DIOCESAN SYNOD NOVEMBER 2024
Thanks to the team at St Michael and All Angels Church, Macclesfield who hosted our Diocesan Synod on Saturday 16 November. Synod meets three times a year, and its membership comprises bishops, clergy and laity from across the diocese, as well as several ex-officio members. Synod is also attended by members of diocesan staff.
Opening prayers were led by the Revd George Crowder, St Mary’s Cheadle. The Revd Tina Upton, Holy Trinity, Blacon was commissioned as the newly elected Chair of the House of Clergy. Julie Withers was unable to be present, but has been re-elected as the Chair of the House of Laity.
David Hermitt, was elected as the new Chair of the Diocesan Board of Finance taking over the reins from Ian Scott-Dunn who retired from the position after serving in the role for 9 years. Giving thanks for Ian’s ministry in the role, Archdeacon Jane Proudfoot prayed for joy and fruitfulness in his retirement.
In this video interview David talks about the complexity of the new role. Ian’s advice to David was to keep listening to people nationally and in parishes, during what will be an interesting time for the Diocese as we move forward with our vision and developing new strategy.
In his presidential address, Bishop Mark reflected on the events of the previous week, the centrality of our calling to serve the vulnerable and downtrodden, and our reliance on Christ. He talked about the importance of facing up to our responsibilities and thanked Archbishop Justin Welby for his action in taking personal and institutional responsibility for safeguarding failures in the Church of England. As Safeguarding Sunday approached, Bishop Mark emphasised the importance of keeping victims and survivors of abuse central as we respond and reflect. As he explained, we must always be trauma informed as we pray, care, serve, witness, and worship.
Bishop Mark said that this must be a time of extraordinarily honest self-examination and renewed outward focus. He encouraged Synod to keep Jesus as the focus, amidst the complexity of this world. He named the equal and opposite risks of functional atheism (operating as if Christ was not deeply engaged in our work with us) and of putting others on spiritual pedestals which we ourselves could never occupy. He called us to be drawn beyond ourselves: not to be self-serving but to continually reinvent ourselves to serve the needs of the people with which we stand.
As Deputy Lead Bishop of Safeguarding in the Church of England, Bishop Julie had been in the media spotlight in recent days. Following a question about accessibility for clergy; (how they will be supported in maintaining the highest possible standards in all things, including Safeguarding) Bishop Julie outlined how we have taken huge steps forward in our safeguarding practices thanks to the specialist support in our Safeguarding team, technological tools like the online dashboard and the commitment being made by Safeguarding Officers and volunteers in parishes, schools and chaplaincies across the Diocese.
During a break, Bishop Julie took the opportunity to record this video message reflecting on the events since the publication of the Makin Review, explaining where we stand on safeguarding as a Diocese and thanking churches for all they are doing to make the Church a safer place.
A report from the July meeting of the General Synod was given by John Mason and there was an update from Jon Pocock, Strategic Programme Director.
Other subjects discussed included a 12-month pilot of a Complementary Parish Share Scheme. This would enable churches with different theological viewpoints on Living in Love and Faith to continue to work alongside each other and remain within the financial structures of the diocese. Further work will be done through 2025 to discern the efficacy of this scheme.
The Synod agreed on the arrangements for the recruitment of a new Diocesan Secretary/Chief Executive Officer as George Colville stepped down from the role in August 2024.
Nigel Strange, Head of Finance, highlighted the financial challenges dioceses are facing, which for Chester will see another year of setting a deficit budget for 2025. The deficit is projected to be an increase from the previous year and close to £1million, largely due to a further drop in parish share collection and increased expenditure that includes the recent uplift in employer NI contributions.
After the Synod, Chris Penn, Interim Diocesan Secretary and Jenny Bridgman, Interim Executive Officer took the opportunity to record this short video, thanking churches for paying their Parish Share, explaining our financial situation, and outlining the information which will be sent to treasurers, PCCs and incumbents in early December by post.