Annual General Meeting & Diocesan Synod Summary – 19 May 2024
Growing Disciples: Annual General Meeting & Diocesan Synod 18 May 2024
Saturday was an encouraging time for many as the Diocesan Synod and AGM took place at The Minster School, Southwell. Through this time the Bishops, senior leaders and elected delegates (both clergy and lay) listen and discuss updates, reports and key documents to prayerfully discern what God is saying to the Diocese at this time, in keeping with the Greek word of ‘Synod’, as ‘coming together to find a way’.
The Revd Emily Charkham, the new Bishop’s Chaplain, and Neil Wilson from Trinity Church Nottingham welcomed everyone into this posture through sung worship and prayer, which helped set the tone and focus for the day.
Annual General meeting
Canon Michael Arlington, Chair of Finance, provided an insightful and helpful overview of financial performance and position. It was highlighted that parish share 9 years ago was higher than it was now. There were positive signs throughout as investments continued to grow and were strong financially. However, the challenge with regards to funding mission and ministry continues and it was noted that a deficit budget of £600k had been approved for 2024. The proportion of funding received from the National Church was highlighted.
The allocation of parish share in the future had been considered by a review group, chaired by Archdeacon Phil Williams. The draft report from this group would be submitted to Finance Committee on 22 May 2024 and then to Bishop’s Council on 11 June 2024. A key recommendation from this report was that each parish would have a trajectory of what was expected in the next 10 years. It would change the way parish share was allocated in the future.
Bishop’s Address
Bishop Paul’s full address can be read here
Growing Disciples Update
Bishop Andy provided an inspiring presentation to Diocesan Synod on Children & Youth – SDF4 and the refreshed diocesan vision, in particular the proposed application for national funding from the Diocesan Investment Programme (DIP).
There were encouraging early signs of growth in children and youth engagement through the intentional SDF4 investment. 2024 was year 3 of a 5-year programme. The aim was to achieve a step change. Churches have been seeking to increase the number of lay volunteers involved and there had been encouraging progress.
The importance of culture change was emphasised, and churches where family and youth ministry are at the heart of mission and ministry are seeing fruit and growth. In these contexts where there is a priority on encounter, we are also receiving encouraging stories of people meeting Jesus and coming to faith and congregations are growing in confidence in God, in line with the refreshed vision.
The DIP funding application was for multi-year funding across the whole Diocese to continue our work of church revitalisation and growth. The national church is journeying with the Diocese in this process.
Reporting
Synod noted the Annual Reports from the Diocesan Board of Education (DBE), Diocesan Advisory Committee (DAC), and Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory Panel (DSAP). The Independent Chair of DSAP, Barry Earnshaw, gave a brief presentation and answered questions.
Mr Ian Boothroyd submitted an update from General Synod at its February sessions and provided a verbal update regarding the draft agenda for the July sessions.
Mr Martin Cooper, Diocesan Chief Executive
May 2024