MEETING OF THE

UNITED REFORMED CHURCH

WESSEX SYNOD

at

The Church on the Heath The Key

Elvetham Heath GU51 1HA

SATURDAY 21st NOVEMBER 2015

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INDEX

PAGE SUBJECT

3 Agenda

4 Listing of Ordinands and Ministerial Changes

5 Obituary of Nelson Bainbridge

6 Obituary of John Waghorn

7 Obituary of Fred Hill

8 Minutes from Synod on 21st March 2015

13 Synod Executive Report

14 Resolution 1 Appointments

14 Resolution 2 Emergency Resolution on the Refugee Crisis

15 Ministries and Learning Committee Report

17 Resolution 3 Lay Presidency at the Sacraments: A Wessex Synod Policy

18 Finance and Property Committee Report

19 Ministry and Mission Fund Report

20 Children’s Day Report – March 2015

22 Mission and Outreach Committee Matters

24 Workshops (please sign up for one on arrival)

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AGENDA

10:00 Arrivals and Coffee (please sign up for a workshop)

10:30 Synod constituted by the Moderator

Opening Worship Paul Meadows from

The Church on the Heath

10:45 Welcome to Ecumenical Visitors and new members of Synod Ministry and Pastoral news Fire and safety announcements

Moderator

Apologies Minutes of Synod held on 21st March 2015 Corrections to minutes Matters arising Order of business

Clerk

11.00 Synod Executive report Matters referred by General Assembly Nominations for Moderators for General Assembly (2018-2020) Resolution 1 – Appointments

Clerk

Resolution 2 – Emergency Resolution – Refugee Crisis Clerk

11:20 Finance and Property Committee Ray Dunnett

11:35 Mission and Outreach Committee matters Robert Weston

11:50 New environmental policy – buzz groups and feedback

12:30 Introducing link people and advocates Moderator

1pm LUNCH – during lunch Penny Thatcher will be holding an “employment surgery” in the Winchester Room

2pm Ministries and Learning Committee Resolution 3 – Lay Presidency at the Sacraments: A Wessex Synod Policy

Phyllis Williams

2:30 Good news story (Broad Chalke) Peter Pay

2.40 Introduction to Workshops Clerk

2.45 Workshops The Top Five Tips for Churches with Employees Penny Thatcher Your Property Matters Graham Barber The Big Shift – Let’s Leave Fossil Fuels Behind Christian Aid Empowering Discipleship Synod Youth Executive Being Ready Drumming

3.45 Headlines from Workshops

4.00 Thanks Moderator

Closing worship followed by tea and departures Moderator

Next meeting of Synod: Saturday 19th March 2016 at The United Church Winchester

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LISTING OF ORDINANDS AND MINISTERIAL CHANGES

Ordinands training for Ministry COLLEGE/COURSE

Paul O’Connor Northern College (3rd year) Paul Stein Westminster College (2nd year) Helen Everard Northern College (1st year)

Inductions/Welcomes 4th July Nick Adlem to Longham and Three Legged Cross 30th August Fred Ireland (Methodist) left Thame and moves to Faringdon United Church 1st September Denise Binks (Methodist) to Bell Street United Church, Shaftesbury 31st October Heather Cadoux to South Hayling and Finchdean 1st November Ana and Tod Gobledale to Salisbury with Broad Chalke, and Andover 1st November Tom Grant to Andover (as an additional pastorate) 28th November John Downing to the Reading Group

Ministers who have Retired 31st May Margaret Evans from Trinity Church, Bournemouth 31st July Ian Duffy (Methodist) from Faringdon United Church 31st July Linda Green (CofE) from St Mary’s, Banbury 31st August Maria Hooper from Hospital Chaplaincy at Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Changes to Ministerial Responsibilities 30th June John Downing finished ministry at Newbury August Anne Bray left hospital chaplaincy post

Ministers who have moved out of the Synod 5th April Terry Hinks moved from The Abbey & Braishfield, Romsey to Thames North Synod 27th April Alison Dalton (CRCW) from Bridging Communities, Poole to North Western Synod 5th July Ulrike Bell from Aston Tirrold to Thames North Synod 13th July Tanya Stormo Rasmussen from Wheatley to United Church of Christ, USA 31st July David Hull (Methodist) left Bell Street United Church, Shaftesbury 31st August Peter Bennett (Methodist) left Abingdon Peachcroft 31st August Debbie Borda (Methodist) left United Church Winchester 31st August Beale Griffin (Methodist) left United Church of Egham 31st August Adam Stevenson (Methodist) left Holy Family Blackbird Leys, Oxford 1st September Caroline Vodden moved from Broadstone & Lytchett Minster to Eastern Synod

Retired Minister who has moved into the Synod October Leena Knowles from Southern Synod

Recent Deaths 6th April Nelson Bainbridge 6th August John Waghorn 10th August Fred Hill 26th October Brian Prior (obituary to follow in March Synod papers)

Ordination and Induction of Wessex Ordinand into another Synod 3rd September Ruth Wilson was ordained and inducted to St Luke’s LEP, Ducksford and Whittlesford LEP in

Eastern Synod

Movements before March Synod 16th December Ken Blanton leaves SCM post. He continues 50% at Bracknell March Alan Wickens from NW Synod to Windsor & Egham March Romilly Micklem from Walton-on-Thames to Thame and Methodist Circuit

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OBITUARIES The following obituaries will be part of “Celebrated Lives”

which is a collection of life stories to appear in the 2016 edition of the URC Year Book

