Report of Diocesan Synod on 11 November 2006
Aspiration ‘to be a transforming presence’
The Bishop of Chelmsford, Rt Revd John Gladwin, gave an address for the inauguration of the Synod on the passion, aspiration and resources of the Diocese.
2006 Budget
Don Cardy, Chair of the Budget Sub-Committee, referred to his report to the June Synod where he had referred to:
a) The clergy pension interim increase adding 3% to Deanery Share.
b) The need to account for and control stipendiary clergy numbers.
c) The financing of new initiatives approved by Synod.
d) The need for wider ownership of the “chronic” nature of much Share shortfall; and
e) The need to address this to relieve the burden on parishes which pay in full.
The position had been set out in detail in the budget report and consultation document which had been widely circulated at the end of June. Steven Webb reported that 166 responses to the consultation document had been received, compared with five in 2005. He commented that this was a successful consultation and would be built on in future years, though comments about the timing had been noted and would be addressed.
Don Cardy confirmed that the proposed budget allowed for:
1) Stipends to increase by 2.5% in April 2007
2) Increased pension contributions
3) Reduced number of stipendiary posts
The resultant increase in Deanery Share for 2007 would be 5.1%. Whilst more than in the last two years, it was less than in 2003 and 2004. There was no provision for Share shortfall. Robert Berry, Chair of the Diocesan Board of Finance, indicated to Synod that a rigorous appraisal of the Board’s reserves was being undertaken in order to establish how these might be used to meet the shortfall. Firm proposals would be put to the Finance Committee in the spring of 2007.
The following spoke in debate :
Revd Paul Greenland Chelmsford North
Robin O’Neil Saffron Walden
Revd Dave Richards Newham
Revd David Tomlinson Thurrock
Revd Canon Tim Potter Harlow
Harry Marsh General Synod
Robin Stevens General Synod
Marion Peterson Southend
Bishop of Bradwell
Steven Smith Brentwood
The following points were amongst those made:
aa) Concern about making no provision for Share shortfall and a suggestion that the budget should be set higher to include some such provision.
bb) The timing of the budget consultation in August was difficult for parishes and deaneries.
cc) Tithe giving competed with many other requests.
dd) There was a crisis of confidence in the ability to pay for stipendiary numbers. Should we, therefore, still be encouraging vocations?
ee) Concerns about the possibility of longer interregna.
ff) Consultation did not account for affordability and concern regarding the sustainability of a 5.1% increase across the Diocese.
gg) Concern that 20% of parishes don’t meet the Share in full.
hh) There is a duty to care for clergy. A 2.5% stipend increase for next year is low.
ii) A challenge to double giving and see what effect it has on life style.
jj) Reducing stipendiary numbers was not a negative retraction. Changing patterns of ministry should equip the Church with more clergy, but not necessary stipendiary.
In response to comments and questions Robert Berry commented that we lived in a changing world which was difficult for the organisation. However, he was more positive than at any time in his role as Chair of the Diocesan Board of Finance. He was confident that resources would cover shortfalls for the life of this Synod. Significant work was being done in enabling parishes to reduce shortfall from £1m in 2005 to an anticipated £768,000 in 2006.
There was a need to continually adjust how we work within the Church and we have to tackle pastoral issues around how best to provide ministry. The financial situation is forcing us to be creative.
Robert Berry then moved the motion:
“That this Synod:
a) Approve the Diocesan Budget for 2007 and the Deanery Share of £13,943,638
b) Approve the apportionment of the total Deanery Share to deaneries in accordance with the Deanery Share Scheme, subject to a ceiling of 3% in rises over the average of 5.1% compared with 2006”.
This was passed with two against and five abstentions.
Questions
Two questions had been received. The full text of those questions and the written answers are given as follows:
Q.1 Mr. Trevor Ireland (Colchester) to ask the Bishop of Chelmsford :
I thank our Diocese for its model policy on Child Protection. Would the Bishop kindly address Diocesan responsibility, as part of his mission for Social Responsibility, producing model policies for parishes on health and safety, Disability Discrimination Act, churchyard safety, hiring of church premises to outside organisations, working as a volunteer in church premises, at height or otherwise all with provision of appropriate insurance, using advice from legal sources as well as church insurers to ensure no possibility of parish insurances being invalidated and the greatest degree of uniformity of approach across the Diocese.
A. I am very grateful to Trevor for this question and I endorse the idea of achieving a degree of uniformity on such matters. Although I do not see this strictly as a Social Responsibility issue, I have discussed it with our Chief Executive who has been considering similar matters and we are minded to develop this idea.
At the start of this new synod it is our intention to put in place three complementary sources of information for diocesan benefit.
Firstly, SOCCS has just produced a Diocesan Clergy Family Handbook.
