SYNOD MAY 8TH 2010
AT HULL CENTRAL MISSION
10.00am
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THE METHODIST CHURCH -YORK AND HULL DISTRICT
Spring Synod - 8 May 2010
Hosted by Hull Mission
Coffee was served from 9.15am and Synod commenced at 10.00am.
Opening Worship which included hymns, prayers and a short address was led by a Circuit representative.
1. Welcome Revd Luke Smith, Superintendent Minister of the Circuit, welcomed members to Synod.
2. Dispensations and Apologies
The following dispensations had been granted - Revds David Emison, Robert Amos, Sue Swires, Christopher Humble, Cameron Stirk, Chris Kirkman, Stanley Jackson, John Staton and Robert Gee. and dispensations for part of Synod were granted to Revds Mark Haynes and Colin Emerson. Apologies had also been received from Revds Maurice Staton, Roy Stent, Michael Chester and Mary Lloyd, and from Stephen Rippon, Kim Gabbatiss, Rita Milne, Trevor Bettley, Judith Green, Mary Blackburn, Jean Skinner, Steve Laugher, John Eldon and Audrey Windress.
3. Letters of Greeting Letters of greeting were requested for the following people, Revds Chris Kirkman and Edwin Salt and Mr Trevor Bettley who were currently coping with health issues, Trisha Hunter, PA to the Bishop of Whitby who was retiring from the post of secretary to the Social Responsibility Council and Revd Ernest and Mrs Olive Willis in the Ripon Circuit.
4. Election of Scrutineers Synod gave approval to the appointment of the following scrutineers: Ann Vaughan, Luke Smith, Judith Edwards, Peter Ogle, Vivienne Smith, Hilda Wildridge and Jacky Goaten
5. Office Holders and Appointments to District Committees.
Membership of the District committees and office holders within the District had been circulated with the agenda. Various amendments had been received and these together with additional amendments received on the day were approved by Synod and would be included in the new Directory.
The amendments included the following:
Revd Steve Barlow - to be District Grants Officer
DPC Secretary - to be Mrs Heather Shipman
Women's Network representative on DPC - to be Mrs Anne Kirkman
District Executive representatives Revds Peter Cross and Steve Barlow to stand down. Revd Andy Bryer to be appointed.
The names of members of the District Consent Giving body to be included in the Directory
6. Local Preachers who have died during the year.
The following list of names of Local Preachers was read out by Revd Mary Jackman. They will be included in the Book of Remembrance 2009-2010.
George Brown, Les Carter, John (Jack) Cocker, Dorothy Jackson, Peter Jameson, Charles Martin, Joan Middleton, Cyril Pearson, Aline Pendlebury, Harriet Shaw, Rae Whyte, Betty Wilson, Mary York, Kate Byass.
7. Cessation of Worship
The Chair outlined the process when a request for the cessation of worship came to DPC. This process was now very stringent and a cessation of worship only agreed to after a clear and detailed analysis of the situation. In view of this the Chair asked Synod if they would agree to consider the 8 requests being brought en bloc. He read out the names of those churches being considered and asked if there were any questions. As there were none, and as the Superintendents of the relevant circuits did not wish to add any further information, it was agreed that the cessation of worship for the following churches be moved to a vote:
Hornby (Thirsk and Northallerton)
Wyton (Hull East)
Grosmont (Whitby)
Otteringham (Withernsea)
Whitgift (Goole)
Rillington (Malton)
Foggathorpe (Pocklington and Market Weighton)
Garthorpe (Goole)
153 members of Synod were present. The cessation of worship for these 8 churches was agreed by 153, nem con.
8. Report from District Policy Committee
The Chair explained that DPC had moved from 3 meetings a year to 4 at the present time because of the volume of business. Most of the business of DPC came to Synod in one form or another but there was one new item which the committee wished to highlight for Synod and that was the possibility of the formation of a District Mission Unit. The Deputy Chair spoke to this item having circulated a paper on the proposal [Appendix A [in pdf]]
The creation of 3 part time posts would form the core of the District Mission Unit;
District Development Enabler (existing post DDE) - 0.5 FTE
District Mission Enabler (DME) - 0.5 FTE
District Missing Generations worker (DMGW) - 0.5 FTE
In consideration of the proposal members of Synod raised the following points:
• It was a welcome development. The Church did much in the way of Children's work which drew in parents but nothing was done for those in their 20s and 30s who did not have children.
• A request was made for the word 'discipleship' to be incorporated in any agreed proposal
• The suggestion that the missing generations extended to those aged 40 - 60 years
• With the change from District Evangelism Enabler to District Mission Enabler would evangelism still play a part in the role?
• Should liaison with Venture fx take place before anything was agreed.?
