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General Synod - Summary of Business Conducted on Sunday 6th July 2008

6 July 2008



SPECIAL AGENDA III

PRIVATE MEMBER’S MOTION

CHURCH TOURISM (GS Misc 887 A and GS Misc 887 B and Annex B)

Mr Roy Thompson (York) moved:

‘That this Synod, remembering that churches are first and foremost places of prayer and faith:

(a) support the aims and objectives of the Churches Tourism Association’s “Sacred Britain” strategy;
(b) call on the Archbishops’ Council to encourage each Diocese to form a Churches Tourism Group or, at least, to identify a Diocesan Tourism Officer;
(c) propose that such Groups and officers be encouraged to:
(i) develop ecumenical church tourism networks through Churches Regional Commissions, where they exist, or similar regional bodies, to enable and facilitate strategic partnerships within Government Regions;
(ii) work with Cathedrals and Churches in their area to establish strong, sustainable, cultural and educational links to strengthen the part played by churches in the wider cultural life of the nation; and
(iii) establish and maintain regional and sub-regional contacts and dialogue with English Heritage, Churches Tourism Association, Historic Churches Preservation Trust, Churches Conservation Trust and other heritage and funding bodies; and
(iv) seek to encourage the mission opportunities arising from church tourism to be taken in imaginative ways, and promote good practice in communicating the Christian faith appropriately to visitors to our church buildings; and
(d) ask the Archbishops’ Council to report back on progress before the end of this Synod (July 2010).’

The motion was clearly carried with amendments.

Audio of session

 

LEGISLATIVE BUSINESS

Payments to the Churches Conservation Trust Order 2008 - Order for Approval.

Synod clearly approved the Order.

Audio of session

 

CLIMATE CHANGE AND HUMAN SECURITY: CHALLENGING AN ENVIRONMENT OF INJUSTICE: A REPORT BY THE MISSION AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS COUNCIL (GS 1705)

The Bishop of London moved on behalf of the Mission and Public Affairs Council: 

‘That this Synod, recognizing that climate change poses both an environmental and human security challenge:
(a) endorse the recommendations as set out in Climate Change and Human Security: Challenging an Environment of Injustice;
(b) call on the Archbishops’ Council and all diocesan synods to act on this report and its conclusions with a view to developing an integrated and holistic response to climate change; and
(c)  ask the Mission and Public Affairs Council to report back to this Synod by July 2010 on progress made towards developing such a response.’

The motion with amendments was carried following a division of Synod:

In favour: 280
Against: 5
Recorded abstentions: 6

Audio of session

 

APPOINTMENT OF CHAIR OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND PENSIONS BOARD (GS1686)

The Archbishop of York moved:

'That this Synod approve the appointment of Dr Jonathan Spencer as Chair of the Church of England Pensions Board from 1 January 2009 to 31 December 2013.'

The motion was clearly carried.

Audio of session

 

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE (GS1690)

Mr Keith Malcouronne (Guildford) (Vice-Chair of the Audit Committee) moved:

'That the Synod do take note of this report'

The motion was carried.

Audio of session

 

APPOINTMENT OF ARCHBISHOPS' COUNCIL'S AUDITORS (GS1704)

My Keith Malcouronne (Guildford) (Vice-Chair of the Audit Committee) moved:

'That this Synod approve the appointment of the Auditors to the Archbishops' Council'

The motion was carried.

Audio of session

 

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE ARCHBISHOPS' COUNCIL (GS1701)

Mr Andrew Britton (ex officio) moved: 'That the Synod do take note of this Report'

The motion was carried.

Audio of session

 

PAROCHIAL FEES:  FOUR FUNERALS AND A WEDDING (GS Misc 877)

SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT FROM THE DEPLOYMENT, REMUNERATION AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE COMMITTEE (GS 1703)

The Bishop of Ripon and Leeds moved: ‘That the Synod do take note of this Report.’

The motion was carried.


The Bishop of Ripon and Leeds then moved:

‘That this Synod:

(a) request  the Archbishops’ Council to introduce legislation to give effect to recommendations (a)-(f) in GS 1703; and
(b) request the Deployment, Remuneration and Conditions of Service Committee to consult with relevant stakeholders on recommendations (g)-(j) in GS 1703 and to report back to this Synod.’

The motion was carried.

Audio of session