The first meeting of the new Triennium of the Diocese of Truro’s Synod has taken place at County Hall, Truro.

Members, new and returning, were welcomed on Saturday morning by the Bishop of Truro, the Rt Revd Tim Thornton before Diocesan Secretary Esther Pollard and Diocesan Registrar Martin Follett took to the floor to set out the roles and responsibilities of the Synod members and to explain the governance of the diocese.

This year the Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall, Colonel Edward Bolitho was invited to speak and he used the opportunity to encourage churches to take part in events for the Queen’s 90th birthday celebrations in 2016. He also then accepted the Bishop’s invitation to sit on the Synod as a co-opted member.

A Celebration of the Eucharist was led by Bishop Tim and Canon Alan Bashforth, chair of the Synod House of Clergy.

In his Presidential Address, Bishop Tim encouraged those present to be less cynical reminding them that ‘those who are not against us are with us’.

There were also presentations by John Pollard, Leader of Cornwall Council, and Richard Best, member of the complaints committee of the British Press Regulator, Director of Straightshot Communications and former West Briton Editor.

The Synod was then asked to consider questions on what might be the most important key issues facing the diocese in the next three years.

Following a short break, the members elected Mike Sturgess as the Chairman of the Diocesan Board of Finance Ltd.

The Rt Revd Chris Goldsmith, Bishop of St Germans gave a short report on the deanery consultation meetings that are ongoing before the meeting ended with a prayer led by Bishop Tim.

The next Synod meeting is in November.

To read Bishop Tim’s Presidential Address click here