Throughout the General Synod of the Scottish Episcopal Church, we’ll offer images, short reflections and/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. Documents related to General Synod can be found on the new Provincial Website under General Synod.
At the beginning of each General Synod, there is a meeting for new members – a ‘Freshers’ meeting of sorts. There are three new members of Synod for the Diocese attending this year – one clergy representative, one lay representative and one alternate lay representative. There is lots new this year at Synod as it’s being held on the Stirling University campus. The meeting and worship at the Stirling Court Hotel, and the members being residential across the campus.
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 Synod Eucharist offering this year is in aid of the work of the Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza. In his charge, the Primus reflected on St Barnabus and the wide-ranging business ahead of the General Synod in the days ahead. After a break for coffee and tea, there are various motions related to who would count votes, non-members of Synod permitted to speak and other roles. Before lunch, we began work on the Provincial Strategy. At General Synod 2025, there had been table discussions, and there is now the beginning of a strategy document (which can be read in the papers)that we were being asked to elaborate upon and be creative in what comes next. We hear short presentations from the Primus, Bishop Nick (Glasgow and Galloway) and Jan Whiteside (of Provincial Standing Committee). After lunch, Claire Benton-Evans (Provincial Youth Coordinator) showed how the Provincial Strategy was working itself out in the Provincial Youth Strategy – focusing on discipleship, welcome and belonging as these fit into being a learning church, a diverse church and a growing church. Table discussions followed on what was missing in the strategy, what we might need to let go in order to do new things and more… In plenary, we heard from several table facilitators (of which several are from the Diocese) with brief summaries from their discussions.
In addition to being table facilitators, several members of the Diocese are acting as buddies to ecumenical representatives for the Synod.
Synod heard a presentation from Heather Ford, the Church Support Manager from Ecclesiastical Insurance (part of the Benefact Group). She highlighted resources for churches that are available from the Ecclesiastical website, including training that is available to all and helplines for customers. The resources and information available covers topics ranging from risk management, to testing forms, managing health and safety and an extensive resource library.
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 activities that happen around the Province. Matters raised by those members present in the room and virtually via video (due to study and work commitments) included gender justice, accessibility of all kinds in churches, toxic masculinity, the value of intergenerational church, how can voices from young adults be included in the structures of the church and where are young people already connected into churches. Provincial Youth Events over the past year (including the Sleep Over at St James’ Aberdeen) were summarised and upcoming Provincial Youth events were publicised. These include the annual Summer week – Yeek “On the Way” and Pilgrimages to Iona in October.
Following Evening Prayer and a break, the Synod Dinner was held at the Stirling Court Hotel.
Please pray for the members of Synod from Aberdeen and Orkney and across the Province. 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.
