General Synod 2011 London
-PENNY ALLEN'S DIARY
GENERAL SYNOD
07-09 February 2011
MONDAY 7TH FEBRUARY
Business Committee Report
This committee prepares the business agenda for the GS.
Should we debate the following:
Adopting the Anglican Communion Covenant
An amendment asking for two thirds of members of the separate houses of bishops, clergy and laity to approve the Covenant was moved. It was widely seen as a process of wrecking the Anglican Communion Covenant.
The arguments were
Questions [52 in all]
Members are able to table questions on any subject which are answered in writing or given a spoken answer. Here's a selection:
TUESDAY 8TH FEBRUARY
Eucharist with Taize responses to intercessions.
Clergy Discipline Measures, Amending the Code of Practice
Has been in force since 2006, allows for modern tribunal system.
Presidential Address
Archbishop John Sentamu gave this address [on GS website]. He spoke about showing the Christian presence, marginalisation, wider use of church buildings, facilitating church growth.
Into the New Quinquennium
3 themes
Presentation on the Wedding Project
This has been trialled in the diocese and gives the clergy a set of materials to use for weddings and stationery. Emphasises role of clergy. Proved very successful for those who have tried it.
Parochial Fees Policy
WEDNESDAY 9TH FEBRUARY
Marriage after divorce and the ordained clergy
Intended to address the situation of remarried bishops and clergy.
Liverpool Diocesan motion on Common Baptism
to change the wording of the service to make it more accessible and appropriate.
Mary: Grace and Hope in Christ
The Church of England and the Roman Catholic Church have been looking at the dogmas surrounding belief in Mary, the mother of Jesus.
Pope John 23 said 'Our Lady is not pleased when she receives greater honour than her Son'.
The Commission is looking for common beliefs, the immaculate conception, the role of women and womanhood, the theology about childbirth.
RW said:
Farewells
This is the time for bishops and staff retirements to be announced.
Stagger out with case weighing considerably more due to all the order papers leaflets from organisations' displays, books etc. To Euston with colleagues and head buzzing.....
Penny Allen
22/02/11
GENERAL SYNOD
07-09 February 2011
MONDAY 7TH FEBRUARY
- On 09.45 train to London wearing my GS badge, couple opposite take one look at the badge and start chatting about their hols, going to Dubai..
- Arrive Euston and buy Oyster card, try to use it 5 mins later for Tube, won't work backwards, forwards, upside down or right way up. Give up and buy day ticket.
- Drop case at Union Jack Club [one of the privileges of GS membership] and catch Tube to Embankment.
- Walk along Thames embankment to Westminster, lovely sunny day and lots of international tourists. Spend time dodging cameras trying not to appear in shots of Big Ben, Westminster Abbey etc.
- Meet colleague, sandwich then straight into laity business meeting at 13.45. Should we reappoint former Chmn Diocesan Committee who has not stood for GS. Mixed reaction, including why has no-one else been approached from new Synod, principle involved, democracy- we all vote. Not in favour of candidate 82, for 44, abstentions 5. She is not re-elected.
- Secretary of State for International Development, Andrew Mitchell, arrives to give a speech and will take questions.
- He speaks with passion and a few notes about his travels around the world- he has visited 38 countries, is pleased that the budget for overseas aid has been protected and will be 0.7 GDP from 2013. he had a text from the Chancellor of the Exchequer, 'spend it well'. He spoke about:
- problems in Uganda with HIV and AIDS and malnourishment.
- piracy, migration and dysfunction in Somalia and the need to focus on conflict and economic aid.
- wants to promote the role of the private sector in providing economic aid.
- 200000 girls are now in school in Afghanistan.
- malaria affects 3000 under 5s daily.
- he will focus on getting results.
- he wants a bilateral and multilateral AIDS review.
- the focus will be on clean water, healthcare and education.
- wants to relocate aid money to existing successful projects.
- wants to work together with faith communities on health and education.
- he wants a new mechanism for involving NGOs and charities.
- he will be setting up Global Poverty Action Group. Where it is achieving results on the ground the taxpayer could double the money available for successful projects run by NGOs.
- suggested a steering group to work with faith leaders.
- referred to the Millennium Development goals- education for girls, the need for jobs and wealth creation, but they are not enough, food security is needed.
- the amount spent will rise for $20 pa to $38 for food production and security.
- he referred to Geneva and the UN Commission and working with the USA.
- he is willing to work with evangelistic groups but there must be protocols.
- he spoke about living for a month with a family in the Third World and the need for water taps, latrines etc.
