General Synod Election Candidates 2026

Dear Elector,
I am standing again for election for a second
term to continue to serve the House of Laity.
Serving on the General Synod in the last term has
been a huge privilege and a period of profound
spiritual growth for me. Navigating the
complexities and divisions of our church life has
transformed my prayer life, and clarified my
calling. I am eager to continue working for the
life and witness of the Church of England, if
elected again as a member of the General Synod.
I am also deeply committed to serving our church
with a perspective that that is centred around my
deep devotion to Christ, and his mission.
Yours in Christ
Gracy
Dr. Gracy Vijaya Crane
Deanery: Maidenhead and Windsor
Parish: St. Andrew and St. Mary Magdalene
Mobile: 07703 346669
Email: [email protected]
My background and faith journey
My name is Gracy Crane, and I am standing for election with a deep commitment to our increasingly diverse
church life. Born and raised in India within a Tamil-speaking minority community, I am trilingual in English,
Tamil, and Hindi. My journey has taken me from my roots in South India to King’s College London for my
studies, and eventually to living and working in both England and Boston, USA. Professionally, I am a scientist
working in health policy, collaborating with international governmental agencies to develop frameworks for
licensing new medicines. This role requires curiosity, rigorous analysis and a global perspective, qualities I
bring to my service to the General Synod. Locally, I am part of a clergy family; my husband, Richard, is a newly
ordained curate at Holy Trinity Church in Henley, and together we have two children who are now young
adults, embarking on their own personal faith journeys.
My own faith journey began in a God-fearing Roman Catholic family, but moving to England was the catalyst
that prompted a personal exploration of my beliefs. In God’s providence, I came to know Jesus Christ through
the testimony of a Sikh friend. This led me to a charismatic church in Oxford and a diligent, personal study of
the Bible to understand my identity in Christ. The turning point came when I realized that all my achievements
were secondary to the surpassing greatness of knowing Him, a truth from Philippians 3:8 that has motivated
my service ever since.
Having worshipped in various Anglican and other traditions across England and America, I deeply value the
richness and diversity of Christian worship. I am eager to share this journey and serve the church with a voice
that reflects both my professional background and my personal relationship with God.

How I have contributed to during the last Synod term
Last term my aim was to represent the Diocese of Oxford with faithful service and biblical conviction.
My contributions span racial justice leadership, doctrinal engagement, and active accountability to
local parishes, in the following ways:
Racial Justice & CMEAC Leadership: I was elected as a House of Laity representative to the
Committee for Minority Ethnic Anglican Concerns (CMEAC), advocating for UKME/GMH representation,
leadership pathways, and full inclusion across all levels of church governance.
Overcoming biases: In my last term, I have had many instances where I have had to overcome
conscious and unconscious biases with regards to my abilities and interests, and I have also addressed
these issues in my speeches in the floor of the house.
Grass-roots accountability: I have very much enjoyed reporting back on Synod sessions to the Oxford
Diocesan Synod, deanery synods, and local parish congregations, ensuring transparent communication
and highlighting the connections between the agenda of the General Synod and local worshipping
communities.
How I propose to contribute if elected for a second term:
This time, my candidacy is built upon a "dual-lens" perspective: I actively live and worship within the
Henley Deanery (Henley), where we moved when my husband was ordained in July, and my formal
enrollment in the Windsor & Maidenhead deanery.
I have highlighted some areas below which have inspired me to stand for election a second time.
Missional opportunity: I have been struck by the changing demographics of Oxford diocese which I
believe presents us all with a joyful missional opportunity. As more ethnic minority families make their
home in our region, mirroring wider national trends, our Church and indeed the General, Diocesan and
Deanery synods together have a dynamic opportunity to grow the church. Having a Synod that
understands, welcomes, and plans for this growth ensures our parishes remain resilient, relevant, and
well-resourced for the future.
Local parish resourcing: In July, we moved from a large mature church to Holy Trinity church, which is
a small growing parish, with a significant need for parish funding to modernize church facilities. This
move has given me fresh appreciation of challenges that small local parishes face. This perspective
enables me to better advocate for protection of local parish funding, as the parish is the essential unit
of mission, and should be adequately funded and fully supported.
Inclusion and representation: Our Church and the General Synod must evolve further to be a space of
radical hospitality where everyone belongs, regardless of background, ethnicity, gender, sexual
orientation, age, physical ability, or financial means. To ensure lay leadership truly reflects the diverse
communities we serve, I will continue to advocate for dismantling conscious and unconscious biases
(which I personally experienced) and financial barriers (which other synod colleagues have faced) that
currently prevent the General Synod from being open to everyone.
The belief that the church is an anticipation of the “great multitude from every nation, tribe, people and
language”, which will one day be gathered by the Lord (Revelation 7:9), has prompted me to apply for a
second term.

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