At the end of Synod, Bishop Anne asked me how Synod had gone and I replied without hesitation, ‘Great, apart from the first day when I felt like a rabbit caught in headlights!’ Actually, it wasn’t that bad, but it summed up nicely the moment when I stepped into the main hall and felt overwhelmed by the whole operation. That was the end, but let’s start at the beginning.
I confess that I filled out the nomination form for the Diocesan Synod never thinking that I would actually be elected, however, when the Synod book came out, there it was in black and white – I was the only nominee: I was going to General Synod! It didn’t feel real until the General Synod attendance forms came in, I filled them out, then booked accommodation close to St P’s and G’s, the venue for Synod. Once that was done, I wondered what would happen next.
The Synod Papers arrived about three weeks before the General Synod, and I had a mild panic attack as I waded my way through the ‘Blue Book’- The SEC Annual Report, and the White Book which contained the Agenda, Board Reports, Budget Papers, Procedure Papers, etc. there was just so much stuff to think about! But help was at hand.
Ten days before Synod we had a Zoom Call when Canon Jenny walked us through the Agenda and papers and explained what to expect, signing off with ‘Remember to make time to socialize and to enjoy yourselves’.
The great day arrived and I got there early, picked up my lanyard, voting machine and supplementary Synod Papers, and headed into the Freshers Meeting where I received a hug from Rev Godwin and a nod from Rev Ferdinand. The Primus, Bishop Mark, welcomed us all and thoroughly embarrassed the newly minted Bishop of Glasgow, Bishop Nick, by pointing him out as a Fresher. The Primus told us, that though we were there to represent our diocese, we were also there as ourselves, so we should listen attentively to the various presentations and vote according to what we thought. He said it was the same with table discussions. We should say what we thought, not what we thought our diocese would want us to say, or what we thought Synod wanted to hear. Then he handed us over to Miriam Weibye and Jan Whiteside to talk us through the procedures and what to expect, finishing off with, ’Don’t forget to socialize and enjoy synod!’
Miriam and Jan did an excellent presentation, then finished with: ’Don’t forget to socialize and enjoy synod!’ Hmm, I thought as I lined up with the Rev’ds Andy, Ferdinand and Godwin for the Freshers photograph, they keep telling us to enjoy ourselves…what have I let myself in for? I found out when I walked into the hall.
That was my rabbit in headlights moment: lots of people dashing around, some waving at friends, others huddled in cozy groups, and me – rooted to the spot, taking in the moment, and totally unsure where I was headed. Table 1 as it happens, so I dropped my bag and papers there and headed in for some coffee. When I came out, a man in clerical gear, a bishop, no less was sitting in the seat next to the one I had claimed. He introduced himself as Leo – none other that the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Edinburgh, my Synod buddy.
Synod started with the Eucharist, including the Primus’s Charge to Synod, and it was a very spiritual moment for me, when all the bishops co-consecrated the elements of the Eucharist. It was also quite a sight seeing the Bishops process in.
The first business was introductions at our tables and we were joined by the Bishop of Edinburgh, who I had met before, another priest and there were four lay members. This was a good mix as it ensured plenty of varying viewpoints and respectful discussion during table time.
The rest of the morning was taken up with procedural business, a Diocesan photograph outside, and then a break for lunch. During lunchtime, I ran into Canon Jenny who checked all was well, and Nick Mills also sought me out a couple of times that first day to ensure that I was alright. I was, of course, as after my first ‘rabbit moment’, I was too caught up in what was happening to be nervous. Until the Synod Dinner that evening.
The dinner was held in the Royal Scots Club. Once again, rabbit in headlights moment. So many people, tables allocated so that you mix again, but luckily, I got to meet a Facebook friend on mine, so relaxed and enjoyed myself as the talk flowed, and people made friends.
The rest of Synod was interesting, engaging, challenging at times, but overall enjoyable with a feeling that I was indeed a part of the ‘wider church’. But it was also affirming, in that I felt that it wasn’t a ‘talking shop’, that our voices were listened to around the table, would be reported back, and that our deliberations could form part of the forward planning and strategy of the SEC in the years ahead.
Similarly, the debates around Motions were carried out in a very respectful manner, and even when some people did not agree with the majority in the room, they were listened to sympathetically and carefully.
Two things stood out for me and made me proud to be a member of the Synod that agreed them, and that was the St Ninian’s Declaration, an agreement to work closer with the Roman Catholic Church, and the Motion respecting the right of Trans, non-gender conforming and intersex people to be treated equally within the SEC, including ministry.
Both discussion were electrifying in their own way, and both were historical in their own way, but the ‘Trans Debate’ just shaded it for me, as we move to be a fully inclusive church, which I wholly support, with my background in disability theology, I fully believe that all should be included within the SEC.
We finished off, as with the other two days, with Prayer, and just like that, it was all over. I wonder what we will discuss next year? I can hardly wait!
Margaret Hodder, House of Laity Delegate
Images by Margaret Hodder.