General Synod Election Candidates 2026

Introduction
Dear Elector,

| am Fr Ben Edwards, full-time Vicar of Great Barton and Thurston just
outside Bury St Edmunds, where I live with my wife and our three
children. Having served these parishes for five years, as well as
previously serving in Beccles and at St Edmundsbury Cathedral, | bring
a broad depth of experience across both rural and town life in Suffolk.

My faith is at the very core of who | am. A deeply contemplative
prayer life fuels my practical action, continually feeding each other in
my ministry and mission in Suffolk and beyond.

| am standing for General Synod because | believe our diocese is at a
vital crossroads. We are a region of unique beauty and growth, but to
truly thrive, we must be a Church that is both grounded and graceful.
My hope is for a Church where everyone finds a place of belonging,
anchored in Christ and generous in hospitality.

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CANDIDATE FOR GENERAL SYNOD:
DIOCESE OF ST EDMUNDSBURY AND IPSWICH

The Revd Fr

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Benjamin Edwards

A Church for Every Mind, Every Home, and Every Love

Inclusivity: Celebrating Every Relationship & Background
lam committed to a Church where every person is valued and every faithful
relationship is celebrated. On General Synod, | will be a constructive voice
for the full implementation of the Prayers of Love and Faith and the journey
towards equal marriage, seeking unity and mutual respect across our diverse
traditions. Alongside this, | am passionately committed to racial justice,
actively working to ensure our leadership, governance, and parish life
reflect and celebrate the full diversity of God's people.

Every Mind: Prioritising Neurodiversity

True inclusion means welcoming how people think and experience the world, |
will advocate for a Church that is genuinely accessible to neurodivergent
individuals—autistic, ADHD, dyslexic and beyond. This means:

• Removing hidden barriers in vocational discernment processes.

• Supporting parishes in developing sensory-friendly worship.

• Sharing God's Word through creative, accessible means alongside traditional

text.

Every Home: Standing Up for Our Communities

Our Suffolk villages are changing rapidly. Where significant housing
growth occurs, thousands of homes are often built without essential social
infrastructure. The Church has a moral duty to speak up for these
communities. On Synod, | will push for the national Church to equip local
parishes in advocating for meaningful community spaces that serve
people, not developer interests.

Caring for Creation & Regenerative Farming

As a Church rooted in Suffolk’s agricultural heartland, the health of our soil and the health of our
souls are deeply intertwined. I am passionately committed to regenerative farming—advocating
for food networks to phase out soil-depleting chemicals. Honouring the land is fundamentally an

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GENERAL act of stewardship; the altar and the dining table are intimately linked. I will champion
initiatives that support our local farming communities in restoring the land, ensuring our rural
SYNOD parishes lead the way in caring for Creation.
ELECTION
Mental Health: Parish Wellbeing Hubs
CANDIDATE Churches must be at the forefront of tackling the mental health crisis, offering safe
STATEMENT spaces for dedicated wellbeing hubs—particularly for young people and isolated
farming communities. By partnering with local mental health trusts and charities, our
parish buildings can become places where people are heard, valued, and supported.
PAGE On Synod, I will advocate for resources to help churches open their doors and embody
Christ’s restoring care.
2 Our Future: Young People and Schools
Our schools are vital to community life, yet the bridge between parish church and
FAITHFUL. school gates can often be fragile. I am passionate about building genuine, lasting
INCLUSIVE. partnerships between churches and schools without overburdening parish clergy. By
COURAGEOUS. providing flexible, diocesan backed resources, we can equip churches to support
TOGETHER FOR school communities effortlessly, helping children explore life’s big questions of faith.
A CHURCH
THAT SERVES .
rt Conclusion

I offer a perspective rooted in the daily realities of Suffolk life—from the
challenges of rural ministry to the vibrant potential of our growing towns. I
respectfully ask for your first-preference vote to represent a diocese that is bold,
compassionate, and ready to welcome everyone into the love of God.

Y

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FAITH HOPE LOVE SERVICE

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