About Us

The structure of the Diocese of Norwich is made up of various Synods and Boards. The Synods include General Synod, Diocesan Synod and Deanery Synod.  Please click on the headings or plus icons below for further information about each Synod.

The national assembly of the Church of England who make decisions on doctrine and practice.

The General Synod is the national assembly of the Church of England. It came into being in 1970 replacing an earlier body known as the Church Assembly. It continues a tradition of synodical government which, in England, has its origins in the medieval period.

It consists of bishops, clergy and laity who meet twice a year (occasionally three times) to make decisions on the doctrine and practice of the Church of England.  It votes the funding for the work of the church centrally.

As well as matters of worship and discipline, it also addresses wider concerns, national and international, and seeks to articulate a Christian approach to the issues of the day.  Elected members serve for 5 years.

General Synod election results

The Elections for lay and clergy representatives of the Diocese of Norwich to the General Synod have now concluded. The results are as follows:

Elected to serve as Proctors in Convocation (House of Clergy)
  • The Revd Canon Catherine Dobson
  • The Revd Graham Kirk-Spriggs
  • The Revd Dr Patrick Richmond
Elected to serve as members of the House of Laity

The results sheet can now be downloaded by clicking on the relevant links below

Meets three times a year to consider matters affecting the Church of England in the diocese. It acts as a forum for debate of Christian opinion on matters of religious or public interest and it formulates diocesan policy on a wide range of issues.

Every diocese has its own Diocesan Synod which consists of the bishops and archdeacons and elected laity and clergy.

Its role

  • consider matters affecting the Church of England in the diocese;
  • act as a forum for debate of Christian opinion on matters of religious or public interest;
  • formulates diocesan policy on a wide range of issues;
  • advise the bishop where requested;
  • deal with matters referred by General Synod; and
  • votes the funding of stipends and administration to be raised from the parishes.

Standing Orders Diocesan Synod approved some minor amendments to the Synod’s Standing Orders at its meeting in March 2021.  A copy of the revised Standing Orders may be found here: Diocesan Synod Standing Orders

Deanery Synod Members: Synod Members by Deanery

Code of Conduct Following it’s ratification by Diocesan Synod in July 2025, the Code of Conduct will now apply to all Synod, Deanery and committee members. A copy of the full Code of Conduct can be found here: Code of Conduct

Forthcoming dates

  • 21 March 2026
  • 15 July 2026
  • 28 November 2026

Minutes of Diocesan Synod are publicly available below:

Annual Review & Summarised Accounts

Each deanery has its own Deanery Synod which consists of lay members and clergy.

Lay members are elected at Annual Parochial Church Meetings (APCMs) and meet with the clergy of the deanery under the joint chairmanship of the Rural Dean and the Lay Chair.

Lay members are elected for three years and address issues of concern to the church and community at a local level.  Matters are sent to them from Diocesan and General Synods and resolutions passed by the Deanery Synod can be sent up for discussion at the higher levels.
Members are also the electors for the diocese and vote in the elections for Diocesan and General Synod membership.

Deanery Synod Members: Synod Members by Deanery

Standing Orders: Deanery Synod operate to the Standing Orders that were last amended in 2019. A copy of the Standing Orders may be found here: Deanery Synod Standing Orders 

Elections: The elections for the current lay representation took place in 2023 at the APCM’s and those elected took office on 1 July 2023 and will serve for three years until 30 June 2026.

APCM Forms: You may find the APCM forms page helpful when raising the appropriate paperwork following the Annual Parochial Church Meetings.