The Darlington District Spring Synod 2010 was hosted by the Barnard Castle and Teesdale Circuit. Opening worship was led by the Superintendent Minister Revd. Keith Pearce.
Bishop Tom Wright, Bishop of Durham was welcomed to the Synod by the Chair, Revd Ruth Gee, to lead us through the 3rd in the series of talks that are part of the Big Read, entitled ‘Easter and Beyond’. Bishop Tom guided us through Luke 24 and into the book of Acts, reminding us, through the experiences of the early witnesses of Jesus resurrection and the early Church, that we aught to continue to expect God to do new things. This got us off to a good start to the day! You can listen to Bishop Tom’s ‘The Big Read’ inspiring talks on http://www.thebigread.homecall.co.uk/ .
Some significant business that was carried out throughout the day included the proposal to Conference that the Bedale Circuit in the Darlington District should amalgamate with the Ripon Circuit in the York and Hull District, forming one new larger Circuit, offering new opportunities for mission in this largely rural area.
Synod approved that the District Development and Oversight Group should discuss Revd. Alan Coustick (Deputy Chair and Revd Pete Phillips (Director of Research at the Centre for Biblical Literacy and Communication, and Secretary of the Faith and Order Committee) exciting proposal to appoint someone to work alongside the churches in the North Yorkshire Dales Circuit, and the wider Darlington District, to develop ways to promote Bible Literacy, enabling people from all backgrounds and stages of their faith journey to engage with the Bible.
Synod heard from Candidates Committee that Anne Coates has been accepted for Presbyteral Training and Guy Austin-Bryde as a Deacon. From Probationers Committee, via the Ministerial Synod report, Synod learned that there was unanimous agreement that Lawrence Law and Nigel Johnson should both proceed to ordination at Portsmouth this year.
Karen Carter and Pete Phillips from FEAST (Fresh Expressions and Strategy Team) spoke to Synod about ‘The Church of the never Churched’ ~ those people who are being reached through Fresh Expressions like Messy Church, Café Church, Street Pastors, Cell and many others. It was encouraging to hear from members of Synod about so many ‘Fresh Expressions’ that are already going on around the Darlington District.
Michael Offler and Grace McAloon told us with enthusiasm about the first Youth Assembly which took place at Ushaw College in Durham last year and about some of the issues raised and discussed by the young people.
A short Commissioning service was held for those representatives from the District who will be travelling to Kenya to visit the Miathene Synod later in the year.
The Chair, Ruth Gee thanked those who will be leaving the District later in the year and especially those who will become supernumerary ministers, ensuring them that they will be remembered in our prayers.
A note from a member of Synod read ~ ‘I thought Synod today was uplifting, it’s a long time since I’ve known as much Bible input into the business of Synod ~ brilliant. More please!’
Synod closed with prayer and singing ‘You shall go out with joy’!