Synod observed
One Synod with the lot
Aaaagh! Another 41-hour Synod, less a few hours for sleeping. And even that wasn’t easy, given those Grammar chairs.
And why Launceston? Even the Trustees, or some of ‘em, managed to get away to Cairns…and Paris, and the Sandwich Islands. Couldn’t we have at least one session of every three-year Synod in Noosa, or at least Boat Harbour?
Highlights?
They kept the lights low and the type small for the financials presentation. Visitors got free admission, clearly a missed opportunity. No-one actually fell over the 347 microphone cords this year.
One highlight for me was when that Riverlinks chappie nearly fell out the window in the Synod hall; I had a flashback to Eutychus in Acts 20. And the Bishop wasn’t even speaking at the time.
The crowd held mostly the same suspects, but had a few new faces. Don’t Deans seem young these days? And as for the new Cathedral curate who preached at the opening service…I didn’t realise Ridley took them so young. Still, preaching classes must be rigorous ‘cos she kept me awake.
Now you won’t believe this, but Synod sang a 19th century hymn with gusto. I kid you not. And, yes, it had meaningful words – sorry, lyrics!
The row of youth reps was interesting to observe, with much eye-rolling and continuous sugar consumption, although I have to say the contributions from that quarter when it mattered were considered and helpful.
And matter it did, to get to the business.
Cavanough’s team brought a highly creative 10-year plan for youth ministry in the diocese, not without controversy but closely argued and, in the end, compelling. Nor are they captured by mere matters of funding, but even there they had done their work. There’s a 2020 goal for youth work, and a rich vision for greatly enhanced camping and other engagement, but at heart this is about youth work in our parishes.
The environment proved too hard; still, we’re used to spending the earth.
Finally we got to the legislation. Can’t remember what that was all about but we’re clarified, safe, amended, authorised and licensed, so that is comforting. Oh, and you’ll be pleased to know we’re now geared up for the advent of a woman bishop…or rather, a bishop who is a woman.
We didn’t get to Geeves’ motion to relocate Church House, hopefully to Tomahawk, but that didn’t stop the caucusing. I was looking forward to that, too, as the next motion was to be about affordable housing! Oh well, next time.
I found the BCA talk moving — what a great Kingdom focus. And the comment from up the back about missing the Lakes was also moving — and true. Go well, you guys.
But in the end it came down to the resonance of the Bishop’s slogan: Easter Faith–Pentecost Church.
There does seem to be accord, energy and focus in so many areas. The presentations, the reports, the motions, the Dorothy Dixers, even the legislation in a curious way, all seemed best understood in terms of allowing the Holy Spirit to work.
One Synod with the lot plus gusto. You like fries with that?
From Phil Lewis, an occasional correspondent for Tasmanian Anglican inter alia.