THE ANGLICAN COVENANT
A resolution recognising the need to address the Covenant carefully and prayerfully was passed after considerable discussion on the final draft of the Covenant; it was remitted to the Faith and Order Board to be given careful consideration. Questions were raised as to whether the Covenant was a reasonable and necessary instrument to strengthen the cohesion of a diverse Communion and whether it was helpful to attempt to define a single view and substitute a central authority for Anglican co-responsibility. The difficulties being faced by the Anglican Communion were being faced by every Church across the world. It was now for the Faith and Order Board to advise on what process or processes might be appropriate to be followed by the Synod to enable due consideration of the final version of the Covenant by the Scottish Episcopal Church. Questions were also asked as to whether a loose arrangement might be better suited to taking the strain and it was suggested that the Scottish Church should not be afraid of breaking with the Anglican Communion. The Primus pointed out that the process as a whole would take a considerable amount of time and it was not a process on which the Church should feel rushed.
GENDER AUDIT
After the previous year's Synod a gender audit had been commissioned and a Report was presented by the Standing Committee. Gender equality was seen as a justice issue: while there were more male than female members of the General Synod, most dioceses had more laywomen than men in their diocesan synods. The recommendation was not to seek a quota system but rather a genuine equality of opportunity. Finance was perceived as to do with power and therefore for men, whereas ministry was about caring and seen principally for women. The Report was received and the Standing Committee and diocesan synods were invited to consider the recommendations.
The College of Bishops had authorised a number of inclusive-language amendments to the 1952 liturgical texts and these would be made known shortly.
CANONS
Major canonical changes were few. Amendments allowing the service of documents by e-mail and specifying the time-limits for postal mail were passed for a second time. No change was proposed in respect of pensions because the current recovery plan was proving sufficiently robust; but consideration was given to setting a maximum contribution which was affordable by the Church in the long term.
With regard to the Building Advisory Committee, minor changes were made altering the procedure for listed and non-listed buildings, requiring notification by the vestry to the bishop of when a period of experimental reordering had ended and abolishing the requirement for consultation with the local planning authorities with regard to internal works.
Canon 62 (of retiral of clergy) was altered to correct anomalies which had arisen. Non-stipendiary office-holders were put in the same position as to retiral as stipendiary office-holders. Notice of impending retiral will no longer be given by the office-holder and the onus will now rest with the bishop. When an extension in office beyond the age of 70 is allowed by the bishop, such extension will be for one year only at a time with a fixed limit of three years. These amendments were passed for the first time. A second reading was given to the amendment of Canon 8 to allow discussions to take place about separation, subdivision and union of dioceses during the vacancy of a see; under the existing Canon not even a change of congregational boundaries can be considered during such a vacancy.
LITURGY
The Liturgy Committee had been working on a Service of the Word, a non-Eucharistic liturgy for use on a variety of occasions. A first draft had been presented to the Faith and Order Board and its comments were awaited. A new Eucharistic Rite was also in course of preparation.
EDINBURGH 2010 CONFERENCE
A report was presented on the Edinburgh Conference (which commemorated the 1910 Missionary Conference). At the commemoration there had been eight official Anglican delegates; but many other Anglicans had attended, drawn from 60 nations. There had been nine themes relating to the vision of the Church worldwide. It was also reported that in January 2010 a Statement of Partnership with the Methodist Church and the United Reformed Church had been signed.
CHURCH IN SOCIETY COMMITTEE
The presentation of the Committee's Report led to considerable discussion and the passing of two resolutions:
i. That this Synod affirm that effective theological and practical responses are required for the sustainability of the environment due to the distortion created by human over-consumption, and that such responses should be a matter for continuing and urgent review within the life of the Scottish Episcopal Church.
ii. That this Synod ask the Church in Society Committee to prepare a Statement of Principles in 2010/11 confirming the necessity for all dioceses and congregations, as an expression of their faith in action, to encourage and protect a sustainable environment and to consider steps to reduce energy consumption; and that, once prepared, the Statement of Principles be offered to the College of Bishops for its endorsement.
