Diocese of Aberdeen and Orkney Diocesan Synod – 1 March 2025

The Synod of the Diocese of Aberdeen and Orkney was held on Saturday 1 March on Aberdeen University Campus. The day began with the Synod Eucharist in the King’s Chapel., and included the renewal of baptismal promises. The Bishop gave her Charge to Synod, which can be read here.

Following the welcome and introduction, the Bishop led the Synod in remembering those who had served in the diocese that had died in the past year.

The Financial Report was given by the Honorary Diocesan Treasurer, Dr Lorraine Paisey. She was pleased to present summary accounts to the Synod. The assets of the diocese had increased in the past year due to special donations and well preforming investments. There had been some spend on not anticipated in the budget, but this had been covered through grants and donations. The audit process this year had been particularly rigorous, and the diocese could have confidence in the management of finance.

Dr Paisey was retiring as Diocesan Treasurer at this Synod after over 20 years serving in this role. The Bishop thanked her for the diligent and professional service she had offered over these years, supporting a number of bishops, and working with many different members of Standing Committee and the Finance and Property Board. The diocese is extremely thankful for this outstanding contribution to diocesan life.

The Honorary Diocesan Secretary, Lizzie Finlayson, then addressed Synod on the matter of the OSCR letter of closure at the end of a long process of consideration of the concerns raised in February 2022 and February 2024. The closure letter was a positive affirmation of the dioceses processes and procedures, and further advice given had already been implemented. The Diocesan Secretary addressed questions relating to the OSCR letter submitted before Synod. She reassured the Synod that the Standing Committee was committed to on-going training to keep awareness and understanding of charity law and processes fresh and up to date.

Appointments and elections to diocesan and provincial posts followed. These included the appointment of the diocesan curate, Revd Godwin Chimara, to the Provincial Mission Board.

Revd Godwin Chimara, Assistant Curate at St John the Evangelist and St James the Less, Aberdeen who was elected as the Diocesan Representative to Provincial Mission Board and as a Clergy Representative to General Synod.

The only General Synod Business this year was the revision of Canon Twenty-Two. Dr Nicola Mills, a member of the Faith and Order Board presented this item. The Synod was asked to note that the 1982 liturgy had been revised in 2022. This revised liturgy would replace the 1982 liturgy later in 2025. In the comments that followed, contributors noted that their churches had either already purchased or had printed for themselves the revised liturgy. The Synod supported the revision of Canon Twenty-Two in regard to this liturgy.

The Advisor in Christian Life, Revd Canon Dr Jenny Holden introduced a session called ‘One Good Thing’. Representatives of Charges, lay and clerical, had been invited to bring to Synod items that represented a good event or activity from the life of their churches in the past year. Those present were encouraged to hear the stories of others, and seek to notice what was encouraging things were happening from place to place. From warm spaces to soup lunches, children and young people’s groups through to Forest Church, there was a great deal to hear about and rejoice in. This session was concluded after lunch with tables being encouraged to write a new psalm of thanksgiving for themselves. One of the psalms is included at the end of this report.

The Synod was pleased to welcome two visitors from the General Synod Office. Dr Dee Bird, the Secretary General of the Scottish Episcopal Church addressed Synod, describing some of the personnel changes in the GSO. Some who had served for decades had now retired, and new appointments and the re-structuring of posts gave the possibility of fresh approaches to the church’s life. Dr Bird spoke of the possible future investment in the training and support of clergy and lay leaders.

Jack Nevin, of the Net Zero Team, also addressed Synod. He had been a frequent visitor to the diocese through the last year, and was able to offer an informed summary as to how the diocese and individual Charges were doing in their progress towards Net Zero. Charges were encouraged to use Jack as a resource as they make their plans for change.

The Bishop and Canon Holden introduced the Christian Life project for the year – Credo: Nicaea 1700. The anniversary of the Nicene Creed and Council would provide a starting place for exploring how our Christian life and faith relate to contemporary contexts. Representatives were encouraged to inform the Bishop of what was challenging to others and to them when it came to understanding and living out Christian belief. The leaflet can be found here.

The Bishop, together with Julia House, a member of the Diocesan Standing Committee then introduced the Bishop’s Lent Appeal: Days for Girls. The Bishop described attending a session at the Lambeth Conference on the impact of period poverty led by the charity Days for Girls. Period poverty prevents girls and women from participating fully in education, church life, work and social activities. This is a matter of particular concern to the Mother’s Union across the Anglican Communion. The bishop encouraged engagement with this issue, and encouraged churches to consider how they might act to assist with period poverty locally and internationally.

The Synod ended with a large number of ‘thank yous’, including special thanks to Avril Hern, who after over 21 years of service had retired as Warden of Lay Readers at the end of 2024.

Overall, many of those present commented that this Synod had been a welcome encouragement, and that together the diverse people of God who make up this diocese were ready to be moving forward into their next chapter of common life.