General Synod Election Candidates 2026

JULIE DZIEGIEL 239 CHARTRIDGE LANE CHESHAM BUCKS HP5 2SF
07720 242720 or [email protected]

Canon JULIE DZIEGIEL
GENERAL SYNOD ELECTIONS 2026 – HOUSE OF LAITY
Nominators: Sir Hector Sants (Chair: Oxford Diocesan Board of Finance, Wycombe Deanery)
John Sykes (Chair: Oxford Diocese House of Laity, Windsor and Maidenhead Deanery)

I recently became a grandmother. I’m so grateful to God for Matthew’s safe arrival, and more
aware than ever of the need to build a strong church for the future – so my grandson and his
generation can hear and live the Good News of Jesus Christ. I would like to be re-elected as a
member of General Synod to use my skills and experience in the work we need to do to
ensure our church thrives.

CHURCH ROLES

I qualified as an accountant in the 1980s, and gained experience producing, interpreting and
using figures, documents and strategies in practical situations. I have continued to use and
develop these skills in my work within the church over the past two decades.
.
For sixteen years I held treasurer roles in my parish of Great Chesham, which has seven
churches, and since 2010 I have been treasurer for Amersham Deanery. Through this service
I have gained extensive experience of the wide variety of churches within the Church of
England. I have also served Oxford Diocese as a member of Bishop’s Council since 2012 and
INTRODUCTION


Married with three adult daughters

Lives in Chesham, Bucks

Deanery Treasurer

Member of Bishop’s Council 2012-2026

Member of General Synod 2010-2026

Member of Archbishops’ Council
Finance Committee 2016 - 2026

Member of Archbishops’ Council
Legislative Reform Committee inception
to date

Member of Archbishops’ Council
Investment Committee 2024 - date

Member of LLF Working Groups 2024-
2026

Member of several other Oxford
Diocese and General Synod
committees

JULIE DZIEGIEL 239 CHARTRIDGE LANE CHESHAM BUCKS HP5 2SF
07720 242720 or [email protected]

for the last five years I have been Vice-Chair of Oxford Diocesan Board of Finance, working
with Sir Hector Sants and John Sykes, who are supporting my nomination to stand for re-
election to General Synod. The Diocesan and national church committees that I work with give
me insight in to the challenges the church faces in a wider view, and the opportunity to
contribute to discussions to address those issues.

I have been a director/trustee of the Parish Giving Scheme (PGS) since 2020. In this period
PGS has moved from only being available in some dioceses to being funded by the Church
Commissioners and available to every parish – and PGS is now accessible online. PGS is now
in a very good place and processing £100 million of donations to Church of England churches.

My daughters mean I benefit from their insights of their generation, and now, I am also seeing
the issues confronting young families – for example the cost of housing and working on short-
term contracts. Such challenges are worse for those without family support. I am therefore
pleased to serve on the Archbishops’ Council Investment Committee which makes social
investments, in enterprises which align with Christian values and seek to alleviate need for
those in most difficulty.
I was installed as an Honorary Lay Canon of Christ Church Cathedral in 2024. I am delighted
to involve myself with the cathedral’s work, and consider this a great honour.
GENERAL SYNOD
From 2010-2026 I represented Oxford Diocese on General Synod, and I was delighted to
speak at least once at most groups of sessions, often drawing on my wide church knowledge
and experience to illustrate my points. The committee work I do helps bring the aspirations of
the Synod to fruition. The focus is always to support the mission in the front line, in local
parishes, and the work is undergirded by vital prayer.
The next Synod will have to further address the divisive issues of human sexuality. I served on
the Living in Love and Faith (LLF) Working Groups. I hold an inclusive view but belong to a
church where the leadership and teaching is conservative. Thus I have deep understanding of
the opposing positions in this debate, but also empathise with many I meet who do not wish to
engage in this issue. I have and will support moves to enable same sex couples to marry in
our churches, and to allow clergy to marry same sex partners. I have already spoken in three
LLF debates, and pray we can find a way forward which enables all, of whatever view, to
flourish in our church.
Safeguarding and trust are two more areas troubling our church. I have engaged with
safeguarding debates and concerns at national, diocesan and local church levels. I was also
part of the Synod Reference Group exploring trust, and I am also involved in work considering
how the church’s financial decisions are made. This is crucially important in building trust, and
work to which I feel called, drawing on my financial background and experience. I can bring
familiarity, experience and sensitivity as we continue to examine these important issues
moving forwards.
I see and appreciate the glorious diversity of the Church of England, the strength of the
parochial system and the opportunity it provides people to hear the Good News of Jesus
Christ. I pray that grace will prevail, and the church will grow and strengthen, and I would
dearly love to use my skills and experience at parish, deanery, diocesan and national levels to
work towards that goal. To enable me to do this, I respectfully ask that you might consider
giving me your first preference vote. Please get in touch to discuss any topic further. My
contact details are below; I’d be delighted to hear from you.

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