accountability,anglican communion,baptist,deployment,finance,mission,outreach,pension,stewardship,transparency,witness

ELECTION STATEMENT: GENERAL SYNOD
(DIOCESE OF ROCHESTER)
Candidate: Sewanyana Kironde

Synod: General Synod — House of Laity

Diocese: Diocese of Rochester

About Me and My Faith
I am seeking election to the General Synod to serve our diocesan family and the
wider Church of England. My faith is rooted in vibrant worship, prayerful reflection,
and a deep conviction having been an active participant in the church in several
parishes in a few countries. As a lay member within the Diocese of Rochester, I
continue to hope that our local churches flourish, especially reach new generations,
and navigate financial and structural challenges with clarity, courage, and integrity.

What I Bring: Faith, Leadership, Stewardship and Global Perspective
By way of background, when I lived in New York for a decade, I worshipped at St.
Thomas Church in Manhattan, where I was also confirmed. After moving to Geneva
in the late 1980s, I worshipped at Holy Trinity Church; there I was a Church Council
member, at various points treasurer, people’s warden and vicar’s warden. At the turn
of the century, I moved to Bahrain where I worshipped at St. Christopher’s Cathedral
in Manama. I moved to Worthing 7 years ago, and worshipped at St, Symphorian’s
Church. I have been in Sevenoaks for three years, worshipping at St. John the
Baptist Church where I am on the church council, and I am a Deanery Synod
representative.
Additionally, with over 40 years of international experience in corporate finance,
wealth management, and strategic governance—including senior executive roles
across global institutions, serving as Executive Partner at Orchard Way Capital
Partners, and holding the chairmanship of a privately held bond brokerage company
— I bring a strong set of analytical, governance, and scrutiny skills to attach to
synodical matters:

Rigorous Financial Stewardship & Governance:

General Synod approves the Church’s national budget, reviews complex
legislation, and shapes national strategy. My background in asset
management, private equity, and board oversight enables me to evaluate
budgets, investments, legal frameworks, and structural proposals with
expertise, diligence, independence, and fiduciary care.

International & Cultural Depth:

Educated at Harvard Business School, the Fletcher School, and Harvard
College, and having operated across Europe, the Gulf, and the US, I bring a

global, multi-cultural perspective to national debates on social policy, mission,
and the global Anglican Communion.

Listening with an Open Mind:

Effective governance requires prayerful listening, mutual respect, and
constructive engagement across all traditions of the Church. I am committed
to representing the diverse voices of our diocese with humility, fairness, and
transparency.

Key Priorities for General Synod
•
Resourcing the Local Parish:

Ensuring national Church resources, funding mechanisms, and budgets
directly support parish ministry, clergy deployment, and frontline community
outreach where impact is felt most.

•
Sound Financial Strategy & Accountability:

Bringing executive-level financial oversight to national budgets, church
investments, and pension provisions so the Church remains a responsible,
sustainable steward of God's resources.

•
Broad Representation & Diversity:

Supporting initiatives that make Synod genuinely reflective of the full diversity
of our communities, welcoming underrepresented voices with a focus on
increase membership amongst the young and fostering unity across differing
theological perspectives. Increasing regular church attendance especially
amongst the young must be a key priority for the future of the church.

•
Faithful Social Witness:

Ensuring the Church of England speaks with clarity, compassion, and
practical solutions on pressing economic, ethical, and societal issues.

My Commitment to You
If elected, I commit to:

•
Attending all sessions of the General Synod (London and York) faithfully
throughout the term.

•
Remaining accessible and accountable to electors and Deanery Synod
members across the Diocese of Rochester.

•
Approaching every debate, motion, and vote prayerfully, thoughtfully, and with
an open mind.

I humbly ask for your vote in the upcoming election.