DS 19 06 02

Leeds Diocesan Synod

DRAFT Minutes of the thirteenth meeting of the Synod of the diocese of Leeds held at 9.30am on 16 March 2019 at Soothill Hall, Ashville College, Green Lane, Harrogate, HG2 9JP.

Chair: The Bishop of Kirkstall A minute’s silence was held to remember the people of New Zealand following the recent shootings at mosques in Christ Church. The Revd Dr Helen-Ann Hartley, Bishop of Ripon, led prayers in Maori and English. 1 Welcome.

The Bishop of Kirkstall welcomed and gave the Chair’s permission to speak to: Item 9 Diocesan Environment Policy: Mrs Jemima Parker, Diocesan Environment Officer.

Item 12 Diocesan Strategy 2019 – 2024: Mr Andrew Norman, Director of Ministry and Mission. The following were also welcomed: Members elected since the last meeting Archdeacon Jonathan Gough, the new archdeacon of Richmond and Craven Mrs Mary Chapman, Chair of the Archbishops’ Council Audit Committee. Bishop Paul explained that when the diocese was formed it was planned that there would be a review of the diocesan governance. Mary was leading that review, focusing on the property sub-committee, the Mission and Pastoral committee arrangements and scrutiny. Mary would be consulting widely including interviewing people.

2 Opening worship.

Opening worship was led by The Revd Canon Sam Corley.

3 Apologies. 25 Apologies have been received. 4 Declarations of conflicts of interest. The Revd Canon Kathryn Fitzsimons declared an interest in Item 10 Ratification of Leeds Board member nominated by the Leeds Board. There were no other declarations of interest.

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Chair: Mr Matthew Ambler 5 Presidential Address. The Bishop of Kirkstall gave his Presidential Address, a copy of which is attached to these Minutes. 6 Minutes of the last Meeting on 13 October 2018 DS 19 03 01 The Chair to move: “That the draft minutes of the last meeting held on 13 October 2018 DS 19 03 01 be approved as a correct record.” The motion was approved with five abstentions. 7 Matters arising not covered elsewhere on the Agenda (if any). There were no matters arising. 8 Questions for Synod.

Questions had been received from: Mrs Deirdre Morris, Wakefield deanery (1 question)

The Revd Dr John Hartley, (Outer Bradford deanery) 2 questions Mr Justin Brett, (Harrogate Deanery synod) 1 question. Written replies had been tabled and a copy of the replies are attached to these minutes.

There were no supplementary questions to Mrs Deirdre Morris’s question. It was noted that The Revd Dr John Hartley was not present at the meeting. There were no supplementary questions to The Revd Dr John Hartley’s first question. There were no supplementary questions to The Revd Dr John Hartley’s second question. Mr Justin Brett, Harrogate Deanery, asked a supplementary question to his question. He asked if his supplementary question could be answered with “yes” or “no”. The supplementary question was “Does the diocese pay expenses to cover vacancies in stipendiary posts?” Debbie Child answered that sometimes it did. Mr Justin Brett, Harrogate deanery asked a second supplementary question. He asked what this meant. Debbie explained that in general in an interregnum, a sequestration form is completed by parishes to claim for the support the parish receives at that time. The question may refer to times when there is a retired priest in the congregation [Mr Brett confirmed that was what the question referred to] in which case during a vacancy the diocese does pay and it is through the sequestration account.

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9 Diocesan Environment Policy

DS 19 03 02, DS 19 03 02 01, DS 19 03 02 02, DS 19 03 02 03 Diocesan Synod members had been circulated with a draft diocesan environment policy, model environment policy for parishes, Draft Diocesan Environment 5 Year Plan and an Environment Policy Briefing for Synod document. The Revd Canon James Allison, General Synod

Reminded Synod of the hope that Christians can bring to environment issues. In the 18 countries which had reduced carbon emissions (including the UK), the common thread was that their populations believed that by the small things individuals did, they could reduce carbon emissions. Adopting the proposed new diocesan environment policy could make a difference. He proposed the motion:

“That this Diocesan Synod adopts the Diocesan Environment policy contained in DS 19 03 02 to bring the Diocese of Leeds carbon reduction targets in line with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change recommendations”.

Mrs Jemima Parker, Diocesan Environment Officer Outlined that adoption of the new environment policy by parishes would require a change in mindset. Parishes would need to view each action and decision in light of its environmental impact and look at greenhouse gas emissions as well as pounds and pence. There could be a carbon cost unless expenditure was on enhancing the environment or on renewables. Implementation of the new environment policy would have initial costs and may attract criticism, particularly from those who do not like change. However, environmental projects could be fun and were an opportunity for a congregation and the wider community to work together in new and exciting ways. There could be an opportunity to share the church’s values, beliefs and hope. Reducing the church’s carbon footprint was not about shrinking its mission. Jemima explained that she worked with a team of voluntary area environment champions and there were now seventy-two parishes which had an environment representative. There was also a diocesan environmental newsletter, “God’s Green Fingers” circulated around the diocese bi-monthly. Synod members were reminded that the papers circulated in support of the motion, included a five-year environment strategy incorporating initiatives to implement. Jemima highlighted there were sources of grant funding available, particularly for projects linking young people and the environment. She also mentioned the Green Journey scheme, which involved an energy broker to provide energy services beyond the capacity of the diocesan team. The diocese of Leeds is currently a national leader in this area of mission and ministry. She urged the Synod members to support the motion so the diocese could continue to lead on what was probably the defining issue of our time. The Revd Ruth Newton, Ripon Deanery and General Synod Said that loving and caring for environment was a way of being good news. It is God’s world, Christ was part of this world and the Holy Spirit has been sent for the renewing of creation. She said the World is precious to God and it needs to be precious to us. If we exploit the earth, reduce species and biodiversity, making it less hospitable to human life it must be against His will and should be something that the church as His people should stand up against. In the context of the changing climate, it was often those who are the least culpable who suffer the

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most. She said the poor of the world use the least of its resources and yet bear the brunt of the devastating changes and have the least resilience to the vagaries of drought and flood. This was why tackling this problem could be seen as climate justice. She said the fifth mark of mission was safeguarding the integrity of creation and sustaining and renewing the life of the Earth and the new environment policy fitted in to this. Working for the environment and for climate justice was an act of loving service, equality and fairness. The choices individuals and churches made mattered. Ruth commended and seconded the motion and thanked Jemima Parker for her work on the motion and as the Diocesan Environment officer. There were no questions of clarification.

