2024 Diocesan Synod reflections: further highlights and learnings
Reflections
Four more faithful clergy and lay people from across our Diocesan Regions share their Synod highlights and learnings with anglican focus readers, including The Rev’d Catherine Govan, Uncle Milton Walit, Margaret Compton and The Rev’d Canon Bruce Boase
The Rev’d Catherine Govan — Priest, St Stephen’s, Coorparoo
Before Synod, I don’t think I could have guessed how amazing it would be to look out from the stage and see so many faces looking back at you. And, as this was my first time speaking at Synod it really was an exhilarating experience! That was how I felt as I seconded the motion asking for the support of Synod for the exciting initiative of Hope25.
To be able to bring the motion to Synod, and then to hear the universal support for Hope25 here in Brisbane was so encouraging — encouraging that as a Diocese we could all partake in a combined initiative to offer one (or more!) outreach events between Easter and Pentecost in 2025.
It was wonderful to hear voices of optimism and enthusiasm following the resounding “yes” to the motion — to hear and see expressions of unity as people discussed how they could participate in their own settings. And, to get excited about how we here in the Anglican Church Southern Queensland would be uniting with every single diocese across Australia — one together, working together — to bring the gospel message of hope.
At this year’s synod, I was proud of our Diocese rising to the challenge of Hope 25. I was proud to be a part of putting the motion forward alongside The Rev’d Michael Calder. And, I was proud that Synod recognised that bringing hope in an uncertain world is our core business.
Please check out the Hope25 website, where there are ideas and resources for how you can respond in your setting. If you haven’t already done so, sign up for the newsletter, too. I look forward to us all partnering together for Hope25 — breathing life into our Synod motion and joining together in a season of proclamation. Let’s go, Brisbane!
“Before Synod started, the Archbishop told me that he will continue to support our people as we seek to reverse climate change. As a First Nations elder, I have taken the Archbishop’s words as an encouragement. Knowing we have an Archbishop who cares really means a lot,” (Uncle Milton Walit from The Parish of Laidley)
Uncle Milton Walit — Synod Representative, St Saviour’s, Laidley
There were many highlights for me at this year’s Synod. I had my photo taken with The Rev’d David Browne from Dalby — David then wrote a lovely message on Facebook.
Archbishop Jeremy Greaves’ address was also very moving, especially when he shared about his visit to low-lying islands in the Torres Strait in May this year so he could personally witness the impacts of a damaged climate on our shorelines, homes, ancestral resting places, fresh water and traditional food gardens.
Before Synod started, I spoke with the Archbishop and Bishop Cam. I shared about how the referendum result has impacted me and other Torres Strait Islander people. I explained that the vast majority of Torres Strait Islander people supported the Yes vote. We elders worked with our young people last year to help support them as they helped communicate the importance of the referendum. I wrote about the importance of the Yes vote for anglican focus last year:
“My island of Saibai is now sinking and overwhelmed with sea water because of terrible coastal erosion, the rising sea and king tides. We are worried that if things don’t improve that the bell tower of our church will be covered in water. Our ancestors built the church by hand. They used coral from the sea as a kind of lime plaster over the bricks. The church faces the sea, giving people arriving by boat their bearings — it’s like a compass point. Both the church and the sea are sacred to us. Parliament needs to hear what we have to say better because they tend to think about now and only as far ahead as the next election cycle — when we need them to think long term if we are to save our island.”
Before Synod started, the Archbishop told me that he will continue to support our people as we seek to reverse climate change.
As a First Nations elder, I have taken the Archbishop’s words as an encouragement. Knowing we have an Archbishop who cares really means a lot.
“A motion that was passed at Synod…addressed the unfair depiction so readily given of ‘youth behaving badly’, whereas most young people are living responsibly and with care for others,” (Margaret Compton from St Luke’s, Toowoomba)
Margaret Compton — Synod Representative, St Luke’s, Toowoomba
“How are you going?” we ask. “How’s your day been?” the hairdresser asks. “RUOK?”
These common enquiries need to be more than just conventional, especially for our younger generations, who are subject to bad press all too easily.
A motion that was passed at Synod addressed the unfair depiction so readily given of “youth behaving badly”, whereas most young people are living responsibly and with care for others. The motion called for the media to apply guidelines to reporting on youth affairs, such as guidelines issued by Anglicare Southern Queensland in collaboration with the University of Queensland and the media agency BBS Communications Group.
It is my highlight from Synod because I don’t recall anything similar previously, and appreciate it being put forward for due attention. Negative representation of the younger people in our population is deleterious. Synod representatives from the Boomer generation will know we were not treated this way — the worst then was to be labelled “Bodgies and Widgies”. This motion points to the question: what has brought on this negative attitude towards some generations?
Younger people at Synod contributed constructively. The motion called on the Church to lead the fairer treatment and portrayal of our excellent youth. We can show our confidence in them by embracing their participation in Church decision making. There are many more fine young people in our wider communities, and plenty who would respond well to good support. The motion also encouraged our state government to re-commit to evidence-based policy for true support for and inclusion of our young people.
“Bishop Sarah being made the Bishop of the Northern Region was a highlight for me for several reasons,” (The Rev’d Canon Bruce Boase from The Parish of Green Hills)
The Rev’d Canon Bruce Boase — Priest-in-Charge, The Parish of Green Hills
I was particularly impressed at this year’s Synod by the way the debates were conducted and the friendly, civil atmosphere enjoyed by the speakers. This, I feel, was particularly fostered by Archbishop Jeremy in his first Diocesan Synod as Archbishop and President of Synod.
For me, however, the highlight was the consecration of Sarah Plowman as Bishop of the Northern Region. This consecration was conducted by the Archbishop as part of the Synod Eucharist on Friday night.
Bishop Sarah being made the Bishop of the Northern Region was a highlight for me for several reasons.
Firstly, Bishop Sarah and I were ordained by Archbishop Phillip together as deacons in 2004 and as priests in 2005. Our journey together began during our formation years.
Secondly, and to the delight of all, our Northern Region welcomes its first woman Bishop. Synod was the perfect time to do this as the Diocese gathered in strength.
Finally, Bishop Sarah is a local, from a Diocesan point of view, having been raised in Nambour.
2024’s Synod was my last Synod as a priest in my current parish. I will, more than likely, not be a member of Synod next year because of my retirement.
I can safely say that the governing of the Church in our area is in good and godly hands.
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