Over 120 Synod members met online to discuss science, world mission, interfaith relations, parish administration, the importance of supporting our Armed Forces and plenty else in the November meeting of Diocesan Synod.
The meeting started with a time of worship with a Swedish feel as the Revd Maria Jukes, chair of the diocesan link with Växjö in Sweden, led Synod in prayers from Den Svenska Psalmboken.
Bishop Steven’s presidential address explored what the latest scientific thinking might mean for a generation hungry for meaning. The bishop encouraged those present that the coming years are ‘a season of confidence and hope’ in the face of a quiet revival among younger generations and called for us to be a ‘teaching Church, willing to share the depths of what God has revealed in Christ to an uneasy and unquiet world.’
Bishop Steven’s address sparked thoughtful discussion, with members expressing a strong commitment to engaging more with science and faith, particularly for Gens Z and Alpha. You can listen on Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
No questions were submitted ahead of the meeting, so first on the agenda was the approval of the 2026 Budget. Sir Hector Sants, Chair of the Oxford Diocesan Board of Finance, put forward the motion, which was carried by a large majority, and gave his sincere thanks to all who donate to Parish Share, without whom the “mission and ministry of the diocese just could not happen.”
Our missional imperative
Bishop Mary began the annual environment update by considering our Christian call to climate action as a missional imperative, an especially significant reflection with COP30 taking place at the same time.
Diocesan Director of Property Sophie Orme and Environment Programme Manager Hannah Mann then shared more on ‘quiet climate action’ happening across the diocese this past year. Sophie announced that the property team are ahead of the 2025 targets, with over 101 houses now having had energy improvements and an emissions reduction.
Hannah shared the story of a Berkshire church who, after a grant from the diocese, have taken an environmental commitment and transformed it into a missional journey for the whole congregation. Their sentiments cut to the heart of the aims of the project, which Hannah summed up:
"We need to reduce our carbon emissions because burning fossil fuels is destroying this earth for us, for our neighbours, and for everything that lives on it. But we want to reduce our carbon emissions because in doing so, we'll be creating spaces and places that in the longer term are affordable, sustainable, relevant, fit for purpose, and speak to our discipleship of Jesus Christ in a way that words will never quite do."
A commitment to all parishes
Next on the agenda was a motion put forward by the Revd Oliver Petter on behalf of Woodstock Deanery, calling for administrative support for multi-parish benefices.
An amendment was proposed by Archdeacon David Tyler, a former Area Dean for Woodstock, in light of the realities of funding administrative help at this level, as well as concerns that certain contexts may be omitted from help based on the original wording.
The amended motion was carried, with the diocese therefore committing - for all parishes - to listen further to and reflect on the changing administrative burden and support needed; to look for and implement further reductions in the administrative load carried at a parish level; and to provide resources and training to better equip parishes to complete necessary administration in an efficient manner.
Strong support for the Armed Forces and for children’s and youth ministry
The Ven Jonathan Chaffey, Archdeacon of Oxford and former Senior UK Military Chaplain, moved for the Diocese of Oxford to become a signatory to the Armed Forces Covenant, adding that we would further commit to ‘praying for the people and work of the Armed Forces.’
Speeches from the floor included an encouragement to include the emergency services in the covenant, recognising a similar ‘trauma and sacrificial service’. The Very Revd Prof Sarah Foot, Dean of Christ Church Cathedral, shared how the Cathedral are strongly in support, particularly having seen representatives from across the armed forces inside the Cathedral recently to mark Remembrance Day. The motion was carried by an overwhelming majority.
Mark Humphriss, Diocesan Secretary, spoke on the Diocesan Investment Programme, reiterating the disappointment felt earlier in the year as the diocese was unexpectedly refused the opportunity to bid for Strategic Mission and Ministry Investment Board funding until January 2029. However, keen to maintain the momentum for the children and young people strategy agreed unanimously by Diocesan Synod in March 2024, a Head of Children’s and Youth Ministry has been appointed, and at least half of the diocesan Development Fund resources - £500,000 each year – will go to projects supporting work in parishes with children and young people.
Being a good neighbour
Archdeacon Jonathan returned to share an interfaith update alongside the Revd Dr Paul Smith and Dr Jane Clements. Jane stressed the importance of local interfaith connections in light of the national conversation, and Paul highlighted Census 2021 data that shows our diocese as having the fifth highest number of Presence and Engagement parishes nationally – parishes where more than 10% of the population are from faith communities other than Christian. A parish-level breakdown of Census data is available on the diocesan website.
Jonathan encouraged use of Area Interfaith Advisors and urged all present to consider what they might do to engage in interfaith relations and to be a good neighbour.
Bishop Mary’s world mission update gave a whistlestop tour of our four link dioceses. Bishop Mary celebrated the hybrid summit in Kimberley and Kuruman, a joint creation care service with Växjö in Sweden, and the election of a new bishop in Nandyal, India, but it was the update from the Diocese of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands which felt most poignant for this Synod. In the wake of widespread devastation from Hurricane Melissa, Bishop Leon shared a rousing message of hope and resilience, praying that ‘together we will overcome.’
Bishop Steven took to the floor to encourage Synod to ‘step up, as a diocese, in support of the rebuilding.’ An appeal will be launched shortly, alongside a significant donation as a diocese, to help Bishop Leon and his community in the immense task that lies ahead. News of the appeal will be shared in diocesan eNews and with clergy shortly.
A thought-provoking gathering
In the final motion of the day, John Sykes, Chair of the House of Laity, moved that Synod approve a formula for the election of parochial representatives of the laity to Deanery Synods in 2026, as set out in the Synod papers. The motion sparked a lively debate, particularly on the crucial need to encourage younger representatives to stand. The motion was passed, , with a commitment from Synod to look at the points raised ahead of the next such vote on the matter.
In the penultimate agenda item, Peter Barrett updated the room on the proceedings of the last meeting of General Synod, held in York in July this year. Peter’s key takeaway was to urge everyone to pray for continue to pray for Archbishop Dr Hosam Naoum and his family and team in Jerusalem, particularly their work at the Al-Ahli hospital in Gaza.
The Revd Catherine Butt wrapped up proceedings with a reflection on the day’s discussions and gave her thanks to all who have prepared so thoroughly for the day, as well as all who contributed so generously and actively in a ‘stimulating and thought-provoking gathering.’
Diocesan Synod next meets in March 2026.