Meeting of

The United Reformed Church

Wessex Synod

at

High Cross ChurchKnoll RoadCamberleyGU15 3SY

Saturday 19th November 2016

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INDEX

PAGE SUBJECT3 Agenda

4 Listing of Ordinands and Ministerial Changes

6 Obituary of Philip Eastman

7 Obituary of Kenneth Davies

8 Obituary of Lawrence Squires

9 Minutes

15 Synod Executive Report

17 Resolutions 1, 2 and 3

18 Ministries & Learning Committee Report

19 Wessex Trust Report

21 Mission Development Group Report on Pioneer Ministry

21 Resolution 4

22 Ministry and Mission Fund Report

24 Workshops

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AGENDA 10.00 Arrivals and Coffee

10.30 Synod constituted by the ModeratorOpening Worship (children present)

Moderator

10.45 Welcome to Bishop Chomba, Ecumenical Visitors and new members of Synod Ministry and Pastoral newsFire and safety announcementsApologies Minutes of Synod held on 19th March 2016Matters arising Order of business

Moderator

Clerk

11.00 Synod Executive Report Including matters referred by General AssemblyResolution 1 Child Friendly SynodResolution 2 Shared Synod PanelResolution 3 to move Autumn Synod Meeting

Clerk

11.30 Synod Day Out Tim Meachin

11:40 Wessex TrustIncluding paper from Mission Development Group

Chris Evans

11. 55 Announcements and introduction to Workshops Clerk

12.00 Workshops

1pm LUNCHDuring lunch Penny Thatcher will be holding an employment surgery and Graham Barber a buildings and property surgeryThe films “When Truth is Blind” and “Constance” will be shown

2pm Feasts and Festivals presentation

2.05 Ministries and Learning Committee Phyllis Williams

2.20 Any remaindered business from the morning session

2.40 Presentation of TLS certificates

2.45 Community Awards – Cornerstone: video

Thanks

3.00 Worship including Communion

Tea and departures

Next meeting of Synod: Saturday 18th March 2017 at The Beacon Church, Canford Heath, Poole

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LISTING OF ORDINANDS AND MINISTERIAL CHANGES

Paul O’Connor Northern College (final year)Paul Stein Westminster College (3rd year) Helen Everard Northern College (2nd year)

Inductions26th March Alan Wickens to Windsor & Egham3rd May Philip Cochrane (CofE) to St Mary’s Banbury6th August Tim Searle from South West Hants Group to Winchester with Medstead1st September David Downing to Maidenhead & Marlow1st October Trish Davis to Totton with Southampton University Chaplaincy 5th November Mike Perrott from Bitterne and Hedge End to Abbey URC Romsey and Braishfield12th November Rebecca Peters to Preachcroft Christian Centre, Abingdon

Recent Deaths 21st April Lawrence Squires4th October Keith Fisher (obituary to follow in March Synod papers)

Short Term ministries26th May Pauline Main (Wheatley) in addition to Summertown and Marston11th September Richard Bittleston (High Cross Church, Camberley)18th September Jill Thornton (Guildford URC)

Movements into the Synod March Anthea WickensJuly David Vincent (retired minister) October Richard Davis (retired minister)October Roger Scopes (retired minister)

Church Closures26th June Lytchett Minster16th October Lovedean30th October Pheasants Hill Dissolution of LEP 2nd October Christchurch, Creekmoor, Poole

Ministers who have moved out of the Synod31st March Carla Grosch-Miller (from Oxford St Columba’s & Cumnor and moved to

Northern Synod July 2016)30th April Elizabeth Kemp (from Blandford Forum, Shaftesbury & Mere) moved to East

Midlands Synod31st May Jon Sermon (from Camberley) moved to Eastern SynodJuly David Grosch-Miller (Moderator of General Assembly) moved to Northern Synod12th September Anne Bray (NSM) moved to South Western Synod

Ministers who have Retired 27th March Peter Norris (from Petersfield & Liss) – remains in Synod31st March Gerald Munro (from Weybridge) – moved to Southern Synod31st May David Moss (from Winton, Bournemouth) – remains in Synod

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30th June Tom Carmichael (from Sherborne) - moved to Mersey Synod31st October Anne Dove (from Iford, Bournemouth) - moved to South Western SynodChanges in roles before next Synod30th November Cliff Bembridge retires from SCM post for IBEX – The Churches Working with

the Economy but remains 25% at Buckland, Portsmouth31st December Ken Blanton leaves Bracknell, and will remain in the Synod, but not in

pastoral charge31st January 2017 Peter Hurter retires to South Africa31st January 2017 David Morgan from Weymouth: Hope and Radipole to St Mark’s UM,

Greenwich in Southern Synod. 28th February 2017 Chris Vivian retires from Lymington and will remain in the Synod

Don’t forget

Synod Big Day Out(with South Western Synod)

Saturday 1st July 2017

The Burgate School, Forgdingbridge

Further details will be on the website soon.For more information contact:

Revd Tim Meachin - revd.tim.meachin@gmail.com

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OBITUARIESThe following obituaries will be part of “Celebrated Lives”

which is a collection of life stories to appear withthe 2017 edition of the URC Year Book

(Edward) Philip Eastman 17 May 1918 to 10 January 2016 (aged 97)

Islington Chapel 1944-48; Secretary, Churches Commission on International Affairs 1948-57; Secretary International Department BCC 1952-55; Assistant Secretary FCFC 1957-58; General Secretary, International Fellowship of Reconciliation 1958-67; New Barnet 1967-86. Wareham & Lulworth 1986-89.

Philip Eastman’s love of peace and reconciliation was lifelong. Even before he entered New College as a young man, to train for the Congregational ministry, he had joined the Fellowship of Reconciliation. He went on to be general secretary of the International Fellowship, met Mother Teresa and Martin Luther King, and had the opportunity to influence many people in positions of responsibility. By then, he had been secretary of the international department of the British Council of Churches and the Churches’ Commission on International Affairs, liaising with newly-forming departments of the United Nations in the aftermath of the Second World War.

Philip also worked to help the body of Christ come together in love, celebrating diversity and sharing insights. His daughter, Andrea, remembers how he took her to churches of different denominations, when she was a teenager, so that she could experience the many ways in which Christian s worship.

Andrea, recalls: ‘He was quick to listen and understand, to forgive, to labour in prayer and forgive again, not condemning other people, but able to discern right from wrong.’

Philip came from a missionary family; his parents served the London Missionary Society in the Cook Islands and the Gilbert Islands for more than 30 years. As the son of missionaries, he was educated at Eltham College, South London.

His first ministry, at Islington Chapel, was in a tough inner city area. He and his wife Mary opened a youth club which grew rapidly and had to be limited to 100 young people a night.

After travelling widely in his international roles, Philip then took up a new challenge, helping to bring together two rather different congregations – one Congregational and the other Presbyterian – into a vibrant new church: St John’s, New Barnet, in north London. This pre-dated the union of the two denominations that brought the United Reformed Church into being.

Philip was invited to remain at St John’s for three years beyond the normal retirement age, after which he and Mary moved to Swanage, in Dorset, where he took on the part-time ministry of small churches at Wareham and Lulworth.

In ‘real’ retirement, he was quick to offer a friendly word to the shopkeepers of Swanage, and visitors were often drawn into a conversation about faith.

Written from information supplied by Philip Eastman’s daughter, Andrea Pratt

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Ken (Kenneth Frank) Davies20 February 2925 to 3rd March 2016 (aged 91)

Whitehill 1961-66; Petersfield & Harting 1966-72; Petersfield 1972-75; St John’s Hill, Sevenoaks 1978-82; Fleet 1982-86; Milton, Portsmouth 1989-93.

Ken Davies was a man of forthright views and was never afraid to voice them. He was a formidable preacher, but he was also a gracious man. Lives were changed and many people led to Christ, encouraged through his ministry and his love.

Ken was born and brought up in West London and was a member of the Boys’ Brigade, which nurtured a Christian faith that sustained him throughout his life, serving the Lord Jesus Christ as best he knew, in good times and difficult times.

From school, he went to work in local government housing, but was conscripted into the Royal Navy at 18, and was an early participant in the Normandy D Day landings, serving as a wireless operator.

After the war, Ken returned to housing. He and Betty married in 1950 and lived in Fulham, and shared 65 years together. Ken’s work took them to many parts of southern England. Ken was already a lay preacher but he studied with the Open University and, after he was made redundant, completed a correspondence course to become a minister, something he had always aspired to. In 1966, he became assistant minister at Petersfield , Hampshire and at Harting, just across the border into West Sussex, and then moved on to Sevenoaks and to Fleet.

Ken and Betty had three daughters - Barbara, Ann and Marion - eventually three son-in-laws, seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren at the time of writing.

The family remember going away in Ken’s white Morris Traveller. On 30 July 1966, the day that England won the World Cup at Wembley, they were on holiday in Burnham-On-Sea, Somerset, and had the beach almost to themselves! Ken liked football and was a Fulham supporter, but he had a family of girls, who might have been less keen. He did manage to get tickets for the Fulham v West Ham Cup Final in 1975, but Fulham lost.

In retirement, Ken was welcomed back to Petersfield, by people who had valued his involvement in the work and witness of the church. Latterly, as his powers faded, he would arrive at church on his mobility scooter. Retaining his former vigour, if not complete control of the vehicle, he remained, as ever, a force to be reckoned with!

Written from memories recalled by Sue Bone, Barbara Double (Ken’s eldest daughter), Ken Jacques and Peter Jolly.

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Lawrence Saunders Squires 6 July 1911 to 21 April 2016 (aged 104)

East Sheen 1940-43; Jamaica 1943-51; Rodborough 1951-58; Cheltenham 1958-65; St Mawes & Portscatho 1965-69; United Church of Canada 1969-86;

Lawrence Squires regarded the short time he spent re-building the refectory at Iona Abbey, under the leadership of George MacLeod, as a highlight which inspired and shaped his long life. Lawrence enjoyed rewarding ministries in England, Jamaica and Canada, and lived to be 104.

He had begun work training as an architect and managing building construction, experience which was put to good use on the mission field.

His call to Christian service began with volunteering in church youth work and soon led to him training for ministry, graduating from New College in 1940. While he was at his first church, East Sheen Congregational Church, in South London, an exhibition was staged on the work of what was then the Colonial Missionary Society. Soon afterwards, Lawrence received a call from CMS headquarters, inviting him to be a missionary in Jamaica.

