The General Synod at its Friday afternoon session received the report of its Standing Committee. Proposing the report, Mr Andrew McNeile (Dioceses of Dublin and Glendalough) spoke of changes to the way in which business is done in the Church and referred to a growth in personal relationships across divides. Mr McNeile highlighted a number of particular areas of the Committee's report, including the work of the Priorities Fund in showing God's work throughout length and breadth of Ireland, and the work of the Central Communications Board in allowing the Church's voice to be heard in the public square. He spoke also of the need for review and change in the areas of mission and ministry, as referred to earlier in the report of the Commission on Ministry, and told Synod members that the Standing Committee had recently established a working group to bring proposals in relation to conducting a review of changes affecting the provision of episcopal ministry.

Seconding the report, the Rev Andrew Forster (Diocese of Armagh) continued the theme of connection and relationship, addressing the issue of the Programme for Cohesion, Sharing and Integration recently published by the Office of First Minister and Deputy First Minister for Northern Ireland. Mr Forster spoke of a need for the language of relationship and reconciliation, and hoped that, instead of being viewed as either irrelevant to a shared future or part of the problem, the Churches could be seen as "agitators and agents for a truly shared, reconciled future". Mr Forster also addressed the issue of the Anglican Covenant, emphasising the importance of the decision to subscribe to the Covenant, which was due to be brought to Synod for formal consideration later in the afternoon.

Debate on the report touched on a range of issues within the Church and further afield. Aspects of world development were discussed, with a question raised as to how the Bishops' Appeal decides which causes to support, and encouragements issued to Synod members to take an active interest in Fairtrade. Other issues addressed included the age profile of the Standing Committee's membership, the social issues associated with Sunday trading, environmental issues, and the forthcoming centenaries of historic events in Ireland. Synod members' attention was drawn to the work of Protestant Aid and a recent fundraising initiative taken by the House of Bishops to help address hardship experienced by members of the Church of Ireland as a result of the recession, and some examples of projects assisted by the Priorities Fund were shared, with the Synod's thanks expressed to the Fund for its work. Children's Ministry was highlighted as a strategic ministry important in drawing families into the Church, and members were told of the positive outcomes of the Church 21 programme of parish development. The issue of how the General Synod carries out its business was raised, with ideas including shortening the Synod session, reviewing formal Synod procedures and allowing for more future-focussed debates. The issue of the Programme for Cohesion, Sharing and Integration was also teased out, with speakers referring to the need for a real vision of a shared future for Northern Ireland both within the Church and in the wider community.