General Synod Election Candidates 2026

Dear Elector,
I am writing to ask for your first or high preference vote in the upcoming election of General Synod members
for the house of laity. There are many significant issues that will be discussed and voted on in the next
quinquennium, so please take the opportunity to ensure that you have representatives that will advocate for
your views. I was elected to General Synod in November 2024. I have enjoyed seeing firsthand how parishes
and the national church work together, from PCC through the various levels of synods. I have been surprised
how I now consider debates on seemingly mundane governance issues, as well as big headlining
controversial issues, interesting and important. I enjoy the debates and have begun to understand how
General Synod works. I gave my debut speech in July on neurodiversity and the Church and now feel ready
and confident to speak up on more matters. Of course, it is the votes that count and I try to be present for as
many debates and votes as I possibly can. Synod is a busy and business-like environment, so I try to pray for
wisdom before votes to ground myself in God’s will, remembering that each vote will impact individual
people personally. My starting point is always about how God’s love is furthered through the work of Synod
and whether all people are fully included in this. I enjoy responding to people who contact me about current
Synod issues and do my best to represent their views. Not as many people as I expected do engage with me
directly, and I am always open to this.
My husband and I have lived in the small rural parish of Kentisbeare since 1993 and worship in the village
church. We have two daughters, two very young granddaughters, and
one daughter-in-law. We understand the complexities, challenges and
rewards of family life with one daughter and granddaughter living with
us and the other family in New Zealand.
Do get in contact if you would like to find out more about me at
[email protected] and please take the time to vote
for whoever you feel will advocate for the issues that are
important to you.
My church work has included
•
Children’s and youth work since I was 14.
•
Homegroup member from 14 and a leader for
much of the time.
•
Leading Marriage preparation, enrichment and
parenting courses
•
Leading a Living in Love and Faith course and
follow up sessions
•
Prayer ministry
•
Working on policy
•
Safeguarding
My life outside of Church…
•
Primary school teacher for over 20 years.
•
Set up and ran Kentisbeare Preschool 1994-1997
•
Relationship Educator for Mid Devon Community
Family Trust (MDCFT), 2000 – 2026
•
Lecturer in Education at Plymouth University,
2009-2019
•
Education Doctorate 2019-2025.
•
Carer for my mother who had dementia 2017 –
2021
•
Alumni research fellow Plymouth Uni 2025-7
Vivien Southall
Nominated by Robin Hodges – Previous lay Chair for Honiton Deanery ‘Vivien is an inspiring
addition to the General Synod, her kindness and thoughtful approach to leadership will
ensure that complex decisions are guided by genuine pastoral care, wisdom, and a
compassionate vision for the future of our rural Churches.
Seconded by Anne Jerman – Lay Secretary for Cadbury Deanery ‘I am supporting Viv
because I believe she will represent and promote the importance of inclusivity in the future
of the Church of England in the 21st-century whilst dealing sensitively with the challenges
that this will represent for some.’
Viv

My view on current synod matters so far…

FAMILIES, CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE - My
career in Education, my charity work in
Relationship Education, and my long-term
volunteering in church children’s work, reflects
the importance that I give to the wellbeing of
families, children and young people – but also
that I enjoy being and working with people and
helping them flourish. Much of what is debated
at synod has an impact on these groups,
including safeguarding, social care and even
clergy housing. It is through this lens that I
make my voting decisions.
INCLUSIVITY. - ‘May the God of steadfastness and
encouragement grant you to live in harmony with
one another in accordance with Christ Jesus, so that
together you may with one voice glorify the God and
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.’ (Romans 15:5). This
underpins my understanding of how God wants us to
relate to each other and informs my passion to see
the Church of England as an inclusive Church for all.
Inclusion for neurodiversity and disability. I have an
eye to the ways in which people with physical and
mental difficulties can be disenfranchised and
hindered in their ability to fully engage and thrive in
Church life. Like many families ours is neurodiverse.
My Doctoral Thesis looked at long-term romantic
neurodiverse relationships. Therefore, neurodiversity
is an area that is of interest to me. I attend the
neurodiversity and disability group at Synod that is
currently working on how to ensure neurodiverse
people are able to access and be fully involved in
Church life, work already underway in Exeter Diocese.
Relationships, sexuality and gender. In the next
quinquennium matters of relationships, sexuality and
gender will continue to be debated. With two same-
sex attracted daughters I am an advocate for
LGBTQAI+ Christians to be fully included in the life of
their own parish and the national body of the Church
of England. If elected to General Synod I will continue
to advocate for clergy to be able to choose to use
Prayers of Love and Faith in stand-alone services and
for clergy in same sex relationships to be able to
marry. However, I do consider it important that clergy
and individuals can act in accordance with their
conscience without judgment. I am part of the
Together for the Church of England group in Synod.
Racial equality. I attend the racial equality meetings
at General Synod. Having started my teaching life in
London with RE as a specialism racial equality has
been part of my professional development. I consider
attention to racial equality to be important in our
small, rural parishes as well as our parishes that are
richly diverse.
RURAL and URBAN PARISHES - I have been
involved in large parish churches for many years
as well as very small village parishes. I enjoy and
value what each has to bring. I am also aware of
the challenges for each context. I do share the
concerns of many that our rural parishes are
challenged by the lack of clergy and stress on
clergy well-being, as well as the maintenance of
large buildings and small populations. When
voting at Synod I have borne in mind the impact
of decisions on small, rural parishes.
SAFEGUARDING - I have been a parish
safeguarding officer and appreciate that
safeguarding is a complex and stressful process.
Thank you to all of you who carry out this role
in our diocese. Safeguarding structures have
been hotly debated at Synod, and the current
situation is still contested. I believe that any
structures we adopt need to be consistent
across the church, accountable and transparent
as well as manageable at parish level.
SUSTAINABILITY – I live my life with
commitment to sustainability, and I appreciate
measures debated in Synod to support
Churches in becoming more sustainable. This is
both in taking big measures where possible, but
also employing much smaller, cheaper and
more manageable initiatives.
Please take this opportunity to vote
and consider giving me your first or
high preference vote.
Voting closes on 13t October

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