He and his wife Marion were offered a passage almost immediately and joined a wartime convoy, but, in the swell of the North Atlantic, the ship’s rudder broke and they had to put in to Halifax Nova Scotia for repairs. After further repairs in New York they were months overdue arriving at Kingston, Jamaica, and were assumed lost at sea.

After seven memorable years at Davyton, high in Jamaica’s Blue Mountains, in which I and my two sisters were born, we returned to England and Lawrence took up his next charge, at Rodborough Tabernacle in the Cotswolds. The integrated, practical hands-on caring that he preached was evidenced in his work: preparing the hilltop folly, Rodborough Fort, to receive Hungarian refugees following the revolution in 1956, later at Highbury Congregational Church, Cheltenham, being involved with the opening of a Langley House Trust property for discharged prisoners, and then at Portscatho, Cornwall, helping inner city children to have a summer holiday.

In 1969, Lawrence was prompted to apply for ministry in Canada where he and Marion stayed until Marion’s ill-health caused them to return to Britain. Marion died in 1998 and Lawrence remarried after a lightening courtship, he being 88 years of age and Connie 86. They travelled adventurously before her death four years later.

Being a minister had absolutely absorbed Lawrence; he had a pastoral heart and continued to pray for the churches he had served. In March 2015 he celebrated 75 years since ordination.

Rosamond Robertson

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MINUTES

MINUTES of the meeting of WESSEX SYNOD on Saturday 19th March 2016 at the United Church, Winchester.

The Moderator, the Revd Clare Downing, welcomed members to the meeting and constituted the Synod. Opening worship was led by members of the host church, who were thanked.

Attendance45 URC Ministers/CRCWs66 Church representatives

0 Ministers of other denominations5 Retired Ministers0 Ordinands

22 Others holding Synod appointments18 Visitors

156 Total

16S01 Ecumenical visitors and new members of Synod: The Moderator asked all those attending Synod for the first time to stand and she welcomed them, along with Patrick Wintrebert from L’Eglise Protestante Unie de France, who brought greetings and a message from their president. There were apologies from four ecumenical visitors.

16S02 Ministry and pastoral news: Since the last Synod the Revd Alan Wickens has moved into the Synod and will be inducted to the

United Church of Egham, and Windsor URC, shortly. The Revd Dr Romilly Micklem has moved from Walton-on-Thames to Thame (inducted on 27th February 2016 not 26th as the Synod papers indicated) and the Revd John Downing was inducted to the Reading Group on 30 th January 2016.

Members of Synod stood to remember three ministers who have died: the Revd Brian Prior, the Revd Philip Eastman and the Revd Ken Davies. The Moderator gave thanks for their lives.

The Revd David Cuckson and the Revd Dr Donald Norwood were the only jubilee ministers present at Synod. The Moderator congratulated them and gave them certificates marking 50 years since their ordinations.

The Moderator led the Synod in prayer for those who have celebrated anniversaries, those who have moved or who will be moving and for Lytchett Minster URC, which will be holding its final service on 26 th June.

16S03 Apologies were received from2 URC Ministers/CRCWs

17 Church representatives1 Ministers of other denominations

13 Retired Ministers0 Ordinands

6 Others holding Synod appointments39 Total

16S04 Minutes of the last meeting: The Minutes of the meeting held on 21st November 2015 were approved and signed as a correct record after noting two amendments:

1. Page 7, minute 15S30, resolution 2 had correct wording when passed but has two typographical errors in the book of reports. Bullet point one should read “protect” not “protest” and bullet point five should read “for refugees” not “or refugees”.

2. Page 10, minute 15S37, replace the word “bring” with the word “beginning”.

16S05 Matters arising: One matter, brought to the Moderator’s attention by Graeme Panting, was addressed later in the meeting.

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16S06 Order of business: The Synod Clerk, Sue Brown, said that the order of business was as on the agenda, but the Good News Story would be brought to a later Synod. The Moderator then explained how Consensus Decision Making works.

16S07 Synod Executive Report: The Synod Clerk presented the report. She drew attention to the dates of the next area gatherings which will include feedback from General Assembly. As Mission Council is looking at how to involve more people in General Assembly affairs it would be good if people could attend these gatherings. She indicated that nominations have been quite successful and expressed gratitude to those who have responded. The Nominations Committee is dependent on churches to watch out for those with skills and gifts to share.

The Synod Clerk explained that when resolution 4 is presented, it would be inappropriate for the Moderator or the Alternate Chair of Synod Meeting, the Revd Nigel Appleton, to be in the chair as they both have an interest in the resolution. The Executive was therefore bringing a resolution to facilitate this situation.

RESOLUTION 1Wessex Synod approves the appointment of Phyllis Williams to act as Chair for the appointment of the Synod Review Panel (Resolution 4).

The resolution was passed by consensus.

The Clerk brought the next resolution:

RESOLUTION 2Wessex Synod approves the list of appointments in the Nominations paper.

The Moderator responded to a question about those nominated to the Finance and Property Committee moving on to become trustees of the URC (Wessex) Trust if Resolution 5 were to be passed. She explained that there will be a slight crossover period and that these names will be brought to the next Synod. In the interim vacancies have on the whole not been filled as yet.

Mrs Christine McMillan requested the correct spelling of her surname (not Macmillan) as Commitment for Life Advocate.

The resolution was passed by consensus.

