Affirming our commitment to God’s Creation and the people in it were the topics of this weekend’s Diocesan Synod.
The busy agenda included motions confirming our not investing in companies profiting from fossil fuels and engaging more with our link dioceses, as well as reports from the most recent meeting of General Synod and on our Barnabas work.
Synod began with opening worship led by the Rt Revd Smitha Prasadam, Bishop of Huddersfield, with a reading from Hebrews 11 and prayers.
The Bishop of Leeds, the Rt Revd Nick Baines, gave his Presidential Address, saying that in a world where news reports swing violently between troubling subjects, Christians must engage hopefully with reality, not turn away.
Highlighting the need for faithful positivity, Bishop Nick referred to how the despondency of Good Friday and “Empty Saturday” transforms into the joy of Easter Sunday and reminded Synod: “don’t forget about delight.”
His address can be read here.
The Rt Revd Anna Eltringham, Bishop of Ripon, proposed a motion confirming our diocesan commitment to not invest in companies with significant revenues arising from fossil fuels.
This motion made a public commitment to action the diocese had already taken by placing all of its funds with investment firm CCLA (which stands for Churches, Charities and Local Authorities Investment Management) and which does not invest in companies with revenues of more than 10 per cent arising from fossil fuels.
The Revd John Bavington spoke in support of the motion, and it passed with an overwhelming majority.
A full report on this may also be read here.
The Revd Canon Rachel Firth, Chair of Synod’s House of Clergy and a General Synod member, gave a short update on the most recent session of General Synod.
Revd Rachel talked about how the tone of debate at the last General Synod was improved from previous ones, and along with Bishop Nick encouraged Diocesan Synod members to talk to their General Synod representatives to share what topics should be discussed at General Synod.
The Revd Robb Sutherland spoke to General Synod’s recent motion support estates ministry, encouraging Diocesan Synod members to engage with the work of the Estates Ministry taskforce.
Bishop Nick also gave a short update around the next steps for the Prayers of Love and Faith, speaking about the work going on before July’s General Synod, where more on the implementation of the prayers will be brought.
The Very Revd Andy Bowerman, Dean of Bradford, then gave a presentation regarding a motion for Synod members to support the recommendations of his recent report on link dioceses.
The report recommends the establishment of a new oversight groups for links, to champion them more effectively and allow for across links connections.
Dean Andy spoke of the importance of how we stand with our sisters and brothers around the world in times of joy and sorrow, and thanked all at all levels who are involved in any links work.
Synod members spoke of the importance of our links, both in what we can share and what we can learn, and the importance of the personal relationships in links work, as it involves people from all over the world.
The motion passed with huge support.
A full report on this may be read here.
Finally, the Revd Jude Smith, Director of Church Revitalisation, gave an update on our Barnabas work, giving updates on taster sessions for our Personal Growth and Leadership course, support around mission accompaniment, more resources to support making governance simpler, more resources to help clergy lead in changing times, and a new online tool to help churches, parishes and benefices to find the right support for their next steps in mission.
Revd Jude also spoke about our new £500 microgrants to help churches start new congregations, on which more shall be shared shortly.
More on our Barnabas work can be found here.