disability,equality,gender identity,inclusive,justice,living in love and faith,mental health,messy church,neurodiversity,outreach,racial justice,safeguarding,same sex,same-sex relationships,sexuality,theological education,young people

Election Address

Blessing Alayande

Coventry

House of Laity

Full Election Address Text

BLESSING ALAYANDE
Your voice for the grassroots — standing for the House of Laity,
General Synod
Representing Together Coventry
Nominated by Gill Frigerio | Seconded by Jim Kendall
[email protected] | 07719 340486

The local church deserves a strong voice at the national table — and I want to be that voice for
you. I'm Blessing Alayande: a dedicated Christian leader, Business Analyst, mentor and community builder based
in Coventry. I've spent years supporting faith development, leading children's ministries and hosting racial justice
conversations — and I'm ready to bring that same energy, organisation and heart to General Synod.
PLEASE USE YOUR VOTE — GIVE BLESSING YOUR FIRST PREFERENCE
WHY I'M STANDING
I am fully aware of what General Synod involves, and I have the time to do the role justice. I want to bring the
perspective of local parish and community life into Synod's prayers and decision-making — offering my
organisational, facilitation and mentoring experience for the service of the Church. I believe the Church of
England should be a place of welcome for everyone, and I am standing, in part, to make sure that conviction is
heard at the national table.
WHERE I STAND ON INCLUSION
I support Living in Love and Faith moving forward, and I want Synod to keep listening well across difference. My
own church community includes members in same-sex relationships, and I want them — and everyone who has
felt on the margins of church life — to know they are seen, valued and welcome. I will bring that same openness
to every conversation I take part in at Synod.
WHAT I BRING — PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
●
Business Analyst at Warwick Employment Group (previously Equiniti) — managing and analysing
complex data to inform decision-making.
●
Strong problem-solving, stakeholder management and coordination skills, directly applicable to Synod
discussions and church administration.
●
Facilitator and coordinator of training sessions, including for tech students, using social media and
community engagement practices.
●
Theological Education in Black Theology (The Queen’s Foundation, Birmingham), MSc International
Business Management (Coventry University), MBA Human Resources Management (Ladoke Akintola
University, Nigeria) and BSc Accounting (Babcock University, Nigeria).
MY FAITH IN ACTION
My faith journey has shaped my adult life — guiding me to help others recognise the potential and purpose God
has placed within them, and to foster deeper theological engagement across the Church.

●
Volunteer working with children and vulnerable adults at St Catherine's Church, Coventry, since April
2022 — leading children's engagement programmes under full safeguarding compliance (DBS certified).
●
Lead Bible study for adults, children and young people's Sunday services, and co-lead the evening
Theological Reflection Group (in-person and via Zoom).
●
Coordinator of the Parish Church Council & Theological Reflection Group, and speaker at Deanery
Synod advocating for faith-based initiatives.
●
Hosted Racial Justice Sunday, leading discussions on racial justice within theological reflection at the
church.
●
Support Messy Church, Outreach and Hot Chocolate afternoon events, helping foster connections within
the community.
●
Previously served as Children's Teacher and church committee member (sanctuary keeper, Treasury &
Audit Committee, Choir) at Living Faith Church (Winners Chapel), Ibadan, Nigeria, from 2010 to 2021.
MY COMMITMENT TO YOU
I would be honoured to serve and bring the perspective of local parish and community life into Synod's prayers
and decision-making. Thank you— I hope you will give me your first preference vote.

The Inclusive Synod Election Campaign
“We are 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 sexuality.”

Terms used in address

disability,equality,gender identity,inclusive,justice,living in love and faith,mental health,messy church,neurodiversity,outreach,racial justice,safeguarding,same sex,same-sex relationships,sexuality,theological education,young people

Theological Tradition Terms

inclusive

Theological Tradition Sentences

The Inclusive Synod Election Campaign “We are 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 sexuality.”

Sexuality, Marriage & LLF/PLF Terms

gender identity,living in love and faith,same sex,same-sex relationships,sexuality

Sexuality, Marriage & LLF/PLF Sentences

I support Living in Love and Faith moving forward, and I want Synod to keep listening well across difference. ------ My own church community includes members in same-sex relationships, and I want them — and everyone who has felt on the margins of church life — to know they are seen, valued and welcome. ------ The Inclusive Synod Election Campaign “We are 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 sexuality.”

