GENERAL SYNOD July 2013.
York
Friday 6th July
Arrived to sunshine and some apprehension about the women bishops' legislation.
Lunchtime meeting of the House of Laity that provided a brief opportunity to discuss lay ministry.
Fresh Expressions are 50% lay led. Points raised about training for priests to use lay ministry
effectively, training for the whole church in speaking about Christianity,
ecumenical training, need for lightweight courses [not intensive study, perhaps
online], disparity in lay training between dioceses, lack of recognition of lay gifts.
Christina Rees invited members to give details of successful lay led projects for the
Make A Difference campaign.
Commenced our meeting at 4.15pm with details of a succession of new appointments.
Archbishop Justin Welby gave his
presidential address, which had humour, references to the revolutionary times we
live in and a call to be a church for the poor, materially and spiritually; also
the hostility to the church's attitude on gay marriage, action on homophobic
bullying in schools, renewal of prayer life, serving the common good, the loss
of the liturgy of lament and celebration and a call to shine the light of God.
The full text can be found here:
http://www.archbishopofcanterbury.org/articles.php/5098/archbishop-justins-presidential-address-at-general-synod
Question time- the first question was from Archdeacon Chris Sims about the absence still of a national mission plan,
after two years of asking. Rev Stephen Pratt also asked for prayer time for mission during GS.
Other questions varied from pensions, to why the new liturgy for baptism is still not ready, to
the Men, Women in Marriage report [which was published without the knowledge of GS].
Saturday 7th July
Given to the facilitated conversations in groups with leaders experienced in reconciliation and
an interactive theatre caricature of our attitudes which made us all laugh! Conversations released some
of the tension of last time as we spoke honestly about our thoughts.
Meeting Challenges for the New Quinquennium
Five areas of work were highlighted:
need for ordinands
lay participation
clergy support and development
resource
growth and innovation
Ordinands from more diverse social backgrounds are needed and some for work with disability groups.
Adult lay education provision is to be surveyed and the range of ministries. Resources need sharing
across dioceses. Church culture must encourage growth and innovation. Comments
were made about successful diocesan growth schemes, the need to reach a younger
generation, how to embed Fresh Expressions, the need for a national mission
strategy, empowering the laity, new course called 'Pilgrims'.
Sunday 7th July
Walked in the sunshine, as pilgrims of old, to York Minster with Bishop Jonathan.
Service began with the procession and lots of loud shouting from a drunk man who assaulted
a security guard and an aide and continued to shout at intervals for 20 mins until removed by police.
Felt most sorry for the families witnessing this with small children.
Wonderful building, shocking sound system.
Sermon by Archbishop Sentamu who had been hospitalised for prostate cancer, with officials not
declaring his religion for his protection, which he found amusing!
Faculty Jurisdiction has new simplified forms and improved list of actions that can be taken without a
faculty. Sympathy expressed for church wardens. An amendment to reconsider the
role of the DAC for advice was carried.
Safeguarding: follow-up to the Chichester report began with a very serious and
shocking statement from the sex abuse victim support groups which led to a
sincere apology from Justin Welby on our behalf and a removal of the twelve
month rule within which complaints had to be raised. It also exposed the lack of
pastoral care given to those in need. Institutional failings were inexcusable.
Carried unanimously.
Strong concerns about the effects of the Welfare Reform Act were expressed, especially with regard to
the disabled and those labelled as 'scroungers' who are on low incomes. The suggestion that
the wealthy should shoulder the cuts necessary in order to help the poor was made. Personal cases
were detailed. Those from the deaf ministry [who are signed for throughout proceedings] pressed
strongly for support for disability groups.
Monday 8th July
Women in the Episcopate. At last everyone agrees there must be women
bishops. This was cheering news and the Bishop of Willesden had 'a cunning plan'
and now fifteen people of different views are to be locked in a room with Rev
David Porter [experienced reconciler] to come up with the necessary legislation
without the need for revision. A much better tempered meeting than the last,
although there are still noticeable divisions between Anglo-Catholics [high
church], Conservative Evangelicals [believers in male headship with women in
complementary roles], traditionalists [wanting the church to remain without
women at the altar] and the rest. The question of priests having a pedigree to
go with their dog collar [to say whether they have been ordained by a woman and
are 'tainted'] has not gone away, but all agreed that women must be bishops and
most that they must have overall control in their own dioceses. The question of
'flying bishops' or other arrangements is left to the group of fifteen.
A new diocese was created in the north of England- the diocese of Leeds
[Wakefield, Bradford, Ripon and Leeds together]
following three years of consulation. There are some problems for Wakefield in the new
arrangements but other parties felt the benefits outweighed the disadvantages.
The Archbishop's Council budget was
approved.
£13m for training for ministry
£10m for national support
£1.2m for grants and provisions
£0.7m for mission agencies' clergy pensions [an historic liability].
