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Mersey Synod
1.
The matters of most importance in the Mersey Synod during 1999 have
centred around the “Growing Up” programme of the 1998 General
Assembly. The Synod Meeting of March 1999 through discussion groups, set
in motion a wide-ranging set of proposals to explore and these were firmed
up a the November Synod. Deployment, Development and Training would seem
to be words which describe our Synod’s “Growing Together” response
to “Growing Up”.
2. The move to the new
offices and resource centre in Liverpool took place in late summer of 1999
and this was operative early in September. It already makes a great
difference to the staff of the Synod, who now meet and work together at
the same base and so helps them to enjoy the benefits of team-working. The
facilities are modern and comfortable and soon the resource centre and
bookshop will be advertising its wares for the benefit of our churches.
3. As throughout the whole
church the Mersey Synod is seeking to adapt to the need for new leadership
for our churches to take into account the dwindling number of ministers.
Synod has adopted the policy of a move to the sharing of ministry in
teams, clusters, groups etc. Much consultation and discussion has to take
place in our districts to achieve the changes necessary. Church buildings
can be an asset or hindrance to mission and Synod resources will be
allocated only where and when churches have a positive policy towards
their mission.
4. The Mersey Synod
embraces the concept of life-long-learning. Elders are attending training
days. We held a mini-enquirers’ conference for anyone who thought they
might offer some sort of service to the churches. Nearly 40 people came.
One of the consequences was a demand to know more, about the Faith, about
the Bible and about the United Reformed Church, its history and belief. As
a result, we ran a short course called ‘PATHWAY’ which we intend to
repeat in different parts of the Synod in different years. The search for
recruiting the next generation of ministers goes on. The second course of
training for Local Leaders is currently under way and twelve people are
attending. Synod is pleased to know that this training scheme is being
made more widely available to the Church. Those in our churches with a
pastoral remit are asking for training to enhance skills and specialisms -
e.g. the bereaved. A course is being drawn up for those “Beginning to
Lead Worship” in their local churches. Newly ordained ministers and
others are taking part in the POET and CME opportunities. The message is
getting through that we all need to be refreshed, equipped and encouraged
for the vital work of today’s and the future’s ministry.
5. 1999 was notable for the generosity of others to the benefit of the Mersey Synod. Particularly we would give thanks for the generosity of other Synods, which makes us a net receiver through the Resource Sharing Scheme, and the gift of grace from the Yorkshire Synod arriving just before Christmas. These “extras” to our tight budget are of great encouragement and help to bring our dreams closer to reality.
North Western Synod
1.
This report seeks to look back over the past ten years and to assess
developments. The Synod comprises 154 local churches, largely of
Congregational origin, though we do have a dozen or more deriving from the
historic Manchester Presbytery, and others from the Churches of Christ in
Manchester and Furness peninsula. The independency of Lancashire
Congregationalism still survives but it has steadily given way to the more
conciliar approach characteristic of the United Reformed Church.
2. Meetings
of Synod have become increasingly well attended and more vibrant in mood.
On three occasions meetings have taken place in school premises rather
than in churches and this has facilitated a flexible approach. Major
subjects have been tackled by means of invited speakers and by giving time
for group workshops as well as plenary sessions. On several occasions
parallel programmes for young people and children have been organised. We
have learned to be formal or informal as the occasion demanded, to
worship, to laugh together, and at times to disagree in love while
affirming one another’s integrity. The spirit evident at meetings
percolates through the Province at all levels and fosters the sense of
togetherness in life and mission.
3. This
sense has also been enhanced by special Synod events: a Synod Day in July
1995, held in a Manchester park under canvas with the participation of
3000 people; and an evening act of worship in Blackburn Cathedral in June
1999 when a congregation of 1000, led by a choir of over 200, performed
the Christian Aid musical ‘Feast of Life’. Some of the Districts also
hold one day events.
4. In 1999 a
milestone was passed with a new scheme for the collecting of contributions
to the Ministry and Mission Fund. The churches moved from the principle of
‘paying for the ministry we get’ to one in which all contribute, on an
agreed formula, to ensure that ‘the whole Church pays for the whole
ministry the whole of the time’. Thus paying for ministry has been
separated from the provision of ministry and, overall, the move has been
accepted, with the sense of belonging to the wider Church enhanced.
5. The
District Councils co-operate to ensure a fair distribution of ordained
ministry across the Province while keeping within the total number of
posts allocated under the Assembly deployment policy. Currently the number
of posts remains slightly under those allocated and looks like remaining
so for the next five years. This once again reflects the sense of mutual
responsibility. Meanwhile, a scheme for the discerning and appointing of
Local Church Leaders, working within the guidelines promulgated by the
Assembly, has been adopted. It has paved the way for more effective
leadership among the churches, especially where group pastorates consist
of three or even four churches with but one minister: a familiar pattern
across the seven District Councils.
6. A new
Synod constitution was adopted in 1994 which provided for a minimum of two
committees in each District: a Strategy Committee and a Pastoral
Committee. As in other Synods, the Moderator sits with each of the
Pastoral Committees and thus shares the care and oversight of ministers
and churches with those elected by the District Councils.
