Being A Diocesan Synod Member

This year, 2021, we will elect a new diocesan synod to serve for a three-year term. Why should you offer yourself for this? Synod members are an important part of the leadership of the church in Cornwall. Members help to shape the big decisions about our work together, and there are certainly some big decisions around for the Diocese of Truro.

Synod members are an important part of the leadership of the church in Cornwall. Members help to shape the big decisions about our work together, and there are certainly some big decisions around for the Diocese of Truro. Among other things on the agenda will be the shape of ministry in our churches, our work with children and young people, our impact on the environment, what it means to be pioneering and to lead change, as well as how we can better serve the poor, and how we rejoice in strong international links.

The Bishops Council reports to synod each year and comes to synod to seek approval for the diocesan budget. The debates and conversations that happen around these events directly influence the policy and direction of our work together.

We work in different ways. Sometimes there are detailed reports to read and pray about sent before the meeting, some of our work is in small groups on the day tackling difficult issues and challenges, often there are presentations and debate for the whole room to work on. The most important thing that we do is to worship and pray together, we draw on traditions from across the diocese but always committed to listening carefully for God’s guidance in our work.

Synod meets three times a year, in person and online, on a Saturday finishing mid-afternoon. We are looking for people who are passionate about the work of the church in Cornwall, the Isles of Scilly and our lucky parishes in Devon. You need to be over 16, a communicant member and on the electoral roll of a church in the diocese.