General Synod February 2022
GENERAL SYNOD
February 8-10. Church House, London
January spent preparing Lichfield Diocese’s first GS motion ‘The Persecuted Church in the World’.
Tuesday 8th Feb
Arrived by train on time. Lunch then introduction to Jamie Harrison and Alison Coulter, Chair and Vice Chair of House of Laity, then Ven Luke Miller and Canon Kate Wharton, Chair and Vice Chair of House of Clergy.
Presidential Address from Archbishop of Canterbury. He used the address to explain his objection to monuments and statues celebrating slavers, to exhort members to be more racially aware and to remember that Covid has highlighted the need for responsibility and truth, confidence in leadership and the common good.
Business Committee Report and Pattern of Meetings. Main concern was the pattern of meetings which had allowed an 8 day window for meetings in London in February from 2023 onwards which would not enable members to plan their annual leave well if they are working. Also comments about time for Questions and numbers of supplementaries allowed, as time has been extended and members were asked to reduce the number of the latter voluntarily, which was not the case.
Racial Justice. A stirring address by Lord Paul Boateng, a highlight of this session, when he looked at the people on the platform and compared that to Parliament’s diversity. He condemned the slow progress, exhorted members to agree to expand membership in both Houses [on the agenda for later] and encourage diversity. We were told that intentionality and financing equality is necessary, further delay unconscionable; that the appendices to the Report and the delays were a ‘wound in the body of Christ’. Passed almost unanimously.
Questions -Rev Zoe Heming chairing. As further time had been given this and the questions regrouped to allow the bishops to reply, we heard more questions answered. The subjects included again LGBTIQ+ issues, eco churches, SDF funding, multiple parish benefices, rural affairs, the abolition of the Youth Council, safeguarding, the Appointment of the Third Estates Commissioner, investments, recruitment, clergy well-being.
Wednesday 9th Feb
Eucharist, we all tried to remember how this is done as sadly the Chaplain was ill. Thanks to all who quickly stood in.
Safeguarding An opportunity to hear from Maggie Atkinson, a retired teacher and the new Chair of the Independent Panel. An interesting view of the work involved and some disturbing comments about the lack of support for young people bringing a complaint, the slow progress so far and the need to complete the review in three years. A following motion brought by Gavin Drake, Lichfield’s former communications director, was voted out to prevent the safeguarding process being stalled for a review.
Faculty Rules Amendments to allow boilers to be replaced with eco- friendly new ones, Wifi to be delivered with the necessary wiring, carpet to be laid between pews and cushions to be allowed. The Dean of the Arches did sterling work defending and explaining the new amendments. Preb Pat Hawkins recommended seeking the advice of the DAC.
Diocese of Durham motion ‘Challenging Slavery and Human Trafficking’. This covered evidence that 1 in 2 victims do not report abuse; deportation of victims of sex and drugs trafficking, county lines, child protection issues, the need for data sharing. Rev Matt Beer spoke about the situation in Telford. Passed unanimously.
Clergy Remuneration Review covered the survey of clergy which revealed that 62% were comfortable, 25% were managing but 13% were finding it difficult to manage. The value of the package is estimated at £50,000 as it includes stipend, housing, council and water rates and pension. It has been agreed to raise this in line with inflation every three years. Those suffering hardship should be provided with diocesan support and central church hardship funding.
Setting God’s People Free again recommended that clergy and laity should work together to further the mission and work of the Church and detailed some of the ways in which successful projects had been carried out, including personal discipleship plans, handling emergencies, faith at work, Everyday Church. Culture change is happening.
Questions as above.
Thursday 10th Feb
Governance A radical review of all structures and committees is needed to improve efficiency and reduce costs. A new paper from the House of Bishops discussing reorganisation of dioceses had been published by The Times and caused a stir as it had not been discussed in GS. Most members understand the need to look at the number of committees, 160, and the need to change and redirect expenditure and time it takes to effect change. The need to bring legislation or another report was debated and the voting to accept the report and move on was as follows: Bishops, unanimous; Clergy 126 for, 18 against, 5 abstentions; Laity 110 for, 53 against, 6 abstentions.
