District Synod

Representative Synod is an exciting church event that takes place in autumn and spring each year. In addition to discussing formal business, Synod is an opportunity for us to gather as a district to worship, learn and share stories. It’s a place for conferring, conversation, talks, and workshops. Everyone is welcome to attend, and it is open to any visitors – come along to hear inspiring speakers, be challenged with focused workshops, and connect with others from all around the district in sharing experiences, challenges, and discussions.

Details of Representative Synod are usually posted about a month in advance on this page, sent directly to Synod members, and also publicised on our Social Media Accounts and District Newsletter. See the sections below for details of reports and other information that is available in advance.

General information about Representative Synod (formal details – downloadable word doc)

Being Salt and Light: time for action

Representative Synod Saturday 10th September 2022

Virtual Marketplace

This has been specially created to enhance the online experience of doing Synod on Zoom. The interactive marketplace is a place to discover resources, useful info, links to networking opportunities, updates from district projects, and prayer spaces.
Enjoy exploring the exhibitors ‘stalls’ before, during, and after synod. Open to all.

PAST SYNODS

Click on the titles to open the drop-down and find out more about our past synods, including videos, prayers and resources.


> “Relight our Fire” May 2022

Over 140 representatives, ministers, supernumeraries, and visitors came together on Saturday 7th May at Manor Academy in York to join in worship, conferring, conversation, talks, workshops, and more. Looking to God to relight the fire of our faith, passion, and action. A day of encouragement, challenge, discussion, and fellowship.

The full live stream of the morning is available to watch back here

Thank you to everyone who contributed to District Synod. Representative Synod is far more than a business meeting, and it was great to have many visitors of all ages!

A prayer for Synod written by Elliot and Emma Crippen:

Relight our fire, Lord;
Help us burn with a passion for you again,
Fan the flames, Lord;
Rekindle the embers of our past, and revive us, Lord, again.

Relight our faith, Lord;
Help us flourish in the world as a force for peace,
Re-ignite the spark, Lord;
Encourage the sharing of our faith, and your kingdom, we pray, increase.

Relight our passion, Lord;
Help us navigate new challenges for this generation,
Set our hearts ablaze, Lord;
Inspire us to live your way, and be inclusive, for all, in our nation.

Relight our action, Lord;
Help us centre on wellbeing for everyone,
Let our love burn, Lord;
Facing issues of today, and seeking justice, like Jesus, your son.

Relight our fire, Lord;
Rekindle the passion for our future, and revive us, Lord, again.
Amen


> “Lament, Laughter, Looking Forward” Sept 2021

Creative Contributions and Craft Activities:
Lament activities instructions (pdf)
Printable prayer card (pdf)
Poem by Karen Portsmouth (pdf)

God in Heaven,

As we come together in this moment of lament,
our thoughts go to those who are now absent;
our journey has been a weary one, our hearts are full of loss,
we come before you and lay our burdens at the cross;
hold us close while we are in this space of grief,
and with your grace help us to find some relief.

As we come together in this moment of prayer,
we are comforted by your love ever present ever there;
our faces long to smile, with hope for brighter days ahead,
we come before you, Jesus, to receive our daily bread;
fill us with your joyful spirit come what may,
and with your grace help us to see your blessings in every day.

As we come together in this moment of change and transition,
we look forward, excited for new ways to fulfil your mission;
our hands to give, and our hearts to serve,
we come before you to receive your word;
surround us with your spirit as we look for guidance from above,
and with your grace help us to move forward in your love.

In Jesus name, Amen


> “Beyond these Walls” April 2021

All videos from our Synod on 24th April 2021 can be found in this YouTube playlist here
We were very fortunate to have Deacon Eunice Attwood, talking about ‘church at the margins’, and Revd Dr Peter Phillips, talking about ‘exploring hybrid church’, joining our synod. You can read some background to their ministry here

Catch up with the talks below. You can find copies of their slides here:
Deacon Eunice Attwood Slides
Revd Dr Peter Philips Slides






> “God in love unites us” special synod Feb 2021

An additional session of synod was held to consider the God in Love Unites Us resolutions. The report, along with supporting information, can be found here.
The resolutions voted on are here. Synod members voted in favour of all resolutions.


> “Inclusive, growing, greener church” Sept 2020

The live stream from District Synod on Saturday 12th September is still available to watch back on YouTube here


Synod Videos

Individual clips and videos shown during Synod are now available to watch separately and are all contained in this playlist

https://www.youtube.com/embed/videoseries?list=PLcEk1YSiquP_o_DxBJYWi-Fd_Si0gabvw


Documents from Jongi’s presentation

The notes and documents shown by Revd Dr Jongikaya Zihle during his session at Synod on “Flourishing as an Inclusive Church” are available below:

Building affirming inclusive communities (doc.)

Encountering Diversity (doc.)

Unconscious Bias (jpeg)


District Synod Summary

Thank you to everyone who contributed to the planning and delivery of our Synod this morning. It was especially encouraging that Synod:
a) agreed to seek Conference approval for a brand new, non-geographically defined Circuit to provide a District-wide ‘new place for new people.’ and
b) committed to becoming a Net Zero Carbon District by 2040, at least.