Keen to make a difference?
Stand for election to Diocesan Synod
The Diocesan Synod is the governing body of the Church of England in Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes. Alongside the Bishops, its membership is drawn from parishioners and clergy. This year is an election year for Diocesan Synod and every parishioner in the Diocese of Oxford is invited to consider standing. We’re particularly keen for Christians from under-represented parts of the Church to put themselves forward. Could that be you, or someone you know?
The presiding officers in this election are Area Deans (for House of Laity) and Deanery lay chairs (House of Clergy). The Area Dean or lay chair for your deanery will be happy to provide you with further information and can advise on how to submit a Diocesan Synod nomination form 2018 for your deanery.
Latest news
Download the Ninth Report on the Elections to Diocesan Boards – May 2017 Diocesan Synod members can make nominations to fill outstanding vacancies over the next six months.
The dates for Diocesan Synod meetings for 2018 are 17th March, 16th June and 17th November. They will be held at St Andrew’s Church, High Wycombe.
Papers for Diocesan Synod
Diocesan Synod Papers
- ODS 18.00 Agenda 160618
- Attendance slip
- ODS 18.07 Synod Reports of the Diocesan Boards councils and Committees 2017
- ODS 18.08 ODBE financial statements 2017
- ODS 18.09 Draft Budget and Parish Share Apportionment 2019
Oxford Diocesan Board of Finance Annual General Meeting (AGM)
Diocesan Synod papers
Bishop Steven’s Presidential Address – Tending Creation
Amending Canon NOS. 36 & 37 (for information only)
Question from Mr Gavin Oldham with response
ODS 18.01 Diocesan Synod Amended Motion
ODS 1801(a) Amendment to Environmental Motion
Update on ‘A Common Vision’ Slide Presentation Bishop Steven
Changes to constitutions:
- ODS 18.02 Oxford Diocesan Council for Partnership in World Mission
- ODS 18.03 Diocesan Advisory Committee (DAC)
- ODS 18.04 Diocesan Synod Standing Orders
ODS 18.05 Diocesan Synod elections 2018
ODS 18.06 Christ Church Cathedral – Annual Report year ended 31.07.17
Note: for item 14 on the agenda – General Synod Business (February Sessions)
Slide Presentation given by Mr Gavin Oldham 180318
Both the full agenda and a summary of Business Done can be viewed at:
Diocesan Synod Papers
Download a copy of the Diocesan Synod Summary: Synod Digest June 2017
Download feedback from Group Sessions “Setting God’s People Free”Feedback on Discussions March Diocesan Synod
Download feedback “Towards a Common Vision RESPONSES from group work
- ODS Agenda 170617
- Attendance slip
- ODS Draft Minutes 180317
- “Towards a Common Vision” Paper ODS 17.16 “Towards a Common Vision”
- ODS 17.17 Synod Reports
- ODS17.18 ODBE financial statements 2016
- ODS17.19 Draft Budget 2018 and Parish Share Apportionment
Oxford Diocesan Board of Finance Annual General Meeting (AGM)
Presidential Address
Full text of Bishop Steven’s Address.
Diocesan Synod Papers
- Agenda
- ODS Minutes 121116
- ODS 17.12 Cathedral Report
- ODS 17.13 GS Agenda & GS 2055
- ODS 17.14 Diocesan Safeguarding Policies and Practice
- ODS 17.15 GS-2056 Setting Gods People Free
Link to papers for information
Link to Diocesan Synod election papers for vacancies on committees
Diocesan Synod Papers
- Agenda
- Notice of ODBF Election
- Nomination Paper ODBF Vice Chair Vacancy
- ODS 16-08 Withdrawal of Anglican Communion Motion
- ODS 16-09 Elected Lay Representation on Deanery Synods
- ODS 16-10-2017 Revenue Budget and Projections
- ODS 16-11 ODBE
Link to Diocesan Synod election papers for vacancies on committees
Diocesan Synod Papers
- Agenda
- Attendance Slip
- Minutes of the Diocesan Synod Meeting held on 12 March 2016
- AGM Agenda and 2015 Minutes
- Directors’ Report and Accounts for the Year ended 31 December 2015
- Draft Budget 2017 and Parish Share Apportionment Paper ODS 16.04
- Annual Report and Accounts of the Diocesan Board of Finance Paper ODS 16.05
- Annual Report and Accounts of the Diocesan Board of Education Paper ODS 16.06
- Annual Report Christ Church Cathedral Paper ODS 16.07
Link to Diocesan Synod election papers for vacancies on committees
Diocesan Synod Papers
Download a Summary of Diocesan Synod 14 Nov 15 (pdf)
Presidential Address (Word)
Questions – first notice paper P Keens 151114 (pdf)
Download the archdeacons’ Diocesan Synod Presentation (PDF)
Archdeacon Karen writes: The archdeaconry plans are ever evolving but this short video shows how some of the themes in the archdeaconry plans are beginning to bear fruit across the diocese.
Download a Presentation on office move 14 Nov 15 from David Mason, Director of Glebe and Buildings.
