Diocesan Synod meets at the Bishop Arden Centre 17-20 July 2009

Cecilia Stephens

The Fifth Diocesan Synod of the Anglican diocese of Southern Malawi  opened at 4.30pm on Friday afternoon evening, and finally closed at 3.pm Sunday.  More than 80 members of the House of Laity and House of Clergy, led by the Bishop, gatheed for a long and intensive meeting .

Each session started and ended with worship; from evensong on Friday until the final Eucharist on Sunday Evensong, with time set aside for two bible studies led by the Bishop. The weekend was plagued by cold weather, and many people were wrapped up in several layers of clothing. 

It was a very full agenda, including reports from Diocesan Committees and Organisations, Departmental officials and Archdeacons.  The main area of concern was the financial situation and much time was devoted to seeking a formula to overcome this.  Another task was for each House (Laity and Clergy) to elect members to act as official representatives to various committees and  external bodies officials.

In his formal “Charge” to the Synod Bishop James referred to the tough times currently experienced by the Diocese and the communities it serves; it was time to take action and stop burying heads in the sand .  Quoting from Maya Angelou’s poem “On the Pulse of Morning” he linked this to words from the writer to the Hebrews.  This calls for

“ not those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved” .. So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.  You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised”.(Hebrews 10:39,36).

Later he proposed a motion that the Anglican diocese of Southern Malawi should enter into a Companion Diocese agreement with the Episcopal Diocese of Texas.  After a short debate this Resolution, seconded by Fr. Makweya Chanza, was approved by a large majority.

A few pictures from the meeting are given below .  a fuller picture story can be found at www.picasweb.google.com/angsomamlw.  The password is anglican

The Vicar General , Bishop James and the Registrar listen to the debate	And check on some figures. Recording Secretaries, one each from the House of Laity and House of Clergy, are hard at work.
members of the House of Clergy	and of the laity
There were many reports from Committees and Diocesan Officers. Mr G Tamutamu reports from the Health Department	During the closing Eucharist the Bishop leads a bible study