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From The Church Times-
The General Synod meeting in York next month will have something of a morning-after-the-night-before feel to it.
It will be the first group of sessions since last November's narrow vote to reject the Draft Bishops and Priests (Consecration and Ordination of Women) Measure ( News, 23 November); and the first since Dr Philip Giddings survived the subsequent no-confidence vote on his chairmanship of the House of Laity at an extraordinary meeting of the House ( News, 18 January).
With this in mind, the Business Committee has taken the "very unusual" step of devoting most of the Saturday to facilitated discussions, led by the Archbishop of Canterbury's new Director for Reconciliation, Dr David Porter; along with a plenary session, the format of which "is still being creatively worked on even as we speak", the Secretary General, William Fittall, said last Friday. Both will be held behind closed doors.
Mr Fittall played down suggestions that the discussions were secret, saying that the "entirely unminuted and entirely informal" discussions were about "preparation, conversation, and exploration". He said that the discussions were "not like the wartime Parliament, when Parliament went into secret session".
More here-
http://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2013/21-june/news/uk/‘very-unusual’-steps-taken-in-lead-up-to-synod
From England-
TOMORROW, the Anglican Synod, which takes place every three years, begins. This year it takes place in Grahamstown, at St Andrew’s College.
While the synod is usually held in East London, “with its large venues and good facilities”, Dean of Grahamstown, the very reverend Andrew Hunter, says the choice of venue is based on historical reasons, with 2013 being the 160th anniversary of the founding of the diocese of Grahamstown, and St Andrew’s College being “one of our significant church schools”.
At every synod, key themes are addressed, the outcomes of which determine church policy for the next three years.
Hunter said that this year, “the issues are sharper than three years ago. We are part of a country full of hope and expectation, but also a country and a province with serious issues around service delivery, corruption, and abuse of power, wealth and privilege. We as the Anglican Church have a voice, and concerns to raise about these matters”.
Historically, Hunter said, the church had played a key role in investing in education, through the establishment of schools by the church.
“There are strong appeals from many quarters for the church to regain its place at the heart of education, and to provide the moral and spiritual life that our schools need.”
More here-
http://www.dispatch.co.za/education-a-key-theme-for-2013-anglican-synod/
From The Church Times-
