DS 14/08 Coventry Diocesan Synod Minutes – 12 May 2014

Minutes of the meeting of the Coventry Diocesan Synod held at the Blue Coat School.

The Bishop of Coventry took the chair.

1 Welcome and opening worship Bishop Christopher introduced Dr Julie Roberts, the Headteacher, who welcomed the Synod to Blue Coat School. Fr Paul Messam, the school chaplain, led the opening worship, with music provided by members of the School Choir.

2 Welcomes, apologies and notices Bishop Christopher thanked Dr Roberts and the choir for their welcome to the school and welcomed the members of Synod to the meeting.

Bishop Christopher also welcomed some guests to the Synod. Two members of the Bishop’s Advisory Commission, the Revd Stuart Allen and Fr Kit Dunkley, were present for the item on women in the episcopate and Bishop Christopher thanked them for coming. He also welcomed several clergy who had recently arrived in the Diocese: the Revd Imogen Nay, Rector of St Andrew’s Rugby; the Revd Ricarda Witcombe, Chaplain of the George Elliot Hospital in Nuneaton, the Revd Hannah Woodall, Vicar of St Paul’s Foleshill and the Revd Adrian Guthrie, Rector of , Arrow with Weethley, Coughton with , Haselor and with Great Alne. Finally he welcomed Jet Jones, the newly appointed Transforming Communities Together Officer.

The apologies received from members of the Houses of Clergy and Laity were noted.

3 Minutes The minutes of the meeting on 9 November 2013 were approved.

Mr Graham Wright, Chair of the House of Laity, took the chair.

4 Presidential address Bishop Christopher addressed the Synod, referring to 1 Corinthians 12:26: “If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honoured, all rejoice together with it.” He said that Christian identity is about being in Christ, with Christ and with those who Christ is with. He reminded the Synod that the global church is the body of Christ and that what happens to any member of it affects every other. There had recently been more attention, both from the UK parliament and abroad, on the persecution of Christians. Bishop Christopher said it was an example of the providence of God that Coventry Diocese is linked with two churches experiencing great suffering: the Syrian Orthodox Church and the Diocese of Kaduna in Nigeria and said that we are committed to supporting them and other persecuted Christians.

Bishop Christopher said that this connectedness and interdependence underlies the debate about women in the episcopate. In Coventry Diocese there is overwhelming support for women being bishops and the five principles of the House of Bishops’ declaration seek to achieve this. At the same time, the principles also express the commitment of the church to provide pastoral and sacramental ministry for those who are unable to receive the ministry of women priests and bishops, recognising that as a theological position expressed with integrity, within the spectrum of belief and practice of the church. Bishop Christopher said that this is seeking to express Paul’s words in Corinthians, that we cannot say to our brothers and sisters in Christ “I have no need of you”.

1 of 6 Bishop Christopher referred to Paul’s words in Ephesians 4, where he exhorts the church to bear with one another in love, so that the church may grow up in to the full measure of the stature of Christ. Bishop Christopher said that this is the calling of the Church, to grow up into Christ in every way. He finished by referring to Gloria Vaughan, who had been ordained priest last Petertide and who sadly had now died. He said that, while her ministry as a priest had been sadly cut short, the manner in which she had given herself wholly over to God as she had approached the end of her life had been a wonderful example of priestly calling – to exemplify Christian identity and the character of the Church.

Bishop Christopher finished by leading the Synod in a time of quiet prayer and reflection, followed by the Lord’s prayer.

5 Reference of draft legislation for the consecration of women to the episcopate Graham Wright asked the Synod for permission to suspend Standing Order 66, to permit the vote to be taken by secret ballot rather than a show of hands and this was given. He explained that Ruth Walker would give an overview of the legislative package being proposed, to be followed by Kit Dunkley, Katrina Scott and Stewart Allen, who would share their different perspectives on the proposed new arrangements, after which he would invite members of the Synod to speak.

The journey so far and the package of proposals Ruth Walker gave the Diocesan Synod an overview of the process which had led to this point and the different parts of the new proposals. The failure of the previous legislation in 2012 had been followed by considerable negotiations and discussion about the way forward, which had led to a new set of proposals being considered by General Synod in July 2013. These proposals had been developed through a process which had involved people with a wide range of opinions. In February the General Synod had decided to refer to Dioceses the draft legislation which had emerged from this process.

