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Download a printable version of this report (PDF, 2 pages A4)

Synod met on a dank April Saturday morning at Manor Church of England Academy, York.

The agenda included an overview of the ‘Living Christ’s Story ‘ plan to transform the working of the Diocese (with a brief opportunity for groups to consider and share how the Diocese might look by 2031), updates on Children & Youth work in the Diocese and on the current state of our finances, and a half-hour ‘marketplace’ over coffee where four diocesan teams or groups offered displays and interaction about how they can help and support parishes.

PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS

“In the end, the criteria by which we will be judged, is not doctrinal orthodoxy, because many of us - probably most of us - will from time to time, and even with the very best intentions, gets things wrong, but by our love.

“The parables of judgement towards the end of Matthew’s Gospel (Matthew 25. 1-46) speak to us about our readiness to greet the Lord when he comes (the parable of the wise and foolish bridesmaids); a willingness to use the gifts we've been given to the very greatest effect (the parable of the talents); our ability to see and serve Jesus in those who are in need (the parable of the sheep and the goats).

“And if you're not sure whether something is of God, or whether it will bear fruit, Gamaliel has a word to the wise: that we prayerfully wait and see whether the fruit comes.

“Things take time. Trees are fruitful in due season. There is winter as well as spring. But if things are of human origin, they will fail. But if they are of God, nothing will be able to stop them (see Acts 5.33-40)."

Read Archbishop Stephen’s full Presidential Address at bit.ly/presaddress2304.

LIVING CHRIST’S STORY

Diocesan Director for Strategic Transformation Sam Nicol introduced a paper summarising progress towards completion and implementation of the plans emerging from the refreshed diocesan vision we adopted two years ago. Her paper included:

Establishing the programme of work and the team
Accountability and governance framework – decision making, risk management, benefits realisation
Data and Information – assumptions, model, outcomes and performance indicators, data flow
Deanery plans – next steps
Digital Transformation - Involve, Communicate, Engage
Identifying resource requirements and securing funding
Implementation Plan

Five months into her post, Sam has been seeking information to understand what needs to be done to establish the framework and resources to enable the ‘Living Christ’s Story’ vision and revitalised growth strategy to be realised in parishes across the Diocese. Several initiatives are already underway with positive impacts.

The next steps indicated will ensure robust foundations for delivering the strategy; accountability and governance framework, digital transformation plans and funding requests.

Responses from table groups to an invitation to consider what the Diocese should look like in 2031 will feed in to planning the next steps.

Download the full paper at bit.ly/lcsreport2304.

FINANCIAL UPDATE

Finance Director Kathryn Rose updated Synod on the financial position of the Diocese this spring. Headlines were:

Final deficit in 2022 was £1.7 million against £2 million budget
The Diocese has completed the payments to address historic lay staff pensions liabilities
£1.5 million was transferred from the Pastoral to the General Fund in 2022 as budgeted, to replenish the General Fund after paying our share of the Multiply and Mustard Seed project costs
The end of 2022 saw investment values drop by 15% although this balanced similar gains in 2021.

Kathryn highlighted some significant variances from the budget:

In 2022 income from parishes (Free Will Offer and fees) to our Common Fund was £340,000 below budget; post-Covid recovery continues, but slowly.
Dividend income and incoming rentals have now recovered to pre-Covid levels
Demolition and disposal of two closed church sites has been delayed, which in turn delays both expenditure of demolition costs and income from sales
Lower clergy stipend costs reflect higher vacancy rates than average.

Kathryn advised that 2023 Free Will Offer pledges to our Common Fund currently stand at £7.3 million, short of the £7.4 million in the budget approved by Synod last year. She hoped that as post-Covid confidence continues to grow, parishes may be willing to consider a further contribution to address this shortfall.

MARKETPLACE

As an innovation, four teams of staff and/or volunteers offered information stands during a half-hour refreshment break, representing Environment, Discipleship, Children & Youth, and Generous Giving.

Synod members had the opportunity to make contacts, collect information and resources during a busy thirty minutes.

CHILDREN & YOUTH

After a 15-minute Lectio Divina led by Bishop of Hull Dr Eleanor Sanderson on Mark 10:46-52, Diocesan Children & Youth Adviser Dr Carolyn Edwards presented an update on current projects and work with children and young people across the Diocese.

Noting the national Church of England’s aim to double the number of children and young active disciples by 2030, she outlined the picture in the Diocese of York presented by the most recent available statistics (2019):

1.2% of the region’s under 18 population is worshipping in our churches (3,393/284,010).
In Church of England rankings, 29th out of 40 reporting Dioceses.
We had 36 churches with more than 25 under 18s worshipping.
Under 5% of churches across the Diocese employ a lay leader to work with children, young people and their families and most of these posts are part-time

Carolyn highlighted a number of initiatives gaining ground across the diocese, including in locations where there are currently few or no young people in congregations, and others where the principal contact with young people and their parents is through toddler groups.

Ongoing plans and activities include:

Completing the process of editing and uploading of the complete Big Bible Storybook Toddler resource.
Continuing Growing Faith Foundation research in Hull and Middlesbrough exploring children’s ‘holiness behaviours’ and ‘holiness experiences’.
Initial Rhythm of Life (RoL) Resources written by Carolyn for children in line with those produced for adults by Discipleship Adviser Sammi Tooze.
‘Family Camp’ at Wydale booked for 9-11th June 2023. The Family RoL resources will be workshopped at this event and then be available for distribution.
Update of ‘Children and Communion’ documents to be completed.
Working with churches in York on a ‘Parenting for Faith’ resource and network.
Continuation of planning for a ‘Joined Up North’ event in York. This will be an ecumenical conference for all those working with children, youth and schools in October 2023.
Carolyn is planning the first coming together of the Youth Forum in summer 2023.
Carolyn and Sammi Tooze are developing a programme and resources for the GroW Youth Discipleship Ambassador Scheme.
Creation Club plans are developing in Ingleby Barwick.
Bus-stop project –there was only one possible applicant for Youth Worker role so the Trustees are considering a ‘rethink’ about project development.

The Archbishop’s Council has supported the direction of travel to appoint an externally-funded Youth and Young Adults Adviser to meet needs of parishes recognised in the deanery plans. The appointment will also respond to the national church’s vision of ‘Growing Younger’ and of the work to re-imagine Mission and Ministry as part of Living Christ’s Story in the Diocese of York.

This proposal will be part of a coordinated bid for funding to the Strategic Mission and Ministry Investment Board (SMMIB) at Pentecost for a new post starting in January 2024.

GENERAL SYNOD REPORTS

Three of the Diocese of York’s General Synod Members were invited to report on the February group of sessions:

The Revd Adam Gaunt reported on business other than Living in Love and Faith: “In common with most groups of sessions, General Synod did a great deal of business, which may be best summarised as good old-fashioned housekeeping!”

The Revd Liz Hassall and Dr Nick Land reported on the debates and conclusions around the Living in Love and Faith proposals; each representing a different perspective on this sensitive issue:

Liz: “It was a moment of quiet joy for those who are affirming when the motion passed in all three houses of synod by an overall 57% in favour to 41% against. This was tempered with sadness for the betrayal and let-down felt by those who are non-affirming and the recognition of the repercussions in the wider Anglican Communion.”

Nick: “Jesus tells us we have a responsibility to love one another. If we are going to work together to try and preserve unity in our Diocese, even if significant changes may be required to do so, then we will need to work with people with whom we profoundly disagree and whose position we frankly do not understand. ”