- he referred to Millennium goal 8 and debt and trade rules, the debt relief needed for Sudan, unfair trade rules, the social protection needed and a mechanism to use for the poor: the corruption in Rwandan politics and the need to work with the tax authorities.
- 0.7 should be for poverty not reconstruction.
- in north Haiti the intervention by GB has been for cholera.
- Pakistan follow-up info is on the website.
- raising awareness- complaints that pulled out of Greenbelt.
- £1.85m spent on Pope's visit, money taken from all depts.
- RW spoke about the Grassroots org, the Anglican Alliance and said that although we need to look for success we also need building of capacity, to look at the role of women, the cooperative ventures and micro credit unions. The vision should be face to face and generous.
Business Committee Report
This committee prepares the business agenda for the GS.
Should we debate the following:
- support for Egypt rebellion
- freedom of conscience- civil partnerships, homosexuality, RC adoption agencies, equality laws etc
- teaching of religious education, missing from new English Baccalaureate
- withdrawal of funding for voluntary groups
- alternative voting systems
- should we have two presentations in this session
- Faith, Work and Everyday life report- why not for debate
- Ask Anglican woman bishop to speak in July
Adopting the Anglican Communion Covenant
An amendment asking for two thirds of members of the separate houses of bishops, clergy and laity to approve the Covenant was moved. It was widely seen as a process of wrecking the Anglican Communion Covenant.
The arguments were
- whether the consecration of Gene Robinson in the USA should give rise to new covenants
- it is not a matter of joyful participation but politics
- the business had already been referred to dioceses
- agreements had already been reached with other churches, Methodists, Lutherans, churches in N India and Pakistan.
- there was a plea for oneness
- it would slow down change
- was it about changing the church or the law
- it was eventually voted down. We tried electronic voting first- this failed to give a decision so up we got and marched through the relevant doors, ayes and noes for each group- bishops, clergy and laity. This took 10 mins as you can imagine!
- Voting results were:
- Laity 66 for, 112 against, 0 abstentions
- Clergy 82 for, 92 against, 1 abstentions
- Bishops 4 for, 32 against, 2 abstentions.
Questions [52 in all]
Members are able to table questions on any subject which are answered in writing or given a spoken answer. Here's a selection:
- Should Messy church events have special liturgy? No
- Can the Zurbaran paintings at Auckland castle be saved? A private offer has been made.
- How will the replacement bishops of Ebbsfleet and Richborough be funded? Same way as before, half centrally, half dioceses.
- Clergy residential homes' residents had service charge increased, any hardship? 4.6% increase, were consulted, 75% charge covered by Pensions Board.
- Ethnic origin of clergy statistics now available for 2010.
- Library of resources for parishes, has this been started? No
- Could we have a Beginnings project similar to Wedding project? Being considered.
- Any decision about £12m allocated for mission yet? Research and development group finalising, support frontline mission.
- Govt pension S2P, will it affect clergy pensions? Don't know yet.
- B and B couple who did not want gay visitors, will Archbishops' Council act? Waiting, judge given leave of appeal. Changing the law does not make better people.
- Several questions on racism and discrimination
- Women bishops? Progress report at May meeting Archbishops' Council.
- Growth plans, any best practice? Will be published on website.
- What procedure to join Anglicans in USA with CofE? Needs assent of two thirds primates.
- How many RC priests joined Cof E, 2005-10? 14 applied, 11 accepted. No laity info.
- English Baccalaureate has RE missing, what action? Raised directly with Sec of State.
- No of CofE academies? 42 open.
- Lack of male Sunday School leaders, what to do? Reflect on role of women in congregation.[?]
- Lead thefts? Working group looking at this with police. Alternative roof coverings discussed.
- What to do about bats? Working group looking at this. DEFRA suggest moving to other parts building.
- Several questions about clergy training and colleges.
- Concern about tuition fees.
TUESDAY 8TH FEBRUARY
Eucharist with Taize responses to intercessions.
Clergy Discipline Measures, Amending the Code of Practice
- Employment practice for the clergy needed amending:
- trust between clergy and general public to be acknowledged
- grievance procedures should be separate
- care and support for clergy in disciplinary measures
- involving child/vulnerable adult protection officers in misconduct cases
- complainants should not be contacted by respondent
- registrar will advise respondent of complaints
- role of bishops clarified
- less serious matters will not result in tribunal
- clarification of what will happen when priest resigns
- clarification over capability procedures
Has been in force since 2006, allows for modern tribunal system.
