What is the Diocesan Synod?

The Diocesan Synod gathers annually to elect people to represent the Diocese and to consider matters that originate from the Provincial level via the General Synod and also to consider matters which relate to the Diocese. The Diocesan Synod also gathers together clergy and lay members to share stories and worship together. The meeting of Diocesan Synod generally takes place on the first or second Saturday in March.

Diocesan Synod works by receiving reports (written and spoken), asking questions, having debates around an item on the agenda, voting on Posts, Motions, Amendments, Canons, Liturgy and having table discussions.

The Diocesan meeting papers contains reports from its various boards and committees and the meeting elects new members. The Annual Report of the Diocese (the meeting paper), which includes the Diocese’s signed-off abbreviated accounts, also includes written reports from the Conveners of the Boards and Committees. These reports are normally “taken as read” and are not specifically debated but there is opportunity for questions to be asked.

Who are the members?

The Diocesan Synod has clergy and lay members. Each member of Clergy serving in the Diocese with a License or Commission is a voting member of Synod. Each congregation elects a lay representative to represent them at Synod.

The Bishop is automatically a member of Diocesan Synod, as are the Diocese’s elected lay and clergy representatives to General Synod.

Download our Introduction to Diocesan Synod PDF

The Diocesan Synod Meeting

The Bishop (or others appointed by them), chairs the Diocesan meeting. It comprises three houses: Bishops, Clergy and Laity.

The Diocesan Synod reaches decisions through a number of procedures. Most matters can be settled on a simple majority of Synod, voting as one house.

For matters that have been sent from General Synod for an indicative vote (items relating to Canon Law and Liturgy) often a vote by houses is taken.

There is a separate, set procedure for matters that affect Canon Law.

• First, the motion must be passed by a simple majority of each of the three houses of the Synod.
• Second, it is referred to each diocese for consultation and comment.
• Third, it returns to Synod the following year when it needs to be passed by a two- thirds majority, with each house voting separately.

Approval of new liturgies is subject to a similar procedure to the canons.

In theory, the Synod can break physically into its separate houses, although this is very unusual.

Voting

Members are issued with a voting card (different colours for members of different houses). Votes may be by show of hands (in houses or not in houses) or by secret ballot (in houses or not).

Procedure

Clergy, Laity and Bishops all join together throughout the sessions. The Chair sits alongside the Chancellor, Registrar, and the Honorary Diocesan Secretary. The Registrar and Chancellor advises the Chair on points of procedure.

Members who want to speak during a debate if present in person should make their way to a lectern and await an invitation from the Chair to speak. All remarks should be addressed to the Chair, with the usual preface: “Bishop (or Chair), Members of Synod”.

Speakers should identify themselves and their congregation. Movers of motions are generally allowed to speak for five minutes, while other speakers are limited to three minutes. No one other than the proposer of a motion is allowed to speak twice in the same debate. The proposer may respond to points made during the debate. The one exception to this is when a point of order is raised.

How to get matters on the Synod Agenda?

The formal agenda for the Synod is prepared by the Honorary Secretary. Any member of Synod can propose a motion by writing to the Bishop two weeks before the Synod meeting. The Bishop then decides whether to include the proposed motion. A motion needs a proposer and seconder.

Motions are presented in the form “That this Synod…”.  It is important that the motion sets out clearly what the proposer intends. The mover is then allowed two minutes to address Synod on why it should consider the motion. If two thirds of those present vote in favour of hearing the motion, it can proceed to be debated.

Motions involving financial expenditure cannot be heard unless they are printed in the Synod agenda, alongside the observations of the Board or Committee within whose budget the expenditure would fall.

Another way of getting the General Synod to consider a matter is to put a question to a convenor or Officer during the proceedings. This is a good way of raising an issue without the formality and precision of a specific motion. Where possible, questions should be written and submitted to the Honorary Secretary in advance of Synod.

If Synod members want to take advantage of the above procedures they are encouraged to give as much advance notice to the Diocesan Office as possible, to ensure a smooth-running Synod meeting.

The Rules of Order of the Synod in the General Synod Papers contains more detailed guidance.

The Rest of the Year

During the rest of the year, the work of the Diocese is carried out by its Boards, Committees, and by its officers who work in the Diocesan Office and also by volunteers.

Other information you may find useful is the Scottish Episcopal Church’s Code of Canons, which is used in conjunction with the Constitution of the Diocese.