Chairs of the Appointments Committee and Dioceses’ Commission were appointed, Ven Pete Spiers and Dame Caroline Spelman respectively.
Lichfield Diocesan motion ‘The Persecuted Church in the World’. I proposed this with Father Damian Feeney seconding and speaking to it. Members were invited to reflect that 1 in 7 Christians, 360 million, are persecuted in their countries, with Afghanistan, North Korea, Somalia, Libya and Yemen leading the World Watch List published by Opendoors. Ven Alistair Cutting moved a helpful amendment to draw attention to the International Government Conference on this issue on 5-6 July and recommend resources, and Archbishop Angaelous, Bishop Michael, Bishop Guli, Bishop Philip Mountstephen and others recommended actions in linking dioceses, prayer, and addressing this with the Lambeth Conference. The motion was passed unanimously.
Farewells were given firstly to Bishop Tim Dakin. Then to Bishop Paul Bayes of Liverpool, a strong advocate for all those who are disadvantaged, who received a standing ovation.
Then followed a House of Laity meeting where a resolution to co-opt 5 members of Global Majority Heritage was passed. John Wilson spoke against this motion saying he had consulted widely in the diocese and considered it should be those elected. Others spoke in favour, including myself, particularly reflecting on Paul Boateng’s speech. It was carried.
The House of Clergy meeting also discussed this. Canterbury convocation approved this, York convocation -no conclusion yet.
Good to see Martin Shakespeare and Rev Matt Beer making speeches, Amanda Robbie again asking Questions.
This meeting was enlivened for me in having an Open Synod lunch to meet new members, meeting a taxi driver with a young people’s boxing training club near Kings Cross station started by his father, two teachers planning an app for teachers about inclusion and a plant historian on the train home who works for Gardeners’ Question Time, who also asked for and took home the Open Doors booklet which I was reading.
Penny Allen
Lichfield 335
February 8-10. Church House, London
January spent preparing Lichfield Diocese’s first GS motion ‘The Persecuted Church in the World’.
Tuesday 8th Feb
Arrived by train on time. Lunch then introduction to Jamie Harrison and Alison Coulter, Chair and Vice Chair of House of Laity, then Ven Luke Miller and Canon Kate Wharton, Chair and Vice Chair of House of Clergy.
Presidential Address from Archbishop of Canterbury. He used the address to explain his objection to monuments and statues celebrating slavers, to exhort members to be more racially aware and to remember that Covid has highlighted the need for responsibility and truth, confidence in leadership and the common good.
Business Committee Report and Pattern of Meetings. Main concern was the pattern of meetings which had allowed an 8 day window for meetings in London in February from 2023 onwards which would not enable members to plan their annual leave well if they are working. Also comments about time for Questions and numbers of supplementaries allowed, as time has been extended and members were asked to reduce the number of the latter voluntarily, which was not the case.
Racial Justice. A stirring address by Lord Paul Boateng, a highlight of this session, when he looked at the people on the platform and compared that to Parliament’s diversity. He condemned the slow progress, exhorted members to agree to expand membership in both Houses [on the agenda for later] and encourage diversity. We were told that intentionality and financing equality is necessary, further delay unconscionable; that the appendices to the Report and the delays were a ‘wound in the body of Christ’. Passed almost unanimously.
Questions -Rev Zoe Heming chairing. As further time had been given this and the questions regrouped to allow the bishops to reply, we heard more questions answered. The subjects included again LGBTIQ+ issues, eco churches, SDF funding, multiple parish benefices, rural affairs, the abolition of the Youth Council, safeguarding, the Appointment of the Third Estates Commissioner, investments, recruitment, clergy well-being.
Wednesday 9th Feb
Eucharist, we all tried to remember how this is done as sadly the Chaplain was ill. Thanks to all who quickly stood in.