Secondly, we have begun the process of reviewing the Chelmsford File or the Bishop’s Regulations as they are sometimes known. We expect that document to be finalised by early spring 2007.
Thirdly, and specifically on Trevor’s point, the Chief Executive is going to produce a Parish Handbook which will include those matters referred to in the question as well as other topics such as information on Green energy, grant-making bodies and employment legislation. Steven expects the document to be completed by late spring / early summer 2007. Steven would welcome comments and ideas from Synod members, preferably by email to swebb@chelmsford.anglican.org
Q.2 Fr. Steven Saxby (Waltham Forest) to ask the Bishop of Chelmsford :
Would the Bishop kindly explain why the Diocese has been re-branded as “the Church of England in Essex and East London” and comment on whether he believes, that in light of the historic development and current demography the Diocese, it would be more appropriate for the Diocese to be re-branded as “the Anglican Church in East London (and Essex)”?
A. ‘The Church of England in Essex and East London’ is the strap line. We are the Diocese of Chelmsford. You raise an interesting point. Essex is the historic shape of the Diocese. East London has grown within it. We need each other.
In response to supplementary questions from Fr. Steven Saxby and Revd Dave Richards Bishop John commented that he considered that the “Church of England” communicates much more what we were about as a Diocese than “the Anglican Church”. He reaffirmed that he was in fact already the Bishop of Canning Town.
10. OLYMPICS
The Bishop of Barking made a presentation to Synod on the important topic of the London Olympics which were now just 5½ years away. He asked the question, “How can we best maximise the potential of the Olympics for our Church and the Diocese?”
80% of the Games would be played in Chelmsford Diocese.
The greatest physical impact for preparation for the Games would be the colossal regeneration of the Stratford area, impacting on community facilities, transport, housing and jobs. There was a question mark, however, as to whether these things would build sustainable communities. In conjunction with the Stepney Area of the London Diocese, Barking Area had been undertaking preparation of the churches ahead of the Games.
Shirley Biro (Newham) spoke of the Inspire Project which would be at the centre of the proposed new shopping area, built on the scale of Lakeside. This ecumenical project was intended to create a living spire of witness of the local Christian communities, giving focus to hospitality, study, prayer and worship. The Trustees were drawn from Methodists, Anglican and Free Churches and the Methodist Church and the Diocese was funding a feasibility study. This exciting project offered a real opportunity for ecumenical witness.
Bishop David called upon the Diocese to engage with those responsible for planning and regeneration to monitor and critique their plans.
There was the possibility of a collaborative appointment between the Dioceses of Chelmsford, London and Southwark and Lambeth Palace for someone to speak for the churches at a national level. The Revd Kelvin Woolmer had been appointed Priest in Charge at St. Paul’s Stratford and Hard Hat Chaplain to the Stratford construction site from January 2007. Alan Boulding, a Reader, would be ordained by Bishop John next year as Sports Chaplain ahead of the Beijing and London Games. Bishop David indicated that spiritual preparation for the event was also required and the Revd Elwin Cockett (Basildon) spoke of an event to be held at West Ham Football Ground at Pentecost 2007. This would be a united time for prayer for folk from London and Essex and it is estimated that 35,000 people were expected to attend.
The following spoke in a subsequent discussion :
Revd. Quintin Peppiatt (Newham)
Revd. John Dunnett (General Synod)
Revd. Gillian Greenslade (Dunmow & Stansted)
Revd. Dr. Ian Jorysz (Brentwood)
Revd. Paul Carr (Barking & Dagenham)
Bishop of Bradwell
Robert Berry (Chair Diocesan Board of Finance)
Revd. Brian Lewis (General Synod)
The following points were amongst those made:
a) Regeneration could simply be another layer of activity that doesn’t relate to or benefit local people. Lessons needed to be learnt from the Docklands development.
b) The Church needed to drive issues of housing, employment and health.
c) The Olympics offered a unique opportunity for mission and sharing good news.
d) The effects would ripple out from the immediate area.
e) Many parishes and deaneries would be hosting visitors for the Olympics and would be looking to the Diocese for support and guidance.
f) The experience of the Commonwealth Games in Manchester indicated that we should not be sceptical but join in.
g) Regeneration could be little more than reclamation of urban areas by the rich with subsequent dispossession and displacement of the poor.
h) Must ensure that some of the wealth coming into the area remained for the benefit of local people.
i) Property prices within the area were already increasing and pricing local people out. Property was being advertised for sale globally.
j) A plea to be excited about the event but to speak for and from the local community.
In conclusion Bishop David commented that the bid must deliver aspirations for the people of East London.
Other items
Among other items, Bishop John, the Chief Executive of the diocese, Steven Webb, and others gave presentations on the structure and working of the Diocese, the Synod and its committees. An extra-ordinary meeting of the Diocesan Board of Finance was held.
Date of Next Meeting
10 March 2007
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