Diocesan Synod Motions

… to move on behalf of the Blackburn Diocesan Synod:

‘That this Synod call on the Archbishops' Council to introduce an order to amend the Parochial Fees and Scheduled Matters Amending Order 2019 so that the fees relating to marriages are set at nil or at a minimal amount in order to demonstrate the Church’s commitment to marriage and pastoral care.’

March 2020

... to move on behalf of the Worcester Diocesan Synod:

That this Synod, recognising that faith can have a positive impact on an offender's behaviour:

a. note with pleasure the decision made by the National Probation Service to recognise faith as a protective factor in reducing reoffending, and its desire to work in partnership with churches, prison and community chaplains and faith communities to support rehabilitation;

b. commend the value of partnership working with the National Probation Service as an important additional support in churches' welcome of people leaving prison, including training of clergy and authorised lay ministers;

c. call on dioceses to nominate a contact person or office to link the Probation Service locally to clergy, parishes and chaplaincies.

March 2020

... to move on behalf of the Oxford Diocesan Synod:

That this Synod, affirming the fifth mark of mission, concerned by the scientific evidence that climate change is proceeding at a rapid rate and by the impact of climate events, and seeking to build on the decisions taken with respect to GS 2159:

a) urge the National Investing Bodies of the Church of England to prioritise investment in renewable energy;

b) call on all parts of the Church of England to review their policies and procedures, in order to ensure that they give due priority to creation care;

c) urge the Church of England to further develop pre- and post-ordination and lay training to deepen understanding in how care for the earth is part of our Christian faith and a missional imperative;

d) urge all parts of the Church of England to seek to support, through prayer, advocacy and practical action, the poorest in the world who are suffering the most from the impacts of climate change, in the awareness that our nation has been among those who have benefited most from the emissions that have caused the crisis;

e)  commit earnestly and regularly to pray - and to promote prayer - about the climate and wider environmental crisis.

f) call upon all institutions of the Church of England to make urgent practical preparations for the delivery of substantial reduction of the Church’s carbon footprint, including, but not restricted to, the following immediate actions in respect of Church buildings:

(i) ensuring that the NCIs are adequately resourced to provide DACs, Buildings Departments, Education Departments and others with authoritative national guidance notes, advice and training on key technical and procedural questions relating to adaptation of buildings for the net zero target; and

(ii) ensuring that Parish Buying and other national-level entities have the capacity to engage with manufacturers and suppliers of products and processes recommended for making our buildings more efficient, with a view to using the scale of the national net zero project to achieve both sympathetic design and economies of scale on cost.

April 2020

… to move on behalf of the St Albans Diocesan Synod:

‘That this Synod, following the motion passed by this Synod in February 2020, which recognises that the global climate emergency is a crisis for God’s creation and a fundamental injustice and which calls on all parts of the Church of England, including dioceses and parishes, to work towards net zero emissions, request that every diocese register with A Rocha UK for the Eco-Diocese Programme.’

December 2020

… to move on behalf of London Diocesan Synod

That this Synod request the Archbishops’ Council to lay a draft order before the Synod to amend the Parochial Fees and Scheduled Matters Amending Order 2019 so that a fee payable to the parochial church council is prescribed in respect of funeral services that take place at crematoria and cemeteries to reflect the contribution made by parishes in support of such services.

November 2022

… to move on behalf of the Oxford Diocesan Synod:

‘That this Synod:

mindful of the deep economic effects of the pandemic, the impacts of new technology, and the global rise of new forms of working--

(a) affirm the dignity and value of purposeful work as a significant component of human flourishing

(b) endorse and commend the five principles used for evaluating fair and dignified platform work in the gig economy by Fair.work and

(c) call for the Faith and Order Commission (FAOC) together with Mission and Public Affairs Committee to advise on what is essential to purposeful, dignified, and fair work in the context of the fourth industrial revolution now in progress.’

March 2021

…to move on behalf of the Carlisle Diocesan Synod:

‘That this Synod:

1. endorse the “Cry for Hope” expressed by Palestinian Christians and the ‘Global Kairos for Justice’ coalition (GKfJ);
2. request that the Faith and Order Commission produce a report which analyses and refutes any theological justifications, for example, those promoted by some Christian Zionists, for the oppression of Palestinians;
3. instruct the Ethical Investment Advisory Group to provide guidance to the National Investing Bodies (NIBs) and Dioceses that will enable them to screen their investments and thereby make decisions regarding engagement with, and divestment from, companies which profit from the occupation.’

