2024 Diocesan Synod reflections: highlights and learnings
Reflections
Four faithful clergy and lay people from across our Diocesan Regions share their Synod highlights and learnings with anglican focus readers
Sue Cooke RN — CEO, Anglicare Southern Queensland
The apology to sexuality-diverse and gender-diverse people and their loved ones from the recent meeting of Synod — the Church’s governing body — on behalf of the Anglican Church Southern Queensland was my Synod resolution highlight.
For Anglicare Southern Queensland, the apology directly relates to our mission as we advocate for a more loving, just and inclusive society. Our daily practice supports LGBTQIA+ peoples’ human rights and inclusion, and the apology acknowledges the harm individual staff and clients may have experienced through exclusion, mistreatment and denigration. Through this resolution, Synod also apologised for the times that the Anglican Church Southern Queensland has failed to speak up to protect sexuality-diverse and gender-diverse people from violence.
As well as acknowledging past wrongs, the apology demonstrates a willingness of the whole Church, including Anglicare, to work towards a more inclusive and respectful relationship with sexuality-diverse and gender-diverse people. It also reaffirms LGBTQIA+ peoples’ inherent dignity and worth.
The apology aligns with Anglicare’s values of Care, Love, Hope and Humility.
Importantly, the apology’s wording was crafted following a comprehensive listening process and in consultation with sexuality-diverse and gender-diverse people.
We look forward to working with the wider Church in demonstrating to the LGBTQIA+ community that the apology is more than a symbolic gesture — it is a crucial step towards healing and inclusion and creating a safer and more respectful and affirming environment for all individuals working with us or seeking our services and support.
“The Rev’d Courtney didn’t understand how encouraging it was for those of us, who are a bit intimidated by the size and manner of Synod, to hear a newly ordained person step up to the microphone on Synod’s floor,” (The Rev’d Loretta-Tyler Moss, Priest-in-Charge of The Parish of Brisbane Valley)
The Rev’d Loretta Tyler-Moss — Priest-in-Charge, The Parish of Brisbane Valley
“I can’t believe you did that!” I exclaimed to The Rev’d Courtney Smith, the recently ordained Deacon of The Parish of Allora-Clifton, as I rushed up to her at morning tea on Saturday.
“What?” she replied mystified.
“Asking a question at your first Synod!”
Courtney had asked the Archbishop a three-part question pertaining to the absolution offered by a priest during the Service of Holy Communion.
Archbishop Jeremy was succinct and engaging when he said he understood the spirit of inclusivity in substituting “us” for “you” in the absolution, while simultaneously affirming the historicity and theology of the priest declaring God’s forgiveness. It definitely generated multiple conversations that I both joined and listened to.
The Rev’d Courtney didn’t understand how encouraging it was for those of us, who are a bit intimidated by the size and manner of Synod, to hear a newly ordained person step up to the microphone on Synod’s floor. Whilst her question was excellent and, along with the Archbishop’s response, generated some interesting dinner-time conversation, it was being reminded that all Synod Representatives can speak at Synod that offered me an encouraging change of perspective.
I look forward to following Courtney’s example next year — hopefully with an equally thought-provoking question.
“Leaders at all Church levels — including Parish Councils and ministries, Diocesan Synod and General Synod — need to create space for young peoples’ voices to be authentically heard and their ideas implemented”, (The Rev’d Eleanor Mancini, PTO with St John’s Cathedral)
The Rev’d Eleanor Mancini — Retired priest with Permission to Officiate, St John’s Cathedral and Executive Member, Anglican Mothers’ Union Australia Brisbane Diocese
It is an honour to go to the Synod.
The highlight of this Synod for me was the carrying of the motion about “the Voice of Young People in Strategic Planning”:
“That this Synod strongly encourages parishes, schools and Anglican agencies to include authentic voices of children and young people in Strategic Plans, Mission Action Plans and similar documents.”
The motion was moved by St Aidan’s Anglican Girls School Chaplain The Rev’d Gillian Moses (in The Rev’d Jonathan Kemp’s absence) and seconded by youth representative Ms Sophia Colledge. Gillian and Sophia spoke compellingly about the importance of this motion, noting where in our Diocese the voices of young people were being meaningfully included and where we can do much better.
I am concerned about seeing very few young people in most parishes. Some parishes have young people, and so often — especially at Parish Councils meetings — their voices are not listened to, and so they leave. Young people care deeply about justice, climate change, Reconciliation, the impacts of war and the importance of peace making. So, young people care about the Church’s mission. Young people must be respected and encouraged, and their ideas should be supported and implemented.
Leaders at all Church levels — including Parish Councils and ministries, Diocesan Synod and General Synod — need to create space for young peoples’ voices to be authentically heard and their ideas implemented.
The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby said, “It wouldn’t be hard to see the unfortunate lack of any youth work in so many churches…Imagine seeing hundreds of thousands of young people thriving as disciples…”
This Synod resolution will help make this a reality.
“There are things that we may disagree about, but to apologise to people we have hurt after a meaningful listening process, to be reunited in fellowship and to show respect for each other surely mark us as followers of Jesus,” (The Ven. Rob Sutherland, Army chaplain and locum Priest-in-Charge of The Parish of Moggill-Mt Crosby)
The Ven. Rob Sutherland CSC — Army chaplain and locum Priest-in-Charge, The Parish of Moggill-Mt Crosby
Synod this year was perhaps the nicest I have been to anywhere.
I am not generally a fan of synods. I know they are important and I love catching up with people. I am just not a fan when we become argumentative and negative.
This year, as a locum Priest-in-Charge, I was invited as a Synod representative. It was particularly nice on Sunday to be invited to wear uniform — to proudly look like the Army chaplain God has called me to be.
Synod began joyfully — what a wonderful occasion Bishop Sarah’s consecration was on the Friday night!
The highlight of Synod for me was — while dressed in my Army chaplain uniform — commending and voting in favour of a motion of apology for the past treatment and pain caused by the Church — by us, by me — to sexuality-diverse and gender-diverse people and their loved ones.
There are things that we may disagree about, but to apologise to people we have hurt after a meaningful listening process, to be reunited in fellowship and to show respect for each other surely mark us as followers of Jesus.
This was a God-given moment of love and healing.
Yes, it was perhaps the nicest Synod I have been to anywhere.
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