A meeting of the Diocesan Synod took place on Saturday 17 May at St Martins House in Leicester, with an agenda that covered a range of topics including finance, education, and safeguarding.
The gathering opened with worship led by clergy couple Rhianne and Steve O’Rourke, which was centred around music and invited those present to reflect on verses from Philippians 4.
Bishop Martyn’s Presidential Address highlighted positive signs of reversing church decline, emphasising our Intergenerational Communities strategic priority and plans for intergenerational hubs to encourage lifelong discipleship in young people. His impactful words were relevant, moving and a call to action. You can read Bishop Martyn’s Address in full here.
During a presentation from the Diocesan Board of Education (DBE), Tracey Manns, deputy director, elaborated on the DBE's vision to transform the lives of children and young people through effective, distinctive, rooted, and inclusive education. She noted that while schools often focus on results, behaviour, and attendance, the DBE emphasises renewing the mind (Romans 12:2), character development based on Christian values, holistic pupil development, and daily collective worship to help students experience the Kingdom of God.
Questions from the floor were challenging, particularly around finance and Minster Communities, and in addressing the future, Bishop Martyn said that our hope is in God and comes from prayer and worship. Speakers also highlighted the need to increase congregation numbers and giving in churches.
A full summary of the Synod meeting is now available to read here.