Nelson William Bainbridge 11 April 1930 - 6 April 2015 (aged 84) Ashington 1955-60; Youth Secretary 1960-63; St Andrew’s Kenton 1963-71; Egremont Wallasey 1971-85; Synod Clerk, Mersey Province 1983-85; Moderator Wessex Province 1985-95. Nelson Bainbridge was summed up by a former Moderator of the Church’s General Assembly, Malcolm Hanson, as “the classic Presbyterian minister, the classic Synod Clerk and the classic Synod Moderator”. He is also remembered by others who knew him as a classic pastor. When he was approached to consider becoming Wessex Moderator, he said he would accept, if the Synod wanted a pastor, but not if they wanted an administrator. Nelson Bainbridge was born in Canada, the son of a minister of the United Church of Canada. With the family back in Britain and his father serving Presbyterian churches, Nelson studied at Brasenose College, Oxford, and then at Westminster College. He was ordained and inducted at Ashington, Northumberland, and later had a pioneering ministry at the young church of St Andrew’s Kenton, Newcastle. He was secure in the confidence that nothing can ever separate us from the love of God. He could cope with mystery without needing to reduce doctrine to cold logic. Later, he was to be a key player in the United Reformed Church Silence and Retreats Network. Called to Egremont, Wallasey, when it was widely seen as one of the cathedrals of Presbyterianism, Nelson gave rounded leadership for 15 years. He preached intelligent, thoughtful sermons, written in his tiny shorthand, and encouraged Christian action, always sharing in what he asked his congregation to do. He gave children and young people space to be themselves and so to grow. He had already served the Presbyterian Church as Youth Secretary and, while at Egremont, served the URC as Mersey Synod Clerk. If the ministers of Wessex Synod remember him mainly for his wise and warm care for them as Moderator, his fellow Moderators were soon grateful for his other gifts. He was secretary to their meetings and their best translator on overseas visits. At residential meetings, he was always the first up in the morning for his daily run! His shrewd judgement of people saw him appointed Convener of the Nominations Committee and he bore, without complaint, the personal cost of handling some of the most painful disciplinary cases. Nelson married the daughter of one of his church treasurers, Pat, who gave him devoted support. His four children and nine grandchildren were always special to him, and he had the happy addition to his family of two ministerial sons-in-law. In an active retirement, he assisted churches in and around Bridport, Dorset. Nelson Bainbridge was born on 11 April 1930 and died on 6 April 2015, a few days before his 85th birthday, and in the 60th year of his ministry. John Ellis

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John Frederick Waghorn 8 October 1938 - 6 August 2015 (aged 76) Crownhill Baptist, Plymouth 1971-75; Grays Baptist Tabernacle, Essex 1975-78; Belper Baprist, Derbyshire 1979-84; Palmers Green Baptist, London 1984-97; Hedge End, Pear Tree Green & Sarisbury Green 1997-2003 John was born in the Salvation Army Mother’s Hospital in Hackney – and was thus a bona-fide cockney (and proud of it!) having been born in earshot of the ‘Bow Bells’! John grew up in Tottenham, London, with his parents and later his brother Peter. On leaving school, John enrolled at the Hornsey College of Art but this only lasted a year, a tutor telling him he couldn’t draw – something of a surprise to those of his friends who knew and admired his talent at painting! John joined his father in the bakery trade, becoming an accomplished confectioner, with many City & Guild Certificates and other awards to his name. He did two years National Service in the Army Catering Corps based at Bovington – a long-standing joke during this time was that John marched on parade holding a wooden spoon rather than a rifle! John’s parents were committed Christians and ardent Methodists, only attending the local Tottenham Baptist Church instead because it was closer – and safer – to get to and from in the event of the Luftwaffe dropping bombs during the blitz. John enjoyed Sunday school and here began his life-long association with the Boys (Life) Brigade. In 1967 (having attended night-school for two years to gain the required ‘O’ and ‘A’ levels) John entered Spurgeon’s College and embarked upon a four-year course of training and study for Baptist Ministry including a Batchelor of Divinity (BD) Degree. John was ordained at Tottenham Baptist Church on June 19 1971 and married Janet on the 10th of the following month. John then served, as a URC stipendiary minister, the United Reformed Church Pastorate of Hedge End, Peartree Green and Sarisbury Green (Southampton) from 1997 to his retirement in 2003. John was a fervent and loyal preacher, much in demand after retirement, being well-loved and deeply appreciated by the local URC congregations where he led services, especially at Bitterne URC where he held his membership. At Christmas 2014 John received the diagnosis that he had an inoperable brain tumour. As his condition increasingly affected his physical body, spiritually he was as alive as ever. His Christian faith gave him a strength, a hope for the future in God’s Kingdom for us all, and a desire to share in prayer for others that was truly both uplifting and humbling. All who knew him will remember ‘Pastor’ John with gratitude to God for his life, ministry, Christian witness, influence and, indeed, his friendship in so many ways. We continue to hold Janet and family in our prayers at their time of loss. Mike Perrott

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Fred (Frederick Leon) Hill 10 August 1913 - 10 August 2015 (aged 102) London Road, Mitcham 1957-62; Dundonald Road, Wimbledon 1962-69; Fulham Palace Road 1969-73; Christ Church, Leicester & Lutterworth 1974-80. Fred Hill was born in Battersea in the early days of the 20th century, when the streets of London were still largely free from motor transport. He died exactly 102 years later, having served for half his working life as a minister, whilst also holding down a demanding secular role. Fred left school at the age of 14 in 1927 and, after a couple of lacklustre jobs, applied for an apprenticeship with the old Gas Light and Coke Company, forerunner of British Gas. He attended Milton Hall, a mission church set up by the London Congregational Union, which provided social and sporting, as well as spiritual nourishment. He took up cycling and lost touch with church for a while but he renewed an acquaintance with Mary Finch, then at East Hill Congregational Church, Wandsworth, and they were married on 29 August 1937. Later, their children Marian and Veronica were born. Having endured the Blitz in London, Fred’s war work was with hydraulic gun mountings especially on motor torpedo boats, at Southampton. After the war, he returned to Gas Light and Coke’s technical laboratory and became a member of the Institute of Gas Engineers and a chartered engineer. He and Mary went back to Milton Hall, and led significant children’s work. Fred was in his mid-40s, when he felt the call to preach. He studied from home for five years for the Roll of Ministers exams and, as part of his training, was commissioned to serve Mitcham Congregational Church. When he was ordained at Dundonald Road, Wimbledon, he was determined to continue his day job at the gas industry’s London Research Station. Fred spent a happy six years at Dundonald, where Veronica and Marian were both married, and then went to Fulham Palace Road. During these years, he was able to advise many churches on their heating systems. By the time he retired from the gas industry, he had risen from being a gas fitter to lead a department of more than 50 people. He and Mary moved to Leicestershire to serve at Christ Church Leicester and Lutterworth, before retiring to Hampshire where Fred became an officer of the Retired Ministers’ Housing Society and preached at many churches. His power of recall was amazing, as seen in his auto-biography God’s Gas Man, published 30 years into retirement. He was never one to be idle and his love of his family, his faith, his interest in painting, wood carving, Old English Bowling (see http://www.oldenglishbowling.net ) and in people, kept him young. Paul Bedford

