General Synod 10th - 13th February 2020
Monday 10th February
An apprehensive wait for this GS as the House of Bishops had published a statement that sex belongs only in marriage and that no blessings can be given to civil partnerships. This implied that children in such arrangements are outside the Christian norm. I do not agree with this statement.
After a long morning waiting to see which off-peak trains were running I arrived at 3.30pm from Birmingham where two units were coupled together, stopping at every station on the way down.
++Justin was giving an address warning about the prevalence of lions stalking ie. the differences we all feel about our faith and the way in which we treat each other, the Lambeth Conference and elections to GS [later this year].
Channel Islands Measure
The introduction to a set of processes which set a historical precedent, dealing with all the Measure in one sitting, to change the oversight of the Channel Islands from Winchester Diocese to Salisbury. A complete breakdown in relationships following the mishandling of a safeguarding case. A revelation of historical background to the unique setting of the Islands and the most memorable quote of the session where +Richard Chartres introduced himself as 'in the springtime of his senility', then proceeded to show he has not started down that path.
Clergy Covenant for Wellbeing
Calling on the laity to take more care of the clergy and assist them and pray for them, not relying on them to take on all tasks. Also for the clergy to take more care of themselves. [Based on the Armed Forces Covenant]
Questions, Chaired by Rev Zoe Heming.
Many about the Bishops' Statement on Civil Partnerships, including one from Chris Gill [Conservative Evangelical] basically asking why those in civil partnerships are allowed Holy Communion, the answer being that Canon B16 gives the reasons for HC to be refused and that does not exclude those in such partnerships nor ask for them to be questioned, as on other matters. He also asked about whether the House of Bishops should change their guidance on gender transition and was told it will not. Other questions about the Living in Love and Faith resources, which have cost £600,000 to date, the safeguarding issues which have exposed Jonathan Fletcher and John Smyth and compensation for the harm to all victims of abuse plus the problems with the Clergy Discipline Measure dominated the Question Time.
Tuesday 11th
Holy Communion
Draft Cathedrals Measure [Rev Canon Pat Hawkins was on the Revision Committee]
The Revision Committee met five times and the ensuing legislation was thoughtfully accepted. Habitual worshippers are to be counted rather than electoral rolls; financial officer with recent relevant experience is to be appointed; residential canons' role is clarified; Charity Commission is to be more involved; advisory committees can be set up; the chapter becomes the body corporate and many other recommendations.
Deanery Synod Term Limits
A return to previous arguments about not being able to replace members retiring, or whether a local approach is better and members can continue past two terms [6 years]. Decided that APCM can make the decision. Tug Wilson spoke on the status quo.
Living in Love and Faith
An informal presentation, empty chair, which did not provide any real answers to the questions.
Church Representation Rules
Makes provision for online elections and rules for appeals.
Windrush Commitment and Legacy
++J's apology for the racism and discrimination shown to the Windrush generation. Anecdotes showed this clearly. 164 people were wrongly detained or removed, 19 died before an apology was given.
Standing Orders
Provisions were made for Bishops who are unavailable through interregnum or illness to be represented by another Bishop. New appeals process for election appeals.
Wednesday 12
Bible Study with Rev Isabel Hamley on 1 Peter 3.
Safeguarding
Bishop Peter Hancock is handing over to the Bishop of Huddersfield. All the recommendations of IICSA were carried and provision for proper monetary compensation for victims. The actions of Jonathan Fletcher were commented on by Susie Leafe and lessons have been learnt by us all.
Climate Emergency and Carbon Reduction Target
The proposers were asking for Zero Carbon by 2045, others wanted 2030 and this was voted through. Diocesan Synods, parishes, BMOs, education institutes and NCIs are called to report on progress every three years.
Paupers' Funerals
These are conducted without relatives present and without marked graves or ashes returned to relatives. There is no religious presence. This should be challenged to find a more compassionate way. I spoke on this to encourage all those representing local councils to make representations.
Children and Youth Ministry
A great many statistics to prove that churches have few children and that larger urban churches with paid workers have more children. The proposal should have meant more money for those churches but the proposal was amended to ask dioceses to resource churches with small numbers of children too. Rev Zoe spoke about the need to attract children as a parent herself.
Draft Boards of Education Measure
Recommended that three types of DBE are to be allowed, unincorporated, incorporated and joint with DBE.
General Synod Elections 2020: Seat Allocation
The total seats will change by 11, based on electoral roll numbers. Lichfield will have one extra lay member, 6 clergy and 7 laity. We are now the fifth largest diocese. An amendment to reduce the number of members from the York archdiocese so that both archdioceses had the same number of people to be represented was lost.
Thursday 13th
Through His Poverty, a Leeds diocesan motion
Comments were made on the rich and poor, socio- economic inequality, the lack of working class ordinands, the worker priest movement and Lowest Income Communities' Funding. It was the latter and SDF bids that should address this issue.
Legal Aid Reform, a Private Member's Motion by Carl Fender
This was to lament the lack of Legal Aid help and the difficulties for people in representing themselves. People from disadvantaged backgrounds, victims of medical negligence, employees, those in debt and many others are suffering. The motion to ask for restoration of the service was passed.
Farewells
Firstly to the Dean of the Arches and then to Archbishop Sentamu in his absence as he wanted no fuss. ++J spoke about their service and that E Ba Gum was Mugabe backwards, very appropriate for the role. Sentamu did not attend this session as he is travelling looking at climate change. There will be a celebration in July for Sentamu.