In presenting the next resolution the Synod Clerk asked for someone to fill the final ministerial nomination to attend General Assembly. The Revd Alison Toplas volunteered and was accepted.

RESOLUTION 3Wessex Synod approves the list of representatives to General Assembly, and allows Synod Officers to add a further ministers/CRCWs.

The resolution was passed by consensus.

Phyllis Williams took the chair. The Synod Clerk indicated that the requests for feedback required as part of the Moderator’s Review had been sent out and that replies are coming back in. A Synod Review Panel will evaluate the feedback, meet with the Moderator and report to an Assembly Review Group which will make the final decision.

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RESOLUTION 4Wessex Synod approves the appointment of the following to form the Synod Review Panel for the Moderator’s Review: Nigel Appleton, Sue Brown, Ruth Dillon, Richard Hall,Margaret Knighton.

The resolution was passed by consensus.

Transferring the functions of the Finance & Property Committee to the URC (Wessex) Trust Limited and the Synod Executive – The Synod Clerk explained that the Executive had been considering the Trust and Synod responsibilities in the light of the URC Act and Charity Commission requirements. The proposed changes are intended to achieve greater clarity, transparency and efficiency. She then invited Chris Evans, Chair of the URC (Wessex) Trust to speak and answer questions.Chris Evans explained that the paper had arisen from a variety of concerns expressed by Synod Executive about a year ago. He drew everyone’s attention to the five benefits listed in the second section of the paper.

He apologised for one error in the paper (the correction is included in the resolution). It is to clarify that any change to the Synod’s M&M formula would always require the approval of Synod.

Concern had been expressed that by accepting this proposal Synod would be permanently abrogating its role in assessing grant applications to the Trust which could then act contrary to Synod’s wishes. Chris emphasised that the intention is that Synod should effectively delegate the assessment of grant applications to the Trust who would anyway need to carry out their own assessment in accordance with charity law. If at any time the Synod felt this was not working, they could always choose to rescind the delegation and then appoint a separate body to assess grant applications even though the benefits of streamlining and efficiency and the need for fewer volunteers would then be lost. Chris suggested that a review period of perhaps two years would in any event be appropriate, and an amendment to the resolution was made to this effect.

In conclusion, Chris suggested that Synod may be confident that the trustees will seek to act responsibly within a more efficient structure, drawing attention to four points: The trustees will in future be sourced via the Nominations Committee and Synod have to confirm, or

reject, each individual appointment. The trustees must act in accordance with the charitable objects of the Trust, which are to "advance the

Christian religion and propagate the Gospel in accordance with the doctrines principles and usages of the United Reformed Church with particular responsibility for the Wessex Synod of that Church."

This means that the trustees accept that in all matters they have a responsibility to follow the wishes of Synod where they do not conflict with the responsibilities placed upon them by Charity Law.

In particular, the Trustees are committed to working within an agreed policy for grants and loans as is evidenced by the paper also being presented to Synod for approval today.

RESOLUTION 5 (amended)Wessex Synod approves the document ‘Transferring the functions of the Finance &Property Committee to the URC (Wessex) Trust Limited and the Synod Executive.Synod asks the Synod Executive to review these arrangements and report back to Synod in autumn 2018.

The resolution was passed by consensus. The Moderator asked people to pray for those who have been appointed and those whose roles have changed.

16S08 Children’s Day: The Moderator explained that the children present at Synod were exploring the idea of church by visiting other churches and completing a booklet, including various questions. From these she invited Synod to discuss in small groups

What do you think makes a good church? What could we change to make church better? What difference (if any) does it make to your life?

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16S09 Question from November 2015 Synod: The Moderator referred back to 15S30, in particular the same sex marriage resolution. She explained that if anyone had wished these to be discussed at that meeting it needed to have been requested beforehand. Thatcham URC has enquired about this procedure but the Moderator reminded Synod that when this matter was discussed at Wessex Synod we not only had the General Assembly 2014 material but also a further motion which eventually became the resolution to General Assembly. We had therefore discussed this more fully than other Synods which is why it was not discussed further at the November 2015 meeting.

16S10 Resolution regarding Israel and Palestine: The Moderator reminded the meeting that if a church has a resolution they wish to bring to Synod they can do this. She invited churches to discuss whether there are matters that should be talked about in the wider church.

Havant URC had brought one such matter and it was agreed that Angus Geddes from Havant could speak, as well as the church Synod representative. Following the introduction to the resolution Synod members were anxious about commending and endorsing reports which many members of Synod had not read, as well as some of the language used. Following the meeting of a facilitation group over lunch a revised wording was brought –

RESOLUTION 6

Wessex Synod resolves that General Assembly be asked to adopt the following resolution:

General Assembly resolves to:a) commend the Church of Scotland Report “The Inheritance of Abraham” (revised version) and “A Moment of Truth, a word of faith, hope, and love from the heart of Palestinian suffering, Kairos Palestine 2009” for study by United Reformed churches and Synods.b) urge the UK Government and the European Union to do all that is within their power to ensure that human rights are respected and international law is upheld by all parties in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.c) develop and deepen our existing work around these issues so as to enable the United Reformed Church to adopt a programme of dialogue and action with partner churches, interfaith partners and public authorities.

The resolution was passed by consensus and with grateful thanks to Havant URC and the facilitation group.

16S11 Finance and Property Committee Report: David Page presented the report which was accepted.

