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General Synod - Summary of business conducted on Saturday 11th July 2009

11 July 2009

 

FAITHFUL CITIES: URBAN LIFE AND FAITH (GS 1745)

The Rt Revd Stephen Lowe, Bishop of Urban Life and Faith, made a presentation and responded to questions.

Audio of session

 

LEGISLATIVE BUSINESS

Amending Canon No 28 (GS 1642 D) was promulged.

Following a brief debate, the Draft Vacancies in Suffragan Sees and Other Ecclesiastical Offices Measure (GS 1692B) was given final approval.

The Draft Crown Benefices (Parish Representatives) Measure (GS 1693 B) was given final approval.

Synod voted to take note of the Report by the Revision Committee on the Draft Ecclesiastical Fees (Amendment) Measure (GS 1715A). Synod proceeded to consider the draft Measure clause by clause, and several amendments were debated. Consideration of the draft Measure will continue on Monday 13th July.

Audio of session

 

CLERGY PENSIONS (GS 1746)

The Synod received a presentation from Shaun Farrell, Secretary of the Church of England Pensions Board, on the latest consultation document on clergy pensions.

Audio of session

 

ARCHBISHOPS’ COUNCIL’S SPENDING PRIORITIES 2010-2015 (GS 1731)

Mr Andrew Britton (Chair of the Finance Committee of the Archbishops’ Council), introduced the report. Following debate, Synod voted to take note of the report.

Audio of session

 

ARCHBISHOPS’ COUNCIL’S DRAFT BUDGET AND PROPOSALS FOR APPORTIONMENT FOR 2010 (GS 1730)

Mr Andrew Britton moved: ‘That the Synod do take note of this report.’

He then moved in relation to the Archbishops’ Council’s expected expenditure in respect of each area of activity specified below: ‘That this Synod authorise the Archbishops’ Council to expend a sum not exceeding £[X] (net of income from sources apart from diocesan contributions) in respect of [Y].’: EXPECTED EXPENDITURE [X] AREA OF ACTIVITY [Y]

£11,803,600 Training for Ministry

£10,300,258 The work of the Council generally

£1,535,450 Grants and provisions

£830,625 Inter-diocesan support/Mission agencies’ clergy pension contributions

£3,252,900 CHARM Scheme.

Mr Britton then moved: ‘That this Synod do approve the Archbishops’ Council’s proposals (set out in the Table of Apportionment contained in GS 1730) for the apportionment amongst the dioceses of the net sum to be provided by them to enable the Council to meet the expected expenditure shown in its budget for the year 2010.’

Following debate, each of these motions was carried.

Audio of session

 

LITURGICAL BUSINESS

Additional Weekday Lectionary and Amendments to Calendar, Lectionary and Collects (GS 1724)

The Rt Revd Stephen Platten, Bishop of Wakefield, introduced drafts for First Consideration and, following debate, the motion ‘That the liturgical business entitled “Additional Weekday Lectionary and Amendments to Calendar, Lectionary and Collects” be considered for revision in committee’ was carried. The liturgical business, therefore, automatically stands committed to a Revision Committee.

Audio of session

 

GIVING FOR LIFE: A REPORT FROM THE NATIONAL STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE (G2 1723 AND 1723a)

Synod resumed debate on the report. Mr Colin Slater moved the following amended motion:

'That this Synod, affirming that God gives abundant gifts to us as individuals and as a Church, and that we are stewards of all that God has given us:

(a) encourage church members (including children and young people) to live generously as disciples of Jesus Christ, joyfully giving time, skills, money and other resources to God's mission in the world, in times of economic stringency as well as of plenty, in response to the lavish generosity of God to us in Christ who made Himself poor that we might become rich;

(b) reconfirm its challenge to church members to assess annually their financial giving as a proportion of income and to adopt as an initial target the giving of 5% of their after tax income to and through the church, and a similar amount to other work that helps to build God's kingdom; and

(c) commend the Giving for Life guide (GS 1732a) to parishes and dioceses/deaneries for prayerful discussion and action.'

The motion was carried.

Audio of session

 

ARCHBISHOPS' COUNCIL'S ANNUAL REPORT (GS 1732)

The Rt Revd Graham James, Bishop of Norwich, introduced the report. Following debate, Synod voted to take note of the report.

Audio of session

 

CHURCH COMMISSIONERS' ANNUAL REPORT

Andreas Whittam Smith, First Church Estates Commissioner, and Timothy Walker, Third Church Estates Commissioner, made a presentation and responded to questions.

Audio of session