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MINUTES of the meeting of WESSEX SYNOD on Saturday 21st March 2015 at Avenue St Andrew’s United Reformed Church, Southampton. The Moderator, the Revd Clare Downing, welcomed members to the meeting and constituted the Synod and then led the opening worship. Attendance 73 Church representatives 34 URC Ministers/CRCWs 2 Ministers of other denominations 1 Retired Minister 1 Ordinand 28 Others holding Synod appointments 21 Visitors 160 Total 15S01 Ecumenical visitors and new members of Synod: The Moderator greeted the Revd Keith Hawton from the Southern Baptist Association, Karen and David Shakespeare of the Salvation Army and the Revd Patrick Wintrebert from the Eglise Protestante Unie de Nord Normandie. The Moderator then asked all those attending Synod for the first time to raise their hands and she welcomed them, speaking to a number of them. 15S02 Ministry and Pastoral News: 1. Since the last Synod 2 ministers have been inducted, the Revd Jon Sermon to High Cross Camberley and

the Revd Bob Almond (Baptist) to the United Church Ferndown. 2. Since the last Synod 1 Minister has retired, the Revd Richard Becher to the West Midlands Synod. 3. The following ministers are celebrating significant anniversaries of their ordination this year:

50th the Revd Brian Treharne; 60th the Revds John Sturney, Raymond Moody, Stanley Jones and Nelson Bainbridge and 75th the Revd Lawrence Squires.

4. Before the November Synod the Revd Terry Hinks will have moved from Romsey and Braishfield to Thames North Synod. Mrs Alison Dalton (CRCW) from Bridging Communities, Poole to North Western Synod; the Revd Debbie Borda (Methodist) from the United Church Winchester, the Revd Adam Stevenson (Methodist) from Holy Family Church, Blackbird Leys, Oxford and the Revd Caroline Vodden from Broadstone and Lytchett Minster to Eastern Synod.

5. Before the next Synod the Revd Margaret Evans will be retiring. 15S03 Apologies had been received from 17 Church representatives 15 URC Ministers/CRCWs 3 Ministers of other denominations 18 Retired Ministers 1 Ordinand 8 Others holding Synod appointments 62 Total 15S04 Minutes of the Last Meeting: The Minutes of the meeting held on 8th November 2014 were approved and signed as a correct record. 15S05 Matters Arising: There were no matters arising not otherwise on the agenda. 15S06 Order of business: The Moderator explained how consensus decision making works. She also asked members to look at the Christmas card designs produced by the children and to vote for the one they would like to see used by the Synod. Peter Pay said that as there was an extra resolution on Same Sex Marriage, that topic would be moved to the afternoon and the one on Fossil fuels would be dealt with in the morning.

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15S07 Appointment of the Synod Clerk: The Revd Nigel Appleton spoke as the Convener of the group who reviewed the role description of the Synod Clerk following the stepping down of the Synod Clerk at the last Synod meeting. He thanked Mr Peter Pay for stepping in and holding the fort while the process took place. He then proposed that Mrs Sue Brown be appointed as a member of Synod. This was agreed by consensus. He then asked members to stand and show their voting cards to elect Sue as Synod Clerk. She was elected unanimously to serve from the end of the Synod meeting. 15S08 Synod Executive Report: Mr Peter Pay presented the report. He also reported that the new Synod website is not yet up and running but three members of staff are being trained through the Windermere Centre, immediately after Easter, to input information to it. He recommended churches who had not yet got a web site to follow this route by linking with iChurch. 15S09 Nominations Committee: Mr Peter Pay presented the report. He reported that the Synod Youth Executive had decided that their representatives to Synod would always be the Convener and Secretary (currently Alistair Stichbury and John McAdam). He also said that suggestions and offers for the posts marked as vacant would be welcomed. Names of potential Synod Trustees would also be welcomed. It was also agreed to co-opt David Grosch-Miller, one of the General Assembly Moderators and a retired minister living within the Synod, as a member of Synod. The name of Mrs Nicola Werro should also be listed as a co-opted member of Synod. RESOLUTION 1 Wessex Synod approves the list of appointments in the Nominations paper. This was agreed by consensus. Peter introduced Resolution 2 concerning the decision of our Newbury church to close and said that there was a list of items in the lunch room that need to be re-homed. RESOLUTION 2 Wessex Synod notes the decision of the Church Meeting of Newbury United Reformed Church to cease regular services of worship on 5th April 2015, concurs with that decision, and agrees that the church will formally close on 11th April 2015. Synod gives thanks to God for the worship, mission and ministry of this church throughout its life which will be celebrated at a closing service on Saturday 11 April at 2 p.m. Synod further notes the decision of the Church to dispose of the premises at Cromwell Place, Newbury RG14 1AF, under the provisions of Paragraph 2(c) of Schedule 2 Part 1 of the URC Act 1981 and for the proceeds to be added to the unrestricted funds of the United Reformed Church (Wessex) Trust Limited to be used in accordance with the objects set out in paragraph 3 of its Memorandum of Association. Synod further notes the decision of the Church that any monies or investments belonging to the church at closure, together with any records, fixtures, fittings and furnishings not otherwise passed to other United Reformed Churches will be transferred to the URC (Wessex) Trust Limited. Prayers were then led by the Moderator for the members of that church and thanks given for their courage in making this decision. The resolution was agreed by consensus. 15S10 Ministries and Learning Committee Report: Mrs Margaret Telfer presented the report which was accepted by consensus. There were no requests for clarification or points of discussion. Margaret, who is now stepping down, was thanked for her service. 15S11 Finance and Property Committee Report: Dr David Page presented the report. There were no questions and the report was accepted by consensus.

