General Synod Diary
Monday 17 - Tuesday 18th November 2014
Monday
A train journey with a difference, three trains of people squashed onto one train due to signalling failures, but made it to Church House on time.
A short time to complete important legislation, notably on Women Bishops, fast tracked to enable women to be appointed at Christmas. The traditionalists sat together in a block to make their disapproval felt. They voted against. Fortunately the majority were overwhelmingly in favour. Not the atmosphere we would have wished as asked again to receive the vote in silence, rather than joyfully.
Archbishop Justin Welby spoke about his travels to see 36 Primates in his presidential address. He is clearly trying to keep the connections with Lambeth alive but warned that the situation is fragile and delicate. He has not called a Lambeth conference yet, nor has it been cancelled. He also spoke about the conflicts in Iran, Syria, the Middle East and the threat posed by ebola. Photos were shown of his experiences on his travels and he complimented those threatened by violence on their bravery and courage.
Simplification of faculty procedures came next and it will be possible for Archdeacons to use discretion. It will also be possible to graze sheep or donkeys on churchyards and grant licences with greater ease.
The Diocese in Europe will now have the same proportional representation as England and dioceses can now be named after geographical areas, but then they could already.
A draft measure to allow dioceses to use stipend funds in the same way as other investments was approved.
The Guidelines for Professional Conduct for Clergy were approved although there were some reservations about the confessional and whether the confidentiality should remain for those abusing minors and vulnerable adults. I spoke about clergy in schools, other church staff and on behalf of the victims, what they would wish to see in safeguarding; also the difficulties for prison and hospital chaplains if confessions were not confidential. Rev Mark Ireland spoke about the difficulties of being impartial if bullying was taking place.
Question time brought forward criticisms about the parking of diocesan motions, questions about same sex relationships and the church.
As a member of the Open Synod Group I went to an evening meeting with Kate Brock as a speaker. She works at Lambeth and gave us some insights into her work and the challenges.
Tuesday
A panel of experts on Violence Against Religious Minorities in Iraq and Syria had been brought together, including a notable Muslim journalist, which caused disquiet for some, the first time a Muslim had been invited to address GS. Bishop Angaelous represented the Coptic Church in the UK, Mr Nahdi the Muslim faith, Bishop Nick Baines the asylum seekers and Rachel Carnegie the Anglican Alliance. Angaelous spoke on four important points:
Angaelous said the tapestry of religions living together is not real, there is compulsion and retribution and the vocal minority are silencing everyone else.
Rachel said trade and aid should go together to relieve poverty and Nick Baines thought sanctions are ineffective. Rev Mark Ireland asked about church history where power and the seeds of change are built on the blood of martyrs. Nick Baines replied there is a need for religious literacy, praise not just criticism, social media gives opportunities to tell good stories. Mr Nahdi thought that journalism can be a force for good eg. Arab Spring, we need to speak collectively about human rights, safeguarding liberties, the Spirit of the Lord, the need for an interfaith approach.
Angaelous spoke of the victory in persecution, grace and power in difficult situations, the need for love, forgiveness and acceptance.
The panel format worked well, despite the difficulties of the subject.
The Anglican Methodist Covenant was wholeheartedly welcomed after its warm reception at the Methodist Conference. The World Methodist Council is predominantly episcopally ordered so this will be the next step to be discussed and interchangeability of ministry. Joint work has already taken place on Fresh Expressions and Safeguarding. Examples of local joint working were given, especially in Cumbria. The Baptist Union rep to GS also hoped for similar recognition. Time scales should be set to make the process of unity more urgent and the lay ministry involvement is greater in the Methodist Church.
The final business was a diocesan motion to evaluate research on the Spare Room subsidy. Numerous examples of its unfairness were given, the lack of alternative smaller accommodation is notable across the country and evictions have increased and predicted savings not made. Shelter expects 90000 people to be homeless this Christmas. An amendment to ask the C of E to look at building more affordable homes was defeated as the Church Commissioners and Pension Regulator require investments to gain maximum value for the Pension Fund. The motion to undertake research and lobby the Govt was resoundingly passed.
Archbishop Sentamu gave the farewell to Bishop Martyn of Newcastle.
A smoother train ride home!
Penny Allen
GS327
20/11/14
Monday 17 - Tuesday 18th November 2014
Monday
A train journey with a difference, three trains of people squashed onto one train due to signalling failures, but made it to Church House on time.
