DIOCESE OF CHELMSFORD

DIOCESAN SYNOD

Minutes of the 134th meeting of the Synod held on Saturday 14 June 2014 at St John’s Church in Stratford

PRESENT : The President and 94 Members

The Synod began with a time of worship led by Revd Canon Steven Saxby.

1. NOTICES

The President updated members on the condition of the , who had recently been diagnosed with Myeloma. Synod members were asked to pray for him and his family.

The Chair drew attention to directions agreed by the Standing Committee for filming Synod business and also the vacancies on Diocesan committees, both included on the day paper.

2. MINUTES OF DIOCESAN SYNOD MEETING HELD 1 MARCH 2014

The minutes were approved.

3. PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS

The Presidential address can be found on this webpage:

http://www.chelmsford.anglican.org/news/article/bishop-say-it-loud-and- proud-its-a-blessing-to-discover-our-unity-in-christ#.U57ZqctOXL8

4. TIME FOR YOUTH

The Colchester Area Youth Adviser, Rachel Brett was invited to share with Synod some of the work from the recently formed Time for Youth Council. One of the members of the Council, Evie Dolan, had also come to speak about being part of the Council.

Time for Youth had started out as a conference organised by young people who wanted their voice heard. A residential was held last year and out of that came ideas and a group of young people willing to form a Council. Evie Dolan briefly outlined the top tips for youthwork the Council had prepared. Members were then invited to discuss how these could be taken forward. The following ideas were suggested:

 More time to be given to this at Synod,

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 Some people are too afraid to contribute and they are pushed on the back burner,  It is about changing culture. There are a number of fringe groups where we need to work to include them,  How do we need to change? What is getting in the way?  Get this out onto the young people’s networks and let them know they are not alone.

Rachel Brett thanked Synod for this exciting opportunity.

5. DIOCESAN SAFEGUARDING POLICY

The Chair suspended Standing Orders and invited the Chair of the Safeguarding Reference Group, Christine Daly, to speak to this item.

Christine Daly spoke of the debt of gratitude the Diocese owes to those who were working to improve the Safeguarding practice in this Diocese, in particular the Safeguarding panel, the previous Adviser Revd Jean Halliday, the and the Diocesan Chief Executive. In signing up to the Child Protection Policy at a previous meeting the Synod had accepted responsibility for this area and this is still the case. If we don’t face up to this responsibility then we are complicit in this abuse and we fail. We are now better resourced. There is no ‘you’ or ‘them’, we are all together.

The Safeguarding Manager, Ian Carter, was introduced to talk about the proposed Policy. He made the following points:

 In 2013, 2,200 DBS were completed across the Diocese. This represented a 115% increase on the preceding year and was attributable to the introduction of the Child Protection Policy. This is not a blip, the figure for 2014 continue to show an increase.  There has been an 83% reduction in positive disclosures. This is a significant issue and it is thought that the only solution would be to take the application process online.  There are 151 open cases, of which 79 were active and 72 subject to review.  In the Church, Safeguarding is being given a much higher profile and the attitude is becoming much more intrusive. The Clergy Discipline Measure and Canons are being revised and enhanced, policies are being revised and there is new training for clergy at every level.  The Vulnerable Adults policy had been updated and it now complies with all the legal requirements and national policy. It recognises the responsibilities of local agencies. It also responds to the needs of parishes. It is consistent with local and national training.  It is absolutely right to provide for children and vulnerable adults in the same policy.  It must be responsive to future changes.  The policy is a tool to help keep every Church member safe from abuse.

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The Chair reinstated Standing Orders. The President moved the motion that:

‘This Synod welcome and approve the Safeguarding Policy and commend it to PCCs for implementation and use once formally launched’

The following people spoke in the debate:

Revd Quintin Peppiatt (Newham) Revd Paul Trathen (Waltham Forest) Isabel Adcock (Braintree) Colin Setchfield (Waltham Forest) Harry Marsh (Chelmsford South) of Colchester Vevet Deer (Waltham Forest) Revd Louise Williams (Southend) Roger Ennals (Colchester) Mary Durlacher (General Synod) Revd Hilary Le Seve (Colchester)

The following points were made, with responses (in italics) where applicable:

 How do Churches and Church Schools respond to Female Genital Mutilation?  One area that we need to get our head around is abuse on social media.  Thank you for the glossary.  Is there a record of who has done the training?  The training is difficult to find on the website.  A slight reservation at members being invited to propose amendments after the approval of the policy. To clarify this point it was noted that amendments would be limited to minor changes which would improve the reading and presentation of the policy.  We all know what a messy place the Church can be. The danger is we think it is all out there. We must do our utmost to see this through and work with it.  We need to be able to communicate this to people outside the Church and that we are here to help.  Are there other versions of the training available to those not confident with electronic learning? It is impossible to train a workforce of 10,000 people with 4. However we are aware that there is a need for face to face training and this is being developed.  Let us not be afraid. We are on the frontline, but we have an excellent team and all we have to do is pick up the phone.  We need as much help to be given as possible, particularly for smaller Churches.  There doesn’t seem to be an awareness within the process of what a Pastoral Assistant does.

