No Nonesense at the Diocesan Synod
Posted: 16 April 2007, 15:27
On a bright sunny morning, on 3 March, members of Synod met at Dundee University Chaplaincy for the annual meeting of the Diocesan Synod. Last year, the keyword was ‘peace’ – this year could be summed up by three words, ‘clarity, fairness and determination’. During our Bishop’s first full year, he has sustained peace in our diocese, and he certainly has a determination to get our house in order and then take us forward in confidence, reaching out to the people of our communities.
Synod opened with a minute’s silence in memory of Jim Bremner,who died suddenly at Christmastime. Two new clergy were welcomed – Rev’d David Mumford, Rector at St. Andrew’s, Brechin and Rev’d. Michael Sabell, Priest-in-charge at St. Ternan’s, Muchalls; both instituted during the last month. Two retired clergy from Aberdeen Diocese, now living within our bounds, Rev’d Sylvia Dyer and Rev’d Grant Macintosh, were also welcomed together with several new Lay Representatives. Bishop John asked that the synod be conducted in the ethos of the ‘Prologue to the Rule of St. Benedict’, part of which had been included in the opening Eucharist.
Following the approval of Minutes of Synods in March and October 2006, a vote was taken on the new Marriage Liturgy, which had been discussed in October. All 3 houses voted by a majority in favour – this will now return to the Liturgy Committee and General Synod in June. In connection with the statistics and the list of Lay Representatives for 2007, it was stressed how important it is that information reaches the Diocesan Secretary on time in December, as stipulated in the Canons. It was felt that an additional column, relating to ‘communions from the reserved sacrament at public worship’ would be beneficial and clarify the present situation – this would be fed back to General Synod.
Philip Rettie, as retiring convener, presented the Administration Board report, and thanked members for their help and patience in the early days of his convenership. Judy Robinson gave an update on property, particularly regarding office space for the Bishop, his secretary and Diocesan activities. The accounts were addressed by the Treasurer, Allan Duffus – showing a surplus on the past year of £5,866 (deficit in 2005 of £6,331). Attention was drawn to the £101,010 owed to the Diocese, mainly from unpaid quota in recent years – this led to a cashflow problem at one point when £30,000 of investments in the UTP had to be realised. It was stressed that no congregation is now wilfully withholding quota, some are having difficulty with payments, and the debt is a collective one from the past. There were no questions on the budget for 2007. Quota this year needs to raise £104,184 and the accounts, budget and quota were approved by Synod.
The Rev’d David Shepherd presented 4 motions to Synod, relating to ‘grey areas’ regarding Trusts or Funds associated with the Diocese and expressing concern in connection with the regulations under the new Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005. The Diocesan Regisrar, Alastair Dorward, a solicitor with expertise in Scottish Charity Law responded, saying that the confusion had arisen because the management of these Trusts and Funds had been removed from solicitors in the 1990’s and dispersed to various people and bodies throughout the diocese. Last summer, the Bishop had asked him to identify all the Trusts and Funds, their terms, assets, annual income and trustees where appropriate. This work is in hand. Of the many identified, only 39 currently exist, some are ‘discreet trusts’ and only 6 have ‘charitable status’. Considerable discussion followed and Synod felt that the issue was now being addressed and would in due course, result in a clear available document. David Shepherd withdrew his motions. This highlights the need for clarity at all levels in the administration and management of our churches and Diocese.
Our Provincial representative this year was the General Synod Treasurer, Malcolm Bett. He spoke to the proposal from the Glasgow and Galloway Diocesan synod to impose a 5% levy on all legacies received, to be paid into the Clergy Retirement Housing Fund. Malcolm explained that in the next 5-10 years, this fund is likely to be short by about £3million. The alternatives are a general legacy campaign for the Housing Fund, unlikely to be very effective in time, or more likely to sell General Synod investments, which will reduce investment income and therefore Provincial quota will have to rise substantially. This proposal will go to General Synod in June. Our Synod will express the view that we support the need for increasing Clergy Housing Fund, but we have concerns re the legality of a levy on any ‘restricted’ legacies.
A ‘Strategic Review’ paper put forward by General Synod to look at the administration and finances of the same, had arrived rather late for any discussion throughout the diocese. Therefore questions referring to fairness of the quota and grant systems in place were not answerable.
The Mission and Ministry report was presentd by the Rev’d Fay Lamont, convener. She enforced the notion that the Diocese is not an administrative body, it is the people out there in all our churches. She interviewd the leaders of three of the Board’s Action groups to demonstrate some of the activities taking place.
- Rev’d Clive Clapson – ‘Stewardship’ is commitment, not only fundraising. It is ongoing, not only for times of crisis.
- Angela Kilby – ‘World Church and our companion dioceses of Iowa and Swaziland’ – Bishop’s Lent Appeal for education work with Swazi children and pre christmas ‘shoebox’ appeal.
- Jane Nelson – ‘Spirituality’ is everywhere! Retreats are worthwhile.
There are vacancies for Information & Communication (to replace Jim Bremner), for adult help with Youth activities and for a new Diocesan Officer for Child Protection and Vulnerable Adult issues.
Lis Thoms presented the Diocesan Buildings Advisory Committee report, updating Synod on new applications recently granted. The committee wants to work with congregations, not against. The forms are not difficult to fill in. In the absence of the Dean, Revd Canon Ian Stewart, as Synod Clerk, conducted the elections to General Synod and its Boards and Committees. The position of clerical represntative for the cathedral was left vacant.
After lunch, Rev’d James Milne outlined the proposals made by the General Synod Review Group of 2005/6:
- to improve the membership of General Synod Standing Committee by adding 2 elected clerical and 2 elected lay members. Our Synod approved this proposal.
- to reduce the size of General Synod representation slightly in line with falling communicant numbers. Brechin would drop from 14 members to 10 ie. 5 clerical, 5 lay. Synod agreed.
- to review how dioceses elect their GS representatives. Brechin Diocese has recently reviewed its process and are satisfied with the current process.
- to look at representation on Diocesan synods – should large congregations have more than 1 lay rep? Are all people represented? Synod was not in favour of additional lay reps, but thought that maybe the under 40’s or young people needed some representation.
Finally, Bishop John addressed Synod. His desk had been full when he arrived in the Diocese and he is working through the issues. He talked of changes that had happened in the past 12 months and all the work that was ongoing. He is trying to lead the Diocese with scrutiny and with a firmness, insisting that things are done properly –eg. ‘no Child Protection Officer, no Sunday School. He concluded with the stories of ‘Alan’ and ‘Richard’ two people from different backgrounds, who joined the church as a result of attending a wedding or in personal pursuance of trying to fill a gap in his life. They both found Jesus of Nazareth in our churches. We have 2000 years of belief. We have to respond to people at their place of need – ‘Lord, I believe, help thou my unbelief’. We have the resources, we need to take our churches out into our communities. Real food for thought and action.
Margaret Knox, the Bishop’s Secretary, has announced her retirement at the end of June. Her position will shortly be advertised. The opportunity was taken at the conclusion of Synod to thank Margaret for all her hard work, her discretion and diplomacy. She was presented with a bouquet of flowers and applauded by Synod.
It had been a good Synod – with no nonsense or undercover murmurings. Issues had been opened up and reported thoroughly, and there was a determination to go forward, reaching out into our communities and showing people the ‘Man from Nazareth’ and serving them in brotherly love.
Judy Robinson