7. Mission
is seen largely as the task of the local church, with support from the
District Council and resources available from the Synod, whose Mission
Action Committee co-ordinates a number of teams dealing with specific
aspects of mission and also seeks to give direction to mission enterprise.
A Mission Statement was promulgated by this Committee and efforts are made
to help churches to adopt a similar one for themselves. A Training and
Development Team, which includes the ministry of a very effective Youth
and Children’s Work Trainer and others who give their spare time to the
work, is available for help in church life and witness. Recently this team
has been strengthened by the appointment of a full-time Mission
Development Worker whose initial aim is to help churches to respond to the
implications of the 1999 Assembly report ‘Growing Up’.
8.
Ecumenically the Synod would have hoped to see more progress, with a
significant development from co-operation to commitment on the road to
full communion. Important fellowship, however, exists in the three county
areas of Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Cumbria, Covenants have been
signed by Church Leaders, several have been established between local
congregations, and new constitutions are helping ecumenical witness to
develop. Very promising ecumenical community-based projects continue to
develop and a significant inter-faith project in Nelson was pioneered by
the United Reformed Church locally. It is remarked upon that it is often
the United Reformed Church which, sometimes from a smaller base than other
Churches, supplies the vision and impetus in ecumenical developments.
9. The Synod
remembers the parable of the Sower and realises that its task is to sow
Gospel seeds and to trust God for the harvest. Sadly, six local churches
have closed during the past ten years and the total membership of the
Synod has reduced from 13,000 to under 10,000 with a corresponding drop in
the number of children. We rejoice, however, in the establishment of three
new churches during the same period and in welcoming a clutch of new Pilot
Companies. The Synod goes into the new century with a stronger sense of
togetherness in mission and growing confidence in the God who encourages
and enlivens those who look to him for strength.
10. The Synod has gratefully and warmly commended the Revd C K Forecast and has valued his pastoral diligence, spiritual guidance, ecumenical and world-church vision and, above all, his loving concern for individuals and their churches.
Wales Synod
1.1 1999 was a
momentous year for the people of Wales. The long-awaited National Assembly
of Wales was brought into being amid much anticipation and hope. This
devolution of executive power from Westminster reflects a growing
realisation that Wales is a unique and separate entity within the United
Kingdom. This fact has also been recognised within the United Reformed
Church by our new designation, the National Synod of Wales.
1.2 In common with other
religious bodies in Wales, we recognised the need for Churches to liaise
closely with the newly-formed Assembly. A full-time National Assembly
Liaison Officer has been appointed to serve CYTUN (Churches Together in
Wales). He seeks to keep the Churches well-informed about the activities
of the National Assembly. He is also able to make the Assembly Members
aware of Church perspectives on important issues, e.g. Third World Debt,
the care of asylum seekers, the future of the rural economy, etc., by
providing a constant Christian presence and regular briefings. 1.3 There are already positive indications that the decision to appoint a Liaison Officer will prove to have been a successful one. It is clear that his presence has been accepted by Assembly Members and that they understand and appreciate his role. He has recognised the need for good communications. He maintains an effective web-site which is constantly updated and he reports to, and seeks views from, the constituent bodies of CYTUN via a Committee which meets quarterly.
2
Lightship 2000
2.1 The Churches, through CYTUN and the National Assembly, are currently exploring the question of Chaplaincy to the Assembly. At present there is an ecumenically appointed Chaplain (URC Special Category Ministry – a post filled by Revd Michael Rees) to Cardiff Bay and Lightship 2000. The Lightship provides a focus for Christian witness adjacent to the Assembly Building and also serves as the Churches’ presence and support for the Assembly and its staff. Lightship 2000 is a Cardiff Churches Forum project which provides an attractive Christian presence on the popular, newly-developed waterfront in Cardiff Bay. It is open to the public daily and offers a wide range of refreshments, a free tour of the vessel and facilities for worship and group meetings. The Lightship is publicised via the Internet and receives a steady stream of visitors (over 200,000 in 1999), many of whom spend time in its lovely chapel.
3
Information Technology
3.1 Recognition of this
need to communicate with the world outside the URC has prompted the Synod
to make fuller use of the available technology. Following the appointment
of an enthusiastic and skilled Information Technology Officer, Mr Russell
Davies, the Synod has made rapid strides in developing an effective
web-site. It contains information about the Synod generally, including an
updated message from the Moderator, information about individual Churches
and coverage of special events, e.g. a photographic snapshot of the
3.2 A number of our
Churches maintain their own web-site pages but, not surprisingly, the
extent of take-up has so far been uneven. It is clear, though, that there
is a general acceptance throughout the Synod of the importance of this
form of communication and most have responded with enthusiasm to its
challenges and opportunities.
4 Rural
Officer
4.1 As a result of
information received from questionnaires issued to all our Churches, the
decision was taken to create a Rural Consultant/Officer Post based in Mid
Wales. Revd Michael Cruchley was appointed to this post; he was previously
employed as URC and Methodist Rural Consultant and brings a great deal of
expertise to the task of ministering to the particular needs of rural
communities.