Ruth explained that the task of the Diocesan Synod was to vote on two elements of the package, the Measure and the Amending Canon. The draft Measure would allow necessary authority for making a canon which would allow women to be Bishops and it would repeal the Priests (Ordination of Women) Measure 1993. The Measure would also make an amendment to the Equality Act 2010. Alongside this, the draft Amending Canon would provide for the admission of women to the episcopate; would redraft other canons so that there are no longer separate canons for the ordination of women; and would impose a duty on the House of Bishops to make regulations proscribing a procedure for the resolution of disputes arising from the arrangements providing for the consecration of women bishops.

Alongside the draft Measure and Amending Canon are two more elements: the House of Bishops’ Declaration and the Mandatory Disputes Resolution Procedure. The draft House of Bishop’s Declaration sets out five guiding principles which underlie the process which has been followed and which are at the heart of the new legislation. The Declaration also sets out arrangements to provide for those whose theological convictions mean that they cannot accept the ministry of ordained women. The Mandatory Disputes Resolution Procedure set out how disputes arising from these arrangements would be resolved. An Independent Reviewer would be appointed to consider disputes. While they would not be able to impose penalties, they would be able to conduct reviews and publish critical reports.

If the new legislation is approved, the Episcopal Ministry Act of Synod 1993 would be rescinded. Ruth said that the Provincial Episcopal Visitor Sees would remain, however, and that resolutions made by parishes under the old arrangements would continue to stand for two years, to give parishes time to respond.

2 of 6 Ruth explained that 38 Diocesan Synods had already voted on the legislation and all had voted in favour. The proposals would move to the next stage, a review by the House of Bishops. In July, General Synod would vote on whether to approve the legislation, at which point a two-thirds majority would be required in each house. If approved, the legislation would need to be approved by parliament before being promulged at the General Synod in November 2014, after which women bishops could be appointed.

Perspective from Fr Kit Dunkley Fr Kit Dunkley shared his views on the journey to this point and the new proposals, saying that the church has had to learn hard lessons about how to meet change and make decisions. He thought that, while the legislation considered in 2012 had been a fudge, the new package of proposals was a compromise, which is how the church should handle disagreement. As other issues which would need the same level of charity and mutual respect would come up soon, Kit said that these lessons must be remembered.

He spoke about the provision for the interests of traditionalist catholics in the new arrangements. The 1993 Act of Synod had been morally binding but not legally enforceable and had not contained a mechanism for resolving disputes or addressing grievances. By contrast the new arrangements included regulations for resolving disputes, which could not be changed without the approval of a two-thirds majority in each house of General Synod. The Act of Synod had not mentioned the Provincial Episcopal Visitor Sees, while the Declaration states that they will form an integral part of the new dispensation and that existing resolutions will remain in force for two years. Additionally, the provision for those unable to receive the ministry of women bishops would not be open to challenge under the Equality Act.

Kit noted that groups had previously formed to campaign for the Act of Synod to be rescinded and that there was already pressure from some of those to reduce the level of provision in the new arrangements. He finished by saying that it was too early at present to say how the General Synod will vote.

Perspective from the Revd Canon Katrina Scott The Revd Canon Katrina Scott spoke, explaining that while she felt passionately that women should be able to be Bishops, she was not speaking to argue in favour of that, but rather to explain why she sees the new package of proposals as the best route forward.

Katrina said that, for a number of reasons, she saw the package Synod would be voting on as the best option which had been on the table at any stage. Her first reason was that the proposals had come out of a process of reconciliation through discussions between people with opposing views and put an emphasis on enabling all of the different parts of the church to flourish. The inclusion of an independent reviewer would provide a sense of security for all those who fear their views might not be heard, would make the implementation of the new arrangements more consistent nationally and would keep the church true to the principles. The new package is simpler, clearer and more up front. Finally the legislation would receive the ministry of women at all levels, without conditions.

Two recent services, at St Paul’s Cathedral in and at Coventry Cathedral, had been held to mark the 20th anniversary of the ordination of women to the priesthood. Katrina said that these services had not just been a commemoration of the past, but had been a celebration of where the church is now, able to rejoice in the witness and calling of women. She finished by saying that the new package offered a view of the church as a body whose different parts are celebrated and trusted, through which God’s mission can flourish.

