Diocesan Synod

The Diocese of Rochester is led by the Bishop of Rochester and is governed by our Diocesan Synod.

The Diocesan Synod is an elected body which considers matters referred from General Synod, deaneries, PCCs and from individual Synod members.

It formulates diocesan policy on a wide range of issues, assists the Bishops and their staff to support and oversee the work of the Diocese, approves the budget, and debates important local and national issues affecting the Church.

Meetings are held three times a year. This helps to provide a system of democratic representation and accountability.

Synod is comprised of three houses – bishops, clergy and laity. Elections to be a member of Diocesan Synod take place every 3 years (next elections in 2021). Find out more here

The current Chair of the House of Clergy is: The Rev Canon Alyson Davie - Rector of Meopham with Nurstead and Area Dean of Cobham Deanery
The current Chair of the House of Laity is: Mrs Sarah Poole, Christ Church, Beckenham

Make a difference. Stand for Diocesan Synod

Elections for representatives for the next term of office for Diocesan Synod - 1 August 2021 to 31 July 2024 - are taking place in Spring 2021.

By standing you can make a real difference to how we live out our mission and ministry here in Medway, north and west Kent and the London Boroughs of Bromley and Bexley.

It is vital that the Synod reflects the range of views and opinions present in our churches, and we can only do that with your help.

Anyone can stand for election, as long as they are:

a lay person who is a communicant member of the Church of England aged 16 or over and on the Electoral Roll of a parish in the deanery, or
are a Clerk in Holy Orders who is a member of the Deanery Synod.

Interested? Find out more here

Diocesan Synod Reports

A short digest of what took place at Diocesan Synod is published after each session. It is available to be shared in parish newsletters, pew sheets or to be pinned to noticeboards