Synod debated the motion: Mr Ian Fletcher, Inner Bradford Deanery He said he had sat through motions like this before and thought it was easy to vote for them: “The World is in a mess and the Church needs to say and do more about it”. How can the Church make a difference? The former Bradford diocese had looked at saving CO2 emissions via energy efficient lightbulbs. He believed that whilst people had voted for this, few if any had actually done anything about it. He said he was a member of the Energy Scrutiny committee, which had been looking at the Green Journey energy scheme and in particular the tendering of the scheme for the next three years. So far, the scheme had saved an estimated (unaudited) 2142 carbon tonnes of emissions. There was also an estimated saving of £105,846 some from VAT savings. He said environment matters do not always cost money, sometimes there were profit centres too, for example electric charging points for cars. One of the big advantages of the diocesan scheme had been the way it has altered what other dioceses do. He said he was in favour of the motion. The Revd Chris Lawton, Wensley deanery Referred to the DS19 03 02 02 environment policy for parishes. He was concerned that there seemed to be a move to say all meat was bad and all vegan was good. He believed the situation was more nuanced. He worked very closely with farmers through the Mart chaplaincy and they experienced constant social media pressure about how they farm. Farmers were to be encouraged to be the best they could be and not have all meat production written off as simply bad. He outlined that upland well-managed meat production is carbon negative. He recommended that in Point 8 the four examples be missed out as they seemed to have a vegetarian and vegan bias, which missed out the real benefits that could be achieved through good management of farmland. He also highlighted that the diocese could make a difference through its management of its glebe land to achieve carbon efficiency. He wholeheartedly supported the motion but asked that care be taken around vegan only options. The Ven Dr Anne Dawtry, Archdeacon of Halifax and General Synod Supported and commended the motion. She was mindful of the 2016 floods in Calder Valley which flooded people’s homes and wrecked people’s livelihoods and which was a direct consequence of global warming. However, she made a plea that instead of making people feel guilty about certain aspects of their lifestyle, the church should seek to challenge and encourage them. As an example, she outlined that as a disabled person, she could not give up her car but she had opted for other pro-environment lifestyle choices where she was able. The Revd Jonathan Bish, Wakefield Deanery

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Said that as a 30 year old, the environment was a very pressing moral issue for his generation. He referred Synod to the Book of Common Prayer, quoting “In his hand are all the corners of the earth: and the strength of the hills is his also.” He said this was part of faith and it is essential to ministry and mission to the younger generation. He said that clergy mileage should be included in the calculation of parishes’ environmental impact. Emissions, particularly from petrol and diesel cars, made up twenty-six per cent of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions. He recommended that clergy and parish workers, who were able to do so, should be encouraged to either walk, cycle or use public transport. He also commended the motion. The Revd Canon Paul Cartwright, General Synod Thought it was fantastic that the policy was being brought to the Synod but wished the policy had gone a stage further to include a review of clergy housing. He was aware that some dioceses had put solar panels on to clergy housing, which he thought would help with revenue for the diocese too. He was grateful for all the hard work put in to the policy.

The Revd Canon James Allison, General Synod

Responded to the debate With regard to the draft policy for parishes, parishes could write their own if they wished. There were already discussions about glebe. It was definitely the intention to be encouraging and not make people feel guilty. It was important to think creatively for example, having Skype conferences instead of people travelling to meetings. The environment was the pressing issue of our time and everyone needed to engage with it. With regard to clergy housing, the Environment group has also looked at an eco-housing scheme in Leeds and it continued to look at what could be done in this area. The Revd Canon James Allison moved the motion in his name. “That this Diocesan Synod adopts the Diocesan Environment policy contained in DS 19 03 02 to bring the Diocese of Leeds carbon reduction targets in line with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change recommendations”. Synod voted in favour of the motion with one against and one abstention.

10 Ratification of Leeds Board member nominated by the Leeds Board DS 19 03 03

The Revd Canon Kathryn Fitzsimons had earlier declared a conflict of interest and this was noted. Synod members were notified that The Revd Nigel Wright, Allerton Deanery, was unable to attend the Diocesan Synod and propose the motion for this item in his name and that The Ven Andy Jolley, Archdeacon of Bradford, would propose the motion instead. The Ven Andy Jolley reminded Synod that the Leeds Board was comprised ex-officio, elected and nominated members ratified by the Diocesan Synod. At the last meeting, Synod had ratified the nominations of four lay trustees. The nomination of one clergy trustee was now being brought to the Synod for ratification. The Leeds Board had nominated the Revd Canon Kathryn Fitzsimons on the 10 November 2018 as a clergy nominee. He referred Synod members to Kathryn’s personal statement. He moved the motion:

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“That this Synod ratifies the appointment of the Revd Canon Kathryn Fitzsimons as a Leeds Board nominee trustee”.

Synod members did not seek to debate the motion. Synod members voted unanimously for the motion.

