Guildford Diocese and General SynodEvery five years the entire Church of England General Synod is re-elected, giving 378 people from 44 dioceses a chance to bring the social and ethnic diversity of contemporary society to the Church of England's governing body.Bishop Christopher explains that our word ‘Synod’ carries with it an ancient understanding of ‘walking along the Way together’. The model is encapsulated in the Luke 24 account of the walk to Emmaus in which the Greek word at the root of our modern word appears. In the Emmaus story we find, for example, doubt, interrogation of Scripture, dawning understanding – a range of things that can happen in Synod at its best where the Will of God for the Church is sought with integrity. In November 2010, the ninth General Synod, inaugurated by Queen Elizabeth II, began its five-year life and it has a full complement of ten Guildford diocesan personnel in its three houses: House of Bishops: The Rt Revd Christopher Christopher Hill House of Clergy: Canon Robert Cotton; The Ven. Julian Henderson; Canon Barbara Messham; Revd Dr Philip Plyming; Canon Hazel Whitehead House of Laity: Canon Peter Bruinvels; Keith Malcouronne; Anne Martin; Adrian Vincent Secular media reporting of Synod is inevitably incomplete, often sensationalised and focused on matters of interest to the media agenda rather than the overall mission of the Church of England. It is that reportage, however, which most people in our parishes see – and it may be all that is available to them if they don't take the 'Church Times' or 'CEN'... Our Guildford Synod members, though, are keen to ensure that Guildford diocese’s 12 deaneries and parishes are as fully in touch with the national picture as possible and have made themselves available to talk to. You can contact the Runnymede & Surrey Heath member, Keith Malcouronne, on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |