(Just for clarification, this is the National Church Governance Measure which the Ecclesiastical Committee of parliament has deemed “not expedient” and the Legislative Committee of #Synod has found no possibility of amending it to their satisfaction)
For the first time in a long time, parliament has killed a legislative measure passed by the Church of England’s #Synod.
I wrongly assumed as time passed, parliament would take less of an interest in the workings of the Church, so I welcome hearing from MPs and peers how we should go forward!
Black-background quote graphic featuring an engraved portrait of Thomas Boston seated with a book. White text quotes his teaching on church communion, urging generosity toward distant congregations and affirming that all churches form one body in Christ. His name, dates (1676–1732), and “On Church Communion” appear alongside the portrait.
Thomas Boston, Scottish #Presbyterian, rebuked those who begrudge aid to needy churches. Citing Romans 15:26, he says believers share one body in Christ—even faraway congregations are brethren. Why treat distant suffering as none of our concern?
#pulpitsky #synod #christian
Vatican #Synod Unveils First of Final Reports from Study Groups Highlighting Mission in a Digital Environment
www.catholicnewsworld.com/2026/03/vati...
The General Synod is choosing "words" over actual justice. You can't claim to follow Jesus while neglecting the poorest parishes for another 40 years. It’s time to stop the institutional neglect and move the money to the margins. Radical shift or bust. 🧵🔥
#Synod #PovertyGap #Justice #Christianity
Also in the paper:
• #Synod Digest - Explore Synod coverage in our special edition 📰
• #Analysis - Jayne Manfredi finds wisdom in the story of Tamar and Judah 🧠
• #Review - Nicholas Cranfield sees 800 Years of the Mendicant Orders (Spanish Gallery, Bishop Auckland) 🎨
"This isn’t where I want us to be, nor where I hoped we would be three years ago"
Read the General Synod Digest report of the Living in Love and Fait (#LLF) debate ⬇️
#GeneralSynod #Synod
The weirdest one for me was leaving London after a week of #Synod and then see Putin quote something the English tabloids were claiming we did as a reason he needed to “save” the west
“before making such draft order, regard shall be had to any opinion officially expressed by any Church or other Christian body.”
Brb, writing a private member’s motion for #Synod
Now that's a Church outreach project i really could get behind, and high profile suppot/ leadership from @deborahmeaden.bsky.social and @chrisgpackham.bsky.social is a great catalyst for change 👍 #Synod
Nobody should have to leave behind who they truly are to serve the #ChurchofEngland, the General #Synod heard during a debate on encouraging more working-class vocations to ministry
#churchnews #churchtimes
Here’s your final Synod Spotlight for the February 2026 sessions 🎦
Every evening this week, we've shared moments from the sessions, which ended today.
You can find out more about the General Synod at cofe.io/Synod.
#GeneralSynod #Synod
Church friends may find this article about #LLF this week at #Synod helpful
viamedia.news/2026/02/13/l...
You know you've spent the whole week at General #Synod when you see a random man on the tube with a substantial and very shiny ring on the third finger of his right hand and wonder where he's bishop of....
A pint of beer on a beer mat advertising Polari Pale Ale
#GeneralSynod is prorogued - my last in Westminster so time for the traditional toast at #AdmiralDuncan
This is for you Nik, John, Andrea & babe
I’ll be back at the end of April
#Synod hasn’t yet learnt that love is love but we’ll keep on keeping on
@pinknews.bsky.social @churchtimes.bsky.social
The General #Synod has recommitted to ending #poverty in the UK, after a debate in which members heard personal stories of those who felt “hopeless and abandoned by society — and maybe even by God”
#churchnews #churchtimes
Looking at a regulation that includes deaconesses,* and wondering if there are any deaconesses still alive. #synod ✝️
* in a C of E context this refers to a specific type of women’s lay ministry - no longer available - rather than an old fashioned way of saying “female deacon.”
'You only have to open @churchtimes.bsky.social to see the same thing – House for Duty, House for Duty, House for Duty…
That is a structural problem because the only people who can afford to do that are people with independent means'
Andrew Gray #synod working class ministry debate
#GeneralSynod
'Difference is not lesser'
@freerangepriest.bsky.social speaking in #synod debate on working class ministry & vocations
#GeneralSynod
'Lack of degree can be seen as lack of intelligence... but we often learn in different ways'
Aneal Appadoo #synod on how he hasn't experienced racism in @churchofengland.org - but he has experienced classism
#GeneralSynod
The nine-year project of Living in Love and Faith (#LLF), exploring provisions for #LGBTQ+ people in the #ChurchofEngland, was formally drawn to a close after one final marathon debate at the General #Synod on Thursday afternoon
#churchnews #churchtimes
Listening to the fees debate at #Synod (late but on catch up having had a lie in and a swim) and thinking please please make a decision on wedding fees at least. It's really awkward dealing with 2027 wedding enquiries and having no idea what the increase will be... glad the adjournment was lost
'In areas of poverty we have to have the contact with the bereaved - and increased fees will stop that contact'
Jonathan Macy on his #synod amendment to ensure that funeral fees do not hit certain low-income areas "so hard that they aren't going to have a funeral ministry anymore"
#GeneralSynod
We have frozen fees for funerals and related ministry. I still find the whole concept of fees for this objectionable, but that was a good morning’s work, especially as there seems to be a growing call for a systematic look at how we can get to a better way of doing things #synod ✝️⚓️
With @churchofengland.org's role in offering hatching, matching & despatching, we've spent this morning debating parochial fees - especially funeral fees
#synod
#GeneralSynod
The latest issue of the Church Times is out today 🗞️
In the news: #Synod has been under way in London this week, including a heated debate on funding allocation to poorer #ChurchofEngland parishes. Read the latest stories at churchtimes.co.uk ☝️
One of the reasons why I always go off on retreat to a Sottish Island immediately after a Westminster #Synod
Midnight train from Euston tonight - I can already hear Caledonia calling
youtu.be/wP8A9rtg0iI?...
Deborah Mason and Chris Packham with Val (the synod member who is proposing the motion)
Exciting developments for Rewild The Church! Last night @deborahmeaden.bsky.social & @chrisgpackham.bsky.social spoke to church decision makers & Commissioners explaining why Church Commissioners should commit to rewilding 30x30. Thanks to all who asked your #Synod reps to attend & sign the motion
