The Diocese of Truro Synod took place in Truro today.

Around 100 people took their place in the Chamber at County Hall for the last Diocesan Synod of this Triennium to hear the Rt Revd Tim Thornton, Bishop of Truro welcome members and give the presidential address._MG_1232

Prayers were led by the Revd Lesley Walker, chair of the Diocesan Liturgical Committee before Mike Todd, acting Chairman of Truro Diocesan Board of Finance Limited reflected on 2014 and took questions for the floor.

Synod members were then asked to receive and approve the reports and finance statements for 2014. All voted in favour.

The auditors and solicitors were then re-appointed. A vote of thanks was also given to Martin Follett of Michelmores’ Solicitors, for all of his work with the diocese as the Diocesan Registrar but also as a source of legal support to parishes._MG_1268

There was then an active and inclusive discussion following Bishop Chris’s report on the future of the Mission and Ministry Fund and the review that has been undertaken. Thoughtful questions and comments came from Revd Anne Brown from south Petherwin, Revd Geoffrey Bennett from Budock, Revd David Miller from Helston, Revd Philip de Grey-Warter from Fowey, Archdeacon Audrey Elkington and Revd Ken Bouiller from St Just in Roseland.

In the afternoon, the meeting re-started with congratulations to the Royal couple on the birth of their daughter during the morning.

The meeting then started proper with a report on proposals for changes to the diocese’s governance which was presented by Martin Follett, Diocesan Registrar.

The Synod then heard a General Synod update by Revd Perran Gay on the programme of reform and renewal, a report on the work of the Bishop’s Diocesan Council and the Diocesan Synod Elections and General Synod Elections.

The meeting ended with closing prayers.

• There will be two further meetings of the Diocesan Synod in 2015, the first on Saturday, September 26 at County Hall, Truro and the second on Saturday, November 7 at the same venue.