£3.9m for retired clergy housing
Archbishops' Council Annual Report was not discussed, no time.
Church Commissioners Annual Report showed good returns on investments with a target of
inflation + 5%. They will be able to continue to support the dioceses.
Tuesday 9th July
During the Synod Bishop Angaelous of the Christian Coptic Church in the UK was called away
as two churches in Egypt had been torched and two priests killed. He returned to speak to us
about the situation, explaining that Egypt has great problems- the stock market at a five year low,
unemployment at 33%, 5500 strikes in a year, debt at 85% of GDP, threefold
increase in car thefts and general unrest due to the economic instability.
Attacks have been on all religious groups and the media are portraying a battle
zone. 'A kingdom divided will fall'. There is a need for pragmatic and cohesive
leadership but all is not lost, what happened under Diocletian was worse. He
asked for three days of prayer for Egypt, starting yesterday. Christians and Muslims can work
together to rebuild the country.
Elections Review Group. New ways of electing to GS are being explored and the universities'
elections particularly need revision. Balance of numbers of seats, especially now that the new diocese
has been created were discussed. At present the weighting is 70% South/30%
North. Consultation is needed as none had taken place!
Elections for the House of Laity and Online Elections. There were a number of
different suggestions including an electoral college of selected members of PCCs
or deaneries. Discussion time ran out so this is to be resumed in November. GS
members were invited to make submissions, as at the moment busy people in
parishes get no vote if they are not on the deanery synod. Any opinions please
forward to GS reps.
Rev Wealands Bell with us for the first time and was asked to speak on the debate about women
bishops and sang the lead to our responses in our worship one day.
Rev Chris Sims and Rev Mark Ireland spoke about the need for national mission planning
[still not worked on], Rev Stephen Pratt about the need for safeguarding training and I asked for
assurance that the C of E would not invest in alcohol as we have street pastors that see the
effects [answer- no assurance]. Christopher Corbett made a brief comment in
favour of an amendment which would have required provision in law for those
opposed to women in the episcopate, rather than in trust and grace. This would
have weakened women's authority in their own diocese.
Met Justin Welby who sat with us for dinner one evening. Responsive and with a sense of humour.
Saw him the day after the women bishops' discussion and said 'Well done with the new strategy!'. He
said 'What strategy,[threw his hands up to God] I just said 'Oh Help!' and he went off laughing.....
Penny Allen GS327
10th July 2013
York
Friday 6th July
Arrived to sunshine and some apprehension about the women bishops' legislation.
Lunchtime meeting of the House of Laity that provided a brief opportunity to discuss lay ministry.
Fresh Expressions are 50% lay led. Points raised about training for priests to use lay ministry
effectively, training for the whole church in speaking about Christianity,
ecumenical training, need for lightweight courses [not intensive study, perhaps
online], disparity in lay training between dioceses, lack of recognition of lay gifts.
Christina Rees invited members to give details of successful lay led projects for the
Make A Difference campaign.
Commenced our meeting at 4.15pm with details of a succession of new appointments.
Archbishop Justin Welby gave his
presidential address, which had humour, references to the revolutionary times we
live in and a call to be a church for the poor, materially and spiritually; also
the hostility to the church's attitude on gay marriage, action on homophobic
bullying in schools, renewal of prayer life, serving the common good, the loss
of the liturgy of lament and celebration and a call to shine the light of God.
The full text can be found here:
http://www.archbishopofcanterbury.org/articles.php/5098/archbishop-justins-presidential-address-at-general-synod
Question time- the first question was from Archdeacon Chris Sims about the absence still of a national mission plan,
after two years of asking. Rev Stephen Pratt also asked for prayer time for mission during GS.
Other questions varied from pensions, to why the new liturgy for baptism is still not ready, to
the Men, Women in Marriage report [which was published without the knowledge of GS].
Saturday 7th July
Given to the facilitated conversations in groups with leaders experienced in reconciliation and
an interactive theatre caricature of our attitudes which made us all laugh! Conversations released some
of the tension of last time as we spoke honestly about our thoughts.
Meeting Challenges for the New Quinquennium
Five areas of work were highlighted:
need for ordinands
lay participation
clergy support and development
resource
growth and innovation
Ordinands from more diverse social backgrounds are needed and some for work with disability groups.
Adult lay education provision is to be surveyed and the range of ministries. Resources need sharing
across dioceses. Church culture must encourage growth and innovation. Comments
were made about successful diocesan growth schemes, the need to reach a younger
generation, how to embed Fresh Expressions, the need for a national mission
strategy, empowering the laity, new course called 'Pilgrims'.
Sunday 7th July
Walked in the sunshine, as pilgrims of old, to York Minster with Bishop Jonathan.