11 General Synod report DS 19 03 04

Synod members had been circulated with a report of the February 2019 General Synod meeting from The Revd Canon Joyce Jones who spoke to her report. She highlighted the positive feelings of unity at the General Synod and the priority of mission and evangelism and the contributions made by the Leeds Diocese General Synod members. She emphasized that Synods do not make things happen on the ground. Implementation has to happen on the ground in dioceses and parishes. She had put in her report a list of all the things that dioceses are called on to do. She acknowledged it was a long list but said the diocese should be encouraged by the number of things it was already doing, for example leading on environment matters. The Leeds Diocesan Synod had sent two motions to General Synod one about disadvantaged communities and another about reaching people in those communities. One had been contingency business at the February Synod but unfortunately was not considered but may be considered at the next meeting. The new format of the Church Representation Rules had been passed. There had been some concern about the terms of deanery synod members. This particular aspect has been referred to the elections review group of the Business Committee. She highlighted that there would be a general election to General Synod in 2020 and if any members were interested in standing, the current General Synod members would be happy to meet people at the York General Synod and show them round. The contact details of the General Synod members would be added to the diocesan website.

Questions on the report.

Professor Joyce Hill, General Synod Professor Hill clarified that before the new CRR are brought in to effect, it has to go through a parliamentary committee process. It was expected that the parliamentary committee would agree it. However, if there were a General election it would fall temporarily because Parliament would not be able to deal with it. Subsequent to the Parliamentary approval, it would then return to General Synod (without further debate) in order that it could go to the Queen. There were no further questions.

Chair: The Revd Canon Sam Corley

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12 Diocesan Strategy 2019 – 2024 DS 19 03 05, DS 19 03 05 01

The Very Revd John Dobson, Dean of Ripon Introduced the diocesan Strategy. He outlined that the Strategy had been considered by the Diocesan Synod at the October 2018 meeting. Synod had asked the Bishop’s Strategy group to give further thought to it. The Strategy group had listened to what was said in the October debate and afterwards in conversations with a variety of people. It had been said that important elements to be included, were the five marks of mission, stewardship of creation and the valuing of lay ministries. There also seemed to be anxiety that the Strategy was “top down” with targets being imposed on chaplaincies, parishes, missional communities and schools. The Strategy group had considered this and believed that all of the elements of mission mentioned were included but perhaps lost in the detail. The Strategy group has tried to correct this by highlighting them in the five Goals. The Strategy was intended as a gift to the diocese to support and strengthen God’s mission in different contexts. It was never anticipated that any of the chaplaincies, parishes, missional communities, schools or cathedrals would be expected to prioritize all the goals at once and adopt all the possible initiatives. Three separate motions were now before the Synod, each with different supporting documents. Firstly, a Strategy for which there was also a summary document. Members had received this as a tabled document. Synod was invited to approve this Strategy. The second document (the second motion) gave the objectives and initiatives offered as material to help in furthering God’s mission in different places in different ways. These flowed from the goals, might change, and could be reviewed throughout the life of the Strategy. Synod was asked to commend these to the diocese. The third document was the Toolkit This document although fully revised, continued to be a work in progress and needed to be tested out. Synod was asked to welcome the Toolkit as a tool and resource. Item 12 Diocesan Strategy 2019 – 2024 Motion Dean John reminded Synod (as Bishop Paul Slater outlined in his preface to the Strategy) that the belief that the whole of life is under God, through Lord Jesus Christ, was at the heart of the Strategy. Dean John directed the Synod to consider page seven of the Strategy that outlined the Vision for the diocese, the values and the enabling means. He reminded the Synod members that the Strategy had been outlined to the Synod on various occasions since 2017 before being debated in October 2018 Synod. He referred to the “My Vision for our Diocese” document that had been tabled by Deirdre Morris, [Wakefield Deanery]. He said it was heartening see engagement with the Strategy in such imaginative ways. He believed that what the Strategy was about God call to action for the sake of the people and the communities of the diocese. The process to create the Strategy had been both in depth and consultative to produce helpful and fruitful goals. The first goal encompassed the distinctive nature of diocese. The second, ministering as Church of England in ways appropriate to the context. The third encouraged all baptized people to be engaged and growing disciples. The fourth acknowledged the need to develop leaders at every level. The fifth goal highlighted the urgent need to grow young people as Christians. He commended the Strategy to Synod.

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Jane Evans, Calder Valley Deanery Said she wished to outline to Synod what led to the identification of the enabling means. Jane directed the Synod to page five of the Strategy document. She said for the church to carry out its mission and ministry and for it to flourish, it needed to respond to these challenges and that was what the Strategy aimed to do. She thanked Deirdre Morris for her tabled paper and in particular the visual way of looking at the diocese and her engagement with the Strategy. The Strategy group had taken note of the specific feedback at the previous Synod. The language had been simplified and the format had changed by dividing it in to three elements, clarifying that the goals are for the whole five years. The Objectives could be flexible and the Initiatives would change. Each goal was supported by a verse from scripture to give inspiration and a goal definition ie what it could look like if this is achieved. The detail of what is worked on at every level was discretionary and depended on context. People could choose which parts of the Strategy they work on, they do not have to work on the whole thing. In the Objectives, almost all reference to “every parish/church” had been removed as this was thought to be too burdensome. She commended the Strategy to the Synod. There were no questions of clarification. Debate of the motion The Revd Canon Paul Cartwright, General Synod Said he liked the work done on the Strategy. At the last Synod, he had put the point of order that referred it back for further work. He thought the Strategy group had listened to what Synod said. It was helpful that the references to “every parish” had been removed and there was clarity by dividing it in to three. He thanked the Strategy group for all of its hard work and he supported the motion and urged Synod to do the same.

