waiapu anglicans

Synod 2011 looks outwards

Posted by on 29 August 2011 | 0 Comments

30 August

Of the ten non-procedural motions to be discussed this weekend, only one deals with diocesan matters.  The rest are concerned with social or ethical issues affecting society as a whole. There is only one Bill.

Do we mean what we say as a Synod?

The first question dealt with in the motions is a report card on how the Diocese acted on last year’s community focussed motions.  Synod has frequently over the years passed well intentioned motions, especially on social issues, which have not resulted in further action.  Last year Synod decided to monitor its own ability to act on its decisions by reporting back on action taken following its decisions.

Our report card on last year’s motions

Social Inequality – That Synod advocate for policies that lead to a more equal society

Action: Standing Committee has requested feedback from parishes  on examples of social inequality within their area and their response.  Given these responses, Standing Committee will consider how to act. Bishop David has also contacted the two Pihopa of our Hui Amorangi and asked for the comments. It is hoped that this can be further discussed at our joint meeting scheduled for November.

Child Poverty – That Synod members advocate a review of taxation policy and benefit levels to lessen child poverty

Action: Bishop David has referred the resolution to the Anglican Social Justice Commissioner and to the Diocesan Social Justice Task Force.

All members of Synod have been urged to make a submission to their Members of Parliament.

Alcohol Abuse – Action: Synod members urge Government to reduce accessibility to alcohol and control advertising and lower limits for drivers.

The bill is unlikely return to this Parliament. Parishes and parishioners were encouraged to write to their local MP’s submitting on the issues raised

One day of the 2011 Clergy Conference is to be “alcohol free”.

Support of Christian World – Service by protesting against Government policy changes causing cuts to aid agencies

Action: Bishop David wrote to the Hon. Murray McCully reaffirming our support for CWS and expressing our strong protest against the Government’s plans to cut current overseas development schemes and replace them with more rigid alternatives that were an extension of government geopolitical aims. The response from the Minister merely reaffirmed the new policy.

Tairawhiti Oil Drilling – Action: to support local groups concerned with the exploration on the East Coast

Bishops David, Brown & Ngarahu prepared a joint statement of position to be read out at a protest in Gisborne on 25th June 2011. 

Ordination of people in same sex relationships

Action: A request was made to the General Synod Standing Committee seeking information on whether any moratorium was in place. The response was a qualified “no”.  Meantime this issue is the subject of another motion at this Synod.

New motions this year in brief

Reducing inequality

Synod, noting the call of the NZ Christian Social Services council to work to build a fairer New Zealand where income inequality is reduced,

encourages all our ministry units: (1) To gather individual stories of poverty, drawing on the experiences of their own parishioners and local social service agencies; (2)  To use every opportunity to build relationships with the decision-makers and to inform them with this information.

The Anglican Covenant

 Waiapu affirms its desire to remain a member of the Anglican Communion. We do not believe that the proposed Anglican Communion Covenant will enhance the life of the Communion and request that General Synod/te Hinota Whanui declines to sign the Covenant. (All three regional conferences supported this motion going to Synod.)

Waiapu Wellbeing initiative

We are called to lives that are healthy, spiritually, mentally and physically, and we need to model this in our common life together.  Synod therefore encourages ministry units to ensure healthy food options are available at all functions and commits to ensuring that every diocesan event includes some time of physical activity and healthy food options. Suggestions for being simultaneously a missional and healthy diocese include: picking fruit/vegetables for the local food bank; picking up rubbish along river bank and in reserves; working in a community garden and helping restore properties affected by flooding.

 Fairtrade

Synod urges parishes to become Fairtrade Parishes and Synod to become a Fairtrade Diocese. To become a Fairtrade Parish requires using Fairtrade tea and  coffee and moving forward on using other Fairtrade products; promoting Fairtrade during Fairtrade Fortnight and during the year and  encouraging the use of Fairtrade products.

Sexual orientation and ordination

Given that Waiapu has followed a policy of sexual orientation not being a barrier to ordination; and given that there is no agreed “moratorium” on ordinations of those in same sex relationships;  Synod affirms that sexual orientation is not a barrier to ordination, and asks General Synod to move forward with the provision of an authorised liturgy for the blessing of same sex relationships to be adopted by dioceses who wish to do so.

Carbon footprint reduction

Synod adopts a programme of carbon footprint reduction drawing upon the resources available through the Church of England's "Shrinking the Footprint" programme.

The Church of England is committed to a Carbon reduction target of 80% by 2050, with an interim target of 42% by 2020. Good practice is already established in many churches round the country

 Violence

As part of the commitment of the Anglican Communion to eliminate violence at all levels,  Synod asks vestries / parish councils to identify and celebrate the positive local moves already being made to eliminate violence and to identify areas in which changes still need to be made.

Charter of Compassion

Synod affirms the Charter of Compassion and encourages all ministry units to act with other faiths and community groups to break down divisions, and together address the problems of our time. The Charter of Compassion includes a “call upon all men and women to restore compassion to the centre of morality and religion, to return to the ancient principle that any interpretation of scripture that breeds violence, hatred or disdain is illegitimate.”

Bill to amend Canon of Parishes

The purpose of this statute is to amend parish financial reporting processes, noting that some participate in the Parish Accounting Scheme and some do not, and to recognize the different forms of auditing services are available.

The church wardens of every parish shall ensure that a financial report is made to vestry at least quarterly. If the parish does not participate in the Parish Accounting Scheme this report shall also be provided to the Diocesan Registrar.

Every parish’s Annual Financial Statements shall be audited or reviewed by a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants or by any other person duly authorized by the Standing Committee.

For parishes not in the Parish Accounting Scheme, the Financial Statements and Auditor’s Report shall be sent to the Diocesan Registrar each year.

 From the Annual reports

Waiapu Anglican Social Services Trust Board

In Waiapu, there are 40 parishes and 46 social services sites; half of these services are in partnership with parishes. Since 2005 WASS annual turnover collectively has doubled from $7million to $15m. Employee numbers are over 550 and volunteers are approximately 500. 20,000 people are being touched each year.

 Mission Giving

The target of $176,000 agreed at Synod 2009 was exceeded in 2010 with the final result being $181,869 (compared to $243,000 from Auckland, and $206,000 from Waikato).

Hospital Chaplaincies

The six hospitals in our region, Tauranga, Whakatane, Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay, Rotorua and Taupo, recorded 42,500 visits to patients, 10,000 visits to relatives and 3,390 examples of ministry to hospital staff.