Online Synod seeks to restore and renew
It took a lot of “will we?” and “won’t we?” before it was finally decided that this year’s Synod would be held online, but on Saturday morning there remained a sense of togetherness as our clergy and Synod representatives gathered in churches, halls and lounges around the diocese to discern the way ahead for our diocese.
In Wellington, there was a palpable buzz in the Anglican Centre as staff gathered to run the behind-the-scenes aspects of our first online Synod, and the coffee machine was running hot! A local favourite is the classic cinnabun from nearby Home Café, or as they were renamed, Synod-buns, but if there was a competition for best morning tea, it would have been hard fought for by other centres around the diocese. Perhaps All Saints Palmerston North may have been the winners, with their dazzling array of tasty brunch items tantalising the rest of us as we watched from afar!
From L-R: The plethora of representatives on screen, Bishop Ellie’s son plays “Zoom limbo,” Anglican Centre staff feasted on “Synod-buns,” Guy and Andy MC the hotspots from another room in the Anglican Centre, and Paul, Steven and Ella manage the Zoom meeting.
Despite not being able to enjoy the delights of the Kāpiti Coast this year, we were still blessed to be covered in prayer and led in worship by our whānau there. As votes rolled in via the Zoom chat function, the Kāpiti representatives lifted each aspect of our life together to God in prayer.
Among the business of the day was the acceptance of the Diocesan Council report, which highlighted the ongoing work Council has done in furthering the mission of the diocese, and in particular, supporting the Bishops as they led us through the oft-changing times of COVID-19. You can read the Diocesan Council report on page 10 of the Programme of Business Book.
In other business:
David McLay moved the adoption of the Finance Committee report, and explained that the operating deficit of $134,000 in the last year was worse than expected, but was helped by higher profits from the AMSIF funds. The motion was passed.
A motion was passed that altered the charitable scheme of the Goodwin Trust, which previously benefitted the choir of the St John’s Church in Trentham. As there has not been a choir at St John’s for many years, the trust now benefits the “ecclesiastical purposes” of the church. Following this motion being carried, Bishop Justin called on us all to be thankful for those who have gone before us. He noted that in the first 100 year of this diocese, dozens and dozens, if not hundreds of churches were built. He reminded us of the sheer magnitude of their service to the Church, and to their communities.
Synod also passed a motion to remove geographical references in the Canons relating to archdeacons and archdeaconries. Earlier this year, our geographical archdeaconries were replaced by archdeacons that were assigned to different portfolios of leadership responsibility. As such, this motion aimed to update the Canons to reflect this new leadership structure. The Bishops made this change to better reflect the diocese’s policy of being light-weight and low-maintenance, as it frees archdeacons up from the mostly administrative tasks they were performing in favour of being more available for mission and ministry.
A motion was put that would grant limited power to Diocesan Council to make changes to Canons and Standing Orders. Archdeacon Sue Fordyce spoke to the motion in her name, explaining that the extraordinary circumstances surrounding this Synod have presented a risk that Synod may not be able to run effectively and in line with current Canons or Standing Orders if pandemics or other major events intervene in the future. Thus, the motion sought to allow Diocesan Council to make changes to the Canons or Standing Orders, but solely to effect the running of Synod under such circumstances. Prior to this motion being debated, it was necessary that Synod suspend some Standing Orders as it is empowered to do, in order that this year’s Synod be able to meet virtually and conduct its business online.
There was some concern that the granting of such power to the Diocesan Council would dilute the powers of the Diocesan Synod, however the motion was carried.
Bookending the business of the meeting, we heard addresses from both Bishops as they called us to discern how we might offer God’s transforming love to the communities around us, through generous hospitality.
Towards the end of meeting, Synod voted to retain housing and climate change as our key priorities of expressing God’s care towards the last, the lost and the least; it also voted to meet next year on the Kāpiti Coast, given that Synod was unable to experience delights of the coast this year; and it thanked the following:
those in Kāpiti Coast parishes who had worked to host us this year,
the Bishops for their leadership,
the Steering Committee and Anglican Centre staff who worked in the background to ensure the smooth running of the meeting,
those who prepared material for the business of Synod, and
our MCs, Guy Benton and Andy Spence from our Lower Hutt whānau.
As we ended, Bishop Justin asked for The Blessing Aotearoa to be played, reminding us of our part in the diverse church of Aotearoa, and the wider body of believers around the world.