Service began with the procession and lots of loud shouting from a drunk man who assaulted
a security guard and an aide and continued to shout at intervals for 20 mins until removed by police.
Felt most sorry for the families witnessing this with small children.
Wonderful building, shocking sound system.
Sermon by Archbishop Sentamu who had been hospitalised for prostate cancer, with officials not
declaring his religion for his protection, which he found amusing!
Faculty Jurisdiction has new simplified forms and improved list of actions that can be taken without a
faculty. Sympathy expressed for church wardens. An amendment to reconsider the
role of the DAC for advice was carried.
Safeguarding: follow-up to the Chichester report began with a very serious and
shocking statement from the sex abuse victim support groups which led to a
sincere apology from Justin Welby on our behalf and a removal of the twelve
month rule within which complaints had to be raised. It also exposed the lack of
pastoral care given to those in need. Institutional failings were inexcusable.
Carried unanimously.
Strong concerns about the effects of the Welfare Reform Act were expressed, especially with regard to
the disabled and those labelled as 'scroungers' who are on low incomes. The suggestion that
the wealthy should shoulder the cuts necessary in order to help the poor was made. Personal cases
were detailed. Those from the deaf ministry [who are signed for throughout proceedings] pressed
strongly for support for disability groups.
Monday 8th July
Women in the Episcopate. At last everyone agrees there must be women
bishops. This was cheering news and the Bishop of Willesden had 'a cunning plan'
and now fifteen people of different views are to be locked in a room with Rev
David Porter [experienced reconciler] to come up with the necessary legislation
without the need for revision. A much better tempered meeting than the last,
although there are still noticeable divisions between Anglo-Catholics [high
church], Conservative Evangelicals [believers in male headship with women in
complementary roles], traditionalists [wanting the church to remain without
women at the altar] and the rest. The question of priests having a pedigree to
go with their dog collar [to say whether they have been ordained by a woman and
are 'tainted'] has not gone away, but all agreed that women must be bishops and
most that they must have overall control in their own dioceses. The question of
'flying bishops' or other arrangements is left to the group of fifteen.
A new diocese was created in the north of England- the diocese of Leeds
[Wakefield, Bradford, Ripon and Leeds together]
following three years of consulation. There are some problems for Wakefield in the new
arrangements but other parties felt the benefits outweighed the disadvantages.
The Archbishop's Council budget was
approved.
£13m for training for ministry
£10m for national support
£1.2m for grants and provisions
£0.7m for mission agencies' clergy pensions [an historic liability].
£3.9m for retired clergy housing
Archbishops' Council Annual Report was not discussed, no time.
Church Commissioners Annual Report showed good returns on investments with a target of
inflation + 5%. They will be able to continue to support the dioceses.
Tuesday 9th July
During the Synod Bishop Angaelous of the Christian Coptic Church in the UK was called away
as two churches in Egypt had been torched and two priests killed. He returned to speak to us
about the situation, explaining that Egypt has great problems- the stock market at a five year low,
unemployment at 33%, 5500 strikes in a year, debt at 85% of GDP, threefold
increase in car thefts and general unrest due to the economic instability.
Attacks have been on all religious groups and the media are portraying a battle
zone. 'A kingdom divided will fall'. There is a need for pragmatic and cohesive
leadership but all is not lost, what happened under Diocletian was worse. He
asked for three days of prayer for Egypt, starting yesterday. Christians and Muslims can work
together to rebuild the country.
Elections Review Group. New ways of electing to GS are being explored and the universities'
elections particularly need revision. Balance of numbers of seats, especially now that the new diocese
has been created were discussed. At present the weighting is 70% South/30%
North. Consultation is needed as none had taken place!
Elections for the House of Laity and Online Elections. There were a number of
different suggestions including an electoral college of selected members of PCCs
or deaneries. Discussion time ran out so this is to be resumed in November. GS
members were invited to make submissions, as at the moment busy people in
parishes get no vote if they are not on the deanery synod. Any opinions please
forward to GS reps.
Rev Wealands Bell with us for the first time and was asked to speak on the debate about women
bishops and sang the lead to our responses in our worship one day.
Rev Chris Sims and Rev Mark Ireland spoke about the need for national mission planning
[still not worked on], Rev Stephen Pratt about the need for safeguarding training and I asked for
assurance that the C of E would not invest in alcohol as we have street pastors that see the
effects [answer- no assurance]. Christopher Corbett made a brief comment in
favour of an amendment which would have required provision in law for those
opposed to women in the episcopate, rather than in trust and grace. This would
have weakened women's authority in their own diocese.
Met Justin Welby who sat with us for dinner one evening. Responsive and with a sense of humour.
Saw him the day after the women bishops' discussion and said 'Well done with the new strategy!'. He
said 'What strategy,[threw his hands up to God] I just said 'Oh Help!' and he went off laughing.....
Penny Allen GS327
10th July 2013