19 November 2012
The November sessions of the General Synod began
with worship, led by Canon Glyn Webster, Bishop-designate of
Beverley.
The Archbishop of Canterbury opened the formal
proceedings by introducing members who had joined the Synod since
July in York. He then introduced an existing member who would be
continuing in the Synod - but in a different role: the Rt Revd
Justin Welby, Bishop of Durham and Archbishop-designate of
Canterbury. Members welcomed them all with warm applause.
Following Dr Williams' brief report on the
progress of Measures and Statutory Instruments, the Ven Julian
Henderson, Archdeacon of Dorking (Guildford) and Chair of the
Business Committee, introduced the customary Report by the Business Committee (GS
1880). Following debate, Synod formally took note of
this Report.
Canon Elizabeth Paver (Sheffield), Vice-Chair of
the Anglican Consultative Council (ACC), led a presentation about
the ACC's recent meeting in New Zealand. Canon Paver was then
joined by the Church of England's four individual representatives
on the ACC in a Question and Answer session with Synod
members.
This offered a helpful prelude to debate on the
Report by the Business
Committee on the Article 8 Reference (GS 1878) on the
reference to dioceses of the Draft Act of Synod Adopting the
Anglican Communion Covenant in which both Archbishops
spoke.
The evening closed with Question Time. The Synod put 67
questions to the Archbishops' Council, House of Bishops, Church
Commissioners and a number of boards, committees and commissions.
The answers, in areas including the women bishops debate, the
repair of benefice buildings, the Hillsborough Enquiry, stipends,
community service, diversity, on-going reviews, the Charities Act,
ministerial training, social issues and ethical investment, will be
published on the Church of England website, while the
audio is available on the Church of England website.