From the Assistant Bishop
Synod
The Rt Revd Hans Christiansen, Assistant Bishop
In 2022 my wife and I walked the Camino Francés Pilgrimage from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port in France to Santiago de Compostella in
Western Spain. It was an incredible and life-changing experience.
When pilgrims arrive exhausted in Santiago de Compostella, they can choose to walk another 100km to the Atlantic Ocean to the little town called Finisterre which in Latin and Spanish means ‘end-of-the-earth’, where it is believed the body of the Apostle and Martyr St James was washed up on the beach among the shells.
The extended 10km route from Santiago to the Atlantic Ocean is a beautiful and much quieter journey than the Camino Francés. Fewer pilgrims walk the route and there are less towns, more forests and plenty of hills. The last morning of the 37-day pilgrimage, on my 45th birthday, eagerly anticipating arriving at the Atlantic Ocean, I got up in the dark and started walking under a canopy of stars which quickly emerged into the most beautiful sunny day. I didn’t see anyone for hours.
While I was walking, I was singing, as I often do when I walk alone. Suddenly a group of Italian pilgrims emerged from the forest. Thinking I was completely alone, I was at first a little embarrassed that these people heard me singing on my own! They asked me not to stop singing as they were keen to sing and walk with me. We started singing a Taizé chant together which is well known across many languages. And as we walked together for the next hour or so, we kept singing different songs together which gave way to some deep sharing with each other. It was a beautiful and uplifting experience of finding Christian community while walking together on the road.
This month our Diocese is gathering for the Second Session of the Fifty-Second Synod of the Diocese. The term Synod originates from the Greek words ‘syn’ meaning ‘together’ and ‘hodos’ meaning ‘path/road/way’. So, Synod literally means Walking the Road/Path Together.
The Synod is our principal source of governance in the Diocese. It functions much like a Parliament where legislation and motions are debated and decided upon. Synod members include all bishops and licensed clergy in the Diocese, two lay members from each parish, designated office holders, eg the Chancellor, Registrar, and Secretary of the Diocese. Representative of bodies reporting to Synod, up to ten lay members appointed by Diocesan Council, and up to five lay youth representatives and up to five First Nations Peoples appointed by the Diocesan Council.
In all its formalities, which ensures that our church is properly governed, at the heart of every Synod lies the notion of walking together as disciples of Jesus Christ, seeking to discern the movement of the Holy Spirit, proclaiming the gospel in new and old ways, and responding with the mind of Christ to the challenges of the time.
The Synod is therefore first and foremost a spiritual gathering with Jesus Christ in the centre. We therefore always begin our proceedings in the Cathedral with the Archbishop – our chief shepherd and leader – presiding at the Eucharist. This year we are fortunate to have the Archbishop of York visiting and preaching at the Synod Eucharist. I am sure it will be a wonderfully uplifting experience for all who attend.
The following day we gather at the Esplanade Hotel in Fremantle where we will hear the President’s Address, and then Legislation will be discussed followed by Motions. This year the Synod will debate Motions about the Church’s response to the challenges of AI; our Diocesan Reconciliation Action Plan, The Feast of Creation in Christ, Conversion Therapy Ban, Emergency Food Relief, Refugee and Asylum Seeker, ABM’s work in the Middle East, the 60th anniversary of the Anglican Community Fund, the 50th Anniversary of Anglicare WA and Giving Thanks to Retiring Clergy.
Ever since the first Council in Jerusalem (Acts 15:6-21) between 48 and 50AD approximately 15 years after Jesus’s death and resurrection, when the topic of mission to non-Jewish people was vehemently discussed, the church has argued about issues facing the church. It has never been easy for the body of Christ ‘to walk the road together in unity’ discerning the mind of Christ, and we have often disagreed deeply with each other over the centuries. However, as disciples of Jesus Christ we trust that where two or three disciples are gathered in my name, I am there among them (Matthew 18:20). As we make every effort to lead lives worthy of the calling (Ephesians 4:1) we seek to listen deeply to each other with all humility, patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bonds of peace (Ephesians 4: 2-3) to promote the body’s growth in building itself up in love (Ephesians 4:16).
With increasing division and with less patience to listen to people we disagree with in our society, I pray that our upcoming Synod may be a powerful and uplifting experience of unity in Christ, deep listening in love and unity in the Spirit.
As we prepare for Synod, I encourage you all to please pray for our Synod using ‘A prayer for Synod’ from APBA page 213:
Almighty and everliving God,
give wisdom and understanding,
to the members of the Synod of this Diocese.
Teach them in all things
to seek first your honour and glory.
May they perceive what is right,
have courage to pursue it
and grace to accomplish it,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.