St Thomas with Stephen is a parish in the South Lambeth Deanery, and representatives of each parish in the deanery meet together in a Deanery Synod.

The Anglican Church is governed by a synodical system, ie, bodies of clergy and members of congregations who meet together to discuss issues. The main synod is the General Synod, which is a bit like Parliament, and is made up of representatives of the Church of England from throughout Britain. It sometimes makes the press with some of its decisions.

Locally we meet in Deanery Synod, that is the group of churches in the South Lambeth area. St Thomas with St Stephen sends four representatives. It is a good chance to meet other Anglicans in our area, and to discuss various issues that affect the church’s life. 

The Synod meets four times a year. Two are business meetings, looking at issues like debt or relating to the council in serving the community, and two are based on worship.

Deanery Synod members are elected by the parish every three years in our Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM). They are also ex officio members of the Parochial Church Council (PCC).

Simon Gates, our Vicar, is also Area Dean, which means that he has responsibilities in caring for the other clergy in the Deanery and leading the Synod.