Day 2
A Busy Year for the Standing Committee – General Synod Receives Report
The wide ranging work of Standing Committee over the last 12 months was highlighted at General Synod in Armagh today. Proposing the Standing Committee report, Bishop Pat Storey reminded members that the committee’s sole role was to effect the work a
Bishop Storey reminded members of General Synod that last year they passed a diversity motion which was considered by the wider Church during the year with feedback being received from various dioceses. She encouraged those dioceses who had given substantive responses to put great ideas into action and asked dioceses which had not yet responded to consider the issue and find ways to improve the participation in the life of the Church of the many people from diverse international backgrounds no living in our communities. She thanked Dr Lucy Michael and members of the Primate’s Diversity Group for demonstrating patience and perseverance in developing this strand of church life.
The proposer reported that during the year a reply had been received following General Synods decision to send a letter of good wishes to King Charles following his Coronation. King Charles conveyed his thanks to members of General Synod and sent warm good wishes.
Turning to the MindMatters initiative, Bishop Storey noted that the first phase of the project was drawing to a close. She expressed her thanks to the sponsors, Benefact. She spoke of the very successful conference in Dublin in October which was addressed by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, who shared some very personal experiences and offered huge encouragement to the Church of Ireland to continue to develop ministry in this area. She emphasised that this is only the beginning of the project and encouraged all members to maintain their interest in the initiative and to keep working on positive mental health at parish and diocesan level.
Bishops’ Appeal appointed Hilary McClay as its new education advisor during the year. The Bishop observed that she had hit the ground running with numerous emergency appeals and they raised funds for those effected by the earthquake in Turkey and Syria, floods in Libya, and war in Gaza and the Middle East, and they continued support for those impacted by war in Ukraine. In addition to emergency appeals Bishops’ Appeal continued to provide support for partnered projects in Pakistan, Uganda, Cambodia, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Bangladesh, Malawi, Peru, Kenya, Chile alongside the Tuam, Limerick and Killaloe diocesan fundraising for a Mothers’ Union literacy project in Burundi and a Feed the Minds sustainable business project in Madagascar.
She observed that the Central Communications Board and Royalties Fund support for a number of projects in recent years had come at a cost and had drained the resources of the Royalties Fund in particular. Following discussions with the RB executive, it was agreed that the General Synod Royalties Fund had been depleted to a level where it could not sustain more expenditure and it has been frozen for the time being with applications being diverted to the Chair of Allocations, Canon Graham Richards.
Looking forward to hearing the first reports from the new Pioneer Ministry Council, she said that the new Pioneer Fund should greatly enrich and deepen the ministry of the Church of Ireland to those outside its walls.
Concluding she paid tribute to the thousands of volunteers around the island who made church life fruitful and vibrant.
Seconding the report, Alan Williamson highlighted the extension request for the Board for Ministry with Children and Families. He said this had been a major initiative of the last three years and was one of the most significant projects undertaken by the Standing Committee over that time. He thanked the Sunday School Society and the Church of Ireland Allocations Committee for funding the project and thanked the CFM board for their dedication along with Rachael Murphy and Dr Peter Hamill. He stated that Standing Committee had granted permission for the board’s reappointment and authorised the submission of funding applications for 2025–27, demonstrating ongoing commitment to this important work.
Mr Williamson reported on the Review of the Episcopal Electoral College Process which began during the past year. This involved gathering insights from participants and crafting proposals to refine the process. The expressed gratitude to Bishop George Davison and the members of the working group for their efforts and to synod members who contributed to lively debate on the Bill.
The generosity of dioceses had resulted in nearly €600,000 to support Priorities Fund projects over the next two years. Fifty–five grants have been recommended igniting progress in outreach, Christian education, clergy and lay reader training and innovative ministry, he said.
Following a call for expressions of interest, CASC welcomed nine new members to their existing team, Mr Williamson announced. The commission has a broad scope covering political, social and community issues and he wished them success in their work as they contributed a Christian voice to often sharp and painful debates.
He expressed the Gratitude of Standing Committee to Wilfred Baker is stepping down having chair the Budget Sub Committee for many years. He also thanked Dean Gregory Dunstan who has been appointed Deputy Editor of the Journal in support of Dr Kenneth Milne who has been Editor of the Journal since 1994. He also thanked those who represented the Church of Ireland at the annual gatherings of other Churches, those who served in representational roles, those who volunteers on committees and staff of Synod and congratulated Nicole Gallagher on the birth of her daughter.