Safeguarding An opportunity to hear from Maggie Atkinson, a retired teacher and the new Chair of the Independent Panel. An interesting view of the work involved and some disturbing comments about the lack of support for young people bringing a complaint, the slow progress so far and the need to complete the review in three years. A following motion brought by Gavin Drake, Lichfield’s former communications director, was voted out to prevent the safeguarding process being stalled for a review.
Faculty Rules Amendments to allow boilers to be replaced with eco- friendly new ones, Wifi to be delivered with the necessary wiring, carpet to be laid between pews and cushions to be allowed. The Dean of the Arches did sterling work defending and explaining the new amendments. Preb Pat Hawkins recommended seeking the advice of the DAC.
Diocese of Durham motion ‘Challenging Slavery and Human Trafficking’. This covered evidence that 1 in 2 victims do not report abuse; deportation of victims of sex and drugs trafficking, county lines, child protection issues, the need for data sharing. Rev Matt Beer spoke about the situation in Telford. Passed unanimously.
Clergy Remuneration Review covered the survey of clergy which revealed that 62% were comfortable, 25% were managing but 13% were finding it difficult to manage. The value of the package is estimated at £50,000 as it includes stipend, housing, council and water rates and pension. It has been agreed to raise this in line with inflation every three years. Those suffering hardship should be provided with diocesan support and central church hardship funding.
Setting God’s People Free again recommended that clergy and laity should work together to further the mission and work of the Church and detailed some of the ways in which successful projects had been carried out, including personal discipleship plans, handling emergencies, faith at work, Everyday Church. Culture change is happening.
Questions as above.
Thursday 10th Feb
Governance A radical review of all structures and committees is needed to improve efficiency and reduce costs. A new paper from the House of Bishops discussing reorganisation of dioceses had been published by The Times and caused a stir as it had not been discussed in GS. Most members understand the need to look at the number of committees, 160, and the need to change and redirect expenditure and time it takes to effect change. The need to bring legislation or another report was debated and the voting to accept the report and move on was as follows: Bishops, unanimous; Clergy 126 for, 18 against, 5 abstentions; Laity 110 for, 53 against, 6 abstentions.
Chairs of the Appointments Committee and Dioceses’ Commission were appointed, Ven Pete Spiers and Dame Caroline Spelman respectively.
Lichfield Diocesan motion ‘The Persecuted Church in the World’. I proposed this with Father Damian Feeney seconding and speaking to it. Members were invited to reflect that 1 in 7 Christians, 360 million, are persecuted in their countries, with Afghanistan, North Korea, Somalia, Libya and Yemen leading the World Watch List published by Opendoors. Ven Alistair Cutting moved a helpful amendment to draw attention to the International Government Conference on this issue on 5-6 July and recommend resources, and Archbishop Angaelous, Bishop Michael, Bishop Guli, Bishop Philip Mountstephen and others recommended actions in linking dioceses, prayer, and addressing this with the Lambeth Conference. The motion was passed unanimously.
Farewells were given firstly to Bishop Tim Dakin. Then to Bishop Paul Bayes of Liverpool, a strong advocate for all those who are disadvantaged, who received a standing ovation.
Then followed a House of Laity meeting where a resolution to co-opt 5 members of Global Majority Heritage was passed. John Wilson spoke against this motion saying he had consulted widely in the diocese and considered it should be those elected. Others spoke in favour, including myself, particularly reflecting on Paul Boateng’s speech. It was carried.
The House of Clergy meeting also discussed this. Canterbury convocation approved this, York convocation -no conclusion yet.
Good to see Martin Shakespeare and Rev Matt Beer making speeches, Amanda Robbie again asking Questions.
This meeting was enlivened for me in having an Open Synod lunch to meet new members, meeting a taxi driver with a young people’s boxing training club near Kings Cross station started by his father, two teachers planning an app for teachers about inclusion and a plant historian on the train home who works for Gardeners’ Question Time, who also asked for and took home the Open Doors booklet which I was reading.
Penny Allen
Lichfield 335