DIOCESAN SYNOD DIGEST 2012 This short summary of the annual Synod in Cologne in June does not represent formal “minutes” but offers a snapshot which may be printed or distributed electronically for information about this important gathering. CHURCHES AT THE HEART OF EUROPE IN CRISIS Sharing news, urging care, support and comment “A Greek tragedy is being played out on the streets of Athens and far beyond” says Canon Malcolm Bradshaw, Priest in Charge of St Paul’s Anglican church in the city. He told a specially organized session of the Diocese in Europe’s Synod, meeting in Cologne of the consequences of Greece’s huge debt crisis on ordinary life. He said that what is called “Austerity” is, in fact, a restructuring in state industries, the Civil Service, Health Service and in pensions and taxation. The days of a generous healthcare and pensions have gone and people who have paid into the system are finding pharmacists will not deal with prescriptions because the Greek government has not paid them. People have to pay the full price for medications and when incomes are tight this can lead to hard choices. By the deadline for tax returns this year just 10% of Greek taxpayers had sent in their forms and there is an ever increasing shortfall in government income. Pensioners have found their income has been cut by 30% as part of the “austerity measures”. Many shops in Athens are closed and there is little on the shelves because foreign supplies are restricted for fear of unpaid bills by retailers. Personal debt is also a major problem and there is little debt counselling available. Some people have moved from the cities to the Greek islands where they are going back to the land, setting up self subsistence units. Other educated Greeks are emigrating to the USA, Australia and Northern Europe to try to find jobs. Synod members also heard from Spanish churches where they have seen similar social problems. They reported that in some areas mortuaries are full because some Spanish families cannot afford to pay funeral fees. Many people in Spain are unemployed without benefit and rely on families for survival and parishioners regularly donate food and clothing to support families who get no state assistance David Fieldsend, a church member from Brussels, is working with social organizations through the crisis and urged the Diocese and churches at large to show what he called “creative incarnational ministry”. He said “Churches cannot be disengaged from the reality of the suffering and need. We can and must give practical care with credit advice, food banks and soup kitchens. Churches have a duty to teach congregations about handling money and possessions responsibly. The Church can and must speak truth to the powerful people making decisions urging on them their duty of equality, fairness and protection of the weakest.” The debate was all the more powerful because it was not originally part of the agenda but a response to requests at the opening session of Synod. It followed a keynote speech on “The place of Christianity within Europe” by Dr Keith Clements, a former General Secretary of the Conference of European Churches, about “Religion in Europe”. (picture left) The full text of Dr Clements´ address may be found on the diocesan website along with audio podcast interviews from some of the principal speakers. http://europe.anglican.org/news/news/post/309-the-word-from-the-streets-- -synod-european-crisis-debate/ A DIOCESE WHICH TAKES SAFEGUARDING SERIOUSLY A new robust policy aimed at making sure children and vulnerable adults in churches around Europe are safe – and that congregations care for victims of abuse as well as penitent abusers has been introduced during the Diocesan Synod. The Diocesan Safeguarding Officer, Chris Lees, explained how the existing rules on Safeguarding (formerly referred to as Child Protection) have given clearer guidance on checking and vetting volunteers who work in our churches and giving a clear explanation about what checks are needed for people in positions of authority and trust. The revised Diocesan Safeguarding Policy can be found on the website and downloaded from there. Synod delegates were urged to commit themselves to implementing it and encouraging other churches to do so. Although laws and cultural practices differ in many countries around Europe, because the Diocese is one of the 44 dioceses of the Church of England it is pledged to follow the approved practice. The session heard a practical example of how any church can find itself facing a situation where a vulnerable adult or children can find themselves at risk. It is important to know exactly what needs to be done and to follow the guidelines to avoid legal or pastoral repercussions. The previous evening Canon John Higgins, Chaplain in Ankara, gave a theological study on the background to a Bible approach for caring for children and the vulnerable, reminding Synod members that it is part of the Christian church’s proud tradition to care for those who need protection. HOW DO WE GET OUR MESSAGE ACROSS? OR A “Communications Update” session focussed on the importance of the image as perceived by people whether it is of a major commercial organisation or our own Diocese in Europe. Synod members were reminded that although we are the 44th diocese in the Church of England we are often unknown and misunderstood because we operate over such vast distances and in many cultures and traditions. Church members need to be encouraged to explain what we do and how we go about our mission. Among the tools at our disposal to get the message across is the newly re-launched diocesan website which aims to be an online news resource, updated almost every day and reflecting the variety and richness of diocesan church life. The site is also useful for background information and is updated regularly which means contacts are more accurate than those in the annually printed handbook. The website is a valuable mission resource and we are grateful for the financial contribution of the Friends of the Diocese for their generous support in helping to provide this new site. WORSHIP AND BIBLE STUDY AT THE HEART OF SYNOD The Bishop of Peterborough, Rt Rev Donald Allister, who led the three daily Bible Studies spoke about the effect a residential synod can have, compared to the English Diocesan Synods, like his own which is held on a Saturday morning when members have no time to get to know each other or to worship together. During the 4 day Synod in Cologne there were 14 formal acts of worship – most of them in the Edith Stein chapel at Kardinal-Schulte Haus. (picture left) In his Bible Studies on Colossians 1, Bishop Donald focussed on the theme “Hope in Christ in an uncertain world”. He apologised for introducing an ugly word which he had heard recently – God-ianity. The Bishop explained that although there was plenty of God-ianity around in the world there was much less Christianity. The letter to the Colossians redresses that balance with its emphasis on Christ. It was also a letter highlighting the need for Christian maturity, or as he put it – “They had the Alpha Course to help them become Christians but now needed the Beta Course to learn how to live as Christians.” The life of Christians in the modern world at the Synod was obvious during these three Bible Studies as there were not many Bibles in evidence among the delegates. However, many were following the Holy Scriptures on I-pads, Kindles and electronic tablets which littered the room. Other observations to emerge from these studies were:- “Theology is like Mathematics. We have Pure Maths and Applied Maths. Pure Theology may be mentally challenging and stimulating but Applied Theology should show the faith in practice. The New Testament doesn’t do pure theology” Before his consecration as a bishop he had prayed for the gift of wisdom to do the job well. He added that others must have been praying for stamina as he has since discovered how demanding the work of a bishop in the Church of England can be. “The Lord may give you an easy run in life – but that is not part of the deal! Christ suffered and it is reasonable to expect that we will suffer and be made perfect in suffering with Him” As well as leading these studies Bishop Donald shared some helpful information during the session on Safeguarding and explained how the Diocese of Peterborough maintains discipline and handles issues of child protection and vulnerable people with sensitivity but firmness. IT´S MORE THAN A MATTER OF MONEY, SAYS CANON MEL “Isn’t it strange how big a 10 Euro note seems when we are about to put it into the offering but how small it becomes when we take it to the supermarket” is one of the challenges offered to church delegates at the Diocesan Synod by Canon Mel Smith who is Priest-in-Charge of a church on Majorca. In a presentation called “Giving for Life” he stressed that giving is fundamentally about our relationship with God. We have a generous God and giving is part of reflecting the life of God and of our being a disciple of Jesus. Canon Mel outlined the structure of Teaching about giving, Information on the real costs of running the church before offering an opportunity to respond practically. In questions and discussion some delegates reported that in their European countries there is little concept of charity, some countries have a church tax system so that people feel they have already given – although in Finland, apparently, collections in their local churches are taken by officers with collection bags on long poles with a bell attached to draw attention to the act of giving! Churches were encouraged to pass the positive message about Christian Giving on to their Archdeaconry Synods and from there to the individual churches.