Her Majesty The Queen will inaugurate the Eighth General Synod of the Church of England which takes place in Church House, Westminster, on Tuesday, 15 November.
The event will also be a landmark in Church of England history, with the first woman and the first Methodist, the Rev. Professor Frances Young, to preach at the five-yearly gathering.The Eucharist will be held in Westminster Abbey prior to the inauguration ceremony, presided by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, and with a sermon by the Rev. Young.
Delegates at the Synod will begin a major debate on Facing the Challenge of Terrorism, resourced by a report from the Mission and Public Affairs Division. The debate will touch on the July 7 terrorist attacks in London and the Government response, particularly the Terrorism Bill to be debated in Parliament next month.
The report advises politicians and churches look more closely and with greater understanding at the underlying causes of terrorism and in a way that does not excuse violence.
It also warns political parties not to erode fundamental rights in their counter-terrorist strategies and asks Church members to promote greater understanding, reconciliation and respect within their local communities, particularly mixed faith communities.
A report produced by the Review Group, chaired by Professor David McClean, on the proposal to hand over ownership of clergy houses, churches and churchyards to Diocesan Boards of Finance, will also be finalised in time for the second Synod circulation.
The report will make recommendations on the proposal in the report. The transfer of property ownership will be discussed at the Synod, although no vote will be taken on the issue.
The Synod will also feature a theological seminar on episcopacy in order to provide Synod members with wider points of reflection on the issue of women bishops.
Members at the Synod will debate the report of the Bishop of Guildford’s Group which outlines possible courses of action following Synod’s decision to remove legal obstacles to the consecration of women as bishops.
The Archbishop of Canterbury will address the Synod on Wednesday morning where he will present his vision for the Church of England in the next five years.
