t forget to use your vote! Votes must be in by Tuesday 13th October

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