General Synod Election Candidates 2026

NIC DENYER, TYNEMOUTH DEANERY, HOUSE OF LAITY CANDIDATE, GENERAL SYNOD 2026
I am standing for re-election to General Synod because I’m passionate about parish ministry, I care about enabling the gifts of all, I’m committed to Newcastle Diocese and I love the Church of England
Proposed by; Robin Brims (Corbridge Deanery Synod Secretary, General Synod lay rep 2021-2026)
Seconded by; Carol Griffiths (Bamburgh and Glendale Deanery Synod Secretary, Bishop’s Council and Diocesan Mission and Pastoral Committee elected rep)
A BIT ABOUT ME
*I am married to Nigel and we’ve lived in Whitley Bay for 23 years with our three children. Prior to starting my current job as Lay Ministry Development Officer for the diocese, I worked for the NHS as a nurse, midwife and safeguarding training officer, and as Assistant Chaplain at St. Oswald’s Hospice in Newcastle. The life experience and skills I bring from all my jobs means I am skilled in pastoral care, listening well and encouraging everyone to contribute. I am passionate about the work I do now, and in enabling the varied and diverse gifts and vocations God has given to all of us.
*I am a Reader in the North Shields team, serving in Christ Church and St. Augustin’s. I came to faith in my late 30s, and knowing God loves me has changed my life. This knowledge leads me to strive to share that love with everyone I meet, whoever they are. My favourite Bible passage is Matthew 22: 37-39 ‘Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ I aim to live up to this every day.
*I have been a lay rep for Newcastle Diocese at General Synod from November 2021 – July 2026 and have learned much that I could bring to another term if elected. I have spoken in a number of debates that matter to me and our diocese, including safeguarding, motions on encouraging working class and lay vocations, Living in Love and Faith and the importance of the parish.
*I love this part of the world. I grew up in Wooler and then Cramlington, and both my parents come from North Northumbrian stock. This place is our home and it’s fab to be able to travel around it and meet so many of you too. It would be an honour to continue to represent our home and our concerns at General Synod should I be elected for a second term.
NIC DENYER – GENERAL SYNOD 2026
I feel called to stand for election to a second term on General Synod as the Church of England faces important decisions about its future, as we build on the work I have been part of over the last five years.
EQUALITY I firmly believe that the Church of England needs to be a place where we all can find welcome, hospitality and affirmation, both for who we are and for what God has called us to be. I am committed to equality for everyone, at all levels and roles within the church, regardless of disability, economic power, class, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, learning disability, mental health, neurodiversity, or sexuality. There must be equal access to all roles, ministries and opportunities; Lay and Ordained; as well as recognition within the Church of the callings given by God that are exercised in the world, as well as on Sundays.
THE IMPORTANCE OF THE PARISH I am committed to working towards sustaining a thriving, cradle-to-grave, parish system with well-trained clergy providing regular worship, pastoral care, and sacraments, fully embedded in and serving their local communities. I will work to protect our grassroots lay leaders and congregations from administrative exhaustion, excessive internal regulation, and the routine assumption that a tired laity should simply be asked to do more.
EXPERIENCE, COMMITMENT AND COLLABORATION – I believe that building relationships and connections between us is the best way to get things done, to share experience and hear wisdom. I am open-minded, committed to listening well and advocating for equity and justice. I have initiated and sustained excellent relationships with others at General Synod over the last 5 years, whether we agree or disagree on any particular topic, and am always open to collaboration. I am a member of the Ministry Development Board and the Working Class Task Group, and am confident in speaking into such conversations, always bringing the needs of our diocese to the table. I will ensure that any information from Synod reaches your ears, and that I feedback your thoughts nationally.
If I haven’t convinced you to vote for me (yet), have a read of the supporting comments below:
“As a fellow member of the House of Laity in the recently ended General Synod quinquennium I know Nic Denyer is both conscientious in preparing for and then taking part in deliberations. In her role as our diocesan Lay Ministry Development Officer she is particularly well informed of parish views and represents these faithfully.” Robin Brims
"I have known Nic for some years. She is one of the most compassionate, empathetic, caring, wisest people I know, with a vast range of life skills and experiences. She is also highly intelligent, well able to input to debate on complex issues but always with careful forethought and never hurtful. She will represent the best of Newcastle Diocese”. Carol Griffiths
Please contact me at [email protected] with any questions or thoughts. I’ll be really pleased to hear from you!! I hope you will give me your first preference vote. Thanks for reading.

disability,equality,gender identity,justice,living in love and faith,mental health,mission,neurodiversity,safeguarding,sexuality,vocations,working class