DIOCESE OF CHELMSFORD DIOCESAN SYNOD There will be a meeting of the Diocesan Synod via Zoom on Saturday 5 June 2021 AGENDA Timings 09:30 OPENING WORSHIP Led by the Bishop of Chelmsford 09:45 I. NOTICES 09.50 2. MINUTES OF DIOCESAN SYNOD HELD ON 20 MARCH 2021 Attached 09.55 3. PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS 10.10 4. APPOINTMENT PROCESS FOR THE NEXT BISHOP OF BARKING Paper DS(2021)06 attached The President to move that:- This Synod wish to support in principle the appointment of a new Bishop of Barking and ask the Bishop of Chelmsford to appoint an Advisory Group to work with her and the Bishop’s Council in taking the appointment forward. The President to move that:- This Synod note the draft statement of case for the vacancy in the See of Barking and the role specification for the Area Bishops in the Diocese of Chelmsford, and ask the Bishop of Chelmsford to commence the appointment processes. 10:40 BREAK 10.50 5. QUESTIONS see notes for details 11:10 6. CDBF AGM see separate agenda. 11:30 7. 2022 BUDGET A verbal presentation from the Chief Executive and Diocesan Secretary 12:00 BREAK 12:10 8. THE DEPLOYMENT AND AFFORDABILITY OF STIPENDIARY INCUMBENTS – AN UPDATE Paper DS(2021)07 attached 12:30 9. REFLECTION ON THE TRIENNIUM led by the Vice Presidents 13:15 10. REPORT FROM THE DIOCESAN YOUTH SYNOD 13:25 11. BISHOP'S COUNCIL, DMPC AND FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORTS Paper DS(2021)08 attached 13:30 CLOSE NOTES Questions: In accordance with Standing Order 29 five days prior notice is required. Questions must be received no later than 9am on Monday 31 May 2021 by email only to [email protected] In accordance with Standing Orders 74 and 75, members are encouraged to use this opportunity to seek information from any officer of the Synod or senior member of Diocesan staff relating to their duties or from the President of Synod or the Chair of any body constituted by the Synod or on which it is represented. Questions shall relate to the duties assigned to officers, or in the case of the Chair of any body, to the business of that body. Questions shall not ask for an expression of opinion or for the solution of an abstract legal question or a hypothetical problem. In accordance with Standing Order 74, a member may ask up to two original questions at one meeting. Any member may ask a supplementary question in relation to the original question; the Chair may allow up to three supplementary questions, giving the member who tabled the original question preference. Questions for written answer are also possible, and are often the best way of; obtaining a detailed response, particularly on a complex issue: answers will be given to the questioner within 24 days of the Synod and will be reported in the Minutes. Speeches – members are requested to announce their name and deanery before they address Synod. Please forward apologies to Nathan Whitehead tel. no. 01245 294412 or [email protected] DIOCESE OF CHELMSFORD DIOCESAN SYNOD Minutes of the 152nd meeting of the Synod held on Saturday 20 March 2021 PRESENT : The President and 124 Members The Bishop of Bradwell led the opening worship. 1. NOTICES The Chair highlighted the following points on the day paper: • A proposed motion from Braintree Deanery Synod, which members were being asked to confirm whether they support. • A reminder that the meeting was being livestreamed. • A reminder that elections to the Diocesan and General Synod would take place later in the year and that the June Synod meeting will be the final one in this triennium. • A reminder on the use of the chat function. The Chair also gave notice about the appointment of the Diocesan Chief Executive. Unfortunately, it had not been possible to appoint on this occasion and therefore the process is ongoing. The Chair asked members to pray for the ongoing process. 2. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING The minutes of the previous meeting were approved with some minor amendments. 3. PROMULGATION OF AMENDING CANONS NO 40 AND 41 The Chair promulged Amending Canons No 40 and 41. 4. PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS The Acting Bishop of Chelmsford delivered his Presidential Address. The text and video of the address can be downloaded here: https://www.chelmsford.anglican.org/news/article/diocesan-synod-20-march-2021- presidential-address-by-the-rt-revd-peter-hill 5. RACIAL JUSTICE TASK AND FINISH GROUP UPDATE The Chair invited the Bishop of Colchester to address the Synod. 