Penny Allen
27/02/2020
.
An apprehensive wait for this GS as the House of Bishops had published a statement that sex belongs only in marriage and that no blessings can be given to civil partnerships. This implied that children in such arrangements are outside the Christian norm. I do not agree with this statement.
After a long morning waiting to see which off-peak trains were running I arrived at 3.30pm from Birmingham where two units were coupled together, stopping at every station on the way down.
++Justin was giving an address warning about the prevalence of lions stalking ie. the differences we all feel about our faith and the way in which we treat each other, the Lambeth Conference and elections to GS [later this year].
Channel Islands Measure
The introduction to a set of processes which set a historical precedent, dealing with all the Measure in one sitting, to change the oversight of the Channel Islands from Winchester Diocese to Salisbury. A complete breakdown in relationships following the mishandling of a safeguarding case. A revelation of historical background to the unique setting of the Islands and the most memorable quote of the session where +Richard Chartres introduced himself as 'in the springtime of his senility', then proceeded to show he has not started down that path.
Clergy Covenant for Wellbeing
Calling on the laity to take more care of the clergy and assist them and pray for them, not relying on them to take on all tasks. Also for the clergy to take more care of themselves. [Based on the Armed Forces Covenant]
Questions, Chaired by Rev Zoe Heming.
Many about the Bishops' Statement on Civil Partnerships, including one from Chris Gill [Conservative Evangelical] basically asking why those in civil partnerships are allowed Holy Communion, the answer being that Canon B16 gives the reasons for HC to be refused and that does not exclude those in such partnerships nor ask for them to be questioned, as on other matters. He also asked about whether the House of Bishops should change their guidance on gender transition and was told it will not. Other questions about the Living in Love and Faith resources, which have cost £600,000 to date, the safeguarding issues which have exposed Jonathan Fletcher and John Smyth and compensation for the harm to all victims of abuse plus the problems with the Clergy Discipline Measure dominated the Question Time.
Tuesday 11th
Holy Communion
Draft Cathedrals Measure [Rev Canon Pat Hawkins was on the Revision Committee]
The Revision Committee met five times and the ensuing legislation was thoughtfully accepted. Habitual worshippers are to be counted rather than electoral rolls; financial officer with recent relevant experience is to be appointed; residential canons' role is clarified; Charity Commission is to be more involved; advisory committees can be set up; the chapter becomes the body corporate and many other recommendations.
Deanery Synod Term Limits
A return to previous arguments about not being able to replace members retiring, or whether a local approach is better and members can continue past two terms [6 years]. Decided that APCM can make the decision. Tug Wilson spoke on the status quo.
Living in Love and Faith
An informal presentation, empty chair, which did not provide any real answers to the questions.
Church Representation Rules
Makes provision for online elections and rules for appeals.
Windrush Commitment and Legacy
++J's apology for the racism and discrimination shown to the Windrush generation. Anecdotes showed this clearly. 164 people were wrongly detained or removed, 19 died before an apology was given.
Standing Orders
Provisions were made for Bishops who are unavailable through interregnum or illness to be represented by another Bishop. New appeals process for election appeals.
Wednesday 12
Bible Study with Rev Isabel Hamley on 1 Peter 3.
Safeguarding
Bishop Peter Hancock is handing over to the Bishop of Huddersfield. All the recommendations of IICSA were carried and provision for proper monetary compensation for victims. The actions of Jonathan Fletcher were commented on by Susie Leafe and lessons have been learnt by us all.
Climate Emergency and Carbon Reduction Target
The proposers were asking for Zero Carbon by 2045, others wanted 2030 and this was voted through. Diocesan Synods, parishes, BMOs, education institutes and NCIs are called to report on progress every three years.
Paupers' Funerals
These are conducted without relatives present and without marked graves or ashes returned to relatives. There is no religious presence. This should be challenged to find a more compassionate way. I spoke on this to encourage all those representing local councils to make representations.
Children and Youth Ministry
A great many statistics to prove that churches have few children and that larger urban churches with paid workers have more children. The proposal should have meant more money for those churches but the proposal was amended to ask dioceses to resource churches with small numbers of children too. Rev Zoe spoke about the need to attract children as a parent herself.
Draft Boards of Education Measure
Recommended that three types of DBE are to be allowed, unincorporated, incorporated and joint with DBE.
General Synod Elections 2020: Seat Allocation
The total seats will change by 11, based on electoral roll numbers. Lichfield will have one extra lay member, 6 clergy and 7 laity. We are now the fifth largest diocese. An amendment to reduce the number of members from the York archdiocese so that both archdioceses had the same number of people to be represented was lost.
Thursday 13th
Through His Poverty, a Leeds diocesan motion
Comments were made on the rich and poor, socio- economic inequality, the lack of working class ordinands, the worker priest movement and Lowest Income Communities' Funding. It was the latter and SDF bids that should address this issue.
Legal Aid Reform, a Private Member's Motion by Carl Fender
This was to lament the lack of Legal Aid help and the difficulties for people in representing themselves. People from disadvantaged backgrounds, victims of medical negligence, employees, those in debt and many others are suffering. The motion to ask for restoration of the service was passed.
Farewells
Firstly to the Dean of the Arches and then to Archbishop Sentamu in his absence as he wanted no fuss. ++J spoke about their service and that E Ba Gum was Mugabe backwards, very appropriate for the role. Sentamu did not attend this session as he is travelling looking at climate change. There will be a celebration in July for Sentamu.
Penny Allen
27/02/2020
.