The final diocesan synod of the current three year period met in Salisbury to worship together and thank those who are stepping down after – in some cases – decades of membership.
Lawrie Smithson from Devizes is stepping down after an astonishing 33 continuous years service on diocesan synod, though he will continue to serve on his PCC where he has been for 50 years.
Bishop Stephen paid particular tribute to Lawrie, but also those others standing down – including the chair of the house of laity, Gillian Clarke, who has served for seven years.
New members of synod will be joining in the autumn – including a 17 year old and a member of the deaf and hard of hearing community. Number of vacancies were halved, thanks to a campaign to both broaden the membership of synod and advertise the impact serving on it can have, both on communities and on the individual who stands.
In his address, Bishop Stephen spoke of the incarnational worldview that Christians should hold and 
the ‘hands on faithfulness’ we are asked to demonstrate.
“In this season we called to a fully incarnational ministry. We are followers of Jesus Christ the incarnate Word. Our hope is in him and him alone. It changes the way we see the world and everyone in it.
“Who does he think he is? Love is who he thinks he is.”
Watch Bishop Stephen’s address or read it here.
Diocesan synod also approved the report and accounts and affirmed the report of the 2023 from diocesan secretary David Pain. You can read David’s address here.