General Synod November 2021
Monday 15th November
A straightforward journey to London from Wolverhampton despite yesterday's derailment. Decent spacing for my booked seat, alternate rows and two seats each.
Induction day for all new members.
Arrived to find the Lichfield contingent established in the tea room, all looking well and Ros with her knitting.
Various stalls and workshops to explain main committees and issues. By lunchtime and no hot meals new members looking tired already. An afternoon beginning with an accident for Liz Paver who had a nasty fall in the main chamber breaking her leg. Then legal explanations, mock debate with Anne Foreman, Stephen Lynas, Sue Booys, which caused some merriment with a resolution that 'every parish should have a dog' ! Finished early at 5pm, just as well as the new members were already overloaded.
Tuesday 16th November
Westminster Abbey with Prince Edward as the Queen was still indisposed.
We all arrived early with our best day dress and Ros and Amanda in splendid hats and the clergy in Convocation dress. After being directed to our seats we waited for Prince Edward. A stirring musical choice and opportunity to sing with enthusiasm. The choir singing Stanford. Coptic Bishop Angaelous preached on Zacchaeus and Jesus response to him, generosity and choosing the unpopular.
After the service HRH Prince Edward came to the Chamber in Church House to read the Queen's address, prefacing it with an appropriate joke about being a substitute. The Queen gave every encouragement to us all to be generous and accommodating with each other despite our reasons for disagreement. She also commented on the excessive regulations inhibiting worship during the pandemic and the anxiety, grief and weariness in everyone but the unchanging nature of God's love. Archbishop Justin gave the reply and spoke about the Queen's deep faith.
Leeds Diocesan Synod Motion- The Wealth Gap between the Rich and Poor
Bishop Guli commenced this debate with a passionate speech about the need to house people in affordable homes and the need for social housing. Comments were made about the inflated wages of top earners, the need for levelling up, the poverty in the North of England and the general lack of understanding in Govt about the needs of the poor. There were no voices against this motion and it was passed almost unanimously.
Archbishop's Council Budget and Apportionment
As expected this was controversial due to the demand from some members to have more of the Church Commissioners profits directed to relieving the pressures on dioceses following the pandemic losses in parish shares. Some Save Our Parish election members spoke about the excessive profits made during the previous year and the need for reallocation of these. John Spence called again for evangelism as the main priority and was given a standing ovation. The need for an increase in the digital budget was questioned by myself as we now have 8000 online church communities. A promise was made to pay centrally for 400 ordinands' stipends. The current difficulties for poor communities was recognised in funding and the transition funds still needed for the turn away from the Darlow formula. The reduction in demand from dioceses is 5.4% and the increase from the Church Commissioners in funding is £13.4m [£10.9m last year]. The budget was approved.
Our new Chaplain could not be found to conduct Morning Worship so we set off with the agenda. The new General Synod app appeared to be working well but the internet connection was slow to start.
A straightforward journey to London from Wolverhampton despite yesterday's derailment. Decent spacing for my booked seat, alternate rows and two seats each.
Induction day for all new members.
Arrived to find the Lichfield contingent established in the tea room, all looking well and Ros with her knitting.
Various stalls and workshops to explain main committees and issues. By lunchtime and no hot meals new members looking tired already. An afternoon beginning with an accident for Liz Paver who had a nasty fall in the main chamber breaking her leg. Then legal explanations, mock debate with Anne Foreman, Stephen Lynas, Sue Booys, which caused some merriment with a resolution that 'every parish should have a dog' ! Finished early at 5pm, just as well as the new members were already overloaded.
Tuesday 16th November
Westminster Abbey with Prince Edward as the Queen was still indisposed.
We all arrived early with our best day dress and Ros and Amanda in splendid hats and the clergy in Convocation dress. After being directed to our seats we waited for Prince Edward. A stirring musical choice and opportunity to sing with enthusiasm. The choir singing Stanford. Coptic Bishop Angaelous preached on Zacchaeus and Jesus response to him, generosity and choosing the unpopular.
After the service HRH Prince Edward came to the Chamber in Church House to read the Queen's address, prefacing it with an appropriate joke about being a substitute. The Queen gave every encouragement to us all to be generous and accommodating with each other despite our reasons for disagreement. She also commented on the excessive regulations inhibiting worship during the pandemic and the anxiety, grief and weariness in everyone but the unchanging nature of God's love. Archbishop Justin gave the reply and spoke about the Queen's deep faith.
Leeds Diocesan Synod Motion- The Wealth Gap between the Rich and Poor
Bishop Guli commenced this debate with a passionate speech about the need to house people in affordable homes and the need for social housing. Comments were made about the inflated wages of top earners, the need for levelling up, the poverty in the North of England and the general lack of understanding in Govt about the needs of the poor. There were no voices against this motion and it was passed almost unanimously.
Archbishop's Council Budget and Apportionment
As expected this was controversial due to the demand from some members to have more of the Church Commissioners profits directed to relieving the pressures on dioceses following the pandemic losses in parish shares. Some Save Our Parish election members spoke about the excessive profits made during the previous year and the need for reallocation of these. John Spence called again for evangelism as the main priority and was given a standing ovation. The need for an increase in the digital budget was questioned by myself as we now have 8000 online church communities. A promise was made to pay centrally for 400 ordinands' stipends. The current difficulties for poor communities was recognised in funding and the transition funds still needed for the turn away from the Darlow formula. The reduction in demand from dioceses is 5.4% and the increase from the Church Commissioners in funding is £13.4m [£10.9m last year]. The budget was approved.
Our new Chaplain could not be found to conduct Morning Worship so we set off with the agenda. The new General Synod app appeared to be working well but the internet connection was slow to start.