Perspective from the Revd Stuart Allen The Revd Stuart Allen introduced himself as the Rector of the South Seven, the 3 of 6 southernmost point of the Diocese, and explained that he is a conservative evangelical, who in good conscience is not in agreement with the consecration of women as bishops.

Stuart agreed with Katrina that the new proposals were the best package which had so far come forwards. He appreciated the affirmation that conservative evangelicals are genuine Anglicans, the commitment from the House of Bishops to enabling everyone to flourish and the emphasis on strengthening trust, which he thought would enable the church to focus on the gospel. He also appreciated the recognition that there needs to be a conservative evangelical bishop in the House of Bishops, noting that at present there is not.

Stuart also had concerns, however, about how the arrangements would work in practice. He told Synod that, while PCCs would be able to request alternative pastoral care, clergy would not. This left him unclear how he would access this, as he did not expect any of his parishes to make this request. He was also concerned about future relationships with the majority in the church who have a different view and how different parts of the body might be able to work together. He asked the Synod and Bishop Christopher to consider these points and finished by thanking the Synod for hearing him.

Debate by members of the Synod Graham thanked Ruth, Kit, Katrina and Stuart for speaking and invited members of the Synod to speak. The Revd Charlotte Gale ( and Leamington, General Synod); the Revd Andrew Dow (Fosse); Mr Roderick Clarke (Warwick and Leamington); Canon Margaret Sedgwick (Coventry North); the Revd Martin Saxby (Rugby, General Synod); and Mr Derek Price (Kenilworth) all spoke.

All but one of those who spoke encouraged the Synod to vote in favour of the proposals. There was some agreement that the legislation which had failed in 2012 had been flawed, but that the proposals which had emerged since then, based on grace and trust, were worthy of support and had the potential to enable the church to prosper. There was also agreement that it is right to provide for those who cannot accept the ministry of ordained women and hope that the practice of listening to those who have different views would continue and that these relationships would grow stronger.

There was some concern that, if the legislation is passed, there should not be a rush to appoint the first female bishop, rather than the best person for the job. A perception that the debate over the last few years had focused on the equality of women and the position and status of Bishops was noted and the Synod was reminded of the humble nature of Christian leadership. Members also paid tribute to the leadership which the Archbishop of Canterbury, had demonstrated. The Synod was also reminded of the cost of the journey for many people and was urged to give a clear and enthusiastic affirmation of the new proposals.

Lastly Bishop Christopher spoke. He explained that the Business Committee had decided to consult the parishes on the new proposals to give people a chance to appreciate what the five principles behind the new proposals were hoping to achieve and the character of the church which they stand for. He paid tribute to the Bishop’s Advisory Commission, who had contributed to the Diocese’s engagement with this and the previous legislation and thanked Kit, Stuart and Katrina for their contributions that day, especially Kit and Stuart for being open in a setting where they were in the minority.

The Bishop told the Synod that mutuality is not just tolerance; it desires the very best for the other. The experience of the process of intensive listening to people with different perspectives was that it had created a realised sense of mutuality, compassion and trust. Bishop Christopher said that he saw this as a real chance for the church to go forward in a new way. He finished by urging the Diocesan Synod to pray for General Synod, that its meeting in July would be conducted in this fashion.

4 of 6 Graham Wright thanked those who had spoken for their contributions and for the respect which had been shown, before putting the motion:

“That this Synod approve the proposals embodied in the draft Bishops and Priests (Consecration and Ordination of Women) Measure and draft Amending Canon No 33.”

The Synod voted on the motion by houses by a secret ballot. [The ballot papers were counted during item 7 by two members of the Diocesan Staff, David Oglethorpe, Director of Finance, and Stephen Davenport, Director of Operations, under the supervision of the Diocesan Registrar, Mary Allanson.]

6 Proclamation of an Act of Synod The Vacancy in See Committee Regulation 1993 (as amended by the Vacancy in See Committees (Amendment) Regulation 2003, the Vacancy in See Committees (Amendment) Regulation 2007, the Vacancy in See Committees (Amendment) Regulation 2008, in the form it will take when further amended by the Vacancy in See Committees (Amendment) Regulation 2013) was duly proclaimed.

The Chair of the House of Clergy, the Revd Ruth Walker, took the chair.

7 Urban Hope The Revd Greg and Mrs Catherine Bartlem gave the Synod a presentation on Urban Hope, a new church working with marginalised people in Coventry city centre. They explained that Urban Hope had come out of two projects, Coffee Tots and Bardsley House.