Professor Arthur Francis, South Craven & Wharfedale deanery Said that he had been a professor of strategic management for some time. He said whilst the Strategy was excellent at setting out what new things should be done, it was not so well developed on what should not be done in the future and strategies should include both. He thought the group should look at this further. Secondly, although it had been said that the Strategy was distinctive, it was not clear to him what the elements of distinction were. He would have expected in the Toolkit, that some business school concepts would be included to help identify what the distinctions were. For example, core competencies or market segmentation or similar would be helpful. Thirdly, the Lay people and Setting God’s People free element, though more developed than in the previous version, could come in to sharper focus still. Fourthly, he had checked for the figures on the shortage of Church of England clergy. He understood that it was no longer thought there would be a shortage as previously outlined. This meant that the church may be in danger of spending too much money if it believed it had to increase by fifty percent the number of ordinations to stipendiary ministry. He understood it would cost about £1m per year to reach this target. With these caveats, he was happy to commend the Strategy to the Synod. The Revd Lyndsay Southern, Richmond Deanery Said she was grateful for the work done. She had seen in her deanery what investing in discipleship, raising the spiritual temperature and setting people free had done. However, she still felt there was a missed opportunity. At an ordination in Atlanta, she had witnessed the Bishop saying to the ordinands “Are you nervous, don’t be this isn’t about you, it never has

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been, it never will be, this is about Kingdom of God, always has been, always will be”. She felt that the Strategy document primarily about “us”. She was able to support nearly the entire document apart from the strategic goals, which were too much focused on “us”. She would have preferred more which spoke more to her community partners. Whereas the Strategy focussed all energy “inward on ourselves”. She appreciated that in the long term this was so the church could engage but she felt it did not present the diocese with a public face, which was going to excite many people outside the church. This was a note of concern not a deal breaker but she felt sad about this. Lindsay Pearson, Armley Deanery Thanked the Strategy group for the work, which had gone in to the Strategy. She said she was not sure where ecumenism fitted in within the Strategy and asked if the Strategy group could outline this for Synod. Mr Justin Brett, Harrogate Deanery Thanked the Strategy group for the work it had done and which appeared in DS19 19 03 05. The document was now much clearer and much easier to understand. He asked if (with reference the second document, DS 19 03 06, the Objectives and Initiatives), in approving the Strategy (DS 19 19 03 05) was Synod not also therefore approving DS 19 03 06 because that document was mentioned in DS 19 19 03 05 as being part of it. He said he needed an answer on this, as it would affect how he could vote. Jane Wardman, Almondbury Deanery Said she was an elected lay member of the Leeds Board. She said as a large, young diocese the diocesan Strategy needed to unify working towards the same goals, albeit in different ways. She had listened carefully to the points raised by at the last Synod about the Strategy. She was reassured that all those points had been satisfactorily addressed. The Board had devoted much time to the Strategy. She was grateful to the Strategy group who had worked hard to develop the Strategy and the Toolkit. The Strategy group had listened and refined the Strategy accordingly. She had confidence in the Strategy with the clarity of the Objectives and the flexibility on offer in the Toolkit. As a lay person and a PCC member, she felt it would enable her PCC to work together to play its part in working towards the goals of the diocese. She wholeheartedly supported the motion. The Revd Jeff Payne, Wensley Deanery [Confirmed he had comments on the Toolkit, would speak later.] The Ven Paul Ayers, Archdeacon of Leeds He said he partly wished to answer The Revd Lindsay Southern’s point. Strategy in general fits in to the church’s theology. In creation, God is revealed as a god of order and process. In scriptural story, He is seen with a plan, which He is communicating to human beings through Abraham, Moses, David and others. Jesus in the Gospels has a plan for His three years of ministry. Paul worked out his strategy to visit towns and cities and then to move on. Therefore, strategy in general is part of Christian heritage. Two of his favorite things were included in the diocesan Strategy. Firstly, in Goal 3, parishes seeing more people coming to faith, which was about growth. This was picked up later in the Objectives for churches to be growing, particularly among young people. The church needs to grow because this was about salvation. Secondly,

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also in Goal Three, every member ministry, also reflected in the Objectives, was about releasing the whole body of the church in mission and ministry. Strategy needed to support resources and with a strategy, the use of resources could be planned more effectively. The Strategy would help the diocese plan for the future. Mr Mark Johnston, Calder Valley Deanery Said he thought the Strategy document had changed fantastically and that the Strategy group had been listening. He had been invited to give feedback on some of the original toolkit ideas and the Strategy group had listened to all the things they wanted put in. It was great that the Strategy group had wanted to make it right for the diocese. He said he thought Synod should vote for the Strategy document. The Very Revd John Dobson responded to the debate Thanked all the speakers for their contributions. It was good that the changes, which had been made, (including the division in to three documents), had been well received. It was acknowledged that in taking some things on and being focused, some things have to stop or have to wait. The Strategy will be distinctive to the extent in which it is worked out in this distinctive diocese. Particularly, the scale of the diocese, which gives real resource to be professional and to be competent but also in local presence. The Strategy did not prevent the development of lay people. With regard to the numbers for ordination, it was God who called people to be ordained. He believed He will equip it with the skills, people, ministries and resources that are needed for it. God is strategic. Ecumenism may not be highlighted in the Strategy but there was nothing in the Strategy, which prevents ecumenism. With regard to the query about the Objectives and Initiatives raised by Justin Brett, Dean John directed the Synod members to page 6, which says, “The Goals will best be achieved by setting objectives and initiatives that work to this end. An accompanying document sets out a series of associated objectives to support each goal. These are measurable and are stepping stones along the way. They are best achieved through a strong focus on the enabling means. In the same document a range of practical initiatives etc etc.” The Objectives had been discerned by a lot of thought, prayer, and reflection and consultation. However, these can change through life of Strategy. Therefore, if Synod later decided it had a heart for something in the life of the church in the diocese, it can then develop that. It would not prevent the Holy Spirit being at work and guiding the diocese in new ways. The Very Revd John Dobson moved the motion: “That this Synod approves the strategy for the Diocese of Leeds set out in DS 19 03 05”. The motion was approved by the majority of the Diocesan Synod members. There were no votes against and one abstention.