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15S12 Ministry and Mission Fund Report: Mr Peter Pay presented the report. He emphasised the 1% appeal which he had spoken about at the last Synod. Most members indicated that they were aware of it. In answer to a question he indicated that he did not feel it was appropriate to list those churches who were not paying their assessment as it would not be possible to indicate the many reasons that this has come about. He did however explain that the information is shared with Pastoral Committees and if there was a request for a grant/loan the Finance and Property Committee would ask appropriate questions. The report was accepted. The Moderator thanked all those who work on behalf of the Synod through its committees. Members were invited to discuss with their neighbours things that had encouraged them in the reports that had been presented. 15S13 Presentation by those who had visited Zambia: The group who went to Zambia to represent the Synod at the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the foundation of the United Church of Zambia came to the platform. They were each dressed in the costumes made for them to attend the event. The presentation was introduced by the Moderator and then Miss Georgina Fensom, Mrs Janet Meachin and Mrs Bee Griffiths spoke on different aspects of the visit. 15S14 Mission and Outreach Committee Report: The Revd Robert Weston, the Convener, presented the report on which there were no questions. Mission Development Group: Robert urged members to attend the Growing Churches Conference which is taking place on 16th May at London St. Basingstoke. He also said that the Group were developing plans to establish new worshipping communities, one in the north and the other in the south of the Synod, led by Special Category Ministers. He asked anyone who had experience in church planting to let him have comments on their experience. He also encouraged members to apply for one of the Small Grants for Mission if they wish to establish new areas of outreach. Silence and Retreats Group: The report was accepted. World Church Group: The report, which was accepted, was introduced by the Convener, Mr Martin Waldron. Members were encouraged by Mrs Helen Everard to support Le Weekend which this year is being held at Collinwood Road URC, Oxford from 24-26 April. Church and Society Group: The report, which was presented by Dr David Hoadley, was accepted. David then presented Resolution 3. In answer to a question Mr Chris Evans, who is a member of the URC Investment Committee and a Synod Trustee, explained the way the Church Investors Group works. Both Wessex Synod and the URC are members of this group which represents the ethical investment interests of most UK faith groups. In respect of climate change, the CIG favours engagement with companies and uses the right of investors to speak at Company Meetings and to vote in favour of changes of policy; disinvestment is an option where this fails to elicit a response. Whilst there was general agreement on the thrust of the resolution, there was much discussion on the exact wording. Synod agreed to set up a facilitation group, including members of Church and Society, to work over lunchtime on a revised resolution. Mr Peter Pay described the arrangements for lunch and encouraged members to look at the display boards which were located in various parts of the building. Synod adjourned for lunch, and resumed at 2.00 pm. Members of the facilitation group presented the revised resolution 3.

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RESOLUTION 3 It is a widely accepted view that the earth is under the threat of global warming from the continued use of fossil fuels. Synod recognizes the importance of responding to this issue and the wider challenges of responsible ethical investing and therefore: 1. welcomes the decision of the Wessex Trust to join the Church Investors Group, adopt their

stewardship code on behalf of the Synod and review their current investment practice 2. strongly urges the Wessex Trust actively to engage with our investment partners to use mechanisms

such as the Carbon Disclosure Project to encourage more responsible use of fossil fuels.

Synod also urges local churches to:

review, and reduce where possible, their own use of fossil fuels

review their own investment policy This was passed by consensus and the group was thanked for its work.

15S15 Same Sex Marriage The Moderator explained that we would be addressing this issue in two ways. First, we would be considering the question which had been asked of us following General Assembly 2015, namely: “Should local URC congregations who want to offer and host same-sex marriage services be allowed by the Church to do so?” Following this, we would consider a resolution which was based on work done by Romilly Micklem, which suggested a slightly different way forward. This was being brought by Synod Officers having been shared with a small number of people within the synod who represented different views on the subject, all of whom had seen it as a positive option. It was also explained that if we were to ask for Resolution 5 to be taken to Mission Council, it would be subject to scrutiny by the URC’s legal advisors. The Moderator asked Synod if they were willing to deal with the first question quickly, so that we could give adequate time for the alternative resolution, and this was agreed by consensus. After prayers led by the Moderator, members were invited to use the pink slips they had been given, to circle the number between 1 and 5 which they felt most reflected their view. 1 indicated that local Church Meetings should not be allowed to choose to host same sex marriages up to 5 for those who thought that Church Meetings should be allowed to decide to do so. The Moderator emphasized that this was not a vote but was a way of assessing the mind of the meeting. The results were 21 voted for 1: 10 for 2: 5 for 3: 11 for 4: and 69 for 5. These findings would be forwarded to Mission Council. Resolution 5 was then presented by the Revd Dr Romilly Micklem, on behalf of the Synod Officers. Wessex Synod commends the paper ‘Proposal regarding Same Sex Marriage Resolution’ to Mission Council and/or General Assembly as a possible way forward, in the spirit of the 2007 Commitment on Human Sexuality, which may help preserve the unity of the church. Following discussion, the resolution was passed, recognizing the disagreement of a single member of Synod. 15S16 Children’s and Youth Work Committee Report: In the absence of the convener, Mr Philip Ray introduced the report and reminded members of “Pilots on Safari” being held on 16th May. He said that any church which needed it could apply for support for transport. He also commended Summer Camp from 17th- 19th July. 15S17 Synod Youth Executive Report: Mr Alistair Stichbury introduced the report and commended the Mental Health package which was available on line. It also pointed to other resources.

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15S18 Good Practice: Resolution 4 was introduced by Revd Tom Grant. RESOLUTION 4 Wessex Synod asks Mission Council, on behalf of General Assembly

a. to prioritise the completion of the work to ensure that all parts of the revised policy documents are published and are readily available for Synods and local churches before September 2015.

b. Wessex Synod also recognizes the urgency of the additional inclusion of a policy on vulnerable adults and asks Mission Council, on behalf of General Assembly, to ensure that the compiling of the additional guide is prioritized and it is published by March 2016.

