My first Synod

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August 2005

My first Synod

We've all had the experience of driving through a village so small that if you blink, you miss it. The second session of the forty-ninth Synod of the Diocese of Tasmania was a bit like that. Some 200 delegates, retrieved from the Bass Strait islands, Channel/Cygnet, Queenstown, St Helens and indeed all corners of our diocese, met on Thursday evening for worship and formalities which we all expected to conclude nearly three days on. Russell Morton reflects.

It was, therefore, quite unexpected that a little over 24 hours later, business had concluded and we could all troop off to The Gathering to take in the reports from parishes of their response to the Bishop's vision of a healthy diocese bringing about the transformation of life. And what a Gathering it was with its joyfulness, stimulating speakers, focussed entertainment and opportunities to renew acquaintances. Not to mention the launch of Tasmanian Anglican in its new, all-singing, all-dancing format.

But back to Synod. There were substantive matters under discussion, none more so than the proposed ordinance governing professional behaviour of clergy and church workers. That it was dealt with with such despatch probably reflects the work which went into its drafting by the Chancellor and others, and the amendments which came through before Synod from folk who had ample time to peruse it. Financial matters similarly raised little comment. Motions aimed at securing better care for the underprivileged in our society and to establish a 'twin diocese' relationship sailed through with quiet unanimity.

So what was missing? It did seem to me that the needs of new delegates, and especially young delegates, were not well addressed. We seem to be caught between an earlier, more formal way of doing business and a modern, open style of meeting management, which leaves many as mildly confused spectators. To be of most use, Synod needs both substantive matters to address, preferably coming in large part from the grass roots, and a means of engaging delegates to get the best from them. A small committee set up by Diocesan Council is looking into this and expects to propose changes. (Input to the writer would be most welcome.)

The word 'synod' is from Greek and broadly translates to 'taking the way together'. Week in, week out, Anglicans meet together in small groups to worship, witness and serve, being Christ to our island community. Some of these groups are very small indeed, the twos and threes which Jesus spoke of in Matthew. What a blessing, then, that we can come together annually to support and encourage one another, to face issues and to find solutions together under God and to take heart from our joint commitment.

Whatever future shape Synod may take, Anglicans will always need to 'take the way together', to hear God's voice to us collectively. Bring on the next one, I say, and let's make it really count for the Kingdom.

Diocesan Registrar Russell Morton welcomes constructive comments on how to improve the Synod experience.

	The Anglican Church in Tasmania Search
	a healthy church...transformingLIFE
	Home About Contact us News Issues Parishes Prayer Calendar Youth Resources

				August 2005

		My first Synod We've all had the experience of driving through a village so small that if you blink, you miss it. The second session of the forty-ninth Synod of the Diocese of Tasmania was a bit like that. Some 200 delegates, retrieved from the Bass Strait islands, Channel/Cygnet, Queenstown, St Helens and indeed all corners of our diocese, met on Thursday evening for worship and formalities which we all expected to conclude nearly three days on. Russell Morton reflects. It was, therefore, quite unexpected that a little over 24 hours later, business had concluded and we could all troop off to The Gathering to take in the reports from parishes of their response to the Bishop's vision of a healthy diocese bringing about the transformation of life. And what a Gathering it was with its joyfulness, stimulating speakers, focussed entertainment and opportunities to renew acquaintances. Not to mention the launch of Tasmanian Anglican in its new, all-singing, all-dancing format. But back to Synod. There were substantive matters under discussion, none more so than the proposed ordinance governing professional behaviour of clergy and church workers. That it was dealt with with such despatch probably reflects the work which went into its drafting by the Chancellor and others, and the amendments which came through before Synod from folk who had ample time to peruse it. Financial matters similarly raised little comment. Motions aimed at securing better care for the underprivileged in our society and to establish a 'twin diocese' relationship sailed through with quiet unanimity. So what was missing? It did seem to me that the needs of new delegates, and especially young delegates, were not well addressed. We seem to be caught between an earlier, more formal way of doing business and a modern, open style of meeting management, which leaves many as mildly confused spectators. To be of most use, Synod needs both substantive matters to address, preferably coming in large part from the grass roots, and a means of engaging delegates to get the best from them. A small committee set up by Diocesan Council is looking into this and expects to propose changes. (Input to the writer would be most welcome.) The word 'synod' is from Greek and broadly translates to 'taking the way together'. Week in, week out, Anglicans meet together in small groups to worship, witness and serve, being Christ to our island community. Some of these groups are very small indeed, the twos and threes which Jesus spoke of in Matthew. What a blessing, then, that we can come together annually to support and encourage one another, to face issues and to find solutions together under God and to take heart from our joint commitment. Whatever future shape Synod may take, Anglicans will always need to 'take the way together', to hear God's voice to us collectively. Bring on the next one, I say, and let's make it really count for the Kingdom. Diocesan Registrar Russell Morton welcomes constructive comments on how to improve the Synod experience.