This is a summary of the Synod. A fuller report with the addition of comments made by members during the various debates will be produced with the next edition of the Diocesan Office Newsletter (DON) in both paper and on-line versions. Some of the discussions after presentations took place in small groups.

Our next bishop – stop spreading gossip

Bishop Frank told the Synod that no-one – including himself – currently knew the identity of the next bishop of Peterborough. The process was complex and nothing was certain until the information was released publicly from the Prime Minister’s Office.

“However, rumours are being spread,” he said, “and this does a real disservice to the person who is being identified. Until I hear who it is (and pass that information to the diocese) it is our responsibility to stop spreading gossip and rumours.” He encouraged everyone to regard rumours as being without foundation.

Bishop Frank's address in full.

Fresh expressions: a valid and vibrant part of the Church of England
Local examples include ministry to “down and outs” and practical work on a housing estate.

“Fresh expressions” are a form of church for our changing culture established primarily for the benefit of people who are not yet members of any church. That was how Revd Andrew Roberts, Director of Training for Fresh Expressions, defined one of the latest catch-words in the Church of England language.

Mr Roberts, a Methodist minister who trained under and paid tribute to the late Ian Cundy, was a guest speaker at the synod. A “Fresh Expression” should have the potential to become a mature established church in its own right, and not merely a “half-way house”, he asserted.

Historically, the church has been adept at responding to changes in culture, church and society, he said. Fresh Expressions can engage with the 60% of the generally younger part of the population who have little or no meaningful relationship with any church.

Fresh Expressions have a strong mission focus, are willing to “re-imagine” church, and are committed to both existing and new forms of church. They have three characteristics:
• They are attractional. On Back to Church Sunday in 2008, some 40,000 people came back to church – the interest is there, if people are personally invited.
• They are engaged. Fresh Expressions seek to go into the community or culture group with practical expressions of care reflecting their Christian ethos.
• They are emerging. Fresh Expressions go to where people are, rather than wait for them to come to us.

Several local projects were described during the presentation. Revd Richard Priestly, who until recently was leading the Eagles Wings project on the Grange estate in Kettering, described it as “mainly about engagement”. It grew into a worshipping community by first serving the community. One person came in to help with a gardening project, and as a result of working alongside Christians was confirmed with his wife.

Canon David Bird described Café Nooma at St Giles Northampton, which began when people who had been through an Alpha course had not become committed Christians but wanted a forum in which they could continue their explorations. Many of its members have had no previous experience of church.

St Giles has also begun a Fresh Expression for “people who don’t fit in”. It began after David Bird visited the Hope Centre (night shelter). The week before the synod, 80 people had come to the event for “pampering” from church members who share their faith. Some are now attending a seekers course, and St Giles is in the process of appointing a part-time minister for them.

Schools are part of our mission

Church of England schools cannot move to the “outstanding” category under the Denominational Inspections process unless their local parish church is actively supporting them, said Dr Stephen Partridge, the Diocesan Director of Education, in a debate about the relationship of schools and churches.

The distinctively Christian ethos in 90% of the 102 church schools in the diocese is classed as good or outstanding, he added. In terms of collective worship, over 90% were classed as good or outstanding. Worship has to be Christian, and also to reflect the traditions of the parish in which it is situated.

The Board is also involved with the local education authorities through the SACRE groups (which set the local syllabus for Religious Education.

Careful housekeeping

Careful budgeting helped the Peterborough Diocese to a better-than-expected financial outcome in 2008, Adrian Pritchard, Chair of the Diocesan Board of Finance reported to the Synod. However, the prospects for the future “should worry us,” he said in a debate about the budget for 2010.

There are about 3 per cent fewer people regularly attending our churches than previously, and this affects income as does the current financial squeeze in the country. Pensions are absorbing more income, although the unexpected continuation of money from landfill tax has eased the situation.

Legislation for women bishops

Bishop Frank informed the Synod that the national revision committee working on legislation aims to finish its work by Christmas. Its report will be discussed at the February General Synod. As some things will be enshrined in English statute law, every diocesan synod would have to vote on proposals before the General Synod could make final decisions. This meant that it was unlikely that any woman could legally be consecrated as a bishop until at least 2014.

Newly-elected vice-chairs

This was the first meeting of the newly-elected diocesan synod, and so it initially met in “houses” (clergy and lay separately) to elect their own chairs, who are also vice-chairs of synod. The president of synod is the diocesan bishop, who traditionally shares the chairing of meetings with the vice chairs.

Revd Canon Gordon Steele, vicar of St John’s Peterborough and rural dean of Peterborough was elected as Chair of the House of Clergy, replacing Revd Canon David Bird (Vicar of St Giles Northampton and also a member of General Synod) who had stood down as Chair after six years in the role. Mrs Anne Toms (Wellingborough Deanery and General Synod) was re-elected as Chair of the House of Laity.

Other matters
Glebe, General Synod, clergy pensions, and mission in the diocese were also dealt with in the Synod which met for a full day at All Saints Primary School in Northampton.

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