Waiapu Synod 2012

I took this from the Waiapu Diocesan news email. It is a good summary of what I was doing all weekend. I moved the motion on Resourcing Paid Lay Ministry. For me this motion is about how we value lay people in paid ministry. I was sad a vicar spoke against it, on the grounds that it would cost too much. We clergy do not get paid magnificently, but what we get is non negotiable, i.e. the parish has to pay it whether they like it or not. We are in a privileged position. Do we use that position to support and advocate for others or to maintain our privilege? Sadly my experience is that lay people have to keep negotiating (asking) which is pretty soul destroying. I know, being in youth ministry for 23 years meant I was treated like a lay person in many ways for much of that time. It becomes soul destroying and after a while you just stop asking and pay for it yourself.

This was a good synod really. We did some significant times in small groups, and studied scripture together using a lectio divina method. The young people did a very good presentation. Well done Saachi Kepa for her motion asking us to re affirm the 2010 motion on mutual accountability for our drinking.

 

Motions in brief

• Youth voice: Synod agreed to find ways of meeting that will support respectful discussions and the sharing of a greater diversity of perspectives from all ages.

• Resourcing Paid Lay Ministry: Synod will explore the resourcing and encouragement of those in paid, licensed ministry, including regular gatherings, training opportunities, covenants with parishes and paid sabbaticals. This reflects the significant development of lay ministry recently. 

• Synod Representation: Each parish may have two lay representatives (currently it is one per parish), provided that one of those representatives is under 40. Mover Brian Dawson: “This is ageism, this is tokenism – but we still have to do something.”

• Earthquake prone buildings: With many church buildings needing to be strengthened, replaced or demolished, Standing Committee will set up a working group to oversee the process and provide assistance by organising bulk inspections, technical advice and bulk contracts to carry out necessary upgrading.

• Aged Care Work Force: Synod asks Government and DHB’s to acknowledge the work aged care providers, and to increase wages, improve employment conditions and commit to more employee training.

• Marsden Cross Bicentennial Project: Synod has committed Waiapu to raising $30,000 among parishes and individuals to support the project at Oihi, Bay of Islands, to commemorate the bicentenary of the proclamation of the Gospel in NZ. This development involves a chapel, a gathering place, an interpretative centre and a series of eight pilgrimage way stations. The 20 hectares of pilgrimage land at Oihi is costing $1.6 million, with $300,000 still to be raised. The buildings are to be paid for by trusts, benefactors and probably some Government support.

Bills

An amendment to the Canon of Parishes to allow all parishes to have two wardens. Where there is no Vicar or Ministry Leadership / Support Team to appoint or recommend the second warden, the ordained person(s) with oversight of the parish will have that role of making such a recommendation to the Bishop.

An amendment to the Canon of the Waiapu Anglican Social Services Trust Board to allow the Diocesan Trusts Board to appoint eight trustees to WASSTB (including the Bishop or his nominee), to also be the directors of Anglican Care (Waiapu) Ltd, the board of the company for our aged care establishments.