The General Synod of the Church of England was held at the University of York between Friday 6th and Tuesday 10th July 2007.

Marriage Law
The draft Church of England Marriage Measure returned to Synod for a further revision stage, and was given final approval. The legislation will make it easier for people to get married in a church with special meaning for them. The legislation will now be considered by Parliament's Ecclesiastical Committee before being put before both Houses of Parliament for approval.

Read a summary of the Measure on the front page of the Revision Committee’s report to Synod: http://www.cofe.anglican.org/about/gensynod/agendas/gs1616yy.rtf

Hear audio of the further revision stage: http://217.207.180.12/synod/jul0706.wax
Hear audio of the final approval: http://217.207.180.12/synod/jul0725.wax

Senior Church Appointments
Synod considered the report of the review group chaired by Sir Joseph Pilling, to consider the law and practice regarding senior appointments. Following the Prime Minister’s statement on 3rd July, the debate was widened to reflect the Government’s wish to engage in dialogue over how the Prime Minister can discontinue playing an active role in the selection of individual candidates for Church appointments. Synod invited the Archbishops, in consultation with the Archbishops' Council and the House of Bishops, to oversee the necessary discussions with the Government and to report to the February group of sessions. Synod also endorsed the recommendations of the review group’s report and invited the Archbishops' Council to report to Synod during 2008 on progress with implementation.

Read the review group’s report, Talent and Calling: http://www.cofe.anglican.org/about/gensynod/agendas/gs1650.rtf
Hear an introduction by Sir Joseph Pilling: http://217.207.180.12/synod/jul0720.wax
Hear the debate: http://217.207.180.12/synod/jul0720x.wax

Anglican Communion Covenant
The Most Reverend Drexel Gomez, Archbishop of the West Indies and Chair of the Covenant Design Group, addressed the Synod before it debated the Covenant, which seeks to encourage common understanding between the provinces of the Communion. Synod affirmed its willingness to engage with the process for producing a covenant and noted that such a process will only be concluded when any definitive text has been duly considered through the synodical processes of the provinces of the Communion. In the meantime, it invited the Archbishops of Canterbury and York (having consulted the House of Bishops and the Archbishops’ Council) to agree the terms of a considered response to the current draft by the end of the year.

Read background paper: http://www.cofe.anglican.org/about/gensynod/agendas/gs1661.rtf
Hear the debate: http://217.207.180.12/synod/jul0713.wax

Iran
Following concerns voiced over the possible risk to the current regeneration of the Anglican Church in Iran, Synod voted against continuing with a planned debate on a private member’s motion from Canon Simon Bessant, which sought to reflect international concern that the United States administration might be considering military action against the country.

Read background paper from Canon Bessant: http://www.cofe.anglican.org/about/gensynod/agendas/gsmisc855a.rtf
Read background paper from the Mission and Public Affairs Council: http://www.cofe.anglican.org/about/gensynod/agendas/gsmisc855b.rtf

Hear the debate: http://217.207.180.12/synod/jul0710.wax

Transforming Worship
The Synod discussed the Liturgical Commission’s initiative in liturgical formation and education, called Transforming Worship. Synod commended the Commission’s report Transforming Worship: Living the New Creation (GS 1651) to the Church for study, reflection and action.

Read the report: http://www.cofe.anglican.org/about/gensynod/agendas/gs1651a.rtf
Hear the debate: http://217.207.180.12/synod/jul0712.wax

Resources
The Synod endorsed the Archbishops’ Council’s recommendations on Rules changes to preserve a defined benefit pension scheme for the clergy, following consultation with the 24,000 members of the clergy pension scheme. The Synod also requested that the Archbishops' Council bring forward recommendations with a view to restoring pension levels - following consultation with the Pensions Board, and the Church Commissioners - in the event that the pensions climate improves sufficiently.

Read the report: http://www.cofe.anglican.org/about/gensynod/agendas/gs1660.rtf
Hear the debate: http://217.207.180.12/synod/jul0709.wax

Following a presentation on the Church Commissioners Annual Report a diocesan Synod motion from the Southwark Diocese seeking a review of the Commissioners’ status and accountability was moved and debated. The motion was lost.

Read the Commissioner’s Annual Report for 2006: http://www.cofe.anglican.org/about/churchcommissioners/annualreport/
Hear the presentation: http://217.207.180.12/synod/jul0717.wax
Read the background paper from the Diocese of Southwark: http://www.cofe.anglican.org/about/gensynod/agendas/gsmisc856a.rtf

Read the background paper from the Church Commissioners: http://www.cofe.anglican.org/about/gensynod/agendas/gsmisc856b.rtf

Hear the debate on the diocesan motion: http://217.207.180.12/synod/jul0718.wax

A debate on a private member’s motion from Mr Gavin Oldham led to an amended motion being carried which urged various Church bodies, in collaboration with the Ethical Investment Advisory Group, to make available more details of how they carry out their ethical investment policies, in order to help Christians of all denominations manage their own investments.

Hear the debate: http://217.207.180.12/synod/jul0722.wax

Diversity issues
Synod debated a report from the Committee for Minority Ethnic Anglican Concerns, Present and Participating, urging the Church to ensure that all its members participate fully in its mission and urged dioceses to assess what further developments of their structures and practices are needed to secure a greater use of the gifts of minority ethnic people in the life of the Church.

