Minutes of the Birmingham District Synod held at Tudor Grange School, Solihull
on 8th September 2007
9071 Opening worship was led by representatives of the Elmdon Circuit.
9072 Apologies were noted
9073 It was agreed to send letters of greeting to the following:
Bishop John Inge the new Bishop of Worcester;
Mrs Jean Hope, widow of Rev John Hope;
the son of late Dr Mary Hulton, District Archivist;
the widow of Judge Eric Dickenson, killed in recent floods;
Paul and Kath Ralph - Paul in hospital (subsequently died)
Rev Brian Hunt;
Rev Alan Cox;
Bob and Sheila Pardoe;
Rev and Mrs Edward Sainsbury on the death of their daughter;
Widow of Bishop John Austin who had died on the eve of his daughter's
wedding;
Wagdy and Margaret Matta who had moved to Cairo
9074 Welcomes
Those stationed to the District this year were introduced. Other
newcomers were welcomed to the Synod.
9075 Global warming
Peter Braithwaite introduced the topic of Climate Change and
Ecocongregations. David Edden indicated
what action was already going on
and encouraged other churches and circuits to engage with this issue.
There then followed discussion in Circuit groups.
9076 Elections for Conference 2008
It was agreed not to nominate anyone for three years this time.
Those elected to represent the District at Conference in 2008 were as
follows:
Presbyters: Revs Anne Smith, Helen Cameron, Tony Malcolm
Deacon: Donald Pritchard
Lay: Michele Simms, Kudzi Kamanga, Pamela Blott, Jean Hamilton
Reserves: 1. Rev Carole Challis 2. Barry Sutcliffe
9077 Conference report 2007
Representatives who had attended Conference in Blackpool gave a report
and concluded by leading Synod
in a song.
9078 District Activities
Speakers drew attention to the following:
Charles Worth - EDEV and other adult training opportunities
Jayne Webb - seminar on leading change
Israel Selvanayagam - reported on his recent activities. The Chair thanked
him for his contribution
to the District and indicated that Israel had been
appointed Principal at Bangalore Theological
College.
Stephen Willey - Seminar on "Bite Size Chaplaincies"
Colin Owen - Jubilee Debt Campaign
Alan Jenkins - encouraged sport chaplaincy
Andy Lyons - asked for support to gather information on changes in
worship over the last fifty years
Linda Innes - Plight of asylum seekers, drawing attention to project in
Solihull.
Margaret Dow - spoke of changes due to Network in September 2008
9079 Formal Business
Approval was given for the closure of Akrill Memorial Church
in the
Birmingham (West) and Oldbury Circuit 5/6
Following the death of the District Archivist a new appointment would be needed. The Chair had two
possible names but was not prepared to
publicise then at present.
Superintendents confirmed that all necessary transfers of Authorised
Persons had been completed.
90710 Treasurer
The District Treasurer reminded representatives that there was no longer
a District Assessment but that he
would be looking for circuits to offer
contributions to the District Budget.
He also drew attention to the existence of the District Fund and the
possibility of applying to the District
Grants Committee via Mrs Alison
Lusty.
90711 Hope 2008
Andy Laird introduced a DVD on Hope 2008 and encouraged churches to
engage in this wide ranging
ecumenical mission venture.
90712 NCH
Amanda Quinn, the newly appointed NCH community fund-raiser was
introduced to Synod.
90713 Jan Nendick was interviewed as she was leaving the post of District
Evangelism Enabler to start
Presbyteral training at Queen's. She was
presented with a book token.
90714 Synod considered the question:
What should be the District's main priority for mission as we plan and
allocate resources of people and
finance?
90715 Michele Simms was commissioned as Evangelism Enabler
90716 Synod shared in Holy Communion
90717 The Chair thanked the Birmingham Elmdon Circuit for their hospitality.
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