General Synod Election Candidates 2026

Details of all candidates in the 2026 General Synod elections

Election Address

The Revd Canon John Thackray

St Edmundsbury and Ipswich

House of Clergy

Canon John Thackray

Proposer:
Vicar, St Mary-at-the-Elms Ipswich
The Revd. Rachel Revely
Canon of St Edmundsbury Cathedral

Vicar, St Thomas’ Ipswich
Bishop’s Ecumenical Adviser
Seconder:
Elected member of Bishop’s Council
The Revd. Al Metcalfe
Ipswich Deanery Chapter Clerk
Vicar, St Augustine’s Ipswich
Deanery Visitor

Committed to Parish Ministry – Clergy Well-being – a Diverse Church of England
Why do I have the temerity to ask for your number 1 vote on your ballot paper?
I do so as vicar for eleven years of a growing town-centre church,
an experienced school chaplain who longs for the church to engage ever more with young people,
a priest unashamedly in the catholic tradition who is known to support fully those of other theologies,
one who has much experience of supporting rural, village and smaller town ministry,
an Essex boy who loves interrailing and P.G. Wodehouse, and yet is useless at gardening and golf.

The Church of England at its best is rooted in parishes
The mission of our Church is best expressed in our parochial ministry, complemented by our diocese and
supported with appropriate use of resources by the national church bodies. I champion the work of parish
churches and of our clergy, churchwardens and so many others who express the love of God in our parishes.

The Church of England at its best is a church where clergy and all our volunteers flourish
Synod must be realistic about the expectations of clergy and their families. So too must it be aware of the
pressures on churchwardens and all our volunteers. Clergy and laity alike should safely be enabled to make
God’s love a reality in the places they serve. Nor should retired clergy be overlooked and under-thanked:
their continuing ministry should be acknowledged; so too should their practical needs.

The Church of England at its best is ecumenical, holding firm to our calling to be one body, one Church
A member of the council of Ipswich in Prayer, longest-serving member of the executive of Churches Together
in Suffolk, I am confident that a church which recognises and respects differing theologies and ecclesiologies
is the better equipped to fulfil its mission.

The Church of England at its best joyfully witnesses to Christ
Secular approaches to life often seem partisan and binary. From the collect for Mary, Martha and Lazarus:
“God our Father, whose Son enjoyed the love of his friends in learning, argument and hospitality, may we so
rejoice in your love …”. May that be so, in Synod, in Diocese, in Deanery, in Parish and in all forms of ministry.

I am joyfully committed to the Church of England with all its diversity of views and practices.
You are welcome to contact me: 07780 613754; [email protected]

catholic,churches together,ecumenical,mission,prayer,tradition,young people

Theological Tradition Terms

catholic

Theological Tradition Sentences
I do so as vicar for eleven years of a growing town-centre church, an experienced school chaplain who longs for the church to engage ever more with young people, a priest unashamedly in the catholic tradition who is known to support fully those of other theologies, one who has much experience of supporting rural, village and smaller town ministry, an Essex boy who loves interrailing and P.G.
Sexuality, Marriage & LLF/PLF Terms
Sexuality, Marriage & LLF/PLF Sentences
Safeguarding Terms
Safeguarding Sentences
Evangelism, Mission & Church Growth Terms

mission

Evangelism, Mission & Church Growth Sentences
The Church of England at its best is rooted in parishes The mission of our Church is best expressed in our parochial ministry, complemented by our diocese and supported with appropriate use of resources by the national church bodies. ------ The Church of England at its best is ecumenical, holding firm to our calling to be one body, one Church A member of the council of Ipswich in Prayer, longest-serving member of the executive of Churches Together in Suffolk, I am confident that a church which recognises and respects differing theologies and ecclesiologies is the better equipped to fulfil its mission.
Doctrine & Formularies Terms

prayer,tradition

Doctrine & Formularies Sentences
I do so as vicar for eleven years of a growing town-centre church, an experienced school chaplain who longs for the church to engage ever more with young people, a priest unashamedly in the catholic tradition who is known to support fully those of other theologies, one who has much experience of supporting rural, village and smaller town ministry, an Essex boy who loves interrailing and P.G. ------ The Church of England at its best is ecumenical, holding firm to our calling to be one body, one Church A member of the council of Ipswich in Prayer, longest-serving member of the executive of Churches Together in Suffolk, I am confident that a church which recognises and respects differing theologies and ecclesiologies is the better equipped to fulfil its mission.
Society, Justice & Inclusion Terms
Society, Justice & Inclusion Sentences
Clergy Concerns Terms
Clergy Concerns Sentences
Church Structure & Policy Terms
Church Structures & Policy Sentences
Other Churches & Other Faiths Terms

churches together,ecumenical

Other Churches & Other Faiths Sentences
Bishop’s Ecumenical Adviser ------ The Church of England at its best is ecumenical, holding firm to our calling to be one body, one Church A member of the council of Ipswich in Prayer, longest-serving member of the executive of Churches Together in Suffolk, I am confident that a church which recognises and respects differing theologies and ecclesiologies is the better equipped to fulfil its mission.
Youth & Next Generation Terms

young people

Youth & Next Generation Sentences
I do so as vicar for eleven years of a growing town-centre church, an experienced school chaplain who longs for the church to engage ever more with young people, a priest unashamedly in the catholic tradition who is known to support fully those of other theologies, one who has much experience of supporting rural, village and smaller town ministry, an Essex boy who loves interrailing and P.G.
Made with Shareables