Archdeacon Nikki reflects on 11 years as one of our General Synod reps in this article for February editions of parish magazines.
February is a short month, and for me it involves a week in London at General Synod, and a week on holiday in Italy. I could regale you with my holiday plans, which include running the Naples Half Marathon and visiting Pompei and Vesuvius, but it’s perhaps more appropriate to use this opportunity to reflect on eleven years representing the Diocese on the governing body of the Church of England. I have decided two terms are enough, and it’s time to give someone else the opportunity, so I have just two sessions remaining – London this month and York in July.
Being a ‘proctor in convocation’ as it is formally known, has been demanding, enriching, provided huge learning opportunities, driven me at times to despair and also to rejoice, presented unique opportunities, unparalleled insights and has been an immense privilege overall.
Some of you reading this will have watched occasional debates on the synod live stream, others will glean information from the Church Times summaries, many will only know what appears in national press and TV coverage – usually sensationalised soundbites bearing little relationship to reality! None of these capture the whole experience of being a synod rep. So much happens outside of the debating chamber – conversations over coffee, small group work, membership of various committees, fringe meetings and chance encounters. In York especially you find yourself sitting next to dressed down bishops at breakfast, or people from other dioceses you have never met, and it is a wonderful place of networking and relationship building across different traditions and contexts. I have found myself reconnecting with friends from the past – someone I led a children’s Explorers group with forty years ago – and starting new friendships which will continue long after my time as part of this weird and wonderful institution.
The importance of the synod as a legislative body preparing governing measures for the nation is underlined by the opening of each group of sessions by the monarch. What an honour to have been present when Queen Elizabeth II fulfilled this task for her final time. I chaired a revision committee which led to some new laws being made, so have made a direct contribution, but every member of synod plays a part, contributing to debates and deciding on often closely contested issues, where every vote is significant.
The Living in Love and Faith process to bring about radical Christian inclusion for our LGBTQI+ sisters and brothers has dominated much of the last two quinquennia. Having played a part and given some much-quoted speeches in the debates about this, I am sad that I will be stepping down before change has come about, but am acutely aware that the Church of England moves slowly. It took many, many sessions of synod to approve the ordination of women as priests, then bishops, but we got there in the end, and I hold on to hope that this will be the case for same sex marriage in church too – eventually, and that we manage to hold together in our diversity on this and many other issues.
There have also been monumental debates about safeguarding, and detailed work to build a safer church for the future. These have at times been heartbreaking and harrowing, as we have heard from victims and survivors of abuse. We have heard moving addresses from Anglican Communion visitors about the impact of war and natural disasters, and made bold statements on matters of significance to the nation. We also engage with small changes which make a difference in local churches, and impact congregations and communities for good.
I will miss it, and am thankful for the opportunity to have served on synod and represented the Diocese of Worcester nationally. Please pray for us as we meet these final two times, and for whoever is elected in the future. Synod really matters.
Nikki Groarke, Archdeacon of Dudley
