Impressions of my first attendance at the Diocesan Synod – 4th November, 2006

It’s confession time!   Firstly, I was surprised to find myself a member of the Diocesan Synod.    Secondly, I doubt that I yet have the considerable knowledge and experience to understand the paper work one receives!    Thirdly, that it is hard to keep pace with who is who and what they are all talking about!   But fourthly, I confess my admiration for those that have stuck to the cause and the great efforts they make on behalf of us all to keep the Diocese going!   Having said that, I am amazed that this big unwieldy machine even works at all – even at nearly 7 million pounds a year!

I came to the Synod as someone who frequently gets cross and frustrated at the way the ‘church plc’ does its business, but I quickly learnt that some of the real issues facing us today were not up for general discussion.    Procedure was more the order of the day and I will have to learn the ropes first before making the sort of contribution I wish to make.

The House of Laity met first for about 60 seconds I guess, and if known to you, Barbara Rowe was re-elected as Lay Vice President of the Synod.

Then the whole Synod met for, to quote the order paper, “Holy Communion also called The Eucharist and The Lord’s Supper”.   No doubt to recognise all parties but they forgot The Mass!

This was followed by coffee (what would we do without coffee, I wonder?) and then the Diocesan Bishop introduced the new Dean.    He had the Synod in stitches with a short amusing speech:    He was concerned that since his arrival everybody seemed to be leaving: – the Chairman of the Board of Finance, one of his Cathedral Canons, the Diocesan Bishop – but what most concerned him, because he was much the hardest to replace, was the imminent departure of his verger!    However, the Dean said in describing his attendance at Synod today he wished to quote Anthony’s words as he approached the tent of Cleopatra “I’ve not come here to talk!”    Synod fell about with laughter.  Then the Bishop in presenting his Presidential Address said “How on earth do I follow that?”

In fact the Bishop went on to talk about the different strategies in the Church of England that each somehow has something in common that holds us all together.   It was a pleasant and conciliatory talk, but never mentioned any of the problems we are wrestling with both in the church and nationally.

Next Michael Wilde gave his last report as Chairman of the Diocesan Board of Finance.   This was a very powerful speech and it would seem that the Diocesan Finances had been given a good shake up and were now in pretty good order.   Nonetheless, the crunch was that the parish share increase was going to be 9.4% instead of the planned 4.86% increase.    This was because they were now forced to implement an increase in pension contributions, Final Salary Pension schemes being vetted by the Government.   The basic clergy stipend was now £20,260, but administration costs were down to £586K planned for 2007 compared to £609K in 1996!   The report was well received in general, but several clergy sincerely reported that their parishes would not be able to reach their parish share – what do you do when one’s congregation is mainly O.A.P.’s, slowly decreasing?     The two enabling motions were carried by over a 100 majority – I abstained!    It appeared that

Mr. Wilde was highly popular and a retiring presentation was due to be made to him – unfortunately, however, this was locked in the Bishop’s safe in Park Road and the Bishop did not know who had the key!!

Notices were then given about Clergy Pensions Consultation, TENS/Stewardship Conference, Local Ministry & work of the DMC, none of which meant anything to me!     Also something about getting the 2007 Electoral Roll forms from the Diocese Web site and copying them would be far cheaper than buying the official ones!    Notice of a Public Consultation on 20 November at Endeavour House (wherever that is?) concerning the Vacancy in See, i.e. for the new Bishop.

The Synod received the Diocesan Secretary, Revd Godfrey Mbelwa, and Mr. Jackson Bahemu from the Kagera Diocese.

In the afternoon, Synod listened to a very detailed and informative presentation from Mrs. Helen Woodroffe, Diocesan Children’s Officer about the work she was doing to encourage faith in children, particularly in a scheme of “Godly Play”.     She said anyone who did not know about the Godly Play scheme must have their head in the sand.     Sorry, my head must be in the sand!   Nevertheless, she appeared to be doing great things and was very well received.

Next a presentation was given by Ven. John Cox about the Diocesan Board of Education.   He is temporarily standing in two days a week as the Acting Director.   Among the many details he gave, he did make the point that it was very unfortunate that the Church of England had been mixed up in the term “faith schools” as debated, as this was sending out the wrong sort of messages as to its role.    Far from being exclusive to a minor group or sect as inferred, in so many towns and villages the C of E School was the only school available for the whole community!   My fellow delegate, Mrs. Celia Bush, is standing for election to the D.B.E. committee.   Her experience will make a good contribution and it will also show that although we at the Elms operate under a separate Provincial Episcopate, nonetheless we play our part in Diocesan affairs.

Formal adoption was given to various committee reports, as well as the Report of the July General Synod.   Here it was noted that the TEA proposals to handle the consecration of women bishops had been dropped!   A full report is on the Diocesan website.    Next Synod in Westminster 26 Feb – 2 Mar.     Anyone wishing to attend can do so – Ask at the door for Margaret Condick, she will get you in and you can have coffee with the bishops!

Overall attending this massive bureaucratic body was much better than I had expected and as indicated I admire those that work with dedication within it.    That it works at all amazes me and I still wonder if this is the way to run C of E plc?    Whilst I can offer no alternative, it still seems to me miles away from what we do day by day in church and pew.