Posted Friday 13 June 2008
Following Morning Office, business got underway with an overview of the Administration Board, followed by presentations from the Board's pendant committees - Investment, Finance, Retirement Welfare, Buildings Advisory, Personnel. Motions 20-24 were all carried
For the rest of the morning Synod members heard reports from pendant committees of the Mission and Ministry Board. Rev Canon Professor John Riches opened the session with an overview of the work of the Board and emphasised how much the Board relies on the quality of the work done by it's pendant committees.
Tim Edwards then presented the Review of Journey of the Baptised/New Century, New Directions saying that it has been a positive review which excites and inspires. A number of Synod members commented on the Review before Synod voted in support of Motions 25 and 26.
Following this the Rev Lewis Smith reported on the work of the Home Mission Committee and invited Synod to thank Rev Dr Anne Tomlinson for the work she has carried out in her role as Local Collaborative Ministry Officer (this post comes to an end on 31 December). He also commended 'Back to Church Sunday' initiative asking all congregations to support this.
The Rev Professor David Atkinson introduced a Motion from the Diocese of Aberdeen and Orkney (Motion 27) which asks for Synod's support for the rural sector in establishing a new Rural Commission to identify the major changes likely to impact on rural communities in the coming decade. Motion 27 was carried.
The morning's proceedings came to a close with a presentation from Professor Judith George, Convener of Ministry Development Committee, who outlined the benefits of the York St John's validation for TISEC (Theological Institute of the Scottish Episcopal Church).
The afternoon session was opened with the continuation of Mission and Ministry Board matters. The first presentation was given by Rev Donald Reid, Covnener of the Committe for Relations of People of other Faith. He highlighted forthcoming events focussing on Christian/Muslim relations. The Rev Peter Colwell from CTBI (Churches Together in Britain & Ireland) spoke to Synod.
In responding to Synod's request last year to take forward a response to the Millenium Development Goals (MDGs) the Overseas Committee invited Synod members to become a MiDGe - the Overseas Committee's 'Scottish-cising' of the MDGs - stating that like Scottish midges the MDGs are difficult to ignore and won't go away.
The Rev Professor Michael Fuller, Convener of the Doctrine Committee, presented Synod with the 5th and final book in the series of Grosvenor Essays, titled 'on salvation'.
The next item on the agenda - 'Canons for First Reading, Church Membership' was discussed in much detail, with strong views being voiced for and against Motion 28, which was proposed by Rev Jeremy Auld and seconded by Rev James Milne . After an hour of discussion Motion 28 was put to a vote. Voting was in houses of laiety, clergy and bishops. The Motion fell as the house of Bishops voted against it. Motion 29 was therefore not put forward.
The afternoon continues with Faith and Order Board matters - presentations from the Inter-Church Relations Committee on the Meissen Commission and the National Sponsoring Body for Local Ecumenical Partnerships. A presentation on the Pension Fund will follow, and today's session will close at 5.15pm with Evening Office.
Category: General Synod 2008