• Would it mean that some churches would benefit greatly whilst others may be neglected.
The Deputy Chair acknowledged the concerns and addressed some of the issues. He assured those who had raised them that all these comments would be taken on board if it was agreed that the proposal should move forward.
Synod agreed that further work on the proposal should proceed and that it be returned to the Autumn meeting.
9. Ministerial Synod
The Revd Keith Himsworth reported on Ministerial Synod which had been held on 8 March. Amongst the business of the day it had been unanimously agreed that the current second year probationers should proceed to ordination at this year's Conference and it had been agreed that their testimonies would be heard as part of a service at the end of Representative Synod. The obituaries of Ministers who had died during the year had also been agreed. A presentation on Safeguarding had formed part of the business. They had also discussed 'A Way Forward for Mission' and agreed that 'no change' was not an option.
10. Finance
The District Treasurer tabled the statement of financial activities and balance sheets for the year ended 31 August 2009 for both York International House and the York and Hull District General Fund.
With regard to York International House he explained that the property was managed through a letting agency and that it could now accommodate 9 students. At the end of 2009 there was a surplus of £16,462 compared to £11,564 at the end of 2008. The surplus would go towards the funding of York University Chaplaincy.
The accounts for York International House were agreed.
Turning to the District's General Fund account he reminded Synod of the reduction in the base rate of interest but assured them that in spite of this the funds were in a healthy state. The Circuit assessment increase had only amounted to 0.4%. Copies of the full budget statement were available for anyone who wished to see a copy. No questions were asked and the accounts were agreed.
The Treasurer was warmly thanked for all his work on behalf of the District.
11. Appraisal
Mr Colin Hogg outlined the situation with regard to appraisal. He explained that the position was no clearer than it had been a year ago and that it may be some time before the Connexional Team issued further information on the process. They had taken all the Districts' concerns seriously but no further information had been forthcoming, although a timetable had been offerred. The District has continued with our own 'hybrid' scheme but because of the uncertainty as to the future it had not recruited any new accompanists. At a recent meeting of the Accompanied Self Appraisal Group it had been suggested that Synod be asked to agree to the continuance of the current scheme until 2013, which would allow new recruitment of accompanists to take place. If the connexional scheme is in place before 2013 then we may be able to reconsider this decision.
Synod agreed that the York and Hull District should continue with their current scheme until 2013.
12. Methodist Council and Conference
Revd Andy Bryer indicated the variety of work currently being discussed by the Methodist Council which included issues as varied as the payment of pensions, social media such as Facebook and Twitter and travel.
The Synod Secretary reminded members of Synod of the names of the members they had elected as Conference representatives and encouraged anyone who had any questions about any of the Conference business to approach one of their Conference Representatives or their Council Representative.
13. Safeguarding
The Revd Alison McDonald began her report by reminding anyone whose CRB disclosure was coming up for renewal this year that the deadline for applying was 31 May.
She also appealed for any church able and willing to host a barbecue on behalf of the safeguarding group to contact her.
A draft policy had been circulated with the agenda papers. She reminded Synod that at times we were all in the position of being vulnerable adults and that from a theological viewpoint we recognise our vulnerability in the broken body of Christ. Policies with regard to our care of Vulnerable Adults would be going to Conference in 2010.
Synod agreed to adopt the policy before them with the deletion of the word 'children' in the title.
Mrs McDonald was warmly thanked for her work for the District.
14. Social Responsibility Council
The Revd Ray Coates as Joint Chair of the Social Responsibility Council reminded Synod of the fact that this was now the title for the joint group which would be co-chaired by himself and the Rt Revd Martin Warner, Bishop of Whitby.
Dr Stephen Leah then spoke on an ecumenical study day which had been held in November. He left copies of a paper provided by some of the Palestinian leaders for members to take.
The Chair thanked Dr Leah for all his work and passion for the subject both at District and Conference level.
15. Property
Dr Nigel Hardwick reminded Synod that there were 244 churches and 62 manses in the District which all required inspection and maintenance. £1½m pa was spent on upgrading and rebuilding projects. A new system was now in place for dealing with property schemes and Dr Hardwick explained how the new on-line system operated and gave Synod an insight into the role of the District Consent Giving body, the role of managing trustees and the Circuit meeting within the process. He reminded everyone of the help available, including himself, to anyone embarking on a property scheme.
The Chair warmly thanked Dr Hardwick for his work.
Certificate of Accounts
At this point Synod were reminded of those Circuits which had so far failed to make the required return for the year. They were asked to speak to either the Chair or Synod Secretary during the lunchtime recess.