The resolution was agreed by consensus. 15S19 Child Friendly Church Award: This was re-awarded to Fareham URC. Mrs Ruth White explained that an award lasts for 3 years and she encouraged churches to work towards it. She emphasized that it is not necessary to have a large number of children to do it. 15S20 Handover to the new Synod Clerk: Mr Peter Pay symbolically handed the keys of the Synod Office to Mrs Sue Brown marking the start of her service. 15S21 Children’s Day The children came into the meeting to lead the closing worship. 15S22 Thanks: The Moderator thanked members of Avenue St Andrew’s church for their warm hospitality. She also thanked the organist and those operating the sound system. She also thanked the Synod Clerk, the Assistant Synod Clerk and the Synod Staff for their part in organising the meeting and circulating the papers, Carol Rogers and John Downing for the visual services and members for attending. 15S23 Closing worship: The children led the closing worship for which the Moderator thanked them. The next meeting of Synod will be on Saturday 7th November 2015 at High Cross Church, Camberley. Post-meeting Note: NB It was subsequently decided by Synod Executive to move the next meeting of Synod to Saturday 21st November 2015 at Church on the Heath, Elvetham Heath, Fleet.

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SYNOD EXECUTIVE 1. Synod website

The new Synod website went live in September. The Executive is extremely grateful to Deborah, Ruth and Stuart in the Synod Office who have put in so much time and effort to get this up and running and looking good. It remains a work in progress. Please use it regularly and encourage your congregation to do so.

2. Safeguarding The URC’s Historic Safeguarding Review is now underway and we are grateful to the expert reader volunteers from our Synod. We are working on the implementation of some new guidelines set out in Good practice 4.

3. Risk Assessment In conjunction with Wessex Trust a new format is being used, following Charity Commission guidelines. A major update has been undertaken and is now almost completed.

4. Committees The standing Committees continue to report regularly to the Synod Executive. Synod Committees have been asked to consider the ways in which their work is in line with our stated purpose and priorities as laid out in the Synod strategy document. This will be reflected in the ongoing work of the committees. Work has also been done on improving budgeting and the Accounts and the Trust Administrator now provides financial information at regular intervals throughout the year, so that committees can monitor their expenditure.

5. Area Gatherings The Autumn Area gatherings looked at vocation: using our gifts in the service of the Kingdom. Future dates of Gatherings are: January 13 – South West; January 19 – South East; January 20 – North East; January 21 – North West. Please put these in your diaries.

6. Nominations We are pleased to have filled four appointments: CYDOs Line Manager – Margaret Evans; European Link Person – Peter Pay; Finance and Property Committee – Andrew Gibb; Secretary to Ministries and Learning Committee – Chris Vivian (see Resolution 1 on page 14). These posts will be for 4 years from March 2016. We would like to express our grateful thanks to Tim Meachin the previous CYDOs line manager and Helen Everard the previous European Link person for all their work. There are still a number of outstanding vacancies and I would be very pleased to receive offers or nominations for these posts.

7. Synod Day Out A Synod Day out 2017 is planned for a date between mid-June and mid-July 2017. It is intended for the day to be a mixture of worship, fun and faith-based activities, aiming to attract all age groups. A planning group is being formed and we are looking for volunteers with experience of Events Organisation. Any suggestions for a venue with its own attractions would also be welcome.

8. Matters referred from General Assembly We have 4 matters from General Assembly referred to this meeting (please read the supporting papers available on the website). Unless synod passes a resolution that an item “be not proceeded with”, and the General Secretary is notified by the date specified, synod will be deemed to agree by default. The 4 items are: 1. Changes to membership of governance bodies 2. Ministerial Candidating Process 3. National Synods 4. Same sex marriage resolution (This is the Resolution that originated with us in Wessex Synod and

was subsequently approved by General Assembly.)

Anyone wishing to bring a Resolution that one of these items be “not proceeded with” must notify the Synod office at least three days prior to the Synod meeting.

9. Emergency Resolution on the Refugee Crisis. (Resolution 2) (See page 14).

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RESOLUTION 1

Wessex Synod approves the following appointments:

CYDOs Line Manager – Margaret Evans European Link Person – Peter Pay

Finance and Property Committee – Andrew Gibb Secretary to Ministries and Learning Committee – Chris Vivian

UNITED REFORMED CHURCH WESSEX SYNOD

EMERGENCY RESOLUTION ON THE REFUGEE CRISIS

Deeply embedded in the faith memory of all Christians is the command to ‘love the stranger’, and this command comes always with a reminder, that we were once strangers ourselves. The whole biblical story is of a people called, or driven, to leave a settled existence and move on and out to a strange land. Within our own tradition we look back to stories of ejection from the established church, and for some that meant travelling across the Atlantic in a tiny ship to find a safe place to live and worship. As the hymn says: ‘We’re a travelling, wandering race, we’re the people of God’. It is because we ourselves are strangers that Christians are glad to offer true hospitality and welcome to those who come to us as strangers, and especially those who come because they are fleeing war and persecution. As hundreds of thousands flee war zones and travel thousands of miles seeking security – a roof, food, a job, education – how can we as Christians respond in any other way than with the open arms of welcome, generosity and compassion? But, sadly, we are the only country in the whole European Union which has refused to take part in the scheme to allocate quotas of refugees arriving in Europe to member states. The government has offered places to Syrian refugees, a tiny number of 4000 a year for 5 years. Yet we are very rich country, we can easily offer places to many more refugees, as we have done for hundreds of years. We know that far from being a burden on the state, they will bring much needed skills and experience which will enrich and not impoverish us. So on behalf of the Synod Executive, we call on Synod not just to ask our churches to show welcome and compassion but to ask the same of our government.

