Diocese sets a course for finance, tourism and evangelism

Report on the Synod meeting, Ripon Cathedral,

June 26, 2010

BP oil spill adds to budget uncertainty

Cathedral accounts, parish share and  the 2011 budget were on the agenda for June's Diocesan Synod meeting at Ripon Cathedral. Chair of the Diocesan Board of Finance, Alistair Thompson (above), told Synod that the  diocesan strategy was to keep share increase as low as possible and that next year's budget was based on a 97% collection target. But Synod members heard that fluctuating financial markets and uncertainty caused by the BP oil spill had caused a great deal of uncertainty. They agreed to an increase of 1.5% in parish share next year and to a budget which allowed for 119 parochial clergy to be employed.

Hello to Ade.. farewell to Bob.

Adrian Alker (below), the Director of Mission Resourcing introduced the issues of racial justice, learning disabilities and tourism.

Bob Brooke, retiring as Learning Disabilities Officer, gave a presentation and Synod warmly thanked him for his contribution to raising awareness and understanding in the church both locally and nationally.

Revd Ade Lawal was licensed as Racial Justice Officer.

Tourism. Archdeacon Janet Henderson told members of the development of the Diocesan Tourism initiative and Synod endorsed a call by Bishop John for churches to use a new booklet produced by the Task Group,   “Encouraging Church Visitors on a Spiritual Journey”. (available to download from the diocesan website - on the 'Resources for Parishes / Tourism' page.)

New video to illustrate the Budget

Synod members saw a new video from the communications team of John Carter and David Brighton which shows the main ways in which the parish share is spent. The five minute film focuses on five areas of work – the ministry and stipends of parish clergy, the estates department maintaining vicarages and church buildings, specialist officers and resource ministers, admin and support staff and the Education team. The video will appear soon on this site.

Proclaiming afresh

The new  evangelism strategy for the diocese which includes questions for each local church was approved enthusiastically by Synod members. Work of the Evangelism Task Group will also include promoting Back to Church Sunday and offering workshops and training.  Bishop James Bell (above), who moved a motion to endorse the paper said “The strategy of this diocese is that each parish should have its own strategy. We want to affirm local responsibility for responding to the call of God in each context. Evangelism is the process by which people become disciples of Jesus Christ. It is a corporate responsibility, he said. It begs the question “What processes has your PCC got in place to enable people to become disciples of Christ?”

Read Bishop James' own comment on the new strategy in his pastoral letter