16. Hull Mission
A presentation on Hull Mission by Revd Luke Smith and Mrs Tricia Mitchell as District Development Enabler, followed. They outlined the position and work of the two churches in the Circuit, Selby Street and Hull Mission and the reason for the current review which was taking place. During the course of the presentation Marie, who had come to work as a temporary cleaner at Hull Mission in January, was interviewed. She had remained at the Mission and spoke enthusiastically of the work which was taking place there. 'Hull Mission', said Mr Smith 'is not a place where you have to be 'posh' to come. We reach out to those who feel they do not fit in elsewhere'.
As a city centre church the question arose as to where the city centre was. 50 years ago it was exactly where the current Mission is situated, but today the location of the city centre is uncertain.
Mrs Mitchell asked Synod for the following help:
• practical help, particularly from those who did not live too far away from the Mission
• an encouragement to people to visit the coffee bar
• prayer that people will find God in that Church as they visited it for various reasons.
The Chair thanked the three participants for their presentation and also the Mission for hosting Synod.
Synod adjourned for lunch. A collection in aid of Methodist Ministers' Children's Relief Association was held during the break
17. The new website
The designer of our new website gave a 5 mins presentation showing current progress in the design. Synod indicated their approval and Marek was thanked for his work.
18. A Way Forward for Mission
The details of the proposed new Ripon Bedale Circuit and the results of the individual church ballots had been circulated with the agenda. Synod was therefore asked to vote on the proposal which would be submitted to Conference in June. The result was as follows:
For the proposal 164
Against 0
Abstensions 0
The welcome service for Revd Pat Malham would be held on the first Sunday in September and that would also be the inaugural service for the new Ripon Bedale Circuit.
Mrs Tricia Mitchell then presented an updated picture of the current round of consultations between circuit clusters and the possibilities which were emerging. She also spoke about how we would then learn to be Church in the new configurations. A question arose on the possible increase in the amount of administration and whether or not help would be available to deal with it. Mrs Mitchell said that hopefully people other than the Minister would take on that responsibility.
The Chair spoke of how Districts and Synods may have a completely different feel at the end of this process. He spoke of the discussions which had taken place regionally across the four Yorkshire Districts as to how we might resolve issues which involved circuits seeking to link with others across District boundaries. The suggested way forward involved the establishment of an independent commission which would act as consultants/arbiters to the process. Synod gave its approval to this way of working when cross District boundaries were involved.
Mrs Mitchell and the Support Group were thanked for their work.
19. Feeding the World Conference
The Revd Elizabeth Clark presented details of a conference on Feeding the World to be held on Wednesday 16 June.
20. District of Sanctuary
The Revd Inderjit Bhogal was welcomed to Conference. He reminded Synod that Hull was already a City of Sanctuary and that this area was currently looking at ways of being a Region of Sanctuary. He raised the question of what it means to be a District of Sanctuary. He spoke of the history and meaning of 'Sanctuary' and likened the status to that of being a Fair Trade District. He said that in order to achieve that status it would require ⅔ of the churches in the District to support the idea.
He also spoke of the way in which it was very much a grass roots movement and was not a government led initiative. It would require the churches who wished to be involved to conform to a specific set of goals which involved the care of asylum seekers, refugees and vulnerable members of society.
A film giving further details of the movement was then shown.[Available on Synod presentations Page]
It was agreed, at Mr Bhogal's suggestion, that the question of becoming a District of Sanctuary be brought back to Synod in one year's time.
21. Ordinands' Testimony Service
After a break for refreshments the Ordinands were invited to give their testimony. Revds Mike Poole, Susan Greenhart and Neville Simpson spoke movingly and eloquently of their journey of faith. This was a very moving occasion and a very special end to the Spring Synod.
22. Dates of future Synods
Representative Synods - 11 September 2010 at Tadcaster Grammar School
7 May 2011 to be hosted by the Goole and Snaith & Selby Circuits
Revd Stephen Burgess
Chair of York and Hull District
Mrs Heather Shipman
Synod Secretary York and Hull District
SYNOD RECORDINGS
You may have to Click the pop up bar at the top of the screen for the recordings to work
SYNOD TRACK 1 [22 MINS]
SYNOD TRACK 2 [10 MINS]
SYNOD TRACK 3 [35 MINS]
SYNOD TRACK 4 [6 MINS]
SYNOD TRACK 51 [16 MINS]
SYNOD TRACK 6 [11 MINS]
SYNOD TRACK 7 [9 MINS]
SYNOD TRACK 8 [25 MINS]
LUNCH BREAK
SYNOD TRACK 9 [32 MINS]
SYNOD TRACK 10 [27 MINS] Indejit Bhogal [film on Synod Presentations Page]
SYNOD TRACK 11 ORDINANDS SERVICE [1hr 8 MINS]
Thanks to our Technical team for Synod Bob Lawrence, David Mitchell, David Robinson, Bob Lawe.