13 Diocesan Strategy Objectives and Initiatives

DS 19 03 06

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The Very Revd John Dobson, Dean of Ripon

Reiterated that the Objectives and Initiatives were meant to be a resource, which could be used, in each local context, within the framework of the agreed Strategy. Dean John directed Synod to the document DS 19 03 06 and particularly Goal 1 and the Objectives. He said it was important that all aspects of diocesan life would have their own particular plans in place, aligned with the Strategy (from parishes, chaplaincies, missional communities, to the diocesan office and departments and church schools) and that there would be a “have a go” culture, with freedom to for the Holy Spirit to be at work underpinning the work of clergy and lay together. He also highlighted the resources, objectives and subsidiarity working. He also mentioned some of the initiatives in the document, particularly highlighting, the Prayer diary and the importance of prayer being at the heart of the Strategy. He commended the content of the document to Synod. Canon Mrs Jane Evans, Calder Valley Deanery Jane drew Synod’s attention to the definition of Objectives and Initiatives in the Strategy document. She emphasized that Objectives may not be for the full five years of the Strategy but will last as appropriate for the context in which they are being applied. The Initiatives were the steps to be taken to achieve the Objectives. The Initiatives in the document were mostly those the diocesan staff would be taking. However, they were offered as an inspiration and a guideline for everyone. Parishes would be able to choose which goals they focused on, then look at the particular Objectives and decide if they were useful to them. They may decide to use some of the initiatives or not. In response to Synod’s feedback, amendments had been made to the document particularly to the many references to “all parishes and churches and benefices”. Some references to “all parishes, churches and benefices” remained where it was expected that they would engage with these. The objective in Goal 1 about parish share growth now referred to working together to grow parish share more than inflation, rather than a percentage. The initiative to increase parish share over time is now less prescriptive too. Under Goal 2 the impact on the environment and impact on transforming local communities had been separated to give more emphasis. She invited Synod to commend the document. Questions of clarification Mr Ian Fletcher, Inner Bradford Deanery He referred to the introduction to the Objectives and Initiatives and the reference to annual review and feedback from parishes. He asked who would be responsible for fulfilling the last paragraph of the introduction. Would they also look at accountability? The Very Revd John Dobson, Dean of Ripon responded The Strategy group was the Bishop of Leeds Strategy group. It was not known at present if it would be required to continue. He said it would be for the Bishop of Leeds to decide and for the Bishop of Leeds and the Leeds Board to consider how the implementation of the review and feedback. Debate of the motion Mr John Wright, Inner Bradford Deanery He hoped that it was understood that discretion did not mean the discretion to opt out

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altogether. He said he hoped that those groups who had more experience of planning than others would share their experience with others in the diocese. Mr Justin Brett, Harrogate Deanery He thanked the Strategy group for listening. He said there was still a fundamental logical inconsistency in DS19 03 06. The introduction said “You don’t have to do all of this” and the middle bit said at various points, “…all parishes will” etc. He said Synod now knew that this was because there were certain things that the Strategy group did want all parishes to do. Given that this was the case, the Strategy group must explicitly say so. It had to be clear in DS19 03 06 what the things were that the Strategy group was expecting everybody to do. If it wasn’t said explicitly, this would result in a document, which was worthless because it was logically inconsistent and therefore made no sense. He said that as written, DS19 03 06 still made no sense. He said he now knew what sense the Strategy group had wanted it to make, and he thoroughly supported the sense the Strategy group had wanted it to make but it didn’t say it and it needed to. Mjr Geoffrey Berry, Ripon Deanery Referred Synod to page 5 sub paragraph d) “Identify and implement a range of actions to balance the budget”. He said he would like to see a little more reporting to Synod on what action was being taken towards balancing budget in 2022. In particular, he suggested that with regard to paragraph d) iv) the review of the parish share formula should be brought forward earlier than the stated “by no later than 2020”. Mr Mike Moss, Aire and Worth Deanery He said when he first read the document he was unsure how it would fare when it was sent out. Having heard the presentations he now agreed with what the document said. He thought though if the document was sent out in its current form to parishes, there would be a real problem. He said he felt that the key to the circulation of the document would be the communication around it. Particularly, to explain that the document was essentially the objectives of the Board and was not the objectives for each parish and that each parish had to build its own. He also said he was uncertain about the word “align” and asked what this meant in this context. He was conscious that align could mean coinciding exactly or moving in the same general direction. He thought the Strategy group meant moving in the same general direction but achieving it in different ways and felt it was important that this message be clearly communicated. Mrs Carolyn Burley, Kirkburton Deanery Thanked the Strategy group for all its hard work in significantly moving the Strategy forward from the previous Synod and all the speakers who had clarified matters at the Synod for members to take back to their parishes. She reminded Synod that they had been told that the Objectives were flexible and the initiatives could change. She said she thought the Board and parishes needed to look at the flexibility and the re-assessment and revision in perhaps one year, two years or five years’ time. Canon Mr Malcolm Halliday, General Synod He thanked the Strategy group for the re-drafting of the document in the current more manageable format. He also thought that communication was going to be vital. He felt that it