In 2004, when Greg was the youth worker for Holy Trinity Coventry, he had been aware of a group of teenagers referred to as the Goths and he had been struck by their lack of hope. Greg and a friend, Keith Parr, had prayed that God would in some way use them to make a difference and had started to get to know some of the teenagers. Greg explained that, although the church had been very welcoming, ultimately the church culture was too different and they stopped coming, although they continued to see him and Keith. This had led them to start a drop in youth work in Bardsley House, next to the Cathedral. This grew and they had got to know some young people in very tough situations.

As the youth coming to Bardsley wouldn’t come to formal church, when they reached 20 they either had to join the team or leave. Greg had begun to think about what church would look like if it was built by and for these young people. He told Synod that again he had prayed that he would be involved and that this had led him to ordination.

Catherine spoke to the Synod about Coffee Tots, explaining that it is a subsidised café in the city centre for young mothers. She explained that it is built on relationships and that welcome and a sense of family are keys to its success. She gave the example of a man who had asked what difference Christianity made to the café, who had been told ‘acceptance’ by a non-religious regular. The café now regularly has to turn people away and is actively searching for bigger premises. Many of their regulars have nowhere else to go and say Coffee Tots has become their family.

Catherine spoke about the lives of marginalised people in Coventry, saying that more than one in four children in the city live in poverty and the teenage pregnancy rate is much higher than average. Many of the Coffee Tots families live without curtains or carpets, don’t have 24-hour electricity and during the day their children wrap themselves in bedding to stay warm. Coffee Tots is now recognised by social services as part of the support network for a number of people involved in drug and alcohol use and domestic violence. Alongside the need, however, Catherine said that there was a real hunger for God, saying that Coffee Tots had been full all day on Good Friday with people engaging with the gospel story.

5 of 6 Greg told the Synod that Urban Hope had begun three years ago. There are now about seventy people involved in Urban Hope, with Sunday gatherings of about forty to forty five people, which include a simple meal and finish with a time of prayer. They have had two very successful weekends away and are running several children’s groups. Greg said that it was wonderful to see people being open and honest and encountering Jesus. At the same time, he said that there had been many things that were hard, including the sudden death of a 26 year old mum and a number of single mums who had relationships with very violent men. Greg said that he had recently bought a trailer to help people move out quickly.

He finished by saying that leading Urban Hope had been the best experience of his and Catherine’s working lives. While it is not for everyone, or the answer to everything, Greg said that they hope they’re playing their part. He thanked Bishop Christopher and Archdeacon Morris for their support.

On behalf of the Synod, Ruth Walker thanked Greg and Catherine for all they had shared.

8 Announcement of the result of the vote on women in the episcopate The results of the vote were announced as follows: Bishops: 2 for, 0 against, 0 abstentions Laity: 33 for, 0 against, 0 abstentions Clergy: 21 for, 0 against; 1 abstention

The motion was carried. The Revd Canon Katrina Scott encouraged members of Synod to pray for the General Synod during their meeting in the summer and said that there would be opportunities to pray in the Cathedral.

9 President’s business: Transforming Communities Together Officer Bishop Christopher introduced Jet Jones, the Transforming Communities Together Officer, explaining that this was her first day in the job.

Jet thanked the Synod for the invitation to be part of the meeting and added her thanks to Greg and Catherine for what they had shared, saying that her sense was that they were being a father and a mother to a fatherless and motherless generation.

She explained that her role would be to work in a number of strategic areas of Coventry and Warwickshire, not yet decided on, which need extra support for community development. She would work not just work with churches but with the community as well. She explained that she was currently a senior pastor of a large Assemblies of God church in Bedworth, with experience of running large scale youth projects, including setting up an indoor skate park in a church. This had given her experience of fundraising and the difference it can make on the ground, which she hoped to be able to use to help churches. Jet said that she had grown up in Coventry and was passionate about Coventry and Warwickshire. She thanked the Synod for the opportunity to introduce herself.

10 Date of next meeting and conclusion It was noted that the next meeting would be on 24 June at St Andrew’s Shottery. Bishop Christopher closed the meeting in prayer.

Attendance: House of Bishops: 2 House of Clergy: 22 House of Laity: 33

Signed: Date:

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