REPORT FROM THE BUSINESS COMMITTEE GS 2043
The Synod took note of this report. The debate heard requests for the groupwork scheduled ahead of the debate on the House of Bishops Report on Marriage and Same Sex Relationships after the Shared Conversations (GS2055) on Wednesday to be suspended to make time for more debate. Canon Jane Charman of Salisbury also asked for space to be made in the agenda for debate on the impact of recent actions of US and UK Governments on the vulnerable.
REVISED DATES OF GROUPS OF SESSIONS IN 2018
Members approved a motion moved by the Revd Canon Sue Booys, Chair of the Business Committee, that Synod meet on the following dates:
Monday to Saturday 5-10 February
Friday-Tuesday 6-10 July
Monday-Wednesday 19-21 November (Contingency)
DATES OF GROUPS OF SESSIONS IN 2019-2020
Members approved a motion moved by the Revd Canon Sue Booys, Chair of the Business Committee, that Synod meet on the following dates:
2019:
Monday-Saturday 18-23 February
Friday-Tuesday 5-9 July
Monday-Wednesday 25-27 November (contingency dates)
2020:
Monday-Saturday 10-15 February
Friday-Tuesday 10-14 July
Monday-Wednesday 23-25 November (Inauguration)
ANNIVERSARY OF THE REFORMATION
The Synod passed a motion in the following form, on a motion moved by the Bishop of Coventry and including an amendment moved by the Revd Angus MacLeay of Rochester.
That this Synod, in the context of the 500th anniversary of the beginning of the European Reformation and the Church of England's understanding of the doctrine of justification as expressed in our historic formularies:
(a) Give thanks to God for the rich spiritual blessings that the Reformation brought to the Church of England
(b) welcome signs of convergence between the churches on the doctrine of salvation, noting Resolution 16.17 of the Anglican Consultative Council in 2016 regarding the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification and its relation to the Helsinski Report and ARCIC II's Salvation and the Church; and
(c) commend initiatives in this anniversary year to foster mutual understanding and reconciliation between churches, for the sake of our deeper renewal in the grace of God and our ability to share the gospel of salvation with all the world.'
PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS
The Archbishop of Canterbury gave a Presidential Address. Amongst other things he spoke of the need for Christians to be a "cross shaped people" to help reshape society at a time of uncertainty.
"We are to carry the cross as we follow," he said.
"We are to be publicly, openly and convincingly those who are Christians."
QUESTIONS
Answers including supplementaries were given to questions 1-73
These brief summaries are offered primarily for reference while the General Synod is in session. The formal record of the Synod's business at each sitting during the February 2017 group of sessions can be found in the 'Business Done' section (available online once published after the Synod concludes its business), which offers a fuller picture of the Synod's business.