March 2021

… to move on behalf of Chelmsford Diocesan Synod:

‘That this Synod request that General Synod request the Archbishops' Council to carry out a review to consider:

1. the possibility of drawing up a Code of Conduct for PCC members and lay volunteers,
2. the issues required to put in place a disciplinary process for their removal from the PCC in cases where this is not followed,
3. the resources required at national, diocesan and parish level to bring this about.'

June 2022

... to move on behalf of London Diocesan Synod: 

'That this Synod, in the light of the motion passed at the February 2022 Group of Sessions relating to the persecuted Church (i.e. item 18 on the Agenda, as amended), request the Archbishops' Council to work ecumenically with other churches to establish a national day of prayer and action for the persecuted Church around the world' 

August 2022

… to move on behalf of Lichfield Diocesan Synod:

That this Synod request that the Archbishops Council:

review current legislative provision dealing with disqualification from holding office on a PCC or synod constituted under the Church Representation Rules;

consult the National Safeguarding Team on appropriate safeguarding measures;

bring forward proposals to amend the Church Representation Rules and other relevant legislation to allow checks to be made as to the eligibility of individuals to hold office on a PCC or synod; and

bring forward legislation to provide a robust and effective means for preventing those who are disqualified on safeguarding or other grounds from being elected to, or holding, office.’

April 2022

… to move on behalf of Southwell & Nottingham Diocesan Synod:

‘That this Synod urge the National Church Institutions and Church Buildings Council to use their influence to press for:

a reduction in the financial burden of VAT on churches through the continued funding of the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme (LPofWGS) and a broadening of the criteria for eligible expenditure together with a reduction in the administrative burden to access the LPofWGS with a simplified application process;

an intentional briefing, and greater understanding by, the local representatives of Historic England and the amenity societies of the mission and ministry objectives of the Church of England, and;

money to be made available from nationally held funds to assist churches to make reasonable adjustments to provide basic facilities for the comfort of worshippers and visitors.’

May 2022

… to move on behalf of Sheffield Diocesan Synod:

‘That this Synod, mindful that the fourth Mark of Mission of the Anglican Communion is to “transform unjust structures of society”,

note the major contribution to social welfare being made by the churches and others in the provision of food banks

note with concern that levels of dependence on food banks have been increasing and that inflation is making the situation even worse

believe that this dependence reflects serious inadequacies in the social security system

note that the Trussell Trust has said: 'we stand on the edge of a precipice with a clear decision to make: either we accept food banks as a 'new normal' or we work to create a more dignified, compassionate and humane society where everyone has enough money for essentials' 

welcome the Chancellor’s intervention to help the least well-off households with their energy bills but note this will not remove the problem of increased dependency on foodbanks

call on the House of Bishops to urgently engage with HM Government, in particular the Secretary of State, to press it to review the adequacy of current social security provision.' 

January 2023

…. to move on behalf of Winchester Diocesan Synod

‘That this Synod request that the Archbishops’ Council lay before it for approval draft Regulations amending the Ecclesiastical Offices (Terms of Service) Regulations 2009 so that an office holder is entitled to not less than 36 hours (a day and a half) of rest in any period of seven days, to include an uninterrupted rest period of not less than 24 hours, but so that the statement of particulars of office may continue to specify that any rest period may not be taken on or include a Sunday or any or all of the principal Feasts of the Church of England or Ash Wednesday or Good Friday.’

April 2023

… to move on behalf of the diocese of Coventry:

‘That this Synod request the Archbishops' Council to

carry out a review at the earliest possible date to consider:

drawing up an enforceable Code of Conduct to apply to members of all deanery synods, diocesan synods and General Synod (“the representative body;”)

creating and enforcing a disciplinary process for the removal of members from the representative body in question where the requirements of the Code of Conduct are not followed, to include an appeals process;

the resources required at national, diocesan and parish level

bring this into force at the earliest possible date.

 May 2023