Well, at last the election addresses have dropped onto electors mats this morning - somewhat later than in most dioceses where I have heard from their lay chairs. In this case there are nine candidates for three places - it seems that in most places the ratio of candidates to places (the number of which depends on the size of each diocese) has risen by a significant amount this time in comparison with quite a few elections back.
It is good that this shows a renewed interest in General Synod - I hope that it is a positive sign and not just a polarisation brought on by recent controversies, so often rooted in sexual or gender matters. It is vital that the new Synod raises its game and spends more time on the essential task of mission - looking outward more than it looks inward.
As every elector in this diocese must know by now, we are not holding any 'hustings' - in some ways this to me is a disappointment because I value the face-to-face contact with those I would wish to represent but feedback from other dioceses indicates that we would have been unlikely to have any higher attendance than most of them - in many cases the numbers in the audience did not exceed the number of candidates.
If you do wish to ask me any questions - or would like me to visit - please email mike@mjcmtodd.plus.com or call 01208-816043. The diocese is also arranging for each candidate to have a one minute video made to be put on the diocesan website but these will not be available until the start of October, but there will still be plenty of time to send in your ballot paper if you want to wait until you have had a chance to see them!
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