THE DIOCESE of SOUTHWARK Minutes of The
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THE DIOCESE OF SOUTHWARK Minutes of the Meeting of the Diocesan Synod held on Saturday 8 November 2014 at St John’s Church, Waterloo The Rt Revd Christopher Chessun, Bishop of Southwark and 98 members signified their presence with 10 apologies noted and 11 members of diocesan staff in attendance. Mr Adrian Greenwood (Chair of the House of Laity) in the Chair Opening prayers were led by Revd Erica Wooff. 21/14 ANNOUNCEMENTS AND NOTICES The Announcements and Notices Paper was received and noted. In light of the upcoming retirement of Mr Simon Parton, volunteers were sought to play the piano at Diocesan Synod from the New Year. 22/14 PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS Bishop Christopher gave his presidential address (a copy of the address is attached to these minutes). 23/14 QUESTIONS The Question Paper was received and noted. An updated copy of the paper with supplementary questions and answers is attached to these minutes. 24/14 GENERAL SYNOD REPORT Mrs April Alexander gave a personal reflection on the business conducted at General Synod in July 2014: The Southwark motion to rescind the Act of Synod that originally went to General Synod in 2003 was passed. A Measure was approved to make women equally eligible for the office of Bishop. Many staunch opponents of the measure had been able to vote in its favour due to a willingness to compromise. The Motion was simple in its wording but was undergirded by a declaration from the House of Bishops which made room for all members to remain in the Church of England family. The Measure has been passed because it was recognised that sacrifices had been made on both sides of the argument. Sir Philip Mawer has been appointed as the independent reviewer or ombudsman. After General Synod the Ecclesiastical Committee (a parliamentary body made up of members from the House of Commons and the House of Lords) voted overwhelmingly in favour of the Measure. After the parliamentary summer recess, the proposals were discussed and approved by the House of Lords and House of Commons and Royal Assent was granted on 1 Thursday 23 October 2014. The last stage in the process will be for General Synod to promulge the Canon at the upcoming November 2014 group of sessions. Bishop Christopher stated that the Act of Synod was rescinded in the context of upholding the five principles that guarantee the future diversity of the Church of England. He made it clear that he would not have considered it appropriate to rescind the Act of Synod without the inclusion of the five principles. Other debates were held on: the common good; safeguarding; clergy discipline measure. The Church will not be investing in the pay-day lender Wonga in future. 25/14 BUDGET 2015 The 2015 Budget and Report was received and noted. A further paper entitled ‘Briefing Note: Extension of Draft Budget to Balance Sheet’ was tabled. Mr John Kempsell (Chair of the Diocesan Board of Finance) gave an oral update in support of the papers (a copy of the address and associated PowerPoint slides are attached to these minutes). Mr Kempsell moved the motion that: THIS SYNOD i. approves the total budget expenditure of £20,543,646; ii. approves the raising of parish assessments totalling £16,962,618 related to the latest basis of potential income of each parish under the Fairer Shares system. The Chair opened the item for debate and the following contributions were noted: The Church of England has material to support parishes in the provision of occasional offices. Work on funerals is being piloted in four dioceses and helpful information can be found on the Church of England website. It was stressed that the Diocese can’t keep taking money out of reserves to cover budget deficits. Parishes will need to think carefully about future of mission and ministry in the Diocese when making pledges under the new Parish Support Fund. The Board of Finance should stop budgeting for Fairer Shares payments that it will not receive; it was noted that a single parish accounts for about a half of all the accumulated arrears. Concern was expressed that the budget does not include money for innovation. Concern was expressed at the possible merger of the Minority Ethnic Anglican Concerns Committee (MEACC) and the Public Policy Group. The following members spoke in the debate: Mr Philip Fletcher (Lambeth North Deanery) Mr Michael Buckley (Croydon Central Deanery) Mr Andrew Simon (Wandsworth Deanery) Bishop Christopher said that a review of MEACC was taking place under the auspices of the Bishop’s Council. 