RESOLUTION 2

The Wessex Synod of the United Reformed Church calls on Her Majesty’s Government to:

Recognise its responsibility to help protect refugees arriving in Europe

With European partners to provide safe and legal routes into Europe to tackle people

smuggling and traffickers

Promote the establishment of proper, EU run processing centres at key borders

Accept its fair share of refugees who have arrived in Europe, in cooperation with other

member states of the European Union

Make necessary arrangements to provide immediate shelter and support for refugees and

longer term to arrange for full resettlement for those wishing to remain

To provide local authorities who are taking refugees with additional financial resources to

help meet the costs.

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MINISTRIES AND LEARNING COMMITTEE REPORT The Committee has met three times since the March 2015 Synod. This included the summer Day Meeting where there is more opportunity to discuss some topics in more depth. Area Pastoral Committees LMMR and MASA The LMMR process has been seen to be useful by those who have undertaken it however the synod has been unable to provide sufficient numbers of facilitators to be able to assist churches in a timely fashion. Some churches have undertaken the exercise without a facilitator and found it helpful. Pastoral Committees are asked to prioritise churches in their areas and prompt them to undertake LMMR. It was re-emphasised that MASA can be undertaken independently of the church. It was recognised that the Moderator, DSOs and other officers should not be forgotten in this process. Sharing our Resources: Scoping and Deployment of Ministers of Word & Sacrament Ministerial changes can be seen at the beginning of the Synod Report Book. Area Pastoral Committees continue to work on ways to make use of limited resources both strategically and with pastorates.

Area SW SE NE NW

Present scoping

17.15 13 11 9

Present deployment

12.25 9.25 10 7

Scoping target - end of 2015

15.75 12 10 8.25

Scoping target - end of 2018

14.5 11 9.25 7.75

Wessex Synod scoping and deployment based on Church House deployment forecasts of stipendiary ordained

ministry. A vacancy rate of 15% is assumed. All figures are Full-Time Equivalent.

North West: Newbury: Newbury URC has closed. A thanksgiving service held in April was a positive occasion. It was agreed that Revd John Downing would extend his ministry for another 2 months (up to June 2015) so that he could visit all the members and adherents. The effect of the closure on Hungerford and Thatcham was also considered and is to be explored. Revd John Downing has been called to 50% ministry in the Reading Group of churches. Revd Romilly Micklem has been called to Thame and Methodist Circuit. Wheatley (50%) is the only church in ministerial transition. North East: Revd Alan Wickens has been called to serve at Windsor & The United Church of Egham. The Maidenhead and Marlow pastorate is seeking ministry. South West: Revds Ana and Tod Gobledale were inducted to Salisbury with Broad Chalke and Andover and Revd Tom Grant was inducted to serve at Andover in addition to Salisbury with Broad Chalke on 1 November. South East: South Hayling with Finchdean – Revd Heather Cadoux was inducted on 31 October 2015.

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Numbers of Authorisations for Sacraments NW – 0 NE – 0 SW – Communion 2/Baptism 2 SE – Communion 29/Baptism 2 Lay Preaching The number of lay preachers remains relatively stable but some areas are not well served. Those interested in lay preaching are encouraged to discover their calling through the TLS and TLS Lite courses which remain the best available. Ecumenical Matters The decline in membership of churches of all denominations is causing some difficulties in some Local Ecumenical Partnerships. In particular some older LEP agreements commit the URC to provision of ministry at a level which is no longer viable. These will need to be addressed. Any new agreements will be scrutinised carefully to ensure that commitments are reasonable and can be fulfilled in the longer term. Churches Together in England's report A New Framework for Local Ecumenism has been published and will form the basis of future discussion. Communication of significant events such as the movement of ministers between denominations (in either direction) is not always as good as it should be and we encourage churches to help us to improve this. Training A programme for 2016 is being developed and will be published by the end of the year. Ordinands for Ministry Ruth Wilson has now been ordained and inducted to two churches in Cambridgeshire, and will serve for one year in the two. She is currently looking for longer term call after this time. Paul O’Connor is entering his third year, and will also start his long two year placement at Havant URC. Paul Stein is continuing his Masters degree. Helen Everard is just starting her course to prepare for NS service at Northern College. Candidates for Ministry There are currently no candidates for the ministry. Composition of the Committee The Silence & Retreats Group will now report to Ministries & Learning rather than Mission & Outreach. Mission & Outreach and Synod Executive are content with this move. Lay Presidency at the Sacraments A proposal for Lay Presidency at the Sacraments was discussed at length at our June meeting and this has resulted in a proposed policy for this Synod as set out in Resolution 3 (see page 17). This is an enabling policy and the committee are well aware that in Local Ecumenical Partnership churches the policies of partner denominations may not allow them to make use of this URC policy at this time. This policy has administrative and training implications including: Training

1. Initial training will include both the Sacrament of Holy Communion and of Baptism. A programme of training will be developed and offered through the Synod Training Calendar.

2. Shorter 'refresher' courses will be offered to those authorised but who rarely do so, once every 3 to 5 years.

Administration 1. A list of all those who have been trained will be kept and maintained. 2. All Lay Preachers who have received training will be identified in the Synod directory. 3. A record of the number of Sacraments presided over by Lay Preachers and/or Elders will be kept.

Synod Office will request this information from churches along with the Annual Return. Phyllis Williams, Convener October 2015

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Lay Presidency at the Sacraments: A Wessex Synod Policy a) A Minister of Word and Sacraments (including clergy of partner denominations) should preside at the

Sacraments when available. This should apply in all cases whether it is for a more formal worship setting or home communions or instances of other services such as Retirement/Care Homes, mid-week services, house groups, etc.

