The Darlington District Spring Synod 2011 was hosted by the Bishop Auckland Circuit at Bishop Auckland Methodist Church on Saturday 7th May. Rev Keith Phipps, Superintendent Minister, welcomed the members of Synod, and, the Bishop Auckland Theatre Hooligans (BATH) who led us in a worship drama entitled ‘The Drama of Salvation’, which led us through the life, death and resurrection of our Lord. Joining us in worship were young people from the Darlington District Youth Forum which ran alongside Synod.
The reports of District officers and committees were received, a number of property issues heard, and District appointments for 2011-12 confirmed. The Youth Participation Strategy Report presented by Ross Embleton on ‘Why do young people choose not to/to come to church?’ led to conversation in small groups and some interesting and thought provoking feedback and discussion.
As an introduction to the workshops which would be on offer during the afternoon session, we heard from Selina Cross about the work of Action for Children: from Susan Johnson about More than Gold, whose mission is to enable UK churches to engage with the 2012 Games: and from Paul Morrison from the Joint Public Issues Team who came to speak to us about poverty in Britain today. We also heard from Judith Sadler from Christian Aid who spoke to us about their ongoing work.
We remembered and gave thanks for the life and ministry of a number of Local Preachers in our District who have died ~ Darlington Circuit - Blanche Buckley & Sheila Clarke, Stockton Circuit - Tony Warren, United NE Circuit - Douglas Gargett, Barnard Castle & Teesdale Circuit - Arthur Bainbridge & Reuben Bayles, North Yorks Dales Circuit - Norma Conder ~ in a moving service led by the District Local Preachers Secretary, Bill Offler.
A memorial to Conference, reported in the Synod Handbook was voted on by the members of Synod (76 FOR, 19 AGAINST, 6 NEUTRAL) with an amendment which reads: the Synod of the Darlington District requests the Conference to investigate ways of giving Circuit Meetings (with District permission) and District Synods the authority to transfer Managing trusteeship of local property to the Circuit Meeting or District.
At the end of the afternoon the Chair thanked those ministers leaving the District this year ~ Isobel Akers going to Peterhead, Anne Shepherdson going to Blyth, Judith Ireland going to Liverpool, Jane Gibson going to Garstang, Janice Hacon going to Swadlecote, and Malcolm Newman ~ sitting down. Roger Walton going as Chair of the West Yorkshire District. Thanks were also extended to Norma Nevin leaving as Synod Secretary, and to the Bishop Auckland Circuit for their organisation of the Synod venue
Songs and hymns sung throughout the day were taken from the Sampler of Singing the Faith.
Closing Worship was led by Rev. David Wood (Dales Biblical Literacy Project) ~ a Thanksgiving for the Handwritten Bible
The Autumn Synod will be held on Saturday September 10th, hosted by the Darlington Circuit.