2 The Chair reminded Synod that the 2015 Budget had previously been approved by the Diocesan Board of Finance and the Bishop’s Council before coming to Diocesan Synod. The Chair of the DBF responded to the debate: A reduction in parochial fees income had occurred following rate changes agreed by General Synod. The move from Fairer Shares to the Parish Support Fund will require a leap of faith and an effective and comprehensive communications plan. There is a tension between innovation and managing budget deficits. The Board of Finance and Bishop’s Council may wish to review their priorities for 2016. Archdeacon Jane Steen confirmed that she was working with Area Deans on the pastoral aspects of funerals rather than the financial aspects. The Chair called for a vote on the motion moved by Mr John Kempsell. The motion was carried unanimously. Synod members expressed their appreciation to the Chair of the DBF for his work on the budget. 26/14 STRATEGY FOR MINISTRY (SfM) The Strategy for Ministry update report was received and noted. The Bishop of Croydon (Chair of the Strategy for Ministry Implementation Group) gave an oral update in support of the paper: Two years have passed since the Strategy for Ministry Report was approved by Diocesan Synod. All the recommendations in the report have been actioned or are in the process of being addressed. The Bishop’s Staff Meeting and the Bishop’s Council remain focussed on the SfM and it is a standing item at these meetings. Bishop Jonathan thanked all those who had been involved in and affected by the clergy post reduction programme. The programme is continuing and is running ahead of schedule. Members of Synod were encouraged to take part in the mission and ministry conversations. Contributions to the conversations were sought from the Deanery Mission and Pastoral Working Groups. Bishop Jonathan invited members of Synod to spend time reflecting on how the culture of the Diocese might change in light of the SfM and Hearts on Fire. Members were asked to provide feedback to Bishop Jonathan or the relevant conversation convenor. The Chair opened the debate and the following contributions were noted: Comment was sought on the issue of lay empowerment. There needs to be a greater focus on evangelism. Why are the clergy post reduction figures in the SfM report different from those contained in the budget report? 3 The following members spoke in the debate: Mr Chris Elliott (Reigate Deanery) Mr Brian Wilson (Merton Deanery) Mrs Sarah Swanson (Wandsworth Deanery) Bishop Jonathan responded to the debate: The original SfM Report did have a clerical bias. The conversations will allow the Diocese to think in detail about the mission and ministry of the whole people of God, both clergy and lay. This process is set within the wider context of the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Charge to Bishop Christopher to value and empower the laity at every level of Diocesan life. Evangelism is a core aspect of Hearts on Fire and is central to the mission and ministry of the Diocese. The clergy post reduction numbers in the SfM report are accurate. The variances between the SfM report and the budget are due to different reporting systems and protocols (training posts and vacancies). Bishop Christopher stated that Mr Adrian Greenwood is championing the work around lay development and empowerment. 27/14 ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY The report from Mrs Sue Mallinson (Diocesan Environmental Officer) was received and noted. Copies of the Diocesan Environment Policy ‘Taking Care of God’s Creation’ were tabled. Mrs Mallinson gave an oral update in support of the report: It is necessary and possible for the countries of the developing world to develop their economies at the same time as global reductions in the use of fossil fuels. The diocesan environmental policy has to work alongside the Strategy for Ministry. A radical approach to communication needs to be adopted that is un-selfish and focusses on the needs of other people. Members were encouraged to engage actively with the environment policy and feedback to their deaneries and parishes. The diocesan policy needs to be discussed in the parishes and incorporated in to mission action plans. Each Episcopal Area has its own advisor who can support parishes and deaneries in getting to grips with environmental issues. Eco-check ups are available for churches to use. Bishop Graham Usher’s book ‘Places of Enchantment’ was recommended. The 2015 Articles of Enquiry will include questions on environmental issues. Bishop Richard spoke: The environment is a vital issue and there is very little doubt that the world is at a critical stage and it is not viable to keep taking out of the Earth’s reserves. Environmental issues are not just for specialist individuals and groups but need to be addressed by everyone. An independent report has stated that religions have a major role to play in addressing environmental issues. There is a theological imperative to act on this issue: God is our creator and we are his stewards. 4 Caring for the environment is one of the Five Marks of Mission.