General Synod Election Candidates 2026

ALICE KEMP
Nominated by: Rev Trudie Wigley (Chair of the House of Clergy)
Seconded by: Rev Ruth Harding (SSOM Convenor)

I am standing for re-election to general synod because I am
passionate about the Church of England and the ministry
exercised in our churches, communities, chaplaincies, diocese and
country, touching hearts and changing lives. I long to see a church in every
community where all can belong and flourish.
I would welcome your first or second preference vote
What do I bring?
A love for local churches and for the joyful diversity of the Church of England.
A breadth of experience both in my career and after ordination as an SSOM and chaplain,
which means I am deeply committed to a church that is rooted in faith but deeply connected
with the real world.
First-hand knowledge of General Synod and the Diocese of Bristol which gives me confidence
to speak out and helps me to work within governance structures to bring about change.
A unique voice and perspective, shaped by a diverse vocational journey, ministry as a disabled
person, and substantial professional experience outside ordained ministry, all bringing a
distinctive voice to conversations.

Who am I?
I came to faith on my 16th birthday and being part of a Christian Community has shaped my life. I have
held careers in specialist housing where I worked with people with AIDs and HIV, and in education,
where I taught in estate schools before moving into special needs.
I was ordained 16 years ago, and my ministry has been varied and rooted in service. After curacy I
spent 11 years as Chaplain at MOD Corsham, and alongside this I was the Diocesan Disability Adviser
as a volunteer and more recently as DSS staff. I am now also Dean of Women’s Ministry, where I am
able to bring perspectives from parishes into Bishop’s Staff Team meetings. Alongside this I have held
SSOM roles in parish and interim ministry. I also founded and lead a fresh expression for people with
learning disabilities called LIGHT. I have been a member of Bishop’s Council, the Diocesan Board of
Education, the Audit and Risk Committee and my Deanery Leadership Team.
I am married and we have two adult children, both disabled, who have been among my greatest
teachers in life. I was primary carer for my son for the first 18 years of his life, who has complex
physical and learning disabilities. I am also disabled and neurodivergent myself. When I am not
working, I enjoy weaving, crochet, painting and singing with a Military Wives Choir.

I have sought to speak faithfully about Bristol and to reflect the breadth of life,
ministry and challenge across our diocese in debates including those about mental
health and lay conduct. I have supported and voted in debates on clergy wellbeing,
pensions, replacement CDM, more rest periods and more. I co-wrote a motion on
neurodiversity that highlighted the work being done in Bristol. I have regularly asked
questions on a variety of issues including disability, neurodivergence and safeguarding.
As a member of the national Disability Task Group I chair both the Accessible Liturgy and
Learning Disability working groups and am a member of the Neurodiversity group. At synod I
have jointly led the Accessible Synod group working with synod staff and the Business
Committee to make General Synod more accessible for all.
My priorities if re-elected
Representation: I am committed to listening to you and representing your voices on synod. I want
General Synod to understand the pressures on parish clergy – both stipendiary and SSOMs - so that
decisions are made that support clergy and the places that they serve in, enabling the flourishing of
both lay people and clergy so we can work together for the Gospel.
Belonging: I long to see a church that recognises, celebrate and affirms that we are all made in
God’s image and equally loved by God. I will continue to work for a church where all people are
welcome regardless of their age, gender, disability, ethnicity, socio-economic status, mental health
or sexuality. I also recognise that we don’t all agree on issues of sexuality and I am committed to
working with those with different views to me so that we can bring the work begun in the LLF process
to a conclusion.
Safeguarding: Through my own personal experiences and my work life I am committed to
continuing to challenge unsafe structures in our National Church by asking clear questions and
supporting practices that protect the vulnerable and challenge exclusion. I will continue to push for a
truly independent National Safeguarding organisation that will provide both challenge and support for
those working in our parishes and dioceses to create a safer church.
Canon reform: Continue campaigning for changes to Canon B17 so we can legally use truly gluten
free bread and alcohol free wine in Holy Communion. And to Canon C4.3 to put in protective
safeguards for disabled people in the discernment process. These changes would mean that church
law better reflects inclusion, pastoral reality and good practice.

“Alice brings a distinctive and grounded voice shaped by her professional
life beyond the Church, ministry as a self-supporting parish priest, and her
own experience of disability – a breadth of perspective that I believe is a
real gift to General Synod and God’s church.” Trudie Wigley

Please do get in touch if you have any questions please get in touch
[email protected] If you would like me to be re-elected please put
me as your first or high preference.
National Church Contribution

cdm,clergy wellbeing,curacy,diocesan board,dioceses,disability,disabled people,discernment,fresh expression,gospel,holy communion,housing,liturgy,llf,mental health,national safeguarding,neurodiversity,ordination,safeguarding,self supporting,sexuality,stipendiary