General Synod Election Candidates 2026

Revd Temitope Taiwo
CANDIDATE FOR GENERAL SYNOD · HOUSE OF CLERGY

Email [email protected]
Mobile 07379634861
Address Hackney Church House, 1 Prodigal Square,
London E8 1FX

Proposed by Andy Rimmer, Vicar, Christ Church Barnet
Seconded by Katherine Chow, Associate Vicar, HTB

Dear friends and electors,
I am asking for your support to serve you in the House of Clergy at General Synod. Five years
ago, the lay electors of this diocese entrusted me with a seat at Synod; I now ask the same of you, as
a colleague: a priest, a curate, and someone who has seen Synod from the inside and still believes it
matters. Its decisions on structures, safeguarding and resources reach into every parish, including
yours. It would be an honour to serve you and this diocese there, once more.

Who Am I?

• Assistant Curate at St John at Hackney, part of SAINT, a family of collaborating parishes across
east London. I trained at St Mellitus College and was ordained in the Diocese of London.
• 1 year married to my wife, Lydia, we live and serve in ministry together in east London.
• I did not grow up Anglican. I came to the Church of England as an adult and fell in love with it.
I have never looked back, and I want to help it flourish in the name of Jesus.
• Born in London, raised on local estates and in council housing by a wonderful, faith-filled single
mother who helped me to experience the grace and beauty of the gospel.
• Before ordination: Graduate 1st class in Business, I worked in fashion, then youth work in estates,
schools and hostels, and Christian mission in Bangladesh among the Garo people of Netrokona.

My Synod Experience So Far

• Elected to General Synod in 2021, representing the Diocese of London in the House of Laity. I
came to understand how vital good synodical process is to achieve meaningful improvement on
the ground. I have seen first-hand how legislation, committee work and patient, constructive
conversation can become powerful tools for lasting change.

• Elected by Synod to the Crown Nominations Commission (CNC) as a central, voting member,
helping to discern the appointment of diocesan bishops. Sitting with dioceses across the country
really pierced my heart to truly see and love the whole Church of England in all its variety.

• Ordination brought that chapter to its natural end, as a priest cannot sit in the House of Laity.
I now ask to return as one of you, bringing a lay member's memory, a curate's daily experience,
and a working knowledge of how Synod gets things done.

Why I Am Standing

1 For the next generation of young believers
I believe this as strongly as ever. As someone who grew up on a low-income estate, has served as a
youth worker for over 5 years, and now a priest, I have seen the good news of Jesus transform young
lives in some of the poorest parts of our city. I have also seen too many struggle to find a home in the
Church. Our diocese wants to become younger. Synod should back that ambition with real decisions:
sustained investment in children’s, youth and student ministry; freedom for parishes to innovate; and
clearer pathways for young people, such as ordination and other ministry structures.
2 For the wellbeing of clergy
Recently ordained, I now see clergy life more acutely. Morale, recruitment, housing, pay and pensions
all need careful attention, all over the country. I will press for a Clergy Conduct Measure that learns
from previous failures, sustained progress on stipends, housing, pensions, proper implementation of
the Clergy Care & Wellbeing Covenant, and better support for curates and those in new posts.
3 For a simpler, more welcoming Church
I came to the Church of England as an adult, and I remember how confusing it looked from the outside.
If it is hard for those trying to get “in”, imagine how it feels to those who are merely curious. The last
Synod began to simplify how the national Church is governed and how its money moves. I want to
help continue that work on behalf of our diocese. This is imperative work to help more people find
their way into the Church and encounter the good news of Jesus Christ, in London and beyond.

Beyond these three priorities, I will give serious attention to safeguarding, including the Redress
Scheme for survivors, and to the finances that shape what our parishes can do.

If You Elect Me

• I will represent London’s clergy across our traditions, listening well & speaking constructively.
• I will report back after every group of sessions and remain easy to contact.
• I will bring a young and diverse voice, a diligent spirit and a generous outlook.

A Final Word

General Synod’s work is often difficult, detailed and complex. Yet there is a resolute call I feel to
serve you again, in shaping decisions that affect the ministry we all share. Above all, I love Jesus, I
love his Church and I love this diocese. It would be a privilege to represent them, and you.

Please would you prayerfully consider me as your first-preference
vote. And re-elect me to Synod.
If I am not your first choice, a second or third preference would still be gratefully received.

Faithfully yours,

Temitope Taiwo

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