For a list of members of diocesan synod follow the link.
Diocesan Synod Papers for 14 November 2015
- Item 1 Agenda
- Item 2 Attendance slip
- Item 3 Notice Paper ODBF
- Item 4 Notice Paper Election of Clergy and Lay Vice-Presidents
- Item 5 Minutes of the Diocesan Synod Meeting held on 20 June 2015
- Item 6 An introduction to the Diocesan Finances. Paper ODS 15.12 Draft 2016 Budget and Projections Supplement to the draft 2016 budget.Archdeaconry Area Reports for Bishop’s Council on 9 December 2015.
Diocesan Synod Induction Pack – August 2015
- Item 1 Welcome letter from the Acting Bishop of Oxford
- Item 2 Welcome letter from the Diocesan Secretary
- Item 3 Equal opportunities monitoring form 2015
- Item 4a Consent to Serve Form
- Item 4b Responses pages
- Item 5 Induction Programme 2015
- Item 6 Induction Day Reply Form
- Item 7a Finding St Aldates Church
- Item 7b Christ Church Map
- Item 8 Diocesan Boards, Councils and Committees leaflet 2015
- Item 9 Diocesan Boards, Councils and Committees Nominations Paper
- Item 10 Chairs of the Diocesan Synod Houses of Clergy and Laity
- Item 11 Nomination Form 2015 Vice-Presidents
- Item 12 Diocesan Synod Acronyms
- Item 13 Roles and Responsibilities of Members
- Item 14 Standing Orders Diocesan Synod July 2015
- Item 15 Articles of Association ODBF July 2015
- Item 16 Directions to St Andrew’s Church, High Wycombe
- Item 17 Diocesan Budget 2015
- Item 18 Draft Diocesan Budget and Share Allocation 2016
Past Synod Papers
20 June 2015
Digest of the Diocesan Synod (20 June 2015).
- Agenda Attendance card
- Item 1: Dwelling in the word: Luke 10:1-12
- Item 3: Minutes 21 March 2015
- Item 6: Annual Report 2014 (ODS15.6)
- Item 7: Notice of Annual General Meeting ODBF financial statements 2014
- Item 8: ODS 15.7 2016 Budget overview
- Item 9: ODS 15.8 Revision to the constitution of Buildings Committee
- Item 10: ODS 15.9 Mission and Pastoral Committee revision
- Item 11: ODS 15.10 New Communities
- Item 12: ODS15.11 ODBE financial statements 2014
21 March 2015
- Agenda
- Item 1: Dwelling in the word: Luke 10:1-12
- Item 3: Amending Canon No. 32 / Amending Canon No. 33 (for information only)
- Item 4: Minutes (15 November 2014)
- Item 5: Questions
- Item 6: General Synod background paper
- Item 7: ODS 15.1 – Christ Church Cathedral Annual Report
- Item 8: ODS 15.2 – Revisions to constitution of Diocesan Board of Education
- Item 9: ODS 15.3 – Diocesan office accommodation
- Item 10: ODS 15.4 – Interfaith relations in global context / Appendix table 2
- Item 11: ODS 15.5 – Revisions to ODCIC constitution
- Item 13: ODBF General Meeting agenda and November 2013 minutes / Revision of ODBF Articles (covering paper) / Revised ODBF Articles
- News report
15 November 2014
- Agenda / Attendance slip
- Item 3: Amending Canon No. 31 (for information only)
- Item 4: Act of Synod Rescinding Episcopal Ministry Act of Synod 1993 (for information only)
- Item 5: Minutes (June 2014)
- Item 8: A mainstream Islamic response to the beliefs and practices of Islamic State / Imam Monawar Hussain biography
- Item 9: ODS 14.12 – Living Faith: the future
- Item 10: ODS 14.13 – Amendments to Standing Orders
- Item 11: ODS 14.14 – Elected representation on Diocesan Synod, 2015–18
- Item 12: ODS 14.15 A – Disinvestment from fossil fuel companies
- ODS 14.15 B – Disinvestment (Amendments proposed by Chair of DBF)
- Item 13: ODS 14.16 – Covering paper to 2015 budget / Draft 2015 budget
21 June 2014
- Agenda
- Item 3: Minutes (March 2014)
- Item 5: ODS 14.7 – 2013 Annual reports of diocesan, boards, councils and committees
- Item 6: ODBF AGM 2014 agenda and 2013 minutes / 2013 financial statements
- Item 7: ODS 14.8 – 2015 outline revenue budget and deanery share apportionment
- Item 8: ODS 14.9 – Diocesan Board of Education 2013 financial statements
- Item 9: ODS 14.10 – Amendment of deanery synod rules
- Item 10: ODS 14.11 – Intentional evangelism cover note / background paper
22 March 2014
- Agenda
- Item 3: ODS 14.1 – Vacancy in See Committees Regulation
- Item 4: Minutes (November 2013)
- Item 5: Presidential address
- Item 6: Questions
- Item 7: ODS 14.2 – Living Faith review