Safeguarding Terms

safeguarding

Safeguarding Sentences

● Volunteer working with children and vulnerable adults at St Catherine's Church, Coventry, since April 2022 — leading children's engagement programmes under full safeguarding compliance (DBS certified). ● Lead Bible study for adults, children and young people's Sunday services, and co-lead the evening Theological Reflection Group (in-person and via Zoom). ● Coordinator of the Parish Church Council & Theological Reflection Group, and speaker at Deanery Synod advocating for faith-based initiatives. ● Hosted Racial Justice Sunday, leading discussions on racial justice within theological reflection at the church. ● Support Messy Church, Outreach and Hot Chocolate afternoon events, helping foster connections within the community. ● Previously served as Children's Teacher and church committee member (sanctuary keeper, Treasury & Audit Committee, Choir) at Living Faith Church (Winners Chapel), Ibadan, Nigeria, from 2010 to 2021.

Evangelism, Mission & Church Growth Terms

messy church,outreach

Evangelism, Mission & Church Growth Sentences

● Volunteer working with children and vulnerable adults at St Catherine's Church, Coventry, since April 2022 — leading children's engagement programmes under full safeguarding compliance (DBS certified). ● Lead Bible study for adults, children and young people's Sunday services, and co-lead the evening Theological Reflection Group (in-person and via Zoom). ● Coordinator of the Parish Church Council & Theological Reflection Group, and speaker at Deanery Synod advocating for faith-based initiatives. ● Hosted Racial Justice Sunday, leading discussions on racial justice within theological reflection at the church. ● Support Messy Church, Outreach and Hot Chocolate afternoon events, helping foster connections within the community. ● Previously served as Children's Teacher and church committee member (sanctuary keeper, Treasury & Audit Committee, Choir) at Living Faith Church (Winners Chapel), Ibadan, Nigeria, from 2010 to 2021.

Doctrine & Formularies Terms

Doctrine & Formularies Sentences

Society, Justice & Inclusion Terms

disability,equality,justice,mental health,neurodiversity,racial justice

Society, Justice & Inclusion Sentences

I've spent years supporting faith development, leading children's ministries and hosting racial justice conversations — and I'm ready to bring that same energy, organisation and heart to General Synod. ------ I am fully aware of what General Synod involves, and I have the time to do the role justice. ------ ● Volunteer working with children and vulnerable adults at St Catherine's Church, Coventry, since April 2022 — leading children's engagement programmes under full safeguarding compliance (DBS certified). ● Lead Bible study for adults, children and young people's Sunday services, and co-lead the evening Theological Reflection Group (in-person and via Zoom). ● Coordinator of the Parish Church Council & Theological Reflection Group, and speaker at Deanery Synod advocating for faith-based initiatives. ● Hosted Racial Justice Sunday, leading discussions on racial justice within theological reflection at the church. ● Support Messy Church, Outreach and Hot Chocolate afternoon events, helping foster connections within the community. ● Previously served as Children's Teacher and church committee member (sanctuary keeper, Treasury & Audit Committee, Choir) at Living Faith Church (Winners Chapel), Ibadan, Nigeria, from 2010 to 2021. ------ The Inclusive Synod Election Campaign “We are 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 sexuality.”

Clergy Concerns Terms

Clergy Concerns Sentences

Church Structure & Policy Terms

theological education

Church Structures & Policy Sentences

● Business Analyst at Warwick Employment Group (previously Equiniti) — managing and analysing complex data to inform decision-making. ● Strong problem-solving, stakeholder management and coordination skills, directly applicable to Synod discussions and church administration. ● Facilitator and coordinator of training sessions, including for tech students, using social media and community engagement practices. ● Theological Education in Black Theology (The Queen’s Foundation, Birmingham), MSc International Business Management (Coventry University), MBA Human Resources Management (Ladoke Akintola University, Nigeria) and BSc Accounting (Babcock University, Nigeria).

Other Churches & Other Faiths Terms

Other Churches & Other Faiths Sentences

Youth & Next Generation Terms

young people

Youth & Next Generation Sentences

● Volunteer working with children and vulnerable adults at St Catherine's Church, Coventry, since April 2022 — leading children's engagement programmes under full safeguarding compliance (DBS certified). ● Lead Bible study for adults, children and young people's Sunday services, and co-lead the evening Theological Reflection Group (in-person and via Zoom). ● Coordinator of the Parish Church Council & Theological Reflection Group, and speaker at Deanery Synod advocating for faith-based initiatives. ● Hosted Racial Justice Sunday, leading discussions on racial justice within theological reflection at the church. ● Support Messy Church, Outreach and Hot Chocolate afternoon events, helping foster connections within the community. ● Previously served as Children's Teacher and church committee member (sanctuary keeper, Treasury & Audit Committee, Choir) at Living Faith Church (Winners Chapel), Ibadan, Nigeria, from 2010 to 2021.