Throughout the General Synod of the Scottish Episcopal Church, we’ll offer images and short reflections or comments on each day from members of the Synod. Please pray for those representing the Diocese and others as they discuss, debate and vote on matters important to the Scottish Episcopal Church and the world.
At the beginning of each General Synod there is a meeting for new members – a ‘Freshers’ meeting of sorts. The four new members of Synod for the Diocese attended this meeting and are pictured below, before proceedings of Synod began.
The Synod Eucharist offering this year is in aid of the work of Christian Aid’s work in Sudan. The Very Reverend Sally Foster-Fulton (UK and Global Church Ambassador, Christian Aid Scotland) spoke to Synod about the current situation in Sudan with updates from this week from their in-country co-ordinator.
The General Synod opens with a Celebration of the Eucharist and a Charge (sermon) from the Primus, the Most Revd Mark Strange (Bishop of Moray, Ross and Caithness). The Reverend Godwin Chimara (a member of the House of Clergy from the Diocese) read the scripture readings from the Book of Wisdom and the Book of Acts. In the Charge the Primus spoke of the themes of building relationships and healing broken ones, that now was the time to act and to use the gifts of the church. To donate to the offering, the link can be found on the General Synod website.
After a break for coffee and tea (and a group photo – see below), there are various motions related to who would count votes, non-members of Synod permitted to speak and other roles. This included the election of Dr Nicola Mills, a lay member of the General Synod from the Diocese of Aberdeen and Orkney, as Prolocutor of the House of Laity.
On Thursday afternoon, there were presentations from the Administration Board and the Investment Committee, and the College of Bishops with the Standing Committee. The latter was followed by table discussions around the development of a Provincial Strategy. The last matter of business on the agenda on Thursday was from the Provincial Youth Committee, who spoke about matters of concern to them as well as the Youth activties that happen around the Province.. This was followed by table discussions on Climate justice, financial justice, gender justice and the inclusion of Youth in churches across the Province. Upcoming Provincial Youth Committee events include the annual Summer week – Yeek “The Deep” in late July and early August and an event at St John’s Aberdeen in October.
Following Evening Prayer and a break, the Synod Dinner is being held at the Royal Scots Club.
Please pray for the members of Synod from Aberdeen and Orkney and across the Provincce. A prayer for Synod (from the Episcopal Church USA Book of Common Prayer 1979): Almighty and everlasting Father, you have given the Holy Spirit to abide with us for ever: Bless, we pray, with her grace and presence, the bishops and the other clergy and the laity assembled in your Name, that your Church, being preserved in true faith and godly discipline, may fulfil all the mind of him who loved it and gave himself for it, your Son Jesus Christ our Saviour; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
For more details on the Agenda and Papers at General Synod, including the livestream, there is a mini-site for General Synod on the Scottish Episcopal Church’s website.