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was important that there was an understanding across the diocese of the difference in ministry. He felt part of communicating the Strategy needed to include ensuring parishes understood this ie that (as worked out in the parish share system) all the parishes are part of a diocesan family and that the strong should help the weak. He suggested that perhaps the May archdeacons’ visitations would be a good place to start as all the churchwardens of all the parishes would be attending. The Revd Canon Paul Cartwright, General Synod He also agreed that communication would be important. He highlighted there was no intentionality about BAME issues in the document and he asked how this could be included. He clarified he was not speaking of people’s family backgrounds but about colour, when he wondered if this was because (visibly) the Strategy group and Synod itself were predominantly white. He thought the diocese could give a message in the Strategy if it tried to be intentional around BAME issues. He asked how this could be included under Goal 3, Lay Discipleship and Goal 4 building leadership pathways. He said he believed there was mention of the mission to the Iranian community in Goal 2 but that this was the only reference. Response to the debate The Very Revd John Dobson He confirmed everyone was encouraged to opt in but Synod could not require PCCs to engage with the Strategy. He thought sharing experience of strategy/planning would be good practice. The document outlined where everyone should be on board and other instances where there was an aspiration for the diocese to achieve a target. It was acknowledged that review of the parish share system did need early attention. He acknowledged that communication would be important in the roll out of the Strategy. He said that this was the first time BAME was mentioned either at Synod or in other feedback conversations with the Strategy group. He thought it was a point well made and as there was flexibility, it could be considered going forward. The Very Revd John Dobson moved the motion: “That this Synod commends the objectives and initiatives set out in DS 19 03 06 to the congregations, clergy, staff, church schools, chaplaincies and missional communities of the Diocese of Leeds”. Synod voted on the motion. The motion was approved by the majority of the Diocesan Synod members. There were two votes against and three abstentions.

14 Diocesan Strategy Toolkit DS 19 03 07 Motion:

“That this Synod welcomes the Toolkit set out in DS 19 03 07 as an offering to support the congregations, clergy, staff, church schools, chaplaincies and missional communities of the Diocese of Leeds”.

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The Very Revd John Dobson introduced the Toolkit, which he described as an offering to the diocese in its implementation of the Strategy. The Toolkit was a work in progress, which needed testing out in a few different contexts. It would then be reviewed, developed and changed in response. Canon Mrs Jane Evans had taken the lead on the development of the Toolkit. He commended the Toolkit and encouraged the Synod members to welcome it.

Canon Mrs Jane Evans, Calder Valley Deanery She said the Toolkit was the crux of the communication of the Strategy to parishes. Synod had emphasized at the previous meeting the need to provide resources to parishes to implement the Strategy. The Toolkit was that resource. It had been drafted, piloted, reviewed and re-drafted. There was still some work to be done to complete it, for example the appendices needed adding. Liz Morton, Children, Young People and Families Team Leader, had also worked on the Toolkit along with a review group including a churchwarden, a curate, a deanery lay chair, Readers, one clergy person and three lay people. Mark Johnston, Calder Valley Deanery, had been part of this group. The group reviewed the original draft with a large group of Readers, two groups of churchwardens, a deanery standing committee, a parish standing committee, a group of clergy and it had been taken to the Leeds Board. All the feedback said the Toolkit must start from the point of view of a parish or benefice and not the diocese to enable the parishes to flourish. In response to the feedback, “management speak” and “top down” language has been removed as far as possible so that it is clear it is a resource and not a directive ie parishes can look at their context first and then decide which goal(s) they wish to engage with. The Toolkit had a five-step process beginning with prayer, and then there was an overall health check or contextual review, guidance on what the strategic goals are and how to choose which goal(s) to work on. There was also a summary leaflet to use and a guide would be provided to the diocesan support teams and a form for people to capture their plans. The next step would be to pilot the Toolkit. Jane asked volunteer parishes to come forward. The Toolkit, the Summary Strategy document and details of where people could find the full Strategy and the full Objectives and Initiatives would be circulated to the parishes. The Area Teams would guide the roll out of the Strategy in their Episcopal Areas. This may be with the Strategy Champions to support parishes. Jane commended the Toolkit to the Diocesan Synod and invited the Synod members to welcome it. Questions of Clarification The Ven Dr Anne Dawtry, Archdeacon of Halifax Asked i) if the Toolkit would be circulated as a booklet or electronically and ii) How will this fit with the work many parishes had already done with LYCIG and developing a plan. Canon Mrs Jane Evans A decision had not yet been made but initial thoughts were that a summary of the Strategy would be circulated to parishes in printed form and everything else would be electronic. If parishes struggle and needed paper format, then the Area Teams would need to indicate that help was needed. The work already done by parishes on LYCiG should fit with the Strategy and could be used to identify what else the parish needed to do towards the strategic goals.

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The Revd Suzy McCarter, Aire and Worth Deanery For her parishes it would be a waste of paper to send the summary Strategy document in paper format as they relied on electronic means for communicating. Her parish would print only a few copies for those who do not use electronic formats.