Read the report: http://www.cofe.anglican.org/about/gensynod/agendas/gs1655.rtf
Hear the debate: http://217.207.180.12/synod/jul0713.wax

A debate on a report from the Committee for Ministry of and among Deaf and Disabled People led Synod to affirm the value of the contribution made by clergy with disabilities to the life and witness of the Church and asked dioceses to take practical steps to support this commitment.

Background papers: http://www.cofe.anglican.org/about/gensynod/agendas/gs1663.rtf
Hear the debate: http://217.207.180.12/synod/jul0719.wax

Ecumenical relations
Synod commended the second interim report from the Joint Implementation Commission for the Anglican/Methodist Covenant as a basis for study and action across the Church. The final report of the JIC, in its five-year programme of work, will come to Synod in July 2008.

Hear the debate: http://217.207.180.12/synod/jul0714.wax

Other business
In his Presidential Address, the Archbishop of York focused on the charge upon Christians to ‘not be afraid’: “As Synod members,” he said, “we’re called to go out daily into the world to see what God is doing, and where he’s leading us. When we face problems – as we will - we can feel afraid and leave God out of the picture, or we can trust him to see us through. We need to be people of a different spirit. People who are ready to go. People who are ready to lead.”

Read the text of the Presidential Address: http://www.cofe.anglican.org/news/abypresjul07.html
Hear the address: http://217.207.180.12/synod/jul0716.wax

Sir Al Aynsley Green, the Children’s Commissioner, addressed the Synod on the theme of modern childhood and his vision to see significant improvements to the lives of children and young people.

Hear the address: http://217.207.180.12/synod/jul0702.wax

The Chief Executive of the Church Army, Mark Russell, also addressed the Synod on the impact of the organisation in social action and mission, as it marks its 125th anniversary.

Hear the address: http://217.207.180.12/synod/jul0721.wax

Background papers for each debate, alongside links to an audio archive of each session, are available at: http://www.cofe.anglican.org/about/gensynod/agendas/jul2007.html

Summary of General Synod, July 2007

A wide range of issues were discussed at the General Synod of the Church of England at the University of York in July.

Marriage Law
The draft Church of England Marriage Measure was given final approval and now goes to Parliament for consideration. The legislation will make it easier for people to get married in a church with special meaning for them.

Senior Church Appointments
Synod considered the report of the review group to consider the law and practice regarding senior appointments. The debate was widened to reflect the Government’s wish to engage in dialogue over how the Prime Minister can cease to play an active role in the selection of individual candidates for Church appointments. Synod welcomed the Government’s proposals and invited the Archbishops, in consultation with the Archbishops' Council and the House of Bishops, to oversee the necessary discussions with the Government and to report to the February group of sessions. It also agreed that the recommendations of the review group should be implemented.

Anglican Communion Covenant
The Most Reverend Drexel Gomez, Archbishop of the West Indies and Chair of the Covenant Design Group, addressed the Synod before it debated the Covenant, which seeks to encourage common understanding between the provinces of the Communion. Synod affirmed its willingness to engage with the process for producing a covenant and invited the Archbishops of Canterbury and York (having consulted the House of Bishops and the Archbishops’ Council) to agree the terms of a considered response to the current draft by the end of the year.

Transforming Worship
The Synod discussed the Liturgical Commission’s initiative in liturgical formation and education, called Transforming Worship. Synod commended the Commission’s report Transforming Worship: Living the New Creation (GS 1651) to the Church for study, reflection and action.

Resources
The Synod endorsed the Archbishops’ Council’s recommendations on Rules changes to preserve a defined benefit pension scheme for the clergy, following consultation with the 24,000 members of the clergy pension scheme.

Following a presentation on the Church Commissioners Annual Report a diocesan Synod motion from the Southwark Diocese seeking a review of the Commissioners’ status and accountability was moved and debated. The motion was lost.

A debate on a private member’s motion from Mr Gavin Oldham led to an amended motion being carried which urged various Church bodies, in collaboration with the Ethical Investment Advisory Group, to make available more details of how they carry out their ethical investment policies, in order to help Christians of all denominations manage their own investments.

Diversity issues
Synod debated a report from the Committee for Minority Ethnic Anglican Concerns, Present and Participating, urging the Church to ensure that all its members participate fully in its mission and urged dioceses to assess what further developments of their structures and practices are needed to secure a greater use of the gifts of minority ethnic people in the life of the Church.

A debate on a report from the Committee for Ministry of and among Deaf and Disabled People led Synod to affirm the value of the contribution made by clergy with disabilities to the life and witness of the Church and asked dioceses to take practical steps to support this commitment.

Ecumenical relations
Synod commended the second interim report from the Joint Implementation Commission for the Anglican/Methodist Covenant as a basis for study and action across the Church. The final report of the JIC, in its five-year programme of work, will come to Synod in July 2008.

Other business
In his Presidential Address, the Archbishop of York focused on the charge upon Christians to ‘not be afraid’. Sir Al Aynsley Green, the Children’s Commissioner, spoke to the Synod on the theme of modern childhood. The Chief Executive of the Church Army, Mark Russell, also addressed the Synod on the impact of the organisation in social action and mission, as it marks its 125th anniversary.

Background papers for each debate, alongside links to an audio archive of each session, are available at: http://www.cofe.anglican.org/about/gensynod/agendas/jul2007.html