This year’s General Synod is not only the first to be held over a weekend, but it also introduces new procedures for debate, which are designed to involve more people in the governance of the church.

The Standing Committee agreed to a weekend Synod, in response to those who could not be available mid-week to attend. There will of necessity be changes to the timetable. This will include extended hours of business on the first two days, with the Synod Eucharist on the third day, Sunday morning, with no business before lunch on that day. 

Reporting of the work of the various committees of the General Synod has usually followed a set pattern as they were presented by speeches from proposer and seconder and then debated. This year, committees have been encouraged to facilitate discussion on their function and future work in the debate. 

Furthermore, there will be specific motions from committees regarding the future direction of their work. To this end, committees other than the four major committees (RCB, Standing Committee, Pensions Board and Boards of Education), will be presented without introductory speeches to encourage greater participation from the floor. All this will take an amount of cooperation and enthusiasm from members at Synod to make it work well.  

Having identified areas of change this year, much of the business will continue to be conducted as before. The formalities must be observed on the first day with the election of Honorary Secretaries for the Triennium as well as election of the Assessor and other committees.