Diocesan Synod gathered on Saturday to discuss the future vision of the diocese and a plan to guide it through the next decade, as well as hear personal responses to the draft proposals for blessing same sex couples. It also heard from the Diocesan Board of Education and a financial update.
Bishop Stephen’s address
Bishop Stephen spoke of the Peace Pilgrimage to South Sudan, by Pope Francis, Archbishop Justin and the Moderator of the Church of Scotland Dr Ian Greenshields, which was underway while synod met. He said: “My contacts with both Archbishops of the Sudans continues to be frank, honest and committed to on-going partnership, recognising that especially for their people, there really are bigger issues at stake.
“Pope Francis talks of mercy before doctrine, because God can cope. And yesterday he called us, through the greatest Ecumenical Pilgrimage since the Reformation, to a better way, whether this is in the war-torn newest country in the world South Sudan, or in our discussions today, here and now. He said: ‘Overcome evil with good. May you be the ones who transform society, the one who turn evil into good, hatred into love, war into peace.’”
Read the full text of his address here.
DBE
The annual report of the Diocesan Board of Education was presented to synod, for the last time by the retiring Director of Education Joy Tubbs, and the Chair of the DBE, the Archdeacon of Dorset. Their report covered the independent review carried out of the DBE which praised it for its “bold and courageous” approach and the discussions and consultations of young people directly with Bishop Stephen about their hopes and dreams for the future.
Archdeacon Anthony said the current moment offered huge opportunities for the church and church schools.
“The DBE believes we are blessed with a moment in time, for us together, DBF, DBE, clergy and laity to lead the re-imagining of a diocesan-wide strategy for the whole church’s engagement with children and young people. This includes deepening and embedding partnership working between schools and parishes and responding boldly and creatively to opportunities to lead the transformation of the formation of Christian leadership in the church and school context, supporting parishes, lay and ordained to grow teams to reach out and meet the needs of young people, schools and families - developing a deep culture where collaborative working between schools and parishes is the norm.”
Living in Love and Faith
Bishop Karen opened the discussion on Living in Love and Faith, as a member of the national Next Steps group. Both she and Bishop Andrew spoke of their own personal responses to the draft proposals put forward by the College of Bishops, which are being discussed by General Synod this week. Bishop Stephen also “apologised unreservedly to LGBT+ people for the Church’s ongoing and worsening rejection”. Synod members spoke personally and movingly of their own responses to the proposals to offer prayers of blessings to same sex couples. The session then ended with everyone sharing the Eucharist together.
Read some of Bishop Karen’s reflections to synod here.
Planning for the next decade: the diocesan purpose and plan
Bishop Stephen, Bishop Karen and Bishop Andrew have spent months listening to individuals and groups of people across the diocese, hearing directly from people of all ages of their hopes for their own communities. All these conversations have informed the emerging plan for the future of the diocese, which will also align to the national church’s vision to be simpler, humbler and bolder.
The five emerging priorities of the diocese for the next decade are nurturing confident Christianity, from disciples to leaders; speaking up on behalf of those who need it most; championing environmental justice; reimagining worshipping communities in bold and creative ways to ensure we reach out more widely, and ensuring we have sustainable finances so we can achieve our goals.
Synod responded energetically with comments and suggestions to the priorities, welcoming the direction of travel. Please watch a video here or below from Bishop Stephen, Karen and Andrew, recorded after synod, about the emerging diocesan plan.
Financial update
An update on the finances confirmed that the 2022 financial year ended with the diocesan budget being in deficit by £1.4 million. Thanks were given to those parishes – two thirds of parishes in the diocese – who had paid their parish share in full for 2022. It was noted that the Share requested from parishes does not yet cover the costs of parish ministry and this gap will need to close. Ensuring a sustainable financial future is a central strand of the diocesan plan for the next decade.
Questions - Church Commissioners investment fund to invest in a better future for communities affected by historic slavery
Questions were asked from the floor about the Church Commissioners £100 million investment fund to improve the lives of communities affected by historic slavery. The Church Commissioners announced the establishment of a £100m fund over the next nine years to help right the wrongs caused by its historic links to transatlantic slavery, through the Queen Anne’s bounty, a fund established in 1704. The research into the Church Commissioners links to transatlantic slavery can be read on the Church of England website. (hyperlink https://www.churchofengland.org/about/leadership-and-governance/church-commissioners-england/who-we-are/church-commissioners-links)
The £100m is not new money nor is it taken from donations via parish share, but part of the overall fund that the Commissioners already manage for pension and investment purposes to support the mission and ministry of the Church. The £100m will not be given away but invested in schemes which make a positive impact on communities affected by historic slavery. This money was always earmarked for responsible investment. Some of the money will be used for grants and research, but the majority of it will be invested in order to make a profit. It is simply that the criteria for where the Commissioners make investments from this new fund will change – they’ll be investing to try to make a positive social impact in communities impacted by historic slavery.
Synod members asked for this information to be shared more widely to enable parishes and members of congregations to understand the fund.