Reflections on the 38th Synod of the Diocese of Grafton

Introduction and conclusion courtesy of Canon Robert Weatherby

Synod commenced with the Synod Eucharist at St John's, Coffs Harbour on Friday night. The Acknowledgement to Country was performed by 2 Aboriginal students from Bishop Druitt College and the guest preacher was the Rev'd Canon Glenn Loughrey who is the Chair of NATSIAC and is also from our First Nations people.

His address was inspiring and led to greater understanding of the Voice to Parliament. On Saturday morning after many procedural issues were dealt with, Glenn Loughrey made a presentation to Synod which gave insight into the need to listen to First Nations people. He stressed that this was all that was needed and that there were no demands being made, just an invitation to listen.

The Bishop's Presidential Address was about Reconciliation. However the highlight for him for the year was the visit to Lismore of the Archbishop of Canterbury. A separate presentation was made by the Bishop and his wife Leanne on their experience at the Lambeth Conference.

Much time was spent on the Financials for the Diocese and overall the finances are stable with sufficient funds to address any liabilities that may occur. The Diocese has implemented an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to provide counselling and other assistance to people on the Diocesan payroll. Numerous reports of Diocesan organisations were received.

Sunday's session commenced at 10 am and there were presentations from Anglicare North Coast and by the Bishop on Church Attendance statistics. One interesting fact was that the Diocese of Grafton, once thought of as a small rural diocese is now by population the 10th largest (out of 23) Anglican dioceses in Australia and the Bishop commented that we now should be regarded as a medium sized diocese.

There was one ordinance passed, the Amending Ordinance (Pastoral Breakdown) which incorporated a new section in the Diocesan Governance Ordinance to provide a pathway where there is a breakdown in the pastoral relationship of an Incumbent (Rector or Priest-inCharge) with the parishioners.

A number of motions were presented to Synod but due to time constraints not all of them were able to be dealt with. The Synod supported the Statement by the Primate on the launch of the company known as the Diocese of the Southern Cross. A task group is to be set up to provide resources to encourage inclusive language use within the Diocese. There is consideration of reducing the standard clergy working week from 48 hours to 40 hours. Synod also passed a motion congratulating Bishop Murray for his statement concerning the Voice to Parliament. Bishop-inCouncil has also been requested to investigate creating a position of Diocesan Youth Co-Ordinator.

Major Resolutions Of 2023 Synod

R14/23: Diocese of the Southern Cross

That this Synod: a. Supports the statement from the Primate of the Anglican Church of Australia on the launch of the company, the Diocese of the Southern Cross (18 August 2022). b. Notes that the Diocese of the Southern Cross is neither part of the Anglican Church of Australia nor the Anglican Communion c. Will continue to pray and work to find a way that the Anglican Church of Australia may live together with difference.

R15/23:

Retirement of The Reverend David

Hanger

That this Synod acknowledges and give thanks to God for the faithful and godly ministry that The Reverend David and Mrs Leone Hanger have exercised, in partnership with numerous parishes, and in many significant Diocesan roles, for over 40 years. They have been prayerful for those to whom they have ministered; loving in their pastoral care; sacrificial in their service; faithful in their teaching of God's Word; and uncompromising in their passion of sharing the Gospel with everyone. We pray that David and Leone's retirement will be rewarding and fruitful, and that God will continue to provide opportunities for them to serve Him.

R17/23: Inclusive Language

That this Synod requests Bishop-in-Council to establish a task group with the necessary skills and experience, with members drawn from within and beyond the Diocese, if necessary, to provide resources and to recommend policies which will encourage inclusive language in all aspects of the Diocese.

R18/23: Clergy Working Week

That this Synod requests Bishop-in-Council to form a Working Group to investigate the potential benefits and impacts of reducing the standard clergy working week from 48 hours over 6 days to 40 hours over 5 days. It is requested that the Working Group in its investigation consult with stakeholders and examine the experiences of other Australian Anglican Dioceses and bring any recommendations arising from their investigation to the 2024 Synod.

R30/23: Voice to Parliament

That this Synod congratulates Bishop Murray for his Statement Concerning the Voice to Parliament.