[Unnamed Synod member] Welcomed the Toolkit and the whole Strategy as signs that the Church of England was learning from those dynamic non-Anglican churches growing across the country. For example, some of the church planting movements whose thinking was beginning to be taken seriously. He asked that the prayer resources in Appendix 1 include dynamic and interactive ways of listening to the Lord and discerning His calling. He mentioned examples such as those used by the 24/7 prayer movement, Boiler Rooms, Thy Kingdom Come and from the prayer walking and encircling movements. Mr Iain Ward-Campbell, Harrogate Deanery Welcomed the Toolkit and was pleased that there would be piloting of the Toolkit. He asked, bearing in mind the hugely diverse nature of the diocese’s parishes (demographically and geographically), that the piloting capture as diverse and representative a group of parishes across the diocese and within deaneries as possible. He noted that this was to be deanery-led which he felt would provide a benefit from the local knowledge of Area Deans. He also cautioned against piloting just being self-selecting. He hoped that parishes who may not put themselves forward would be encouraged to pilot the Toolkit. The Revd Jeff Paine, Wensley Deanery He referred to page three of the Toolkit “Managing our few resources”. He acknowledged the resource challenges but was concerned that a mindset of scarcity was not to be encouraged. This might result in a downward spiral: “We haven’t got the resources so we can’t do anything”. He asked that the word “Few” be removed and instead a mindset of abundance be encouraged. Ms Alison Fisher, General Synod When considering who to consult, she reminded Synod that the Archbishops had called us to be “radically inclusive”. She asked that some of the organizations and groups within the church communities be consulted when considering “roll out” of the Strategy and Toolkit. For example, Disability for Jesus. She thought this was a real opportunity to be inclusive. The Revd Yvonne Callaghan, Richmond Deanery She said that prior to the introduction of the Strategy, her area had been looking at the 2030 vision. The whole deanery had been involved, acting together rather than as individual parishes. This revealed there was a whole resource of people and parishes and community. She felt that the Toolkit could be used as a deanery Toolkit as well as a local toolkit. The Revd James Allison, General Synod He said he was an emergent strategist and wanted to highlight a few words: Entrepreneurs, outliers, doers of new things, fresh expressions, pioneers and eccentrics. He suggested a small note at the end of the Toolkit, which said, “Don’t forget the individuals who might go off and do

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a new thing”. The Revd Kathryn Fitzsimons, General Synod Emphasized that one of the themes had been communication. She said she was interested in the language that was used by Synod members. She had noted a temptation to “us” and “them”. She was pleased that the roll out was to be done via the episcopal areas which she thought was a brilliant use of the areas. However, she emphasized that the Synod members also had an important part in communicating the Strategy. Synod members had heard the intentions behind and for the Strategy and had a responsibility in its communication. The Revd Jude Smith, Allerton Deanery Mentioned that she was a former leader of a boiler room community and a pioneer. She said she thought that Mission Shaped Church was one of the biggest Church of England reports ever and she thought many people in the diocese had now done mission shaped ministry courses. This course included valuable things, which she had not heard mentioned and hoped they had not been missed. As the Toolkit was revised, she hoped that the sense of listening from the edges, and the possibilities of something new emerging, would be heard and reflected through. Response to the debate The Very Revd John Dobson He said whether the roll out was electronic or paper was part of a wider discussion about how the diocese as a whole communicated. The prayer resources and learning from the wider Christian community were good points and it was noted that the different contexts of parishes did need to be taken in to account and that some parishes may need prompting to engage in the piloting. There were challenges with regard to resources but sometimes what God had provided for us was overlooked. Being radically inclusive needed to be taken on board as the Strategy was rolled out. Deanery working using the Toolkit was an example of how the Toolkit could be used at many different levels. It was important to support new emerging ideas and to enable the working of the Holy Spirit. He agreed Synod members, to the extent to which they were able, needed to involve themselves in communication of the Strategy.

The Very Revd John Dobson moved the motion:

“That this Synod welcomes the Toolkit set out in DS 19 03 07 as an offering to support the congregations, clergy, staff, church schools, chaplaincies and missional communities of the Diocese of Leeds”. The motion was approved by the majority of the Diocesan Synod members. There were no votes against and two abstentions.

The Strategy group were thanked for their work on the Strategy. 15 President’s Blessing and Close.

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The Rt Revd Paul Slater, Bishop of Kirkstall, prayed for the Synod and Diocese as the new Strategy was implemented and gave the President’s Blessing.

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Diocese of Leeds Thirteenth Diocesan Synod, Saturday, 16 March 2019

Presidential Address

[The Bishop of Leeds was on sabbatical and The Rt Revd Paul Slater, Bishop of Kirkstall gave the Presidential

Address.]

Not everyone gets the opportunity to do this, so I want to focus on two things, which are part of our agenda this

morning but are also and have been a passion of mine throughout my ministry.

The first is care of God’s creation, love and stewardship of the created order and we have, as Christians, an

important part to play in that. When I first went to the launch of the Leeds Climate Commission, an initiative of

university and council, I think some were a bit surprised to see the church there at all. Now that might be Leeds a

bit for you but it wasn’t difficult to explain that a good Christian theology includes a care and reverence for the

World. So, I want to offer this short video clip, which I picked up on Rachel Parris’ tweets.

[The video “Seven” was shown: https://vimeo.com/321767252/2c2b97be3f]

Isn’t it striking to hear those young voices..? Youngsters who will be making their way in this World, probably, for

most if not all of the rest of this century.

Thus far, I think it is only Kirklees Council which has declared a Climate Emergency of the councils in our diocese

but I think proposals for Leeds are on their way.

Now we do have an opportunity today, it’s not going to be a fully blown debate on climate change, but there is

an opportunity with this motion this morning to stand with those who are declaring just how urgent this all is.

The Climate Change Commission have been grappling with community engagement on these issues. And it seems

to me that we as a church are in a unique position to play our part in that. Of course, yesterday saw the second

of the children’s out of school protests. I know schools have taken a different line on this but surely, this should

be seen as an extra-curricular learning activity and embraced by schools as a way of helping children and young

people to find their voice. So, climate change and it’s urgent.

The second is about a church which is taking steps, intentional steps, to flourish and grow.

This also has a sense of urgency attached to it, though I hope not anxiety – anxious individuals and anxious

organisations don’t make good decisions.

I think it’s been good, in many ways, to have had a further five months to work on the Strategy, to clarify further

our thinking for Synod.

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Bishop Nick continues to endorse this Strategy; we need to gather around this vision and the five goals and then

provide us all with the wherewithal to engage with this Strategy in our own particular context.

We are confident that there is here the vision for a flourishing church in this part of Yorkshire…but a flourishing

church, not just for its own sake, but for a church which is outward facing and making an impact on the

communities and places where we are engaged.

