General Synod Election Candidates 2026

A Quick CV
STUART
CRADDUCK
Proposer: Rachel Heskins
St John the Baptist, Ermine
Lincoln
Seconder: Sudharshan
Sarvananthan
Wyberton with Frampton
Before everything else, I want to thank you for the
trust you placed in me in 2021 when you elected me
to represent you on General Synod.
Why am I standing again?
“The job is not done” may sound ambitious after only five years on
General Synod, but our Church is changing rapidly and there is still
much to do.
In 2021 I stood on three priorities: inclusion, structural change within
the Church’s pastoral organisation, and clergy wellbeing, particularly in
relation to the new Clergy Conduct Measure.
I am proud of the contribution I have made, but none of these issues is
finished. There is still important work to do nationally, particularly
around inclusion and significantly around clergy pensions and
remuneration — because how we support and value our clergy matters
to the future of the Church.
I do not claim to have all the answers but I do believe that I still have a
calling to make a difference, to listen, to challenge constructively, and
to work with others to build a Church that is confident, inclusive and
ready for the future.
Rector of Grantham & Vicar
of Manthorpe from 2014
Rural Dean of Grantham until
2024
Rector of Whyke,
Rumboldswhyke and
Portfield, Diocese of
Chichester
Minor Canon The Cathedral &
Abbey Church of St Alban
Title Parish - St Alban’s West
Leigh, Dicoese of Portsmouth
Stuart’s dedication to true
inclusion has made a deep
impact in Grantham and
beyond; he is never afraid to
speak truth to power, as can
be seen by his voting record
and speeches made at
General Synod.
Rev’d Hannah Grivell
The Gospel Has No Exclusions
I remain passionate about the inclusion of all God’s people within a
diverse and inclusive Church of England. I am committed to
equality for everyone, at every level and in every role within the
Church, regardless of disability, economic power, ethnicity, sex,
gender identity, learning disability, mental health,
neurodiversity, or sexuality.
This commitment is not simply about policy or principle; it is rooted in
the Gospel itself. The Church is at its best when every person knows
that they are valued, welcomed and able to participate fully in the life
and ministry of the Church.
Most recently I have been working as part of a subgroup of the
Archbishops’ Council Committee for the Ministry of and amongst
Deaf and Disabled People and, over the past five years I have
spoken in General Synod on a range of issues, including:
Disability and the inclusion of disabled people within the Church;
Prayers of Love and Faith and the welcome of LGBTQ+ people;
The full acceptance and inclusion of neurodivergent people.
I believe that the Gospel has no exclusions. Our calling is not to
decide who belongs, but to proclaim the love of God revealed in
Christ and ensure that our Church reflects that love in its structures,
leadership, worship and common life.

Thank you for reading. Do get in touch, whatever your views.
I would be honoured to have your first or high preference vote.
[email protected] / 07960381060
The Parish First
I share much of the passion behind Save the Parish because I
believe profoundly in the parish. The parish is not simply one way
of doing Church; it is one of the Church of England’s greatest gifts
to the nation.
I believe in churches rooted in their communities, in clergy who are
known and trusted, and in the lifelong ministry of baptism, worship,
pastoral care and service that happens in our parishes every day.
The national Church must therefore put the parish at the heart of
its priorities. That means investing in our buildings, our people
and, urgently, in training new priests as clergy numbers decline.
I support increased investment in Lower Income Communities, but
we must do more to enable every parish to flourish.
I believe in the parish, I believe in the Church of England, and I
believe the future of both depends on putting confident, flourishing
parishes at the heart of our mission.
“As his new colleague, I am finding Stuart to be a
genuine, caring, and deeply committed clergy-person,
whose ministry at St Wulfram’s reflects how even the
greatest and most difficult needs of our parish can be
met with compassion and true sense of joy in ministry. I
delight in his decision to stand in this General Synod’s
election as I believe that we need more people who are
committed and joyful in actively responding to the
legislative needs of the Church of England as it
continues to evolve amid some difficult circumstances.”
The Rev’d Peter Das
A confident Church. A stronger Parish.
Everyone included. A courageous future.
The next five years will bring difficult decisions for General Synod. I believe my five years’ experience on
Synod, alongside twenty six years of diverse parish ministry, confidently equip me to help meet them.
The Parish - ensuring reform strengthens, rather than weakens, the parish and its ministry.
Inclusion - making everyone means everyone a reality, removing barriers to participation and leadership.
Clergy Wellbeing - securing fair treatment, proper support and sustainable ministry.
Structural Change - making the Church simpler, more accountable and focused on mission rather
than bureaucracy.
Investment in the Future - prioritising children and young people, vocations, church planting and
revitalisation.
Safeguarding and Trust - supporting survivors and ensuring the Church is safe, accountable and
transparent.
Confidence in Christ - facing financial pressures, decline and disagreement with courage, hope and a
renewed confidence in the Gospel.
These are the challenges ahead. I ask for your vote so that I can bring my experience, energy and
commitment to General Synod and help shape the Church we need for the future.

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