Ray Dunnett spoke of David Page’s meticulous and efficient service as Committee Secretary for 27.5 years, during which time he has serviced 150 meetings of the committee. A presentation has already been made to him but he was thanked for his remarkable service to the Synod.

The Wessex Synod Policy for making Grants & Loans to support the mission of local Churches formed part of the report, as a result of which the following resolution was brought -

RESOLUTION 7Wessex Synod approves the document ‘Wessex Synod Policy for making Grants & Loans to support the mission of local churches’.

A suggestion that it should be clear that projects supporting church workers should be for 3 years in the first instance in case funding was not available beyond that time was accepted by Ray Dunnett on behalf of the committee.

The resolution was passed by consensus.

Mr Dunnett asked people to contact him in place of David Page until a replacement secretary is appointed.

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16S12 Ministry and Mission Fund Report: Peter Pay presented the report which was accepted, with thanks for his good work behind the scenes.

16S13 Ministries and Learning Committee Report: Phyllis Williams presented the report and invited three of the four Area Pastoral Committee convenors to join her. Tony Brett, newly appointed to the NW area was not present but the Revd Ruth Dillon (NE), the Revd Simon Franklin (SW) and the Revd Paul Bedford (SE) were introduced as the first port of call if churches have concerns that would be of relevance to those Pastoral Committees. The report was accepted.

16S14 Mission and Outreach Committee Report: The Revd Rob Weston presented the report, drawing attention to the associated Advocates. The Racial Justice & Multicultural Ministry Advocate Enala Bhebhe was welcomed.

The Revd Rob Weston also presented the Mission Development Group Report, mentioning the leaflet and free badge available to all Synod members to encourage conversations.

Ian Simpson then presented the World Church Group Report, thanking Patrick Wintrebert for his role in linking us with L’Eglise Protestante Unie de France as this was his last Synod in this role.

David Wrighton presented the Church & Society Group Report. He noted from this that Bangladesh is the focus of this year’s Christian Aid week, not Fairtrade week.

The reports were all accepted.

Peter Pay updated Synod on Le Weekend, saying that 26 have booked for the conference whose theme is “Exile”.

16S15 Nominations for Moderator of General Assembly: The Moderator explained that there are no nominations to bring to Synod.

16S16 Children’s and Youth Work Committee Report: The Revd Tom Grant presented the report, asking us to promote Summer Camp. The report was accepted.

16S17 Synod Youth Executive Report: John McAdam presented the report and invited individuals to share stories about mental health issues and their impact on young people and churches. The Moderator invited contributions from the floor, to which several people responded. In answer to a question about where resources could be found on this topic, it was felt that the URC Youth website could be a useful source.The report was accepted.

16S18 Wessex Pilots Report: The written report was accepted and a video was shown.

16S19 Christmas card for Moderator’s Christmas letter: The design by Olivia Bolton of South Hayling URC was chosen in the poll that had taken place at lunchtime.

16S20 Child Friendly Church Awards were presented to representatives of Petersfield URC, East Cliff URC Bournemouth, and Abbey URC Romsey by the Revd Tim Meachin, Convenor of the Assembly Children’s and Youth Committee

16S21 Children’s Day: Ruth White (CYDO) invited the children to report back on the children’s activities during the day, which included walking 5.5 miles around Winchester to visit different churches. The Moderator talked with the children about their thoughts on the questions they had been considering.

16S22 Thanks: The Moderator thanked the church for their hospitality and worship, the musicians, office staff, minute takers, PA and microphone controllers. She gave special thanks to the Synod Clerk and to those who work between the meetings.

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The Synod Clerk expressed the meeting’s thanks to the Moderator.

16S23 Closing worship: The Moderator led closing worship which included three children reading I Peter 2:2-10.

Synod closed at 16.25.

The next meeting is on Saturday 19th November 2016 at High Cross Church, Camberley.

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SYNOD EXECUTIVE

1. Risk AssessmentIn conjunction with Wessex Trust the operational Risk Assessment has been updated in the light of changes to committee structures and other developments.

2. CommitteesThe Standing Committees continue to report regularly to the Synod Executive and Executive continues to assess the ways in which the committees are implementing the Synod Strategy.

3. Area GatheringsThe September Area gatherings looked back at General Assembly, with feedback from our Assembly representatives. The dates for the 2017 Gatherings are:

Area February 2017 February Venue September 2017South East Wednesday 15th Southampton: Bitterne Tuesday 19th

South West Monday 20th TBA Wednesday 27th

North West Tuesday 21st TBA Tuesday 26th

North East Thursday 23rd Guildford: Portsmouth Rd Thursday 21st

4. Synod Day Out 1st July 2017 at The Burgate School, Fordingbridge.The convenor of the working group (Tim Meachin) will report on progress.

5. Moderator’s Review This took place earlier this year and, as a result, the Assembly Review Group recommended that our Moderator serves for a further term of office. This decision was agreed at General Assembly. The Executive is grateful for Clare’s continuing leadership.

6. Synod Safeguarding policy A Synod Safeguarding Policy, in line with Assembly guidelines, has been drafted by the Synod Safeguarding team and approved by the Executive. A copy is included with the on-line papers.

7. Past Case Review (Phase 2)As you will be aware this was launched on 4th October. Churches are urged to publicise this as widely as possible.

