General Synod Election Candidates 2026

Details of all candidates in the 2026 General Synod elections

Election Address

Bryony Taylor

Derby

House of Clergy


Dear colleague,
I am standing for General Synod because I am
passionate about everyone in the Church of
England flourishing. I want to see an inclusive
church that welcomes everyone. Sometimes
there feels a disconnect between the parish
and what goes on at the national level in the
church – I want to help bridge that gap and
be a voice for people from the Diocese of
Derby.
A friend at Cranmer Hall once said I am
amphibious! I am equally comfortable in a
charismatic evangelical service as I am at high
mass. I was raised Anglo Catholic, was co-
president of Leeds University CU in 1997 and
have been part of Anglican and Baptist
churches over the years. Now I have settled
in the liberal catholic tradition. As a result, I
like to work ecumenically and across
difference and find common ground –
following the Rest Is Politics mantra of
‘disagreeing agreeably’. I would welcome your
first preference vote. Thanks for reading.
Don’t forget to use your vote!
Bryony‌
Taylor
Nominated by: Rev’d Rhoda Blackwell
Seconded by: Rev’d Elliot George
WHO AM I?
Ordained in 2014 Durham Diocese.
Rector of Barlborough and Clowne for 8
years.
Assistant Area Dean of NE Derbyshire
Deanery
Honorary Canon of Derby Cathedral and a
member of Bishop’s Council – this gives me a
good overview of the whole diocese and its
diversity which I could bring to General
Synod.
I like to see others grow and have trained a
curate and have had many ordinands on
placement. I have developed a popular
confirmation course which has been used
around the country.
Passionate about sharing the gospel!
Rev’d Rhoda says
“I am glad to support Bryony's nomination
for election to General Synod. Bryony has
served in this diocese since 2018 as an
enthusiastic and dedicated parish priest.
She holds an inclusive view of the
Church's life and mission, and I believe
she would be a genuine voice for the
ordinary person in the pew — someone
who understands parish life from the
inside and can speak for it honestly at a
national level. I recommend her to you as
a thoughtful and committed candidate for
General Synod.”

Living in Love and Faith (LLF) – I long to see a church that fully includes LGBTQIA
people at all levels in the church. I don’t want the work done on LLF to be lost but
to be driven forwards.
Equality and Racial Justice – I live in an area where a lot of St George’s flags have
gone up and this has concerned me. I would like to see the church engage with
more clarity on issues of racial justice and community cohesion as we have an
important voice and can tell a better story.
Artificial Intelligence – AI is upon us and we are having to respond on the fly; the
church needs to be a voice in challenging the ethics of AI. It has its uses but human
need and dignity has to come first, as the Pope has recently argued.
I am part of the Together for the Church of England group alongside fellow candidates,
Canon Julian Hollywell and Rev’d Sarah Watson. This means that:
“I am 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. "
My areas of interest & expertise
Mental health
support
I started a mental
health group in
Clowne in 2018 and
this group is the
frontline of mission
in our benefice – we
have seen people
come to faith
through this
ministry.
Social media and
communication
Before ordination I
worked as a social
media consultant.
During the
pandemic, I was able
to use this expertise
to help clergy and
churches get online.
Engagement with
wider culture
I am a telly addict
and wrote a book
called ‘More TV
Vicar?’ (DLT, 2015) .
I have written Bible
Study courses
inspired by TV
including Call the
Midwife and Broken.
Current issues for General Synod and the
Church of England
Together for the Church of England
Contact me: [email protected] or 07960 735352

ai,anglo-catholic,artificial intelligence,baptist,benefice,catholic,charismatic,charismatic evangelical,confirmation,disability,equality,evangelical,gender identity,gospel,inclusive,inclusive church,justice,lgbtqia,liberal,liberal catholic,living in love and faith,llf,mass,mental health,mission,neurodiversity,ordinands,ordination,racial justice,sexuality,together for the church of,tradition


Theological Tradition Terms

anglo-catholic,catholic,charismatic,charismatic evangelical,evangelical,inclusive,inclusive church,liberal,liberal catholic,together for the church of

Theological Tradition Sentences
I want to see an inclusive church that welcomes everyone. ------ I am equally comfortable in a charismatic evangelical service as I am at high mass. ------ I was raised Anglo Catholic, was co- president of Leeds University CU in 1997 and have been part of Anglican and Baptist churches over the years. ------ Now I have settled in the liberal catholic tradition. ------ She holds an inclusive view of the Church's life and mission, and I believe she would be a genuine voice for the ordinary person in the pew — someone who understands parish life from the inside and can speak for it honestly at a national level. ------ I am part of the Together for the Church of England group alongside fellow candidates, Canon Julian Hollywell and Rev’d Sarah Watson. ------ Together for the Church of England Contact me: [email protected] or 07960 735352

Sexuality, Marriage & LLF/PLF Terms

gender identity,lgbtqia,living in love and faith,llf,sexuality

Sexuality, Marriage & LLF/PLF Sentences
Living in Love and Faith (LLF) – I long to see a church that fully includes LGBTQIA people at all levels in the church. ------ I don’t want the work done on LLF to be lost but to be driven forwards. ------ This means that: “I am 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 Sentences

Evangelism, Mission & Church Growth Terms

gospel,mission

Evangelism, Mission & Church Growth Sentences
Passionate about sharing the gospel! ------ She holds an inclusive view of the Church's life and mission, and I believe she would be a genuine voice for the ordinary person in the pew — someone who understands parish life from the inside and can speak for it honestly at a national level. ------ " My areas of interest & expertise Mental health support I started a mental health group in Clowne in 2018 and this group is the frontline of mission in our benefice – we have seen people come to faith through this ministry.

Doctrine & Formularies Terms

mass,tradition

Doctrine & Formularies Sentences
I am equally comfortable in a charismatic evangelical service as I am at high mass. ------ Now I have settled in the liberal catholic tradition.

Society, Justice & Inclusion Terms

ai,artificial intelligence,disability,equality,justice,mental health,neurodiversity,racial justice

Society, Justice & Inclusion Sentences
Equality and Racial Justice – I live in an area where a lot of St George’s flags have gone up and this has concerned me. ------ I would like to see the church engage with more clarity on issues of racial justice and community cohesion as we have an important voice and can tell a better story. ------ Artificial Intelligence – AI is upon us and we are having to respond on the fly; the church needs to be a voice in challenging the ethics of AI. ------ This means that: “I am 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. ------ " My areas of interest & expertise Mental health support I started a mental health group in Clowne in 2018 and this group is the frontline of mission in our benefice – we have seen people come to faith through this ministry.

Clergy Concerns Terms
Clergy Concerns Sentences

Church Structure & Policy Terms

benefice,ordinands,ordination

Church Structures & Policy Sentences
I like to see others grow and have trained a curate and have had many ordinands on placement. ------ " My areas of interest & expertise Mental health support I started a mental health group in Clowne in 2018 and this group is the frontline of mission in our benefice – we have seen people come to faith through this ministry. ------ Before ordination I

Other Churches & Other Faiths Terms

baptist

Other Churches & Other Faiths Sentences
I was raised Anglo Catholic, was co- president of Leeds University CU in 1997 and have been part of Anglican and Baptist churches over the years.

Youth & Next Generation Terms

confirmation

Youth & Next Generation Sentences
I have developed a popular confirmation course which has been used around the country.