An act of worship marked the opening of the 2007 General Synod of the Church of Ireland which meets this year from the 8th to the 10th May in the Lyrath Estate Hotel, Kilkenny. Taking the President’s chair for the first time, the new Archbishop of Armagh, the Most Reverend Alan Harper warmly welcomed Synod members and guests to Kilkenny.

Mr Michael Davy (Down & Dromore) was nominated as Assessor of the Synod. The Assessor's role is to ensure that the rules governing Synod are followed and to make rulings on any points of order that arise.

This year’s Synod will see seven Bills being considered, covering such issues as liturgical material, synodical reform, and clergy pensions. Motions to be debated include changes to the terms of reference of the Committee for Christian Unity and a revision of the Constitution of the Church of Ireland Youth Department. Other subjects under discussion will be the Covenant Council, social action and the international community with regard to the situation in Israel and Palestine.

As well as these Bills and Motions, reports from the various committees and Boards of the Church of Ireland will be received and debated and presentations will be made to Synod by the Ministry Formation Project and the Hard Gospel Project.