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The Bishop of Chelmsford thanked Christine Daly and the Safeguarding Reference Group for their work. This Diocese is pioneering the way forward on Safeguarding. We have to be on the front foot, but we also need to get our house in order. We want to protect against false accusations and also care for offenders.

Members voted on the motion. The motion was carried overwhelmingly.

6. GOOD NEWS STORY: PIONEER MINISTRY IN THE OLYMPIC PARK

The Chair welcomed Revd Jeremy Fraser and Revd Annie McTighe who spoke about some of the developments of the pioneering ministry going on in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Revd Annie McTighe had been appointed as Pioneer Minister and was about to begin her work among this new community.

7. 2013 ANNUAL REPORTS

The 2013 Annual Reports were received by the Synod.

8. DBF AGM See separate minutes

9. 2015 BUDGET REPORT

Canon Don Cardy spoke to this item. He opened by stating that the Deanery Share for 2015 was likely to increase by 3% and the Budget Committee were keen to hear people’s views and any proposals for alternatives.

He went on to make the following points:

 Over the last few years we have managed to limit the average increase in Share whilst at the same time seeking to grow diocesan income from other sources. In the last three years the underlying increases in Deanery Share have been 1.0%, 0.7% and 1.4% even though the direct costs of providing vicar have increased by 1.7%, 3.1% and 1.6%. Clearly being able to budget for reduced numbers of stipendiary clergy has contributed to this.  The 2015 budget is being constructed around the number of stipendiary clergy expected to be in post next year as we take tentatively steps towards the numbers expected to be in post in 2025 according to Re- imagining Ministry.  The main influences on next year’s budget will be the virtually unchanged numbers of stipendiary clergy; their stipends increase (2% = £202,000); the increase in the contribution to their pensions (38.2% to 39.9% of NMS = £218,000); the increase in shortfall provision (£50,000); and the increased AC grant (£67,000).  We have been able to identify a total of £5.5m in mutual support received by benefices in this diocese in 2013. £3.8m of this was the amount of

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ministry grant distributed through the DSS; the rest came mostly from parishes whose share payments exceeded their direct and indirect ministry costs. There were around 80 such benefices helping to support the other 230 benefices. Almost all the benefices with church membership ratios below the median value (114) required support whilst only a half the remaining benefices did so.  Until we can address the parishes in shortfall, it is inevitable that any shortfall in excess of the £650,000 provision we have made will put pressure on reserves.

Members were invited to respond to the presentation, particularly with any insight on how parishes were likely to cope with further increase in Deanery Share. The following members contributed:

Revd Canon Carla Hampton (Chelmsford North) Revd Martin Howse (Havering) Revd Simon Roscoe (Southend) Vevet Deer (Waltham Forest) Carole Sherratt (Havering) Colin Setchfield (Waltham Forest) Christine Horton (Chelmsford South) Robin Stevens (General Synod) Revd Canon Jenny Tomlinson (General Synod) Revd Ray Gibbs (Colchester) Roger Ennals (Colchester) Anthony Nicolle (Havering) Revd Kieran Bush (Barking & Dagenham)

Their comments were as follows:

 One member spoke of her Deanery. It had always paid a high percentage but was now finding some of the parishes struggling to pay. Most of them have sought help.  Fixed incomes are not increasing. We will do what we can but we will fall behind.  Giving is a lot more volatile and rather than paying in full we need to ask how much we can pay every month.  If we can’t pay, where will this leave us? We need someone to support us.  There is often an inequality of giving and sacrificial giving is a real challenge for many.  We are struggling, even with growth. New members cannot give more.  Increases in mortgage and rent make it difficult to give. The situation in parishes is quite complex. Growth does help some, stewardship has helped in other cases, but with harder cases these have not.  We are not fundraising, we need to put over a spiritual message. There is a reticence in challenging new people to give.  Improvement often takes time. Where parishes have gone through every element of a giving programme it does work.

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 The Parish Share Scheme Review Group is reviewing the mechanism but there is still a great deal of work to be done.  The 3% increase in Deanery Share often translates to more at parish level. How can we ask for a 5% increase from people who have had nil increase in their income? There is a limit to how deep we can dig.  In reality the shortfall is £1 million. We have to think seriously how we account for shortfall.  By far the biggest budget item is clergy stipends. We are trying to resist a reduction in stipends.  Teach the great Grace of God and this will lead to joy in giving.

Canon Don Cardy thanked members for their comments. He spoke of the great joy to celebrate with parishes at the celebration service in the Cathedral. To deal with shortfall you need a bespoke solution for every parish. There is a delay in the effect of the economic recovery, in fact the first signs of the impact of the recession did not appear until 2010.

10. BISHOP’S COUNCIL, DIOCESAN MISSION & PASTORAL COMMITTEE AND FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORTS

The reports were received.

