General Synod Election Candidates 2026

Proposed by: Revd James Durrant (Associate Minister: St Alkmund’s, Derby)
Seconded by: Revd Josie Chamings (Curate: Brampton St Thomas & St Mark)

I am offering myself to represent the clergy of the Diocese of
Derby and the wider Church in standing for election to General
Synod.
Having been ordained for over twenty years, I have served in a
variety of contexts—from industrial communities experiencing
high deprivation in Carlisle Diocese to suburban Resource
Church ministry in Leicester Diocese, and now as Rector of St
Thomas and St Mark in Brampton, Chesterfield. These
experiences have given me a realistic, practical appreciation for
the daily joys and complex demands of parish leadership within
the Church.
I joined the Diocese in April 2022. During my time here, my main focus has been at St
Thomas’ which had significantly reduced in size during the pandemic. Through the
opportunity to focus on parish ministry, the Church has seen growth across both its adult
and children’s ministry.
My experience of parish ministry means that I am committed to the value and importance
of being embedded in a local community; it is through relationships that the local Church
gains the privilege to share the gospel and impact a local area for good. It is my strong
belief that ministry and mission are most clearly demonstrated through parish ministry.
Outside of parish ministry, I have been involved in mentoring other clergy, both from this
diocese and others, and I also teach a module on Leadership at St Hild’s College,
predominantly to ordinands.
While my personal theological background is evangelical, throughout my ministry, I have
worked alongside colleagues from across the breadth of the Church of England; this was
particularly the case during my time as an Area Dean. I believe our strength lies in mutual
respect and shared mission; focused around Jesus. As a Synod representative, I would
commit to being a listening, constructive, and unifying voice.
I would be grateful for your support in this year’s election to General Synod.
Thank you
Rector - Brampton, St Thomas and St Mark
Candidate for General Synod Revd Gary Weston

Experience
•
Parish Leadership:
•
Rector of Brampton, St Thomas and St Mark (from 2022)
•
Vicar of St John’s, Hinckley (13 years)
•
Assistant Priest in South Barrow Team
•
Wider Leadership:
•
Member of Diocesan Synod (both in Derby and Leicester)
•
Associate Faculty, St Hild’s College
•
Ambassador for Watoto UK
•
Former Area Dean
•
Former Diocesan Church Planting Consultant (Leicester)
•
Former Chair of Trustees for Feed the Hungry UK
•
Former School Chair of Governors
Priorities
•
Resourcing Frontline Parish Ministry: Whether in single or multi-parish benefices,
urban estates, town centres or rural setting. Church can be most effective when it is
local. National funding and diocesan initiatives must directly support local ministry.
•
Investing in Vocations & Young People: We need to be encouraging lay and
ordained vocations across all traditions. Effectively supporting and encouraging
clergy as they face changes in ministry, equipping churches, and enabling ministry
that connects with and nurtures faith among children, young people, and families.
•
Wise Stewardship: I am an advocate for transparent, prayerful allocation of
resources to enable effective ministry through the country.
•
Practical Governance: I would want to encourage national policy and legislation
that works with the daily realities of parish life rather than burdening them.
Why I am standing
I strongly believe that the local Church can and should be at the heart of seeing lives and
communities transformed. I want to see people and the Church flourish and love it when
they respond to God’s call to be all that He wants them to be. Out of that, I have a desire
to see the Church of England be a positive voice in society through following the example
of Jesus. General Synod is able to set the tone and encourage what happens at a local
level.
Having served the local Church since first coming to faith, I would welcome the
opportunity to be involved in contributing to the wider national conversation and would do
all I can to see what I carry in my heart for the Church realised.
I believe that I have experience of and passion for the growth of the Church and the
mission of Jesus, which would enable me to do this. I also think that my wider experience
will enable me to effectively be involved in wider Synod groups, meetings, and debates.
Personal information
I am married to Clare, who works for a national charity, and have two adult children. Pre-
ordination, I worked firstly as a dedicated Christian Schools Worker (supported by local
churches), before becoming a Youth Minister at a local Church.
If you would like to get in touch with me, I can be reached:
by email at [email protected]
or by phone on 07840694128.

children's ministry,church planting,evangelical,gospel,mission,ordinands,ordination,resource church,stewardship,vocations,young people,youth