The Church of England’s General Synod will meet in York next month. The papers were released today along with the following press release. I will publish a detailed list of papers later today.
National unity and global challenges on agenda in final meeting of current Synod
25/06/2026
A call for Christians to promote national unity in a time of polarisation and the theological case for protecting the planet are among the national and global issues being considered at the upcoming meeting of General Synod.
Members of Synod, the Church of England’s national assembly, will gather in York from July 10 to 14 for the last group of sessions of their five-year term, ahead of elections in the autumn.
In addition to key legislation on subjects such as clergy conduct rules and the Abuse Redress Scheme, Synod will be discussing a wide range of challenges facing the church and nation from a Christian perspective.
Members will spend time discussing questions of national unity and the role of the church in a time of social, economic and technological change.
In a paper published today, the Bishop of Leicester, Martyn Snow, who chairs the Church of England’s Bishops’ Working Group for Promoting Unity in our Nation, looks at factors causing fragmentation and argues: “As the Established Church, we should model a healthy sense of patriotism.”
Also among the materials published today is “Hope for All Creation: A theological response to the environmental crises” – a landmark new theological text, or teaching document, from the House of Bishops, produced by the Church of England’s Faith and Order Commission (FAOC).
It offers a theological framework for understanding and responding to environmental crises including climate change, drawing from the Anglican tradition and the life and worship of the Church.
It comes as Synod prepares to give final approval to a significant change to the ecclesiastical calendar by introducing a new annual “Festival of Creation in Christ”, which includes prayers and readings reflecting God’s creation.
Another key liturgical change due for final approval is the introduction of an annual commemoration of the “21 Martyrs of Libya” – a group of Christian men who were killed for their faith in Christ by Isis terrorists 10 years ago. The annual commemoration will be a vivid reminder of how Christians are still persecuted around the world today.
Papers published today also include the final outputs of the Church of England’s Trust and Trustworthiness project, carried out over almost five years and drawing from in-depth interviews with people across the Church.
There will also be debates on other motions, including some brought by individual members and dioceses. Subjects to be discussed include: looked-after children and care-leavers; neurodivergence; Israel and Palestine; and the church’s response to same-sex relationships.
Synod will also receive an update from the Church of England’s Net Zero Carbon Programme on the progress being made in response to the ambition set by Synod in 2020 for the Church to work towards reaching net zero carbon emissions.
There will also be an update on safeguarding work from the new Lead Bishop for Safeguarding, Robert Springett.