Synod

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Synod 2009

The Decisions of Synod 2009

SELF-SUPPORTING CLERGY

Proposer:       Canon Mike McCoy
Seconder:       The Revd Howard Lancaster

That this Synod

• Gives thanks to God for the ministry of the self-supporting clergy which has supplemented that of the stipendiary ministers for many years; 

• Notes the report of the 1968 Lambeth Conference which described the fullness of the ministry contribution of the self-supporting clergy, and further commends to the Provinces of the communion the implementation of this mode of ordained ministry; 

• Notes further that the 1962 Canons and Constitution of our Province included for the first time "regulations on Ordination for men continuing in lay occupation", and that at their Synod in November 1978 the Bishops give their most comprehensive guidelines for self-supporting clergy under the heading "Regulations for clergymen who receive no stipend from the church";

Therefore resolves

That the bishop be asked to lead us in an evaluation and development of the ministry of self-supporting clergy in this diocese, so that its life and mission may be better served, by:

• initiating a conversation among all clergy as to how the points raised by the Lambeth report on self-supporting clergy might strengthen and broaden the ministry of the diocese and its parishes; 

• promoting a clear and coherent understanding of the self-supporting ministry to the parishes of the diocese - including discernment, formation & training, and  on-going support - so that parish ministries may be strengthened and broadened as envisaged by the Lambeth report; 

• providing a process to facilitate the arrival and departure of itinerant clergy in parishes where there self-supporting clergy.

                                    APPROVED


SERVICE ALLOWANCE

Proposer:       The Revd RA Johnson
Seconder:       The Revd R Penrith

THE PRINCIPLE

Whereas the current stipend package for clergy includes a service allowance and it is desired to entrench this practice in the legislation of the Diocese as well as to set limits to the ratio of the service allowance to the total stipend package.

THE PROPOSAL

BE IT ENACTED THAT in Chapter VI paragraph 12 (b) after the word stipend, add: "which shall include an allowance set by the Finance Committee multiplied by the years of unbroken service in the Diocese of Port Elizabeth which shall not exceed 12% of the total gross stipend when calculated on the average stipend package,".
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The Bishop's Charge

Given at the Twenty-First Session of Diocesan Synod May 2009

In the name of God: Creator, Redeemer and Giver of Life.  Amen.

Preamble: Writing for the April 1939 Journal of Missions, determined to raise funds for a new place of worship in New Brighton Housing Scheme just opened but the Municipality, the Diocesan Secretary of Grahamstown had this to say: "It is the duty of the whole Church to be interested in missions, but in reality it is a small band who actually are; and it is impossible for them to keep their interest unless they know what is going on. The idea of this monthly circular is that it shall reach those people who are interested, and give them knowledge and opportunities for prayer and work. It will be sent to secretaries and to any of the clergy who might like it". (H.M. Matthews, Diocesan Secretary). It is interesting to note that the work of Mission need to generate interest even among clergy who ought to be missionary in their outlook.

We welcome other Christian sisters and brothers of the Body of Christ in the City, together with ...

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