But Synod wasn't just about money...

The Rev. Christopher Wheaton welcomed the Synod to the Good Shepherd, Carshalton Beeches. He gave a little of the history and ethos of the church, which had doubled in size in the last year with the addition of kitchens, a library and meeting rooms. He noted that there was a great deal of lay leadership and that people began to get involved in things after only about six - seven weeks attendance. They had thirty-two people involved in keeping the church open for prayer and quite contemplation.

Presidential address

Bishop Tom gave the Presidential address in which he talked about how the Lambeth Conference statement had stressed the need to strike the right balance between the management of structures and pastoral care. He said that the Synod agenda had plenty of opportunity to allow us to do that and mentioned many of the factors that would be discussed. In talking about the suspension of the presentation of benefices he told members, once again, that at his Staff Meeting whenever there is a vacancy, he asks the question whether there is the possibility of pastoral reorganization involving this parish or one or more of its neighbours?

He then went on to tell Synod about St Augustine being sent to evangelise these isles and how frightened he was. But, he made it because he focused on Christ. Bishop Tom told members that 'we are the latest generation to be touched by the grace and goodness of God and that we need to reflect this to others both near and afar'.

Following the 'Facing the Future' debate (front page) there was a presentation on 'Spirituality in the suburbs'. Six people from suburban churches spoke of their experiences and of how and why they had become involved in the Church. Rev Chris Skilton, co-ordinated the presentation and the group work which followed. He began by noting some statistics one of which is that 63% of suburban churches have toilets to which the whole congregation has access. He also offered a humorous summary of the likes and dislikes of suburban churchgoers:

After the Eucharist and lunch, provided by members of the Good Shepherd, Carshalton Beeches, the Synod met in groups. The plenary which followed allowed members to share their thoughts and Chris Skilton closed the session with the thought that there are three challenges to the Church in the suburbs: how to affirm what is good and let go of it; how to address weaknesses and how the church in the suburb can show that it is relevant to others.

Other business

There was one question concerning Zimbabwe which Bishop Tom answered and then the Registrar promulged Amending Canon 20 which reflected changes made by the Churchwardens Measure 2001. This was followed by Rev Paul Collier's personal view of the last meeting of General Synod.

Suspension of benefices

The final debate of the day concerned the suspension of the presentation of benefices. Roger Godin proposed a motion asking for a clear policy concerning the suspension of the presentations to livings in the Diocese. This is a complicated issue which concerns whether ministers in parishes are priest-in-charge or vicar/rector with the freehold and other rights that this brings. The motion also asked that the following suggestion be passed to the General Synod Review of the Dioceses and Pastoral Measures Working Party: 'that all suspensions should be removed unless clear proposals for pastoral re-organisation can be shown to exist within three years from the vacancy arising'.

Judge Charles Gibson spoke to his paper which gave a detailed explanation of why he was opposed to the motion. He said that the increase in suspensions is largely due to the implementation the 'Working Together' and 'Growing Together' reports - agreed by Diocesan Synod - which require the Diocese to reduce the number of stipendiary clergy to the Sheffield allocation. He added that the complexities involved in pastoral re-organization meant that the flexibility given by the existing regulations was necessary.

Nine people spoke in the debate. Kim Hitch proposed that the two halves of the motion should be taken separately. Synod agreed by a substantial majority that a clear policy should be issued but did not agree to forward to General Synod the part of the motion concerning the length of suspension.

Wendy S Robins