8. Child Friendly SynodYou will be familiar with the very successful “Child Friendly Church” award scheme.It has been suggested that the Synod might like to work through a Child Friendly Synod process – reviewing our structures and practices in the same way that local churches do.Synod Executive feels that this would be a very worthwhile undertaking.If we were to go forward with this, we would need the involvement of members of Synod – in the same way that Church Members are involved in the Child Friendly Church Awards.Executive is therefore bringing Resolution 1 to Synod.

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9. Matters referred from General AssemblyWe have two matters from General Assembly referred to this meeting. These are amendments to the Structure of the URC that are being made to provide greater clarity (Please read supporting papers, including an explanatory letter from the General Secretary). Unless Synod passes a resolution that an item “be not proceeded with”, and the General Secretary is notified by the date specified, Synod will be deemed to agree by default.The 2 items are: 1. Appeal, Reference and Constitutional Review (Resolution 3 of General Assembly 2016)2. URC Youth representation on Synods and General Assembly (Resolution 42 of General

Assembly 2016)Anyone wishing to bring a Resolution that one of these items be “not proceeded with” must notify the Synod office at least three days prior to the Synod meeting.

10. Shared Synod Ministerial Disciplinary PanelsWhen it becomes necessary to set up a Synod Disciplinary Panel, it is sometimes difficult to find panel members within the Synod who don’t know the individual or situation.Sharing a Disciplinary Panel with other Synods can help to avoid this difficulty.The current rules permit a maximum of six (and minimum of three) Synods to share, a shared disciplinary panel. It has therefore been proposed that Wessex join with South Western and West Midlands Synods and the National Synod of Wales to constitute a Shared Synod Panel.The wording of Resolution 2 needs to be passed by all the sharing Synods. South Western and West Midlands Synods and the National Synod of Wales have already passed this Resolution.

11. Change to the Date of Autumn SynodIn 2018 the Autumn meeting of Mission Council will coincide with the date on which Wessex Synod would normally meet. Executive has looked at possible alternative dates and recommends to Synod that from 2018 we change the date for our Autumn Synod from the 3rd Saturday in November to the 2nd Saturday in October. Various points were considered in recommending this change, but the major consideration was the relative timings of spring and autumn Synod Meetings.Executive is therefore bringing Resolution 3 to Synod

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RESOLUTION 1

Wessex Synod resolves to work towards a Child Friendly Synod Award,with the aim of completing the process by March 2018.

RESOLUTION 2

Wessex Synod resolves

1. To join with South Western and West Midlands Synods and the National Synod of Wales (the Sharing Synods) in constituting a Shared Synod Panel in accordance with Paragraph B.2.2 of the Ministerial Disciplinary Process, which said Panel shall come into being when all the Sharing Synods have passed this enabling resolution and at a date to be agreed by the Sharing Synods (“the formation date”), at which date the Shared Synod Panel shall come into existence.

2. In conjunction with the other Sharing Synods and no later than the formation date, to appoint persons onto the Shared Synod Panel in compliance with Paragraph B.2.2.1 and one person (who may be a Panel member) to act as Co-ordinator in compliance with Paragraph B.2.2.3.

3. To continue to maintain its separate Synod Panel until the formation date, following which it shall cease to exist.

RESOLUTION 3

Wessex Synod agrees to move the date of the Autumn Synod Meeting to the second Saturday in October, with effect from 2018.

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MINISTRIES AND LEARNING COMMITTEE REPORTLay Presidency at the SacramentsGeneral Assembly 2016 agreed to change the guidance on Presidency at the Sacraments.

The new Section F of the Manual will now read:

The pattern of presidency at the sacraments if the minister in pastoral charge is not available should be as follows: a) the Church Meeting may invite another Minister of Word and Sacraments (including a

retired minister who has expressed willingness to do so); b) if such a minister is not available, the Church Meeting may invite an elder (or

accredited lay preacher) authorised by the synod, in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 25 of the Basis of Union: elders of the local church and accredited lay preachers regularly conducting worship there should be considered first;

c) authorisation for such presidency by the synod, normally of members from within the congregation concerned, should be for an initial period of three to five years (according to synod judgement), including a probationary year on first appointment, with the possibility of renewal. Before renewal there should be consultation by the synod with the congregation, and a review of its needs.

NB This change has not yet been published on the URC website other than in the Assembly 2016 Record.

This is a significant change as it changes the emphasis from Synod giving authority to a lay person to preside on a single occasion, to one in which the lay person is authorised for a period of time.

In order to generate an initial list of those authorised to preside, churches will be asked to confirm who has been asked to do so over the past year and when and where they received training. In future churches will be asked to record on their annual return on how many occasions communion services and baptism services have been presided over by an authorised lay person.

The Synod Development Team have arranged appropriate training in the new year. We encourage all those elders and lay preachers interested in becoming authorised to contact the Synod Development Team development@urcwessex.org.uk for further information.

For the record: since Wessex Synod in November 2015 Pastoral Committees have authorised 64 individual occasions for a lay person to preside at one of the sacraments.

Local Ministry and Mission ReviewA shorter version of the LMMR process for use as an interim procedure which churches and pastorates can use to carry out their own review has been developed and is available on the website at http://wessexsynodurc.org.uk/lmmr

Pastorates and MinistryThe Area Synod Pastoral Committees continue to work with churches in transition seeking to become viable pastorates for stipendiary ministry. This work can be time consuming, but is essential to ensure that as a Synod we steward our resources to best effect.