11. DIOCESAN BOARD OF EDUCATION: AMENDMENT TO CONSTITUTION

The Chair suspended Standing Orders to allow the Director of Education to address the Synod. He began by setting the proposal to amend the DBE constitution in the context of the wider discussions around DBEs. Education is a rapidly changing environment and is about to embark on a new phase. The proposal had been endorsed by the DBE and the Bishop’s Council. The changes would take effect from the next triennium. It would lead to a smaller, leaner and more strategic Board. The approval of the Secretary of State for Education would be required should the Synod agree the proposal.

The Chair reinstated Standing Orders and the Vice Chair of the DBE, Ven Elwin Cockett paid tribute to the work done by the Director of Education and the current Chair of the DBE, the Bishop of Bradwell. He then moved the motion that:

‘This Synod approve the amendments to the constitution of the Chelmsford Diocesan Board of Education as set out in paper DS(14)7’

Members were invited to comment on the proposal and the following members contributed to the debate:

Revd Canon Ian Tarrant (Redbridge) Colin Setchfield (Waltham Forest) Harry Marsh (Chelmsford South)

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Bishop of Chelmsford Anthony Nicolle (Havering) Revd Paul Trathen (Waltham Forest)

Their comments and any replies (in italics) given were as follows:

 Should there be a balance between clergy and laity?  The proposal removes the requirement for any of the elected members to also be members of the Synod. We need members from Synod. The real challenge is for the members of Synod to be discerning in who they elect.  Why not change the rules of Synod so that elected members of the DBE become ex-officio members of the Synod?  When groups become large they inevitably pick up passengers, this move will help all DBE members to invest in the business of the Board.  We should be more concerned about whether the people on the DBE know what they are talking about.  Clergy/Lay balance is a red herring. The DBE still remains accountable to Synod.

The motion was put to the vote. The motion was carried overwhelmingly.

12. QUESTIONS

Before the response to the question was given, the Chair reminded members of the provision under Standing Order 75 for questions submitted to be relevant to the work of the officer or body they are directed to. This question was not in order, however the President wanted to answer the question directly.

Q.1 Larry Morris (Havering) to ask the Diocesan Bishop:

In view of the recently announced appointment of a new and following on from the comments by the Archbishop of Canterbury that he was committed to the flourishing of those who disagree with the and consecration of women, and the statement in the 2007 report to General Synod – Talent and Calling (GS 1650) that it was ‘desirable that conservative evangelicals should be represented among those occupying senior appointments to a greater degree than is at present the case.’

The same report recommended that ‘Bishops should be asked positively to look for clergy from [the conservative evangelical] constituency who might either be qualified for inclusion on the Preferment List or might be developed in such a way that they might be qualified later on.’

In view of the fact that conservative evangelicals are less represented now than at any time in the last 30 years, will the Bishop tell Synod how many conservative evangelicals have been put on this list?

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A.

Strictly speaking this is not a question for me or for this Synod since it refers to matters regarding the national church and asks for information which for obvious reasons must remain confidential. However, I can report that clergy from the conservative evangelical tradition are on this list and that it is certainly the policy of this diocese to nurture all clergy, whatever their tradition, if they demonstrate the potential to move into so-called senior positions in the future. In fact Roger Matthews’ work with the Transforming Leadership Programme has been pioneering in this regard, and a number of clergy from all traditions have been part of this.

However, there is a further complication that the question gives me an opportunity to explain. The term ‘conservative evangelical’ is not as straightforward as it seems. There are many in this tradition who support the ordination of women to the priesthood and the episcopate. Quite a number of them are bishops. What we don’t have at the moment are bishops from the conservative evangelical tradition who hold a particular view on male headship which excludes, for them, the possibility of women holding positions of leadership in the church. If parishes which also hold this view are to flourish within the mixed economy of the , and in this diocese in particular, then it can be argued that there is a need for that very particular constituency to have some sort of episcopal representation. This is something I support, though we all need to be aware that someone holding such a theological view, while clearly within the spectrum of , might be rather more hard pressed to be seen, necessarily, as the best candidate for a church where women priests and, perhaps in the not so distant future, women bishops are the norm. I say this not to close the door on such a possibility, but so we are realistic about the important issues involved, especially for episcopal ministry, where the bishop is called to be the focus of unity for the whole church. Nonetheless the House of Bishops has made a commitment and it is one that I support

What it does mean is that we need to work hard at identifying and nurturing those who have this gift and calling; ensure that all bishops, male or female, conservative or otherwise, are ready and able to work across the spectrum of Anglicanism; and that a bishop from the conservative evangelical tradition holding this view of male headship may need to be consecrated and minister in ways similar to our current Provincial Episcopal Visitors. The conversation about how this could happen is something the Diocese of Chelmsford and our own Synod reps, not least the Revd Canon David Banting, have been very involved in. They are ongoing. But I dare to hope that before the General Synod vote next month we may have some news.

CLOSE The President asked for Synod members to pray for the forthcoming meeting of General Synod at which the legislation for women to become Bishops will be debated and voted on. He then closed Synod with his blessing.

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