Diocesan Synod Update 17/03/2022

Our first Diocesan Synod meeting in 2022 took place last night at Craven Arms, and was the first ‘in person’ meeting since the Coronavirus Pandemic began.

In this meeting, the Synod:

• Approved a motion to “Strongly encourage all PCCs to adopt a ban on the use of floral foam in their churches as soon as possible, including for weddings and funerals”
• Discussed a number of practical ways to support Ukrainian refugees and encouraged parishes interested in providing support to co-ordinate their efforts
• Received an update from Bishop Richard on his listening events and future strategy – he underlined that the future of the diocese was the strength of the parish.
• Viewed an excellent IM ministry video
• Were encouraged to make decisions about messy churches (see video)
• Approved changes to the Synod Rules (standing orders) in order to make it easier to ask questions in the Synod.
• Were encouraged to consider being on the Board of Patronage 

Supporting Ukrainian Refugees

We are actively seeking anyone who has contacts to Ukraine or nearby countries (via a church or any other means) to support the identification of people who need sponsoring to come to Ukraine. We are also keen to identify translators.

Church Patronage

Church patronage has a long history in the life of the church. Patronage is the right to put forward a person to take up a particular type of Clergy post: – to ‘present’ a person to a Church of England parish or benefice. The candidate is then appointed by the Bishop.

Technically, patronage is a property right that may be transferred, but not sold. The historic root of much patronage lay with the ownership of land and arrangements whereby the Bishop may place a priest at a place when housing and maintenance have been provided. The historic complexity of the legal position has been simplified by the Patronage (Benefices) Measure 1986.

In some parishes the Diocesan Board of Patronage holds the right of patronage and meets to act as and when necessary.

Under the 1986 Measure, the Diocesan Registrar keeps a register of patrons- those with rights to present to benefices – these can be individuals, colleges, trusts, patronage societies (reflecting particular church backgrounds or theological positions), the Crown, the Diocesan Bishop or the Diocesan Board of Patronage.

When a vacancy occurs, the appointment’s process established by the 1986 Measure involves a notice procedure and the drawing up a statement of the conditions, needs and tradition of the parish (at parish level) and of the needs of the diocese and the wider interests of the church (by the Bishop).