Covenant and Stewardship top agenda
Bishops, clergy and laity will discuss the future workings of the worldwide Anglican Communion and reflect on what is meant by “Stewardship” in a 21st century context when the Derby Diocesan Synod gathers at the New Bath Hotel, Matlock on Saturday 4 February (from 10am).
Along with all other Church of England dioceses, Derby will be asked by the General Synod [which meets the following week in London] to “approve the draft Act of Synod adopting the Anglican Communion Covenant”.
The Covenant seeks to provide a framework in which relationships between Provinces can be worked out within the Communion. It is almost five years since the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, began to set out his thoughts on creating new agreement around an Anglican Covenant. The 3000-word reflection that followed the General Convention of the Episcopal Church in the United States, in June 2006, was regarded by many commentators as setting out a range of choices faced by the Communion into the future.
The Bishop of Derby, Dr Alastair Redfern, will deliver a Presidential address to Synod members. He will also look at the changing needs of the Diocesan Board of Education which monitors the work of Church of England schools in the region.
Synod members will then be able to hear a presentation on what is meant by stewardship and there will be an opportunity for discussion. Traditionally stewardship has involved the harnessing of all gifts for the benefit of the local church.
Other items on the agenda include an update on how local parish churches make their contributions to the wider work of the Diocese and Question Time.
