Newly elected clergy and laity will gather in the Cathedral for a special service at which The Revd Andy Broom will also be commissioned as the newly appointed Director of Mission and Ministry.

After various elections have taken place, Synod members will move over to the recently opened Jurys Inn Hotel for their afternoon session.

The Synod will be asked to approve the 2010 diocesan budget prepared by the Diocesan Board of Finance and will hear of a recent consultation on the way in which parishes contribute towards the financing of ministry and wider work in the Diocese.

Bishop Alastair will then introduce the two local MPs who will be asked to look at the question "The Challenge to the Church today", after which questions and a short discussion will follow.

"This is an important day for the Diocese and the Synod as we welcome new Synod members, celebrate the start of Andy Broom's ministry, and look at some of the wider issues affecting the life of the Church with two of our MPs," said Dr Redfern today.