Church Times - Synod reports


Crown appointments: Synod seeks to extend reform to deans and canons THE SYNOD, welcoming the prospect of the Church’s achieving the decisive voice in the appointment of diocesan bishops, said on Monday that it wanted this... Subscriber only	Marriage: Wedding couples’ ‘qualifying connections’ agreed THE SYNOD returned on Saturday morning to revising the draft legislation aimed at broadening the current residence requirements for marriage in church... Subscriber only	Appointments THE Synod agreed to the following appointments: Allan Bridgewater as chairman of the Pensions Board for a further year, until 31 December 2008 Subscriber only

Worship training: Move for ‘better’ liturgy welcomed A DEBATE on Sunday evening to promote a Liturgical Commission initiative for improving the quality of worship in the Church of England took on a mildly... Subscriber only	Childhood THE SYNOD, at the outset of its sessions on Friday afternoon, heard a wide-ranging indictment of the way Britain treats its children. Subscriber only	Anglican Covenant: C of E is to ‘engage positively’ with the global Primates [COL][IMAGE][COL] THE SYNOD agreed on Sunday afternoon to go on with the Anglican Covenant process, after being assured that it would be able to... Subscriber only

Presidential address THERE IS a commanding invitation which echoes throughout the Bible. Subscriber only	Commissioners: Southwark diocese fails to win review of accountability AN ATTEMPT to instigate a review of the Church Commissioners’ status and accountability failed on Monday morning. Subscriber only	Ethical investments: Investors’ blacklist to stay confidential THE SYNOD resisted a move to publish the list of companies in whom the Ethical Investment Advisory Group (EIAG) advises the national Church not to buy... Subscriber only

Disability: See what we do, Synod told DIOCESES should have a “lead person” on disability issues, and ensure that these issues are integral to the functioning of diocesan advisory committees... Subscriber only	2008 budget: Ordinands squeezed as numbers surge THE SYNOD debated and agreed the Archbishops’ draft budget, presented by the outgoing chairman of the finance committee, Michael Chamberlain (Archbishops’... Subscriber only	Iran A DEBATE on possible US military action against Iran was nipped in the bud on Saturday afternoon Subscriber only

Church Army MARK RUSSELL, the chief executive of the Church Army, gave a presentation on the work of the organisation to help mark its 125th anniversary. Subscriber only	Farewells THE SYNOD said farewell to the Bishops of Worcester, Coventry, and Sodor & Man. Subscriber only	Parochial fees Big rise in fee to bury ashes THE SYNOD voted on Saturday morning for an increase of three per cent in the level of fees generally, and ten per cent in the level of fees for burials... Subscriber only

Methodists: Lay presidency and bishops at issue THE SYNOD commended the second interim report of the Joint Implementation Commission (JIC) for the Anglican-Methodist Covenant as a basis for study and... Subscriber only	Clergy pensions: Defined-benefits rescue plan approved THE General Synod agreed on Saturday afternoon to follow a plan of action designed to preserve the Church of England’s defined-benefits pension scheme... Subscriber only	Minorities: Hospitality is ‘still lacking’ THE SYNOD, on Sunday evening, debated a motion on participation by ethnic minorities in the Church’s life. Subscriber only