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There are currently 5 pastorates actively seeking a minister: Richmond Hill St Andrew’s in Bournemouth, Christchurch Group (High Cross & Burton Green & Walkford), Poole Churches Partnership (Longfleet & Parkstone & Skinner Street), Verwood & West Moors, Walton & Weybridge.

Phyllis Williams, Convener

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WESSEX TRUST REPORT

1. Transfer of the functions of the Finance & Property CommitteeThe transfer of functions from the Finance & Property Committee to the Trust (and the Synod Executive) has been completed and the new arrangements are bedding in. This report incorporates all matters previously reported to Synod by the former Finance & Property Committee.

2. Grants, loans and permissionsThe Trust has made the following grants and loans and given permissions in the following matters since the last meeting of Synod. Unless otherwise stated, grants are made from the Church Mission Fund, and loans are made from the Trust’s General Funds and are repayable over five years with interest at 3% per year. Hindhead: Beacon Hill – permission for works, a grant of 30% of the total project costs up

to £23,400 and a loan of up to £13,000 for phase 1 of improvement works including the rear kitchen, rear toilets and an outside store.

Banbury: St Mary’s – an exceptional further grant of £1,500 towards the repair costs of the choir vestry roof.

Oxford: Summertown – permission to demolish an air-raid shelter and replace with parking spaces. Subsequently a grant from General Funds was agreed to meet the costs of demolition in order to meet a planning deadline.

Twyford (Bucks) – a loan of up to £10,000 in addition to the previous grant offer for phase 1 of a refurbishment project.

Woking – permission for the manse at 6 Sylvan Close to be renovated. Portsmouth: Buckland – a grant of up to £25,000 from General Funds for storm damage

repairs. Bournemouth: Iford – a grant of £2,000 and a loan of up to £4,000 for urgent boiler

replacement works. Churches Together in Berkshire, Dorset, Oxfordshire and Surrey – grants totalling £4,350. Chaplaincies at Reading, Portsmouth and Southampton Universities – grants totalling

£14,000. Petersfield – annual grants over 3 years towards the costs of a part-time development

worker for older people totalling £23,355. Southampton: Avenue St Andrew’s – a loan of up to £20,000 towards urgent tower repair

works. Warsash – a loan of up to £5,000 towards urgent wall repairs. Poole: Skinner Street – a loan of up to £7,000 for urgent ‘like for like’ window repair works. Reading: Grange – permission for works, payment for a surveyor to advise on the suitability

of cavity wall insulation, and a grant of 30% of the total project costs up to £15,000 and a loan of up to £15,000 towards a renovation project.

Joint Synod Day with South Western Synod – a grant of up to £6,000 from General Funds towards the costs of the day, matching the funding offered by South Western Synod.

South Central Regional Training Partnership – a grant of £2,000 per year for 3 years from General Funds in support of the part-time Regional Pioneer Hub Facilitator role.

Permission has been given and requested from our churches for 10 manses to be let during forthcoming periods of ministerial vacancy.

3. Support for church planting initiativesThe Mission Development Group have been developing proposals for church planting on large-scale housing developments. These proposals are not yet fully developed but the Trustees feel that at this point the Synod should be invited to consider whether they are content for some of the Trust’s funds to be reserved to support such projects. This would in theory reduce the

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sums otherwise available for grants to support local church mission projects, but probably not materially so.

The Synod are therefore asked to consider Resolution 4 to approve using £200,000 of the Special Reserve Fund to form a reserve to meet the direct costs of Pioneer Ministry projects in such situations as large-scale housing developments. If this is approved, the allocation of the funds to specific projects would be made by the Trust on the recommendation of the Synod Executive and the Mission Development Group.

A separate Mission Development Group Report on Pioneer Ministry in Wessex Synod provides background information on this mission opportunity (p.21).

The Trust have already agreed to fund a 25% scoped area ministry role for the South East Area which would, in the first instance, be used to support the development of an ecumenical presence at the Bordon Garrison redevelopment.

4. Other property items Newbury – the sale of the former Newbury manse at 25 Wansey Gardens has been

completed. The net proceeds of sale were £462,421. Totton: Trinity Church and Southampton University Chaplaincy – in the light of the special

circumstances of the minister called to the pastorate a new manse is being purchased. Woking – the manse at 6 Sylvan Close has been extensively renovated. Lytchett Minster – the former church site has been suitably protected pending work to

dispose of it. Nicholson Memorial Garden, Gosport – the Trust Executive Officer is continuing to support

the local management committee in arranging the maintenance of the gardens. Oxford: Temple Cowley – the Trust are resisting the listing of the building as an ‘Asset of

Community Value’. Such a listing has the potential to reduce the value of the property on closure of the church, which the members plan to do at the end of 2017. The legal process is continuing.

Synod/Trust office – a programme of repair and refurbishment of the office is underway. Synod Manse Policy – has been revised and extended to incorporate latest practice. It has

been approved by the Synod Executive and will be made available on the Synod website. Registration for same sex marriages – no applications to register have so far been received

from any of our churches. Any correctly completed applications will be agreed by Officers’ decision on behalf of the Trust.