- Amended to comply with human rights
- allows vetting and barring of church people working with children and vulnerable adults
- amendments for dealing with those involved in criminal cases
- clergy not to be involved in political organisations or parties that are racist
- rights of appeal
- arrangements for panels and suspensions of clergy or bishops or archbishops
- notification of divorce/ breakdown in partnerships
- family lawyer gave advice to above
- advises national investment bodies
- covers 4 areas, responsible corporate behaviour, govt policy, responses to govt policy, specific areas
- makes comments on directors' remuneration, oil company safety, nuclear power stations, weaponry, alcohol misuse, stem cell research, gambling etc
- influence is mainly in UK
Presidential Address
Archbishop John Sentamu gave this address [on GS website]. He spoke about showing the Christian presence, marginalisation, wider use of church buildings, facilitating church growth.
Into the New Quinquennium
3 themes
- contributing to the common good
- facilitaing growth of the church
- reimagining Church's ministry
- comments about failure of multiculturalism
- need to be realistic
- cuts in charities
- churches together
- ecumenical work
- street pastors
- pressure on resources
- younger generation think church spends too much time on matters settled in society decades ago
- pioneer ministries
- length of training
- resourcing mission
- increasing opportunities for spirituality
- using the gift of healing
- sexuality and gender issues important to young
- refreshing clergy, experienced to assist less experienced
- take away some of admin
Presentation on the Wedding Project
This has been trialled in the diocese and gives the clergy a set of materials to use for weddings and stationery. Emphasises role of clergy. Proved very successful for those who have tried it.
Parochial Fees Policy
- Average cost of a wedding is £18000. Civil celebrants cost is £330 for reg office.
- Basic fees are £284 but many churches are charging admin, cleaning, heating, organist, bell ringers etc.
- Funerals are £45
- need new system that makes charges clear
- fees should be justifiable and more uniform
- necessary costs should be included
- fees should be affordable
- some churches lose income from tourists
- deaf people need signer
- fees order should come to July 2011 GS
WEDNESDAY 9TH FEBRUARY
Marriage after divorce and the ordained clergy
Intended to address the situation of remarried bishops and clergy.
- faculty is needed
- some speakers felt bishops/clergy should not have remarried
- average age of ordinands has led to increase in those who have been divorced
- applications cannot be considered if marriage is less than 3 yrs old
- no legal impediment
- archbishops should make inquiries about marital history
- ordinands are advised not to pursue a new relationship while in training
Liverpool Diocesan motion on Common Baptism
to change the wording of the service to make it more accessible and appropriate.
- There is one reference to human love in the baptism service, six in the thanksgiving service
- baptism service not earthed in contemporary language
- should speak about hopes and intentions
- want short, rooted not inquistorial decision
- prayer over water is jargon to most
- children do not understand
- needs to cater for 3 generations
- liturgy needs prayerful poets not liturgical commissions
- need a 'Beginning' project
- what should Fresh Expression churches do?
- urgent matter for mission opportunities
- needs' f' factor- fun and friendship
- RW spoke in favour of Beginnings project
- amendment to take out phrase 'culturally appropriate' was moved and carried
- Our rep Rev Pat Hawkins gave very good maiden speech- her residents know about slavery 'but not about Moses' [prayer over water], 'they have heard of Jordan, but not the river!'
Mary: Grace and Hope in Christ
The Church of England and the Roman Catholic Church have been looking at the dogmas surrounding belief in Mary, the mother of Jesus.
Pope John 23 said 'Our Lady is not pleased when she receives greater honour than her Son'.
The Commission is looking for common beliefs, the immaculate conception, the role of women and womanhood, the theology about childbirth.
RW said:
- what kind of discussion do we want with RCs?
- What must we say to tell the truth about Jesus
- Mary was a paradine disciple, an apostle of good news, receiving the grace she needed
- Should not be worrying about RC dogmas
- Mary is an icon of service, joyful land sacrificial love
- She speaks of humanity's suffering
- Some believe her role has led to women being subservient in the church
- Mary is one of the communion of saints, mother of all families
- Report ignores the treatment of Mary by religious leaders
- Mary is not prissy, she is precious and pious
- The URC rep spoke about the Marian shrines and emphasised the ecumenical nature of relationships with Mary.
- Mary's role is to be the second Eve.
- Reservations were expressed about some aspects of the report.
- Questions were asked about dialogue with Muslims.
Farewells
This is the time for bishops and staff retirements to be announced.
Stagger out with case weighing considerably more due to all the order papers leaflets from organisations' displays, books etc. To Euston with colleagues and head buzzing.....
Penny Allen
22/02/11