A short review of business conducted yesterday (Monday 19th).
The November sessions of the General Synod began with worship, led by Canon Glyn Webster, Bishop-designate of Beverley.
The Archbishop of Canterbury opened the formal proceedings by introducing members who had joined the Synod since July in York. He then introduced an existing member who would be continuing in the Synod – but in a different role: the Rt Revd Justin Welby, Bishop of Durham and Archbishop-designate of Canterbury. Members welcomed them all with warm applause.
Following Dr Williams’ brief report on the progress of Measures and Statutory Instruments, the Ven Julian Henderson, Archdeacon of Dorking (Guildford) and Chair of the Business Committee, introduced the customary Report by the Business Committee (GS 1880). Following debate, Synod formally took note of this Report.
Canon Elizabeth Paver (Sheffield), Vice-Chair of the Anglican Consultative Council (ACC), led a presentation about the ACC’s recent meeting in New Zealand. Canon Paver was then joined by the Church of England’s four individual representatives on the ACC in a Question and Answer session with Synod members.
This offered a helpful prelude to debate on the Report by the Business Committee on the Article 8 Reference (GS 1878) on the reference to dioceses of the Draft Act of Synod Adopting the Anglican Communion Covenant in which both Archbishops spoke.
The evening closed with Question Time. The Synod put 67 questions to the Archbishops’ Council, House of Bishops, Church Commissioners and a number of boards, committees and commissions. The answers, in areas including the women bishops debate, the repair of benefice buildings, the Hillsborough Enquiry, stipends, community service, diversity, on-going reviews, the Charities Act, ministerial training, social issues and ethical investment, will be published on the Church of England website, while the audio is available on the Church of England website.