5. Listed BuildingsThe Provincial Property Committee has given permissions in the following matters since the last meeting of Synod. Dorchester: United Church – an application in respect of the Charles Street entrance to the

halls for ‘replacement external doors to match adjacent shop door and with new locks to conform with safeguarding requirements’.

Ringwood: Trinity United Church – an application for ‘replacement of decayed timber lancet window to worship area to overcome water ingress’.

6. Church Mission and Special Reserve FundAfter the grant offers made since the last meeting of Synod and following the expiry of some other grant offers, the Church Mission Fund contains £181,001 and the Special Reserve Fund contains £1,271,900.

7. Trust staffingIt was reported to the previous meeting of Synod that, for some time, the Trust office had been under pressure from the amount of work and has not always been able to respond in a

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timely manner. During 2016 the workload has increased still further following the transfer of some further work from the former Finance & Property Committee to the Trust. To address this capacity problem an additional member of staff has very recently been appointed to the role of Trust Secretary and is currently being inducted into the role.

Chris Evans, Convener

Mission Development Group Report on Pioneer Ministry in Wessex Synod

As we have previously reported to the Synod meeting, the Mission Development Group has been working on a proposal for two church plants, one in the north of the Synod and one in the south. This report is to explain some of the rationale behind the proposed funding for two Pioneer Ministers in the Wessex Synod.

When considering the best approach to church planting, there is the important question of whether to appoint an individual to develop a church plant or a mission team. Stuart Murray in his Planting Churches book suggests that there are potential problems for lone operators who lack support: ‘isolation, burnout and imbalance are familiar problems’ (Murray, 2008, p75). Appointing a Pioneer Minister to establish a church plant in a new housing development does not preclude a team approach, indeed our URC practice of church leadership being a team approach with elders, would suggest that a team should be established as early as possible.

Perhaps one of the most popular models of church planting in the past has involved a local church (the mother church) deploying a group of its members to plant a new congregation. This model is not as applicable today within the Wessex Synod, as there are very few (if any) congregations that have sufficient membership to have the capacity for this approach.

Therefore we propose that the Synod appoint a Pioneer Minister for each church plant, who would be able to draw a team from a local area, which might draw one or two individuals from neighbouring churches as well as people who have moved into the new housing development. Having consulted with Pioneer Ministers in other Synods of the United Reformed Church, we do have an example of this approach in Southern Synod.

The proposal is that each Pioneer Minister is appointed for an initial period of five years and that housing is provided. Currently there is no expectation of church premises being built due to the capital costs involved. There is an expectation that the new churches should contribute to M&M at an appropriate level.

Ensuring adequate and appropriate support for the Pioneer Minister is essential and we believe there are appropriate people available across the Synod. In addition, it is important that any Pioneer Minister is networked with others, there is a growing network of pioneers especially within the Anglican Church who are able to provide advice and support.

RESOLUTION 4

Synod approves using £200,000 of the Special Reserve Fund to form a reserve to meet the direct costs of pioneer ministry projects in such situations as large-scale housing developments.

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MINISTRY AND MISSION FUND REPORT

1. Current yeara. Wessex contributions to end September are largely on track to meet our Synod promise of

£2 million. b. Overall for the URC there is a 1% shortfall - £125k. But some Synods contribute more in the

second half.

2. Next yeara. I have indicated an offer from the Synod of £2m (same as 2016). b. Offers received to date total about £1.78mc. 32 churches have not yet sent their offer.d. 46 churches have made offers that meet the1% challengee. 10 churches have made offers that are 10% or more below the request

I will hope to provide an update at Synod.

Peter Pay

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November 2016 Workshops

1. Moving house & Church planting - Led by Peter Southcombe

Do you have passion for the church and still have energy? Have you a desire to church plant or help revive one? We shall explore opportunities together: -a. New areas of housing where we need to plant a church b. Churches in need of helpc. Internship for those over 41.5!

2. Child Friendly Church Award - Led by Chris Vivian.

An opportunity to hear more about the child friendly church award from those who have used the tool in their church to develop work with families and children. Understand the tool and the process involved as well as have an opportunity to ask your questions. For those who are looking to develop children or family work in their church and have not yet used the award.

3. Feasts and Festivals (Assembly Theme 2017) - Led by Ruth White CYDO

An interactive session helping prepare churches for 2017. We will have a chance to explore resources and ideas to use during the celebratory year for the URC in 2017. Hear more about the theme and come away excited with some ideas to use in your church and communities.

4. Encountering God through Lectio Divina - Led by the Silence and Retreats Group

We shall hear about and then practise this ancient tradition of spending time with Scripture. We shall experience it as individuals though it can also be a group exercise.

5. Eco Church - Caring for God's creation - Led by Simon Brown from A Rocha UK

This is an introduction to A Rocha UK's new online award scheme to encourage churches in England and Wales to engage in caring for creation as part of their everyday ministry.

6. The Wessex-Zambia Link: Reflecting on the past and the future potential

Bishop Rodwell Chomba of the United Church of Zambia and Nigel Appleton, Coordinator of the Wessex-Zambia Link, will facilitate a workshop to review the operation of the link between Wessex and the Lusaka Presbytery UCZ and discuss the proposals for strengthening this key partnership. If your church is linked with a congregation of the UCZ, or is interested in being linked in the future, or if you have taken part in a visit to Zambia, do please come along, we need your input.

Please sign up for your workshop choice as soon as you have collected your Synod papers as places on workshops are limited.

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