Speaking to the report Bishop George Davison highlighted the work of the Board for Ministry with Children and Families. He said this had always been the work of the Church of Ireland but Rachael Murphy had done a remarkable job. He said she works incredibly efficiently to produce training and resources for families. He encouraged members of synod to make sure that the resources available were making a difference in their parishes. He said that working with children was one of the most joyful ways in which Christians can engage in Christian service. He said it was vital that in each parish people looked for ways to engage children and make sure that they know they are wanted and welcome.
Canon Malcolm Kingston (Armagh) thanked all who responded to the 2023 parish census. He said that the participation rate reached 98%. He said the data collected was based on information already held in churches. He said they intended to report to the June meeting of Standing Committee. He thanked Jonathon Hull for managing the system.
Neville Armstrong (Clogher) said that last year Synod asked CASC to explore means to engage with people affected by the Troubles. He said that the PSNI no longer have power to investigate the past and those powers have moved to a new commission. He said there was not much love for this new commission. CASC has spent much of the last year trying to comprehend the burden felt by parishioners throughout the Church of Ireland. He said that the hurt was raw and he said careful research and consultation to prepare a comprehensive response. He said they looked forward to presenting a comprehensive response next year.
The Revd Jane Burns (Dublin) said she initially felt unease at being asked to sit on the legacy subgroup as she grew up far from the boarder. But she said she had found it to be a privilege to hear the stories of people and their experiences. She recalled the Easter broadcast by the Archbishops of Armagh and their aspiration to enable the church to be a safe space for people to explore the on going effects of trauma on them. She said the subgroup had taken time to engage with victims and said the engagements had been deeply informative. She said that they were leaning towards clergy training in dealing with trauma, and a liturgical response. She said she had always been grateful to be part of an all island church and said it was incumbent on members of the church to listen passionately and to support clergy as they endeavour to support victims who live with a legacy of loss.
The Revd James Boyd who proposed the motion last year thanked CASC for taking on the work. He said that the church was beginning to sit up and take notice of it and support those in a practical way those who live with the legacy of the Troubles.
June Butler (Down) spoke about Mothers’ Union’s work with domestic abuse and said the she had brought this work to the attention of CASC. She urged members to visit the Mothers’ Union stand to see the resources they have for people living with domestic abuse and the Rise Up campaign. She highlighted their ‘Changing the Story’ course and asked churches and their parish teams to get involved in it. One in four people on this island have had some connection to domestic abuse, she said.
George Woodman (Connor) supported Standing Committee’s reservation of the right to move back to a three day Synod. He said Synod was the only body of the Church of Ireland where members of the entire church come together. Members come from all over Ireland and share their views. He said there was a need to meet and interact with each other and the Church’s unity depended in meeting in person. He suggested that attendance at the online sessions last year was low.
Joanne Martin (Connor) commended the new booklet on inclusion and diversity from the Irish Council of Churches.
Gillian Purser (Cashel, Ferns and Ossory) commended Standing Committee for staying with the two day Synod and another day on zoom. She said she worked outside the church and had 12 days annual leave per year and she was not giving three days to Synod. She outlined the time she already took days off for diocesan work. She said that going back to three days would restrict the membership to those who could afford to take unpaid leave and pay for hotels and meals or to those who were retired. She said that when the rules were made it was assumed that those who would sit on Synod would be men, and gentlemen, who wouldn’t have to worry about clocking in and out. She said the current format made it more attainable
The Revd Clive Atkinson (Down) thanked Priorities for the support of outreach work in Belfast.
Dean Stephen Forde (Connor) also thanked Priorities Fund for a grant to St Ann’s Cathedral for its Centre of Acknowledgement, Learning and Memory which will provide an opportunity to learn about the Troubles.
The Revd Peter Blaire (Connor) thanked Priorities for support of the All Saints’ Holy Lands outreach project.
Geoffrey McMaster (Glendalough) supported Bishops’ Appeal and said that much had been done with scarce resources. He said even small amounts of money can make a huge difference. He said Bishops’ Appeal could do nothing unless people in parishes supported it financially. He said contributions had been falling in recent years. He said people should not become complacent and urged people to support Bishops’ Appeal.