But mindful too of our budget deficit, which we are getting to grips with, though we are not there yet it also gives

us some pointers about how we look at what we are going to stop doing from a central Diocesan support level.

But I want to say again: “This is about the church looking outwards” and I want to particularly highlight Goal

3:”Nurturing Lay Discipleship”.

The Church of England is a poor thing if it is not essentially a lay church, equipped and motivated to live the life of

discipleship of Christ beyond church walls.

And that not easy…

I had a conversation with a clergy person about confirmation, and this clergy person said: “Yes, I thought that this

person might have been interested in Confirmation. But he said: “Mmm, not sure, if I was confirmed, I would

have to change some of the things I do, the way I behave at work”.

The late Tony Dyson wrote about the lay task, over thirty years ago. I paraphrase a bit, “The lay task is the task of

searching for, holding to, living, struggling, even dying in those places in society where God’s creative and

redemptive acts are contending with the forces of meaninglessness, disorder and despair. To be and to persist,

to bear portions of the World’s sufferings, to fall and to be picked up, to seek to be salt and light at these points,

in the day to day fabric of our human lives is the common Christian calling, the lay vocation”. He goes on: “This

new consciousness will be a threat to clergy or an opportunity, a challenge and an invitation. It will provide an

opportunity for them to listen longer and more carefully to lay persons about their activity, belief, morality and

relationships. Clergy will be challenged to support lay persons without making a fuss about it. They will be

invited to join a new mutuality of relationship with lay people, which could mean new life for the whole church.”

That’s what maturity in Christ is about a growing church will be a church with real mutuality between lay and

clergy and that’s what this Strategy before us today, provides for.

The Rt Revd Paul Slater

Bishop of Kirkstall

16.3.19

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Diocesan Synod 16 March 2019 – Item 8 Questions for Synod Question received from Mrs Deirdre Morris, Wakefield Deanery “To The Bishop of Leeds, Chair of the Leeds Board:

In view of the Diocesan financial situation I would like to know how many official Diocesan Christmas

cards were sent out, to which groups of people, and what was the total cost of this, including cards,

envelopes, labels, postage and staff time.

How much of this could have been saved by e-mailing Christmas greetings to most of these recipients?” From the Bishop of Kirkstall, acting Chair of the Leeds Diocesan Board of Finance No official Christmas cards were sent on behalf of the Leeds Diocesan Board of Finance by the Diocesan Secretary. We do not collect data centrally concerning the sending of Christmas cards by the parishes, deaneries and episcopal areas which are all part of the diocese.

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First Question received from The Revd Dr John Hartley, Outer Bradford Deanery “1) To those responsible for planning the agenda: Although the agenda for this Synod meeting was set

to members 21 days before the meeting, the papers on the "Diocesan Strategy" were not sent out until 5

days later than the 21 days required by Standing Orders. This means that Synod members were

deprived of a reasonable period to consider the papers and to propose any amendments to the motions

to accept them and their recommendations. Why was there this delay? Isn't this delay a denial of the

rights of the rank and file Synod members of this diocese to reasonable consultation, and isn't it the job

of those who plan agendas to ensure that Synod members get proper notice of business? Isn't the way

that this kind of thing keeps happening a form of "institutional contempt" for us as Synod members? Is it

surprising that people like me refuse to come to Synod meetings, seeing as we are denied the courtesy

of proper consultation before debate?

From Mrs Deborah Child, Diocesan Secretary The Standing Orders (SO 20) require only the agenda paper to be sent at least 21 days before the meeting. Nothing more is required at that point. The papers supporting the agenda items are always sent as soon as practicable and if at all possible, with the agenda: on this occasion the majority of the papers were sent 15 days before the meeting. We recognise the need to ensure that Synod members have as much information available to them and as soon as possible and sincerely regret the times when delays occur.

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Second Question received from The Revd Dr John Hartley, Outer Bradford Deanery

“2) To the bishop of Bradford: On 8th February we (the neighbouring clergy) received notice by e-mail of

the resignation of the leader of Sorted Church (embargoed until the Sunday), and 20 minutes later

notice of the appointment of his successor (also embargoed until the Sunday). In view of the fact that

"churches" are normally given notice of the resignations of their ministers in order that statements of

conditions and traditions and needs can be drawn up, prior to the shortlisting and interview and

appointment of the next minister, this accelerated procedure caused my eyebrows to be raised. Please

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could you outline what happened; and explain why the normal procedures, which would have given us

confidence in the appointment process, and would have demonstrated that the new leader was indeed

the best candidate, were not followed?”

While this is not a matter for Synod nor is it addressed to an officer of the Synod or a chair of any body

constituted by the Diocesan Synod or on which it is represented (SO 69), for Synod members clarification, the

appointment to this type of post within a Bishop’s Mission Order, is not subject to procedures that would usually

apply to a parochial appointment.

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Question received from Mr Justin Brett, Harrogate Deanery

“To the Chair of the Diocesan Board of Finance

What exactly is the current policy about the payment of Casual Clergy fees when stipendiary posts,

other than those of incumbents, are vacant? If this policy has changed recently, what was the rationale

for doing so, and was there any consultation with parishes beforehand? And if there was a change, what

steps were taken to notify parish clergy of it?”

From the Bishop of Kirkstall, acting Chair of the Leeds Diocesan Board of Finance

The Leeds Diocesan Board of Finance only pays casual duty fees during interregna or instances of long-term sickness. This policy remains unchanged since the formation of the Diocese of Leeds, however, we are aware of at least one instance where this policy was not applied correctly. Policy documents and processes have since been reviewed to ensure the policy is applied consistently across the Diocese. If a parish is not able to meet the cost of cover, they should contact their Area Bishop and Archdeacon and request dispensation due to financial hardship.

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