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On Saturday 18 October Diocesan Synod met at Malcolm Arnold Academy in Northampton. Our session started with prayers led by the Revd Allison Twigg, Chair of Clergy.
In her presidential address, Bishop Debbie spoke of the wells in Bible and how they can be reopened, are places of provision and encounter. Our vision is for all to come to the well, for all to be refreshed and for all to join the flow of living water bringing God’s Kingdom here on earth as in heaven. You can watch or read her full address here.
Paul Buckingham, Chair of the Diocesan Board of Finance then introduced the annual reports and accounts for 2024, beginning with thanking parishes for their response to the share requests. These were duly accepted.
Chris Banks, Lay Chair, then gave an update on the ongoing Governance Review, sharing the improvements being made through the working group and underlining the challenges that are being addressed and the commitment to improve the service delivered to our parishes.Chris emphasised that he and the working group are passionate about improving the relationship between the central Diocesan functions and the parishes as we are all one organisation seeking to do God’s work.
The working group will be submitting papers to the Bishop’s Council and the DBF in November and then further information on the legal requirements in January and February. Assuming a positive outcome they will report back to Diocesan Synod at the March meeting with a clear set of proposals and an implementation plan.
Questions were sought and raised both about the future structure of the organisation and clergy deployment, whilst news of the imminent arrival of Becky Dyball as Bishop’s Missioner, and her role in local mission was well received.
The Revd Keir Dow then presented a Peterborough Deanery motion asking for a review of parish share that was built on partnership and trust, requiring transparency and openness. Questions were asked about what good looks like in this context and the importance of working together to achieve this. Isabel Merrifield, Interim Diocesan Secretary, outlined the work already underway by the new Parish Share Team – made up of all those involved in the share at a Diocesan level – and committed to a timeline for the review being brought back to Synod in March.
After a brief break, Paul Buckingham presented the budget for 2026, which was accompanied by a presentation from David Mason, Head of Finance. Paul reflected on the feedback that came from the Synod gathering with parish treasurers in July and how helpful that has been as we seek to work together to reduce the current deficit.
There was encouragement for deanery synods to become valued as an integral part of the diocesan structure and commitment was made to provide additional resources to help deaneries and parishes understand both the mechanisms, theology and potential of the finances going forward. A key part of the Diocesan improvement activities is the development of a ten year financial plan to address the deficit situation and with that understanding, the budget for 2026 was then universally carried.
An update on the Living in Love and Faith process and the recent decisions from the House of Bishops was given by the Revd Allison Twigg. This included acknowledgement of the difficult and divisive nature of the debate and the different levels of understanding. Her report will be circulated to all Rural Deans and Lay Chairs so that further updates can be given at deanery synods and with a request that any comments or suggestions on how we can create a space for open, respectful and prayerful dialogue be sent to the diosynod email address.
Allison explained that the current position meant that prayer of love and faith remain commended, but that bespoke stand alone services and decisions about clergy wishing to enter into same sex marriages need separate synodical approval processes. For further information on this please see this press release from the Church of England.
The Constitution of the DAC paper was deferred to a later synod meeting and the process for elections to the Diocesan Board of Education were approved.
The Revd Steve Benoy then gave an update briefing on the last General Synod which included the address by the Archbishop of Jerusalem, the Safeguarding Redress Scheme, The Church of England National Services reorganisation and the Terminal Ill Adults Bill. Steve’s report will be sent to Rural Deans and Lay Chairs so this can be presented at deanery synods.
Chris Banks then thanked Steve for his ministry and work in the Diocese as this would be his final Diocesan Synod before he leaves for his new role in Oxford Diocese.
The final item of business was to confirm the number of lay representatives from each parish entitled to be elected to deanery synod next year for the new triennium. There is no change to the current level of representation and the motion was passed.
The next meeting of Synod will take place on Saturday 14 March 2026.
Archdeacon Richard closed the meeting in prayer.
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| Revd Allison Twigg, Chair of the House of Clergy | Chris Banks, Chair of the House of Laity |