Elections

The Vacancy-in-See (ViS) Committee is established, in the event that there is a vacancy in the role of Diocesan Bishop, to act as Diocesan representatives and provide key roles in the selection of a new bishop. It is a statutory committee and is not intended to be used unless a vacancy arises.  The Committee prepares a brief description of the Diocese and a statement setting out the desired profile of the new bishop and elects the Diocesan representatives to the Crown Nominations Commission. The Committee meets at least twice during a vacancy and its Code of Practice and regulations can be found on the Church of England website. The table at Appendix 1 shows the current membership of the Committee. Additional background information can also be found at Appendix 2.

The following are to be elected to the ViS Committee by the Diocesan Synod:

• Two CLERKS IN HOLY ORDERS licensed or beneficed clergy proposed and seconded by a member of Diocesan Synod, elected by the Diocesan Synod
• Eight LAY PERSONS whose name appears on the electoral roll, across the Diocese and who are 16 and over, proposed and seconded by a member of Diocesan Synod, elected by the Diocesan Synod.

We would particularly welcome nominations for representatives from the Croydon and Woolwich areas as they are currently underrepresented on the Committee through ex-officio membership. Nominees do not need to be Diocesan Synod members. We welcome and encourage members from a wide range of church traditions, age and experience and we want to ensure that we represent the communities that we serve. As we continue to implement our Diocesan Anti-Racism Charter, we’re particularly seeking to increase representation of Global Majority Heritage/United Kingdom Minority Ethnic (GMH/UKME) peoples as ViS members.

The nomination forms below should be completed and returned by 12 noon 29 Decmeber 2024 to: Charles Hudson-Beddows electronically to [email protected] or by post to Trinity House, 4 Chapel Court, Borough High Street, London, SE1 1HW.  

The timeline for the election is as follows: 

The places for this by-election are:

• two licensed or beneficed clergy from the Croydon Episcopal Area being members of the House of Clergy, elected by the House of Clergy. 
• two lay persons being members of the House of Laity, elected by the House of Laity from the Croydon Episcopal area
• three lay persons being members of the House of Laity, elected by the House of Laity from the Kingston Episcopal area
• two lay persons being members of the House of Laity elected by the House of Laity from any of the Episcopal areas

The nomination forms below should be completed and returned by 12 noon 19 Decmeber 2024 to: Charles Hudson-Beddows electronically to [email protected] or by post to Trinity House, 4 Chapel Court, Borough High Street, London, SE1 1HW.  

Having entered a new triennium, the Diocesan Synod was required to elect members onto the Southwark Diocesan Board of Education (SDBE) Board. Members of the Board are responsible for ensuring the Board remains true to its Objects and Mission. The SDBE is a Charitable Company, limited by guarantee, responsible for 101 Church schools across the Diocese. The Board has approximately 19 members upto 9 of who are elected by Diocesan Synod. The SDBE Articles of Association require there to be two elected members from each Area, with 3 “free” positions that can be filled by members from any Area.

Their Vision

Developing Church of England Education

Their Mission

• To enable the mission of God through the work of the Board
  To be a high performing Diocesan Board promoting excellence in education both locally and nationally
• To develop and grow highly effective, inclusive Church of England Schools rooted in Christian values
• To celebrate and share the richness, quality and successes of our schools and chaplaincies
• To offer exemplary service to our schools and chaplaincies

Further information about the work of the SDBE can be found here