The Diocese of Derby Diocesan Synod met for the 146th time on Saturday 14 June, at St Werburgh’s Church in Derby City. Synod gathered for a day of worship, updates and bold conversation, covering everything from diocesan finances to disability access and the role of education in our schools.
Opening worship and vision
The morning session was chaired by Canon Julian Holywell, chair of the House of Clergy. The day began with prayer, scripture, and remembrance of the late Rev Prebendary John Baines, celebrated for his humour and ministry, and life of service, most recently at St George’s Church, New Mills.
Before business, Synod gathered for worship, led by Rev Dawn Knight, Area Dean for South East Derbyshire Deanery, which included a reading from Romans 3:21 to 31 – that all who believe are ‘…justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.’
Opening reflections, led by Rt Rev Malcolm Macnaughton, Bishop of Repton (who was acting as president for the meeting while Bishop Libby is on sabbatical) focused on being ‘on the front foot’, embracing faith, mission, and creative possibility despite current pressures. +Malcolm referenced the joys and challenges of parish life, the upcoming ordinations of deacons and priests, and the national Thy Kingdom Come initiative, which recently marked its tenth year, pointed to signs of renewal and resilience.
Annual General Meeting and financial overview
The meeting moved seamlessly into the Annual General Meeting of the Diocesan Board of Finance (DBF). Canon Mark Titterton was reappointed as Executive Chair of the and members approved the 2023 financial statements. Martyn Marples, Director of Finance, noted an overspend of £265,000 and investment gains of £1.3 million, lifting net assets to £110 million, though these have fallen back since by £2.6 million due to turmoil in the global financial markets. He also highlighted that free cash flow remains under pressure. He announced a shift to a total return investment strategy, allowing sustainable use of capital gains to support ministry, especially stipends, while preserving long-term asset value.
Will Hagger, Diocesan Secretary, reported on safeguarding improvements, streamlining governance, and development of a multi-million-pound bid to the national church’s Strategic Mission and Ministry Investment Board.
Martyn also shared that, following a thorough assessment by Bishop’s Council and other diocesan governance structures, the DBF is viable as a going concern. It was also recommended that BHP be reappointed as auditors.
The floor was opened for questions from Synod members, covering topics such as parish finance pressures (especially common fund expectations), sustainability of clergy numbers and lay ministry pathways, transparency about diocesan budgets and spending priorities, and call for creativity and urgency. Martyn reminded Synod of the need to make the most of the current window we have around finances, and that the decisions we take now will help offset making even harder decisions three to five years from now.
Derby’s response to so-called ‘Hereford Motion’
The second session was chaired by Rev Bryony Taylor, and included a debate brought to Diocesan Synod from Carsington Deanery. At its meeting on 1 February, Carsington Deanery Synod passed a motion calling for a debate at Diocesan Synod on a proposal to call upon the Church Commissioners to redistribute over £2 billion back to Diocesan Stipends Funds. This motion was first passed by the Diocese of Hereford last year, and will be debated at General Synod in July.
Synod debated the motion, which was moved by Carsington Deanery representative Peter Kelsey:
“That this Synod:
(i) call upon the Church Commissioners and Archbishops Council to undertake everything necessary to effect a redistribution of financial resources directly to Diocesan Stipend Funds to reflect the value of contributions made by Diocesan Boards of Finance to the Church of England Funded Pension Scheme since it was established by the settlement of 1997 (£2.6 billion)
(ii)call upon Diocesan Boards of Finance to manage the funds redistributed as a result of the above to support parish ministry in the ways discerned locally to be most effective in enabling growth and sustaining the Church of England's commitment to be a Christian presence in every community.”
A debate followed that addressed the desire for funds to be released to fund clergy posts that could sustain or revitalise parishes that have been struggling. It was argued that after a long period of the Church Commissioner’s fund benefiting from legacy contributions made by the dioceses, now is the time for some of that money to be returned and put towards funding frontline mission and ministry. It was also noted by Synod delegates opposed to the motion that it did not solve the underlying issue that parishes face around their financial health, and that these funds would only delay the inevitable. It was argued that releasing more money into sustaining parishes without focusing on the core task of the church, to share the gospel and bring people into faith in Jesus Christ, would undermine the effectiveness of what the Church is called to do. It was also noted that any funds released, should the Hereford Motion be passed by General Synod, would be to fund stipendiary clergy only, and that parishes would not be able to be access these funds for spending on mission and ministry at their own discretion.
The motion was passed by approximately three quarters of synod in support, with the remaining voting against or abstaining.
Accessibility and disability inclusion in focus – the symbols project
A presentation from the Carl Veal and Lynda Herbert on behalf Disability Inclusion Action Group (DIAG) highlighted the need for greater accessibility and inclusion in church life. They spoke movingly drawing on their own experiences of the barriers that can exclude people from full participation in worship and community.
They introduced the web-based self-assessment tool that DIAG have produced. Inspired by the accessibility legend used by places like National trust, and with sponsorship from the Archbishops’ Council, DIAG have commissioned a series of symbols that can be used on church literature and publicity to highlight the accessibility features of their buildings. These include symbols covering the presence of accessibility ramps and toilet facilities, hearing loops, and measures to recognise and serve neurodiverse people.
The full catalogue of symbols and how to use them can be found online at www.accesiblechurch.net
Diocesan Board of Education: Challenges and opportunities
The afternoon session was chaired by Peter Kelsey, this time in his capacity as Chair of the House of Laity. It included a presentation from Carolyn Shoyer, Diocesan Director of Education, around the work of the Diocesan Board of Education (DBE), sharing updates on school partnerships, collective worship, RE provision and spiritual development.
She talked about strengthening relationships between church schools and parishes, advocated for Christian distinctiveness in education, and navigating the landscape of national policy and inspection frameworks. Synod was invited to consider how churches can better support schools as places of hope, hospitality and leadership.
Final deliberations
Final pieces of business included receiving a written report on Safeguarding, notification of upcoming conversations around Living in Love and Faith in both the Houses of Clergy and Laity, and finally formal notice of amendments to Canon law by General Synod, relayed by Diocesan Registrar Ian Blaney.
The meeting closed by sharing ‘the grace’.
Diocesan Synod gathers again on Saturday 18 October at St John’s Walton, Chesterfield.
