General Synod Election Candidates 2026

Brandon Fletcher-James
Priest-in-charge of St Paul’s West Hackney since July 2025
Standing for the House of Clergy of General Synod
Proposer: Revd Steve Gayle, Dean of Racial Justice and Vicar of
St Michael and All Angels, Stoke Newington, Hackney deanery
Seconder: Revd Charis Enga, Vicar and Priest in Charge of St
Mary’s and St Andrews N16, Hackney Deanery
My Life and Background
A cradle Anglican I came to faith in my hometown of Hackney,
East London at St Barnabas Homerton. I went on to complete a
bachelor’s degree in Theology at Durham University and later a
Masters qualification during training at Westcott House. I love
traveling, arts and culture and cinema. At the age of thirty and now priest-in-charge of St
Paul’s West Hackney this stage of my life represents a homecoming in many ways as I serve
the geography, culture, people and place that has been so formative to my sense of identity
and vocation. Alongside my parish duties I am also heavily involved in the work of other
charitable arms and organisations, such as the Hackney Joint Estate. Commission (HJEC),
West Hackney Parochial Charity and the West Hackney Alms House where I stand as ex-
officio and chair. Outside the four walls of church I love all things arts and culture and love
travelling and cinema.
Parish Ministry
If elected to General Synod I would give hope to give voice to the distinct experience,
interests and intrigues of parish ministry from the liberal catholic tradition. Prior to
ordination training I had the great privilege of serving across varied missional contexts in
both northern and southern provinces (CEMS participant in Sunderland with a four group
benefice of churches and work as pastoral assistant at St Martin-in-the-fields) I whole
heartedly affirm the aims of the Save the Parish network because I believe that our greatest
strength lies in our historic parochial model of church. I will:
• Broach difficult questions regarding parish financing and management of church
resourcing/funding
• Ensure greater transparency across parish, diocesan and national level
Inclusion
The concern for inclusion is not an option, rather it informs an integral part of who I am and
my sense of identity. As someone of dual heritage and a member of the LGBTQI+
community I am deeply attuned to the concerns for greater inclusion within the structures,
administration and governance of the Church of England. For me this work goes beyond
the conundrum we sometimes find ourselves in with regards to categories or the precision
of terms used to identify people. It is not so much about containing someone’s sense of self
within a descriptor as it is about broadening the scope of our God-given humanity.

What I believe is required of us is a robust understanding of human identity and
personhood, one that treats human beings with an integral wholeness and respects the
complexity and difference of God’s diverse creation. The touchstone for all of this I feel
arises from our essential belief in the Incarnation. The fact that Christ, the Word made
flesh, took on the fullness of our own humanity, should remind us that no one shape or
form is beyond the mystery of God’s love and grace.
What this looks like practically is:
• Creating intentional spaces of welcome that are open and accessible to all
• Open to mature and honest conversations which respect opposite views,
convictions/beliefs
• Adopting an intersectional approach to matter of social justice, human identity and
belonging
I have sought to address this at both a parish and diocesan level with my involvement with
the LGBTQI+ Advisory group for London Diocese and connection with the Together
Church Network and Inclusive Church.
Sacramental Ministry
There is no doubt to my mind that the true church at its best is holy, catholic and apostolic.
As someone who came to the catholic Anglican way in my twenties and yet was raised in an
open evangelical setting I have a deep affection with the Church of England understood at its
most broadest. However even more so I am reminded of the ways in which the Church can
so easily lose its ecclesial identity amidst the competing demands for strategies addressing
managed decline, diocesan deficits and growing secularisation. As someone whose faith is
rooted in the rhythm and daily pattern of the offices and the full sacramental life of the
church, if elected I hope to join with our brothers and sisters not just in matters of
administrative governance and policy but also to engender greater fellowship through prayer
and faith in action. Synod is not just an administrative mechanism, it also says so much about
who we are as a Church as a worshipful people. There is truth in the phrase ‘lex orandi, lex
credendi’ hence if elected I hope to also bring to the fore how our liturgical and ministerial
practices also speak to Synod.
Why I am standing for General Synod?
My realism, passion and commitment I believe are virtues best fit for general synod. At this
stage in my life and ministry I think I have the energy and determination to fully serve synod
in its proceedings and to represent the concerns not just of those elected but those longing
for change beyond the chamber walls. While it would be fair to say that there have been
times when I have been completely disillusioned by the politics of church, in order for there
to be any future renewal or reform I must be the change I wish to see in the world . In all
things I strive to speak with honesty and integrity, to foster genuine collegiality and
friendship across theological divides and to help grow the spiritual and corporate life of the
Church. To quote St Paul’s first epistle to the Thessalonians, ‘therefore encourage one
another and build each other up, as indeed you are doing’. I would love to have your vote in
these upcoming elections.
Please do get in touch- [email protected] www.stpaulswesthackney.org

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