1 The Bishop of Colchester explained that the Church of England has created many reports and recommendations in regard to racial justice. The sad truth is many of them have not be enacted and we do not want this to happen with the set of recommendations which will be put to this Synod. He also highlighted the message from the new Bishop of Chelmsford supporting the work of the Racial Justice Task and Finish Group. The Chair invited questions from members. The following members asked questions: Archdeacon of Harlow Revd Martin Bailey (Havering) Revd James Rodley (Harlow) Revd Helen Gheorghiu Gould (Harlow) Canon Vevet Deer (Waltham Forest) Ursula Davies (Newham) The questions and, where applicable, answers were as follows: • Have there been any conversation with local councils and the wider society? If we don’t do this we may end up acting in a silo. The Bishop of Colchester clarified that a member of staff of Essex County Council had been a member of the group but had to step down. The Bishop of Colchester also confirmed that he is in touch with numerous local authority contacts which will continue. We also have our link with Citizens UK which allows opportunities for wider collaboration. • How is the term ‘systemic racism’ defined, is it focused on the Church or the wider society? The Bishop of Colchester explained that he wished to keep the definition as broad as possible as we don’t want to miss anything. • Has the question of such a quota for BAME clergy been discussed in the task group? How would this impact on the wider plan for reduction of clergy numbers? The Bishop of Colchester confirmed there is no quota but we need to ask ourselves whether we reflect the diversity present in the Diocese. • Are there some things which we can move forward on now rather than wait so we harness the energy? The Bishop of Colchester confirmed that we have the timescale as we want to work with the national group and with the new Bishop of Chelmsford. There is no reason why we can’t expand unconscious bias training. In terms of monuments the Bishop encouraged members to use them as an opportunity for teaching and redemption. • One member commented that they wish to see more of an outcome in the Diocese and improvement of diversity. In terms of appointments, we should appoint people who are capable not set them up to fail. • Do we have equal opportunities monitoring group? The Bishop of Colchester explained that there is a sub group of the Racial Justice Task and Finish Group looking at this very issue. 2 6. UPDATE ON CLERGY DEPLOYMENT MOTION The Chair invited Bishop Peter to give an update on the progress made in respect of the clergy deployment motion passed at the previous Synod. The Bishop reported the following: • The recently circulated Ad Clerum had given information on this. • Some Deaneries have achieved their target with others making good progress. We will have made significant savings by the end of the year. • However, the scale of the task and the length of the lockdown had made it apparent that the consultation plan was too ambitious. Therefore, some flexibility has been allowed on the analysis now scheduled for completion in June, rather than by Easter as originally agreed. The Chair then gave members an opportunity to ask questions on this update. The following members asked questions: Revd James Rodley (Harlow) Gordon Simmonds (Rochford) Revd Chris Wragg (Havering) Ursula Davies (Newham) The following questions were asked: • Of the 61 posts to be reduced how many of them currently have someone in post? The Bishop of Barking confirmed that he did not have that information to hand however it will be communicated to the member asking the question as soon as possible. • How many deaneries are expected to fall short and when will they be sorted? The Bishop of Barking explained that three archdeaconries had completed their work, four still have work to do, one of those having a considerable amount of work to do. • Can we convey the process in writing rather than verbally? The Bishop of Barking confirmed that some clergy have received confirmation in writing. • How are we going to inform people as to what the plan will be? The Bishop of Barking explained that the task is partially completed by the Archdeacon, Area Dean and Lay Chair. However, there will come a point where the parish priest and lay leaders will need to communicate to individual members of the congregation. 7. INTERIM MINISTRY REPORT The Chair invited the Revd Helen Gheorghiu Gould, the Interim Ministry and Vacancy Adviser, to address the Synod. She began by thanking the Diocese for supporting this vocation and made the following points: • Interim Ministry is an extension of the process of creation and recreation. 3 • It is a process which creates space to consider what should happen next and experiment without the feeling of failure. It may also involve a ministry of healing and reconciliation.