Where no minister is available to preside, the Area Synod Pastoral Committee (ASPC) should make

provision for Lay Presidency under its function (10): ‘In consultation with the local churches concerned and the Moderator of the Synod, to give authority for appropriate Lay persons to preside at the Sacraments.’ It remains the responsibility of the local churches to inform the Synod Office of the total number of occasions on which Lay persons preside, on a form provided by the Synod with the annual return mailing. i. At the request of churches, named Lay Preachers may, with their agreement, be authorised on an

annual basis where there is a pastoral link.

ii. Where Ordinands are on placement in the Synod, their placement church(es) may ask for special permission of the relevant ASPC for them to preside at the Sacraments as part of their ministerial development.

iii. Where additional requests are made during the year, the relevant ASPC authorises its officers to give the necessary permission when it is needed between meetings of the whole committee.

iv. A congregation assembled for a Baptismal or Communion service may appoint, as a church

meeting, from among themselves a suitable person to preside at the celebration of the sacrament in a case of emergency (e.g. if the expected president is taken ill at the last moment or held up in travel). Congregations are encouraged to nominate an Elder (or Elders) to receive training on presiding at the Sacraments so that they will be adequately prepared.

b) It is expected that when a church seeks authorisation for Lay Presidency it will be for a person who has

received training. The Ministries and Learning Committee will be responsible for ensuring that such training is available.

c) Note that various LEPs have their own differing Constitutions and therefore the above may not be applicable in all cases.

Notes

Training 1. Initial training should include training in the Sacrament of Baptism. It could be over a weekend or a whole day at

least 2. Those authorised should attend a refresher every 3 or 5 years. Administration 1. A list of all those who have been trained needs to be kept and maintained (this can be used to notify those who

need a “refresher course”). 2. All Lay Preachers who have received training should have an identifier (say a “c”) against their names in the

Synod directory for easier identification for inviting to preside at relevant services. 3. Synod Office to provide a form with the Annual return to gather information about number of Sacraments

presided over by Lay Preachers and/or Elders.

RESOLUTION 3

Synod approves the document Lay Presidency at the Sacraments: A Wessex Synod Policy and asks the Development & Support Officers and Lay Preaching Commissioner to arrange for appropriate training in the Synod for those Lay Preachers and Elders who may be called upon to preside at the Sacraments.

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FINANCE AND PROPERTY COMMITTEES REPORT 1. Grants, loans and permissions The Finance and Property Committee has made the following grants and loans and given permissions

in the following matters since the last meeting of the Synod. Except where otherwise stated, loans are at 3% interest repayable over 5 years and grants are made from the Church Mission Fund. All grants and loans were made by the URC (Wessex) Trust Ltd on the authority of the Finance and Property Committee.

Walton-on-Thames - increase of £3,712 in the grant for entrance improvements

Buckland - conversion of annual payment of £1,500 into a capital sum of £25,000, additional grant of £16,500 from the Special Reserve Fund and increase by £10,000 in loan towards increased cost of installing mezzanine floor

Aston Tirrold - grant of up to £2,000 towards the cost of professional advice, grant of £10,000 and loan of £11,000 towards roof repairs

Parkstone - grants totalling £26,700 over three years to support a children’s and family worker

Fordingbridge - conversion of loan of £40,000 into a grant for refurbishment and withdrawal of grant of £64,000 for second phase of project

Swanage - grants totalling £24,000 over three years for employment of youth and children’s worker

Guildford - grant of £10,000 towards kitchen refurbishment

Farnham - grant of £3,824 from Synod general funds for emergency repairs to the spire

Bordon - grant of £1,000 per year for three years towards the cost of employing a family support worker

Cumnor - grant of £10,000 and loan of £4,000 towards cost of replacing “the hut”

Weybridge - a request for a grant towards the cost of replacing the heating system in the hall was denied

St Mary’s, Banbury - grant of £5,000 towards roof repairs

Tilehurst - grant of £5,000 from Synod general funds and loan of £5,000 towards the cost of internal redecoration following storm damage

Salisbury - loan of £10,000 for purchase of a car for the minister

Churches Together in Berkshire - grant of £1,000

IBEX - grant of £8,100

2. Other property items

Throop - the net proceeds from the sale of the former church at Throop, Bournemouth, were £92,242

Romsey, Wheatley, Broadstone and Winchester - permission to let manse during ministerial transition

3. Listed Buildings The Provincial Property Committee has given the following permissions on the advice of the Listed

Buildings Advisory Committee:

Aston Tirrold - permission for roof repairs

Bridport - permission to replace heaters in church hall

Henley-on-Thames - permission to replace notice boards at the front of the church

Churches are reminded that they need permission from the Provincial Property Committee to attach anything to the historic fabric of a listed building. This includes, for example, Child-Friendly Church Award Plaques.

4. Committee budgets The committee has recommended to the Synod Executive Committee that the total budget for Synod committees should be £86,000 for 2016.

5. Inter-Synod Resource Sharing In 2015 the synod is contributing £100,000 to Inter-Synod Resource Sharing. The Finance and Property Committee recommends that we maintain our contribution at £100,000 for 2016.

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6. Church Mission Fund and Special Reserve Fund The Finance and Property Committee recommends that £200,000 be allocated to the Church Mission Fund for 2016. There is currently £56,588 In the Church Mission Fund and £621,900 remains in the Special Reserve Fund.

7. Possible merger of the Finance and Property Committee and the Wessex Trust For many years the Finance and Property Committee and the Wessex Trust have worked closely together but with frequent overlap and duplication. At the request of the Synod Executive Committee they are looking at ways of merging their functions in order to streamline their operations.

8. Ministry and Mission Fund The Synod is on course to finish the year 2% ahead of our commitment with over £2,000,000 raised. About a third of the churches in the province have accepted the 1% challenge.

David Page Secretary, Finance and Property committees

MINISTRY AND MISSION FUND REPORT 2015 Payments to Church House are continuing satisfactorily. We should meet or exceed our £2 million commitment for this year. This is despite the closure of Newbury URC. I am pleased to report that 41 Churches are meeting the 1% challenge in 2015. SW 5 SE 18 NW 13 NE 5 2016 I am still awaiting offers from a few churches. However I am confident that our Synod will again meet or exceed £2 million. 48 Churches have made offers that meet the 1% challenge to-date: SW 9 SE 18 NW 12 NE 9 We would encourage other churches to re-consider whether they might be able to meet the challenge with a small increase in their offer. However there are a number of churches who are unable to meet the M&M request based on the agreed Synod formula, some by a large margin. Area Pastoral Committees are being made aware of these. I continue to offer to meet with their Elders to explore the challenges they face and possible options. This has proved helpful in a number of cases. Peter Pay M&M Secretary

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Children’s Day March 2015 - I’m Outstanding!

