Ely Diocesan Synod gathers

Mission Action Planning, draft legislation to allow women to be bishops, the Anglican Covenant, along with a Presidential Address from the Bishop of Ely, Rt Reverend Stephen Conway, provide a meaty agenda for bishops, clergy and laity this weekend at the Ely Diocesan Synod (King’s School, Ely, Saturday 22 from 10.30am).

General Synod legislation aimed at allowing women to become bishops is currently being debated and voted on in all Church of England dioceses. 

If the main motion is passed, Synod members will be asked to debate and vote on another motion aimed at making special provision for those who cannot accept the ordination of women as bishops.

The Anglican Covenant draft legislation, aimed at giving member churches of the Anglican Communion a greater degree of togetherness, will be introduced by Canon Sarah Rowland Jones, who acts as a theological and ecumenical adviser to the Archbishop of Cape Town.

On a domestic note, the emphasis will be on harnessing the resources of local churches to pinpoint priorities for mission.

Bishop Conway is expected to lay down a challenge to his churches to prepare for growth and to embrace the notion of mission as the Diocese looks to the future.

20th October 2011