A short time to complete important legislation, notably on Women Bishops, fast tracked to enable women to be appointed at Christmas. The traditionalists sat together in a block to make their disapproval felt. They voted against. Fortunately the majority were overwhelmingly in favour. Not the atmosphere we would have wished as asked again to receive the vote in silence, rather than joyfully.
Archbishop Justin Welby spoke about his travels to see 36 Primates in his presidential address. He is clearly trying to keep the connections with Lambeth alive but warned that the situation is fragile and delicate. He has not called a Lambeth conference yet, nor has it been cancelled. He also spoke about the conflicts in Iran, Syria, the Middle East and the threat posed by ebola. Photos were shown of his experiences on his travels and he complimented those threatened by violence on their bravery and courage.
Simplification of faculty procedures came next and it will be possible for Archdeacons to use discretion. It will also be possible to graze sheep or donkeys on churchyards and grant licences with greater ease.
The Diocese in Europe will now have the same proportional representation as England and dioceses can now be named after geographical areas, but then they could already.
A draft measure to allow dioceses to use stipend funds in the same way as other investments was approved.
The Guidelines for Professional Conduct for Clergy were approved although there were some reservations about the confessional and whether the confidentiality should remain for those abusing minors and vulnerable adults. I spoke about clergy in schools, other church staff and on behalf of the victims, what they would wish to see in safeguarding; also the difficulties for prison and hospital chaplains if confessions were not confidential. Rev Mark Ireland spoke about the difficulties of being impartial if bullying was taking place.
Question time brought forward criticisms about the parking of diocesan motions, questions about same sex relationships and the church.
As a member of the Open Synod Group I went to an evening meeting with Kate Brock as a speaker. She works at Lambeth and gave us some insights into her work and the challenges.
Tuesday
A panel of experts on Violence Against Religious Minorities in Iraq and Syria had been brought together, including a notable Muslim journalist, which caused disquiet for some, the first time a Muslim had been invited to address GS. Bishop Angaelous represented the Coptic Church in the UK, Mr Nahdi the Muslim faith, Bishop Nick Baines the asylum seekers and Rachel Carnegie the Anglican Alliance. Angaelous spoke on four important points:
- The need for schools, clinics and humanitarian aid
- Keeping issues alive
- Asylum
- The artificial distinction between East and West churches
- Listening
- Prayer for protection, perseverance, hope
- Giving
- Action and peace building
Angaelous said the tapestry of religions living together is not real, there is compulsion and retribution and the vocal minority are silencing everyone else.
Rachel said trade and aid should go together to relieve poverty and Nick Baines thought sanctions are ineffective. Rev Mark Ireland asked about church history where power and the seeds of change are built on the blood of martyrs. Nick Baines replied there is a need for religious literacy, praise not just criticism, social media gives opportunities to tell good stories. Mr Nahdi thought that journalism can be a force for good eg. Arab Spring, we need to speak collectively about human rights, safeguarding liberties, the Spirit of the Lord, the need for an interfaith approach.
Angaelous spoke of the victory in persecution, grace and power in difficult situations, the need for love, forgiveness and acceptance.
The panel format worked well, despite the difficulties of the subject.
The Anglican Methodist Covenant was wholeheartedly welcomed after its warm reception at the Methodist Conference. The World Methodist Council is predominantly episcopally ordered so this will be the next step to be discussed and interchangeability of ministry. Joint work has already taken place on Fresh Expressions and Safeguarding. Examples of local joint working were given, especially in Cumbria. The Baptist Union rep to GS also hoped for similar recognition. Time scales should be set to make the process of unity more urgent and the lay ministry involvement is greater in the Methodist Church.
The final business was a diocesan motion to evaluate research on the Spare Room subsidy. Numerous examples of its unfairness were given, the lack of alternative smaller accommodation is notable across the country and evictions have increased and predicted savings not made. Shelter expects 90000 people to be homeless this Christmas. An amendment to ask the C of E to look at building more affordable homes was defeated as the Church Commissioners and Pension Regulator require investments to gain maximum value for the Pension Fund. The motion to undertake research and lobby the Govt was resoundingly passed.
Archbishop Sentamu gave the farewell to Bishop Martyn of Newcastle.
A smoother train ride home!
Penny Allen
GS327
20/11/14