On the 9th March 2015, 28 children aged 7 – 12 from the United Reformed Churches across

Wessex came together for a whole day alongside the Synod meeting. The programme was

developed by the newly formed ‘Children’s Forum’ called Children Speaking Aloud. This is a

group open to any child aged 11 – 13 and meets alongside the November synod to ensure the

voice of children is heard in the planning of events.

Our time at Children’s day was spent exploring what it means to be Outstanding and how we

can serve God and others with our gifts and talents.

It was a fantastic day that engaged the children creatively, encouraging them to explore how

they were created by God with amazing gifts and talents which they can use to serve God and

others.

After everyone had arrived and decorated their own T shirts, the day was split into 3

workshops:

1. Created by God – thinking about how we are wonderfully and fantastically created. We

made creative self portraits, Minecraft portraits and Junk Portraits, (see photos below).

2. Hidden Talents - thinking about how God has given each of us special gifts and talents

that are to be used to help others and to make a difference in the world. We smashed

rocks to find the hidden treasures, (see photos below).

3. God’s plan for my life – thinking about how God has a plan for our life and what it means

to ‘grow in the faith’ together. We made Grass Heads and a giant Pollock Painting made of

smaller canvasses which we took home at the end of the day, (see photos below).

The children ended their day by using what they had been exploring to lead the closing

worship in the adult synod. They planned the whole worship which included them sharing their

creations from the day and leading parachute prayers.

Feedback

The evaluations from the children showed that everyone had a great day, had lots of fun and

enjoyed the creativity whilst exploring the theme.

“I loved doing the painting because it was a great idea (seeing our paths cross) and it looks

really good. It’s in my bedroom.”

“I loved the Rock-smashing because we worked as a team to find treasure”

“I liked all of it but I especially like how we got to decorate our t-shirts with what we liked.

I also liked leading Synod worship and teaching them new songs.”

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MISSION & OUTREACH COMMITTEE MATTERS

Commitment for Life

Local churches have raised a total of £43,000 in the last year and this figure has been matched by the Synod. Seasons of Invitation

Flyers for the event on 6th February 2016 will be available at the Synod meeting. A proposal from the Mission Development Group (for information only at this stage)

The Mission Development Group (MDG) has been working on a proposal to appoint two ‘Church Plant Pioneers’ with a specific brief to plant a new congregation, each within a new housing development. It is proposed that the Synod will apply for two Special Category Ministers and provide housing, initially for a period of up to 5 years. The project brief will include the establishment of a worshipping community that seeks to contribute to the costs of ministry (i.e. initially aims to cover ministerial expenses, but moves to contributing to M&M based on the Wessex Synod formula). In establishing a new congregation, it shall be acknowledged that there is no expectation of buying a building – as it would be best to use existing facilities (e.g. community centres) until the need for something more permanent was established. We shall communicate with other ecumenical partners, to avoid duplication and enable the most strategic use of these pioneers. We are using the term ‘Pioneer Ministry’ as this terminology is gaining wider usage and emphasises the exploratory nature of this role. It will be necessary to establish a reference group for each project, which will monitor and support each Pioneer Minister. The reference group will include representatives from the local area and Synod personnel (we suggest the relevant DSO). After 3 years the project shall be thoroughly reviewed and decision made as to whether there is sufficient justification for the church plant to be given a scoping and the level of scoping. MDG has identified two potential opportunities one in the north of the Synod (Bicester) and one in the south (Fareham), both are within new housing developments. It is proposed that the following process could be followed:

Application from Mission & Outreach to Finance & Property Committee for funding of two posts and provision of a Manse in each location.

Representative of MDG to meet with conveners of Area Synod Pastoral Groups to explain the rationale and seek support in establishing a reference group for each project.

Application to be made via Ministries Department for a Special Category Minister, with input from Development & Support Officers and Reference Group.

Vacancies advertised through usual processes.

The MDG has discussed the various forms of church planting and acknowledges that sometimes a group of people from one or more existing congregation helps form a nucleus. We have not ruled out this approach nor assumed that it is necessary, we are aware of other churches that have started with just a Pioneer Minister. The MDG has discussed the potential for the SCM to assist in church growth across the synod, but it was agreed that if the brief was too wide this would prevent the minister being able to concentrate on their specific community. Robert Weston Convener

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November 2015 Workshops

We request that you sign up for workshops when you arrive so that we can allocate rooms according to numbers.

Please think about your choice before you come.

1. The Top Five Tips for Churches with Employees – led by Penny Thatcher

A workshop suitable for those with responsibility for a church employee, either managing/supervising or having oversight of that area of church life. Also suitable for those considering taking on a church employee.

2. Your Property matters – led by Graham Barber

This workshop takes a broad look at the recent significant changes in construction laws and the introduction of CDM15 regulations, and its potential impact on how churches carry out maintenance/alterations on the buildings. A must for anyone sitting on property committees or involved with the maintenance/refurbishments of their buildings.

3. The Big Shift – Let’s Leave Fossil Fuels Behind

A workshop led by Christian Aid around the issues of climate change. 4. Empowering Discipleship - led by members of the Youth Executive

To introduce and explore the importance the Bible places on discipling believers, and how this should affect our ministry in the church. We will examine different models found in the New Testament in the ministry of Jesus and Paul, and explore how we are able to practice these models in our own church contexts.

5. Being Ready

This workshop will give you the opportunity to share ideas for how to welcome the child/family that arrives at your church service unexpectedly. How do we ensure that we are ready to welcome new families? The workshop will give practical ideas as well as the opportunity to share your own stories.

6. Drumming

Come and join the children’s Forum for a drumming session. A professional workshop leader will teach you how to use the African Drums. It will be fun and very loud. The group will learn and practice a drumming piece that they will then ‘perform’ as part of the closing worship in synod. SPACES LIMITED so please book in.