R32/23: Appointment of Registrar/General Manager

That this Synod congratulates Mrs Angela Mula on her appointment to the role of Registrar/General Manager of the Anglican Diocese of Grafton. The Synod also acknowledges Angela’s work as Deputy Registrar and Executive Officer – Schools since joining the Diocese in September 2020 and welcomes her continuing contribution to the leadership of the Diocese.

R31/23:

Working Group on Refugees & Asylum Seekers

That this Synod reinstates the Working Group on Refugees and Asylum Seekers. The aim is to gather information and statistics on the status of onshore and offshore refugees and report to Bishop-in-Council with a suggested plan of action.

R32/23: Community Refugee Integration Settlement Pilot

That this Synod acknowledges the Australian Federal Government’s community sponsorship scheme CRISP (Community Refugee Integration Settlement Pilot), launched in May 2022 as part of the Government’s community sponsorship scheme. We ask that Bishop-in-Council;

1. writes to the Prime Minister of Australia congratulating the Government on the successful implementation of the CRISP program and encouraging its ongoing support from the Federal Government;

2. encourages Parishes throughout the Diocese to support the formation and operation of local Community Support Groups to support refugee households.

R33/23:

Youth Coordinator

That this Synod requests the Bishop-in-Council investigates the creation of a position, including funding models, for a Youth Impact Director for the Grafton Diocese, to assist in reinvigorating the children & youth ministries throughout the Diocese, noting the following possible key objectives:

• coordinating the creation of an online children and youth ministries resource hub for parishes to access.

• supporting parishes through personal consultation to develop and grow their children and youth ministries.

• develop and implement, through the support of parishes, the re-creation of children and youth camps.

• develop and support the implementation of safe and inclusive youth and children’s governance framework that includes policy and procedure documents in line with best industry (education) standards.

• develop and support extraterritorial ministry work within the guiding principles of an Environmental Social Governance (ESG) framework.

R34/23: Acknowledgment of the Service of Canon Terry Shorten

That Synod recognises the dedicated service of Mr Terry Shorten as a Canon of Christ Church Cathedral for the past 27 years, acknowledges his significant contribution to the work of the Cathedral Chapter over that time, and thanks him for his knowledge, passion and keen attention to detail. Synod prays every blessing upon Terry.

R35/23: Retirement of The Venerable Zoe Everingham

That this Synod, conscious that the retirement of The Venerable Zoe Everingham is imminent, records its grateful thanks for the work she has undertaken in her multiple roles in this Diocese. Members of Synod acknowledge with gratitude the gift Zoe bestowed upon the Diocese in coming out of an earlier retirement to take on the roles of Intentional Interim Minister of Orara Valley and Archdeacon of the South in 2021, as she continued her role as Clerical Canon. Synod gives thanks for the wisdom, compassion, efficiency, and deep faith that Zoe brought to these roles and many others. Synod, in extending its thanks to Zoe, wishes her every blessing and looks forward to her continued ministry in the Diocese in due time.

R36/23: Thanksgiving for Chris Nelson as Registrar and General Manager of the Anglican Diocese of Grafton

That this Synod: a. Expresses our gratitude and appreciation for Chris Nelson's remarkable contributions during his nineyear tenure as Registrar and General Manager of the Anglican Diocese of Grafton. b. We give thanks for God’s call upon Chris’ life and for the gifts that have been given to him enabling him to live out his vocation as a disciple of Christ in the role of Registrar. c. Gives thanks and acknowledges the many skills and gifts that Chris brought to the role and for his character, especially his dedication, diligence, integrity, openness, strategic planning, intelligence, faithfulness, transparency, humility, and humour. d. Wishes Chris and Jan all of God’s blessings as they embark on this new chapter of their lives.

In conclusion, it was a Synod where strong emotions were exhibited with lots of tears, especially after the presentation by Glenn Loughrey on the Voice to Parliament and the presentation of a message stick and with the farewell and motion of thanksgiving on the retirement of Archdeacon Zoe Everingham and congratulations to Mrs Angela Mula on her appointment as the Registrar.

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