- Item 9: ODS 14.3 – Share discounts at parish level
- Item 9A: ODS 14.6 – Christ Church Cathedral annual report
- Item 10: Covering letter from +John / ODS 14.4 – Women in the episcopate
- Item 12: ODS 14.5 – BMO deanery synod representation
Diocesan Synod Induction Pack – August 2015
- Item 1 Welcome letter from the Acting Bishop of Oxford
- Item 2 Welcome letter from the Diocesan Secretary
- Item 3 Equal opportunities monitoring form 2015
- Item 4a Consent to Serve Form
- Item 4b Responses pages
- Item 5 Induction Programme 2015
- Item 6 Induction Day Reply Form
- Item 7a Finding St Aldates Church
- Item 7b Christ Church Map
- Item 8 Diocesan Boards, Councils and Committees leaflet 2015
- Item 9 Diocesan Boards, Councils and Committees Nominations Paper
- Item 10 Chairs of the Diocesan Synod Houses of Clergy and Laity
- Item 11 Nomination Form 2015 Vice-Presidents
- Item 12 Diocesan Synod Acronyms
- Item 13 Roles and Responsibilities of Members
- Item 14 Standing Orders Diocesan Synod July 2015
- Item 15 Articles of Association ODBF July 2015
- Item 16 Directions to St Andrew’s Church, High Wycombe
- Item 17 Diocesan Budget 2015
- Item 18 Draft Diocesan Budget and Share Allocation 2016
Past Synod Papers
20 June 2015
Digest of the Diocesan Synod (20 June 2015).
- Agenda Attendance card
- Item 1: Dwelling in the word: Luke 10:1-12
- Item 3: Minutes 21 March 2015
- Item 6: Annual Report 2014 (ODS15.6)
- Item 7: Notice of Annual General Meeting ODBF financial statements 2014
- Item 8: ODS 15.7 2016 Budget overview
- Item 9: ODS 15.8 Revision to the constitution of Buildings Committee
- Item 10: ODS 15.9 Mission and Pastoral Committee revision
- Item 11: ODS 15.10 New Communities
- Item 12: ODS15.11 ODBE financial statements 2014
21 March 2015
- Agenda
- Item 1: Dwelling in the word: Luke 10:1-12
- Item 3: Amending Canon No. 32 / Amending Canon No. 33 (for information only)
- Item 4: Minutes (15 November 2014)
- Item 5: Questions
- Item 6: General Synod background paper
- Item 7: ODS 15.1 – Christ Church Cathedral Annual Report
- Item 8: ODS 15.2 – Revisions to constitution of Diocesan Board of Education
- Item 9: ODS 15.3 – Diocesan office accommodation
- Item 10: ODS 15.4 – Interfaith relations in global context / Appendix table 2
- Item 11: ODS 15.5 – Revisions to ODCIC constitution
- Item 13: ODBF General Meeting agenda and November 2013 minutes / Revision of ODBF Articles (covering paper) / Revised ODBF Articles
- News report
15 November 2014
- Agenda / Attendance slip
- Item 3: Amending Canon No. 31 (for information only)
- Item 4: Act of Synod Rescinding Episcopal Ministry Act of Synod 1993 (for information only)
- Item 5: Minutes (June 2014)
- Item 8: A mainstream Islamic response to the beliefs and practices of Islamic State / Imam Monawar Hussain biography
- Item 9: ODS 14.12 – Living Faith: the future
- Item 10: ODS 14.13 – Amendments to Standing Orders
- Item 11: ODS 14.14 – Elected representation on Diocesan Synod, 2015–18
- Item 12: ODS 14.15 A – Disinvestment from fossil fuel companies
- ODS 14.15 B – Disinvestment (Amendments proposed by Chair of DBF)
- Item 13: ODS 14.16 – Covering paper to 2015 budget / Draft 2015 budget
21 June 2014
- Agenda
- Item 3: Minutes (March 2014)
- Item 5: ODS 14.7 – 2013 Annual reports of diocesan, boards, councils and committees
- Item 6: ODBF AGM 2014 agenda and 2013 minutes / 2013 financial statements
- Item 7: ODS 14.8 – 2015 outline revenue budget and deanery share apportionment
- Item 8: ODS 14.9 – Diocesan Board of Education 2013 financial statements
- Item 9: ODS 14.10 – Amendment of deanery synod rules
- Item 10: ODS 14.11 – Intentional evangelism cover note / background paper
22 March 2014
- Agenda
- Item 3: ODS 14.1 – Vacancy in See Committees Regulation
- Item 4: Minutes (November 2013)
- Item 5: Presidential address
- Item 6: Questions
- Item 7: ODS 14.2 – Living Faith review
- Item 9: ODS 14.3 – Share discounts at parish level
- Item 9A: ODS 14.6 – Christ Church Cathedral annual report
- Item 10: Covering letter from +John / ODS 14.4 – Women in the episcopate
- Item 12: ODS 14.5 – BMO deanery synod representation