catholic,clergy wellbeing,cost of living,deployment,evangelical,inequality,liturgical,llf,poverty,refugees,vocations,working class

Dear friends,

For those of you whom I haven’t met
yet, I’d like to take a moment to
introduce myself. I live in Littlemoor,
Weymouth with my family. I am
married to Georgie, who is a Debt
Coach with Christians Against Poverty,
and Associate Warden of LLMs. We
have two boys, both of whom are now
(scarily!) of secondary school age. I
am Team Rector of the Weymouth
Ridgeway Team, which includes Low
Income (LINC), affluent suburban, and
rural parishes- plenty of joys and
challenges. Weymouth is a great place
to live, and we make the most of being here. I’ve ministered in the diocese for over twelve years and
spent most of my childhood growing up in Wilts and Dorset. It’s home and I love to be able to call it so.
It’s been a real privilege to represent us as clergy and as a diocese at General Synod. I wasn’t
expecting to enjoy it, but I did. I also found that I was able to “bring something to the table”, and so I
am offering myself for election again.
There are two main areas where I
believe I have something to contribute:
The first is championing our LINC (Low
Income communities). I’ve worked in
these parishes for my entire ministry,
and I live and minister in one now. I am
also deeply aware that most of us
minister in contexts where poverty
exists alongside affluence. I believe it is
vital that all our parishes have a place at
the table, and that those amongst us
experiencing poverty are supported.
This led me to propose a motion at the May 2026 Diocesan Synod, that highlighted the challenges of
ministry in LINC parishes. It also asked the diocese to publicly commit to a deployment strategy that
responded to these needs. Alongside this I was pleased to support relevant items in General Synod,
including Rev Alex Frost’s motion on encouraging/supporting working-class vocations, and a motion
on reviewing the limited access to national LINC funding.
With the cost-of-living crisis ongoing and economic inequality growing, championing our lower
income communities continues to be urgent. I believe that if we do not do so, we are failing in our
vocation as Christians and as a national church. I want to speak up for people and parishes like the
ones I serve; I will be seeking to ensure equitable and sustainable support for those on the economic
I would warmly recommend James for General Synod.
He brings valuable experience of ministry within LINC
parishes and a genuine concern for low-income
parishes and clergy wellbeing. He is an eloquent,
thoughtful and considered voice, with an ability to listen
to and hold together differing views and theologies. I
believe he would be a valuable voice for the Diocese on
General Synod.

Rev Christine Brooks, Rector, St Philip’s Church, West

Howe

margins. My experience over several years of working with and supporting refugees gives additional
insight. I’m sure we want Jesus to be made known in every context.
Secondly, representing us all. Synod can
be intensely political. We all come from
“somewhere”- I’m an evangelical with a
liturgical/cathedral background and
catholic formation- but we don’t have to
be in silos. Over my time on Synod, I
have sought to build bridges and reach
out to people with different perspectives
to me. This engagement didn’t
necessarily change my mind on
substantive issues, but it has led me to
change my approach. I began to learn how I might represent us all better, considering our needs,
experiences and desires across the breadth of the diocese. I hope that all those who have been in
touch during my tenure have felt heard and taken seriously, whatever their issue or viewpoint.
I think this disposition will be essential for the good of the church as we navigate tricky issues, like the
follow-up to LLF. My concern is that voices that seek to “win” may prevail. I am standing for dialogue
and constructive approaches to dealing with disagreement.
General Synod gives us as a diocese representation at national level. I believe I have, and can,
represent the clergy and wider diocese in all our breadth- geographical, social and theological. I hope
that my aspiration to stand up for our least affluent and to be a voice for all resonates. I would ask for
your first preference vote, and if you feel unable to give that, your second/third/fourth or whatever
support you can give.
I am really happy to answer any questions you may have and look forwards to exploring them further
at the upcoming hustings.

Relevant roles held past and present:
General Synod Rep 2025/26; Chaplain to Army (Reserve) 2023-present; Assistant Rural Dean/Acting
Rural Dean, Weymouth and Portland 2017-24; Training Supervisor for ordinand and LLM 2021-present;
Chair, Portland Resilience Group (Co-ordinating the Island’s response to Covid) 2020; Mayor’s
Chaplain, Portland; Diocesan Synod Rep for Weymouth and Portland Deanery.

James is approachable, dependable, and dedicated. I
have real confidence in his convictions and his ability to
listen well, engage constructively, and speak up for
others - particularly those in LINC parishes. I think he
would be an excellent representative for clergy and more
widely for parishes across the diocese.

Rev Jake Eggertsen, Rector, St James’ Church

Trowbridge and Rural Dean, Bradford Deanery