The Church of England’s General Synod will meet in York from 10 to 14 July 2026. The outline of its business is online here, and is copied below the fold.
GENERAL SYNOD: JULY 2026
OUTLINE OF BUSINESS
Full details of each item will be on the agenda
Friday 10 July: 2.30pm to 7pm
Opening worship
Introductions
Address by Ecumenical Guest
Synod will be addressed by one of the Ecumenical guests
Presidential Address
The Archbishop of York will give a Presidential Address
Business Committee Report
This is the usual the opportunity for members to comment on the agenda or on the content of the Report
*4.10pm All Kinds of Minds – Church and Neurodiversity
This will highlight the work going on to enable the Church to be a place where neurodivergent people can flourish
*5.35pm Questions
This is the first session of Questions.
Saturday 11 July: 9am to 12.45pm
Opening worship
PMM: Digital Comms
This is a Private Members’ Motion from the Revd Dr Christopher Landau which requests a review of the digital communications for the National Church Institutions.
*10.15am Legislative Business: Report from Legislative Committee
This is a report from the Legislative Committee following its engagement with the Ecclesiastical Committee of Parliament
*11.45am Questions
This is the second session of Questions
Saturday 11 July: 2pm to 5pm
Legislative Business: Clergy Conduct Rules
These Rules support the new statutory framework of the Clergy Conduct Measure.
Legislative Business: House of Laity Election Rules Amendment
These amend Rules 9(2)d and 15(5)(c) which should have included references to the community roll of a cathedral, Royal Peculiars and mission initiatives among relevant qualifications for nomination.
Legislative Business: House of Clergy Election Rules Amendment
These correct the date upon which clergy qualify for inclusion on the register of electors for the Universities and TEIs constituency and make another minor correction.
Unity in our Nation: Note this will include group work and plenary session from 5pm to 7pm
This will be a presentation followed by group work and a plenary session to allow Synod to reflect on the political and social polarisation in our country.
Sunday 12 July: 2.30pm to 6pm
Address by Anglican Communion guest
Synod will be addressed by one of the Anglican Communion guests
Hope for All Creation, Report by the Faith and Order Commission
Synod will be invited to consider the report commissioned by the Environmental Working Group and Faith and Order Commission which underpins the work on Net Zero and the introduction of the new Feast of Christ in Creation.
Liturgical business: Festival of Christ in Creation and Commemoration of the Twenty-One Martyrs of Libya
This will be the final stage for the liturgical business to expand the calendar to include festivals for Christ in Creation and commemoration for the Twenty-One Martyrs of Libya
Update on Progress towards Net Zero
This item updates Synod on work undertaken on moving towards Net Zero by 2030 since the debate in July 2022
Sunday 12 July: 8pm to 9.45pm
DSM: Kairos Palestine
This is a Diocesan Synod Motion from Carlisle which asks Synod to engage with the challenges faced by Palestinian Christians
Monday 13 July: 8.45am to 12.45pm
Opening worship
PMM – Looked After Children
This is a Private Members’ Motion from Billy-Jo O’Leary, Rochester which encourages support for children and young people in the care system
*10am AC Annual Report
This is a take note debate on the annual report on the work of the Archbishops’ Council.
AC Budget
This sets out the budget for the Archbishops’ Council for the next financial year.
*11.45am PMM – Same sex compatibility
This is a Private Members’ Motion from Prof Helen King which asks Synod to affirm that a committed, faithful, intimate same-sex relationship can be entirely compatible with Christian discipleship
Monday 13 July: 2pm to 7pm
Legislative Business: Vacancy in See Committee Regulations
These are revised regulations to clarify a number of points, including the position of members during a dissolution
Renewing Trust: Addressing the Challenges of Trustworthiness in the Church of England
The item will present the final report from the Trust and Trustworthiness project begun in 2023. The report will provide insights into the challenges to trust and trustworthiness faced by the Church, a deeper theological rationale to undergird actions to rebuild and renew trust, and an assessment of the areas of work that are now in operation to nurture a culture of trust and develop trustworthy processes and governance.
Standing Orders Committee Report
This is the latest Report from the Standing Orders Committee, with proposed variations to the Standing Orders.
AC Appointment
This is formal business as Synod is required to approve the appointment of members of the Archbishops’ Council. The name of the individual will be available on a Notice Paper.
* 6pm Safeguarding update
The Rt Revd Robert Springett, Lead Bishop for Safeguarding will give an update on work relating to safeguarding.
Tuesday 14 July: 8.45am to 1.30pm
Opening Worship
PMM – Protecting CC land
This is a Private Members’ Motion from the Revd Canon Val Plumb which asks the Church Commissioners to protect nature on 30% of its land.
*10am Legislative Business: Abuse (Redress) Rules
Thus proposes amendments to the Rules that were approved in July 2025.
If time becomes available any deemed business or contingency business will be taken at this time
Notice of dissolution
Eucharist
*1.30pm Prorogation and Dissolution
Deemed business
Special Agenda I: Legislative Business: Legal Officers (Annual Fees) Order 2026,
Ecclesiastical Judges, Legal Officers and Others (Fees) Order 2026,
Ecclesiastical Offices (Terms of Service) (Amendment) Regs,
Ecclesiastical Property (Exceptions from Requirement for Consent to Dealings),
AC Audit Annual Report4
Contingency Business
Clergy wellbeing
Deadline for receipt of questions: 1200 hrs Tuesday 30 June 2026
* to start not later than