5
Ecumenical Officer
5.1 Revd Stuart Jackson was appointed to the vacant post of Ecumenical Officer with increased scoping; he was previously minister at Warwick Road, Coventry.
West Midlands Synod
1 Introduction
1.1 In response to the
urgent issues of decline in the Church, starkly demonstrated in the
Christian Research Association publication, “The Tide is Running Out”
by Peter Brierley, the Synod is continuing its work in developing a vision
for the Synod. Examples of this are the two-year programme on mission
strategy by the Birmingham District, the conference on “Growing Up” in
the Coventry and Warwickshire District, and the consultation on the Future
of the Church in Shropshire.
1.2 It is intended that
most of the October Synod will be spent reviewing the vision and setting
plans for the next few years. These will include thought being given to
appropriate structures so that the Church becomes more mission orientated.
Because of these shared concerns, this report to Assembly takes up the
themes of “Growing Up”, and is based on the Five Marks of Mission.
2 To proclaim the good news of the kingdom
2.1 After Synod had met in
Chapter House of Worcester Cathedral last October, the Province held a
service in the afternoon in the Cathedral in preparation for the
Millennium on the theme of “Thy Kingdom Come.” Over 1,000 people from
across the Synod filled the nave to take part in an inspiring service led
by the Moderator, and assisted by the Dean of Worcester, the Assembly
Moderator, other church leaders, County Ecumenical and District Officers,
and young people. The sermon was given by the Revd Dr Michael Taylor, and
one of the musical highlights was a specially commissioned anthem by a
local Methodist composer using the words of St Symeon a millennium ago.
(When did the United Reformed Church last commission a piece of music?)
2.2 There are major
ecumenical events in most Districts on the Pentecost weekend this June to
mark the Millennium at interesting venues such as Cheltenham Racecourse
and the Three Counties Showground in Malvern.
3 To
teach, baptise and nurture new believers
3.1 As previously reported to Assembly, the Synod has started a trend of closing churches and reopening them as Mission Projects!
3.2 The one at Bloomsbury
in inner city Birmingham now has a half-time minister, who is looking at
new ways of being the Church in that situation. It continues to be
supported by the Birmingham Inner City Mission Council, which is funded by
local churches, the Synod and the national church, and hopes in due course
to apply for a CRCW to work in the area. The local community continues to
show great loyalty to Tomkin Chapel on the North Staffordshire Moorlands,
which is still under the oversight of local ministers. On the Sunday
before the last Assembly, the Chapel celebrated the willingness of over 20
adults and young people to commit themselves to its life.
3.3 Much work has been done
during the year in developing a Training Strategy for the Synod, which was
endorsed by the March Synod. Given that the Training Officer is only
half-time, it is clear that there is a need for more personnel to work in
this area, particularly to encourage lay training. The Synod is wrestling
with how this need might be met, given its limited financial resources.
4 To
respond to human need by loving service
4.1 At Lea Road, a
multi-ethnic congregation on the edge of inner city Wolverhampton, a CRCW
was commissioned in September to develop the youth and community work that
has grown out of the rebuilding some years ago in partnership with local
community groups.
4.2 Approval is being
sought for a Special Category Ministry post to work with three churches
(including Tomkin) in North Staffordshire to develop youth work in
particular with the local communities.
5 To
seek to transform unjust structures of society
5.1 Following the 1998 G8
Summit in Birmingham, support for Jubilee 2000 continues to be strong in
the Synod, with a group managing to go to the Cologne Summit in 1999. The
number of churches taking up the Commitment for Life programme is also
growing. On other Church and Society issues, the 1999 March Synod had a
useful presentation on ethical investment from its financial advisors, and
the Finance Committee continues to monitor its investments in the light of
this.
5.2 The West Midlands
Economic Region covers all but one of the Districts. While the Churches
have been unsuccessful in getting direct representation on the Regional
Assembly, the newly constituted West Midlands Region Churches Forum, on
which the Province has two representatives and provides the Secretary, is
developing ways of relating to the new regional structures to ensure the
Church’s voice and concerns are heard.
6 To
strive to safeguard the integrity of creation, to sustain and renew the
life of the earth
6.1 Conscious that not
everything can be done at once, the Synod hopes to develop its work in
this area over the next few years.
7 Synod
Office
7.1 During the year, the
Synod was pleased to welcome Helen Cavaco as the new PA to the Moderator,
and her efficient presence has contributed greatly to the smooth running
of the Office. Conscious of the heavy load on the Treasurer, it is hoped
to recruit shortly a part-time clerical assistant to do some of the
bookkeeping, and a voluntary Assistant Treasurer is also being sought. ITC
continues to be developed in the Office, and email is proving a great boon
in better communication.
These changes have
increased the pressure on the limited office space, and thought is being
given - resources permitting - to developing the present Office or moving
it to more spacious premises.
Southern
Synod District Boundaries
The Synod formally reports
to the General Assembly, under paragraph 2(4)(ii) of the Basis and
Structure, that at its meeting of Synod on 10 March 2000, it was agreed
that Balcombe United Reformed Church move from Croydon District to the
Sussex East District.
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