Bishop’s Address by Rt Revd In her address to Diocesan Synod, Bishop Viv asked whether church buildings were a blessing or a burden.

Drawing on her own experiences, she emphasised the theological DIOCESAN SYNOD REPORT importance of place in the Bible – from Eden to Jerusalem – while 7 March 2020 acknowledging the idolatry that comes when those places are put ahead of the relationship of God and God’s people. The DAC and church buildings: 1) Let the DAC help you through Bishop Viv praised the examples of churches finding new ways to A mission focused resource for the faculty rules – don’t be put off. engage with people in both urban and rural parishes. mission focused resources 2) Talk to the DAC – they can help The has over 200 set you in the right direction and She said: “It is good to see wonderful current examples of community church buildings. To enhance the help you achieve. use. Across this Diocese, many of you stand ready for moments of mission work based out of a church 3) Talk to other people before you great need, opening the doors of your churches with a generosity, can mean making changes to them. do anything – find out about other grace and goodwill for all sorts of events and purposes. projects elsewhere. Simon Pugh-Jones, chair of the 4) Understand the nature of “There is a huge responsibility handed to us in our buildings, but also Diocesan Advisory Committee change – look after those who find great joy, because they are places of symbolic power and signs of (DAC), challenged some of the it traumatic. Gospel hope. May we, despite the burdens we carry, know the gift our myths about obtaining a faculty for 5) Understand the decision- church buildings bring.” changes as he spoke about the way making process – find out about a that churches can use their buildings church’s history and use. more effectively for worship and 6) Be sustainable – care for God’s Downloads and Links mission. creation. 7) Be audacious in the Lord’s name – don’t let obstacles stop  Presidential Address by the He emphasised the role the DAC your dreams.  General Synod Report (February 2020) had in supporting and enabling 8) Be inclusive – be open and Church in Action: making a difference - Social engagement in amazing schemes, prayerfully  accessible to all. the Diocese of Bristol discerned to become a reality. 9) Get expert professional help –  Swindon Deanery Synod motion – the Real Living Wage find someone who understands  Bishop’s Council Report (February 2020) “Change can be very difficult, but it can also be exciting and a pathway you and what you want to  “A mission focused resource for mission focused resources” - to a brilliant new future,” said Simon. achieve. The DAC and church buildings “It is the people and parishes who do 10) Don’t forget the God stuff –  Scheme for the Quinquennial Inspection of Churches 2019 the good work. Projects start in this is a place where people come  Bristol Diocesan Advisory Committee Constitution 2019 someone’s head; the DAC helps to be close to God. nurture those ideas.” The Synod discussed their ideas for what changes could be made © Diocese of Bristol 2020 Simon suggested 10 simple rules Reproduction and distribution rights include parish magazines/parish media. designed to make working with DAC for mission and for environmental Digital copy available from bristol.anglican.org or [email protected] easier: sustainability.

Church in Action: Social Neil gave a series of examples of said that “we are showing Real Living Wage Engagement how churches have been active in leadership in this Diocese but it is The debate on the Swindon up to us now to all take action.” Hundreds of social engagement their communities, including: Deanery Synod motion concerning projects are running in churches  supporting The Noise, which the Real Living Wage was resumed He encouraged people to consider with an amendment from the across the Diocese. saw 900 volunteers from 57 churches in Bristol take part in standing as General Synod Deanery Standing Committee. Parishes are involved with almost 80 community projects each representatives when nominations 650 social action projects, with May. open later this year. The amended motion called on all some running three or more of their  All Saints Clifton has set up a Church of England bodies, schools, own activities in their communities. network for small businesses in Question Time academies and churches in the the area, bringing them together Questions were asked about Diocese to commit publicly to pay Reflecting on the figures from the in the church where many of planning for the impact of the the Real Living Wage. last 12 months, the Archdeacon of them had never entered. Coronavirus, joint initiatives across Bristol, Ven Neil Warwick, called on the Church to achieve the net zero It also called upon those bodies to churches to continue and expand Neil added: “Don’t procrastinate target and the tension between the consider formal accreditation as their social engagement initiatives. and think we don’t have the pastoral duties of Archdeacons and Living Wage employers. capacity. Let’s not stand in the their responsibilities for discussing Neil said: “We know personally the sidelines or ever think we can’t Parish Share with parishes. David Tunley (Swindon), who positive difference that a belief in make a difference. Let’s get proposed the motion, said that, by God can bring to our lives, and involved in ways that will be life Oliver Home, Diocesan Secretary, gaining accreditation, it would allow when that is coupled with action giving for us, our churches and our said that Coronavirus guidance was the Church in the Diocese to act as that fights injustice; looks out for communities.” being provided by the national an example of good practice in the people on the margins; listens to, church, a core group was meeting hope of encouraging other loves and cares for people who are The Synod discussed what next regularly and contingency planning employers to take the same step. unwell in body, mind or spirit, that steps they could take to increase ongoing and outlined the co- things change for the better. the social engagement impact. ordinated work and thinking being He added: “This is a moment when done nationally about meeting the we can make a public commitment “What we do is not dependent on General Synod Report net zero target. to paying the Real Living Wage. church attendance; we are not Revd Canon Prof Martin Ven Christopher Bryan, helping so that we get more people Gainsborough gave feedback from “It does not bind us to anything, but , coming on a Sunday morning. What the meeting in February. it does make us accountable. This explained the range of we are doing is motivated by Christ is about making a stand and responsibilities the Archdeacons and a desire to see God’s Kingdom The Synod discussed Living in Love showing leadership, as we did hold and the reason for Parish come here on Earth.” and Faith, Safeguarding, youth when we declared a Climate Share being one of them evangelism and the Windrush Emergency in November.”

Around the Diocese in 2019, 83% legacy. Martin, who had tabled an Bishop Viv updated on Bishop Lee, of parishes were involved in one or amendment to a motion setting a The amended motion was passed following his cycling accident in more forms of social engagement. net zero carbon target, to bring it with no votes against. January, who sent his greetings. forward from 2045 to 2030,