Present:
The Venerable John Williams, Archdeacon, President
Adrian Mumford, Diocesan Secretary

House of Clergy

House of Laity
St. Nicholas, Basle: Manney Harrison, David Houlton
St. Ursula's, Berne: Hector Davie, Hans-Karl Pyffer, Karen Bell (Neuchâtel), Brian Morgan, Dio. Rep. & Archd, Treasurer
Holy Trinity Geneva: James Hill, David Omumbwa, MaryTalbot
LaCôte: Valerie Geschonke
Christ Church, Lausanne: Liesl Graz
St. Edward's, Lugano: Linda Chiesa, Mary Palmesino
St John's, Montreux: Geoff Fookes, Philippa Martin-King
All Saints, Vevey: Rob Reifsnyder, Les Cutter
St. Andrew's, Zurich: Vicky Atchison, Joan Bridgman, John Waygood, Irena Widmann, Miriam Keller, Archd. Secretary
In addition, several visitors from all chaplaincies attended the meeting, in a non-voting capacity.

Apologies for Absence

Clergy: Revd. Geoff Read, Basle; Revd. Robin Stockrtt, Freiburg i.B.; Revd. Linda Bisig, Berne; Revd. Peter Parry, Montreux; Revd. Clive Atkinson, Vevey; Revd. Dr. Russell Hilliard, Zurich
P.T.Os.: Revd. Canon Peter Hawker; Revd. Jonathan Long; Revd. David Miller, Revd. Andrew Ling; Revd. Hugh Pettingell; Revd. John Riegel
Old Catholics: The Rt. Revd, Fritz-René Müller; Revd.Dr. Harald Rein; Revd. Christoph Schuler
Laity: Robert Keene, Basle; Susan Zysset, Berne; Kilian Anheuser, Geneva; Angela Fall, Lausanne; Jennifer West Cunningham, La Côte; Marilyn Buchmann, Zurich
Emmanuel Church, Geneva: Helena Mbele-Mbong, Dulcie Mapondera
Dio. Rep. & Lay Vice-Chair: Carolyn Favre-Bulle, Lausanne,

1. WELCOME
   The meeting opened with prayer. The Archdeacon then welcomed all those present, particularly Adrian Mumford, Diocesan Secretary, and all the new chaplaincy representatives. All Synod representatives, clergy and laity, were asked to introduce themselves.

2. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
   see above

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES SYNOD 29th JANUARY 2005
   The minutes were approved and signed.

4. MATTERS ARISING
   None.

5. FINANCE BR>Archdeacon's Grant The Treasurer, Brian Morgan, explained that what had previously been booked into our budget as Archdeaconry Grant, is in fact an Archdeacon's Grant, paid by the Diocese to all archdeacons to be used at their own discretion. Peter Hawker, the former Archdeacon, did not claim this grant for himself, but donated it to the Archdeaconry. This now no longer applies and from this year the grant will be paid to the Archdeacon, who may continue to claim direct expenses incurred on archdeaconry business from the Archdeaconry. Adrian Mumford confirmed that this is the practice in all other archdeaconries of our Diocese. To simplify matters, no alteration will be made to the budgeted figure of Archdeacon's Travel for this year. The figure will be adjusted in the archdeaconry budget for 2006 in the light of this year's experience.
   Adèle Kelham asked if we should not pay back the Archdeacon's Grant for 2004. Brian Morgan explained that it would be somewhat difficult because 2004 was a year split between Peter Hawker and John Williams, but proposed that this should be discussed at the next Standing Committee meeting. This was agreed by Synod.

   Change of bank address The following proposal was made by Brian Morgan, Archdeaconry Treasurer, and accepted by Synod:
   In accordance with the Constitution of the Archdeaconry of Switzerland, the seat of the association is the home address of the present Archdeacon/President of Archdeaconry Synod. As a result of the retirement of Venerable Peter Hawker, the seat of the association will be transferred immediately from Murten to the address of his successor, Venerable John Williams, 92 Avenue de Chillon, 1820 Territet.

6. MINISTERIAL REVIEW
   The Swiss Archdeaconry Ministerial Review pilot project was presented at the Rome Diocesan Synod and very well received. It was recommended that other archdeaconries should use the Swiss scheme with adaptations to suit their own circumstances.

   The purpose of this project, which is based on a thesis prepared by our own chaplain in Basle, Revd. Geoff Read, is to give clergy, by means of interviews with lay partners, an incentive and an opportunity to reflect on their vocation in the context both of their chaplaincies within the Archdeaconry and Diocese. The lay partners' role is understood as a confidential one of acting as a "sounding board" and the lay partner is always from another chaplaincy. All the Swiss clergy took part. The Swiss Archdeaconry thanked all the lay partners for their participation, and the sub-committee responsible for the publication. This is available electronically for anyone wishing to study it. Contact Hector Davie by e-mail: hector@davie.ch

7. REPORTS
   Diocesan Synod The report of the Swiss Archdeaconry representatives who attended this meeting is below.

   SACEP In view of the pilgrimages and the Pastoral Conference in September, no SACEP events have been held this year. New recruits for the committee would be welcome.

   Pilgrimages Reports were given on the pilgrimages organised by the chaplaincies to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Diocese.
   Lakeside - linking the 5 chaplaincies along the Lake of Geneva and following along the traditional pilgrimage route of Santiago de Compostela. 75-80 people participated.
   Berne From the Lake of Thun to Berne and further to the 'English' churches in Wengen and Murren. It rained, but the spirit was good.
   Basle In the steps of the Anglican Church in Basle, starting 450 years ago with protestant exiles fleeing the counter-reformation in England in 1550. A good turn-out for this event with Bryan stone as leader.
   Zurich In the footsteps of Brother Klaus on Flüeli-Ranft. Spiritually very rewarding and already requests for further pilgrimages.
   Lugano (took place day after Synod, but recorded here to complete the picture) Monte Tamaro and Mario Botta's church Santa Maria degli Angeli. We celebrated Synod Eucharist in this inspiring church, reflecting on the words of John the Baptist to Christ "You must increase; I must decrease". The trip down in the cable car reminded us that man has to give way to nature and few of us will forget swinging above the mountainside in the cabins which came to a standstill for half an hour until the storm had passed.

   Choir Festival 2005 (Geoffrey Fookes, Montreux) This was held in Basle as part of the anniversary celebrations of Anglican presence in the city. It was led by David Ogden. 40 choir members took part, a smaller number than usual, but the programme was good. Only half the archdeaconry budget contribution of Sfr. 2000 was used.

   Choir Festival 2006 in Berne (Hans-Kari Pfyffer, Berne + his report distributed at meeting) The Choir Festival 2006 is planned to be held in Berne, as part of St. Ursula's centenary celebrations. The Festival director will be Paul Leddington Wright, a prominent personality in church music in UK. It is proposed that he should compose a music setting for the Eucharist service at the Festival 2006. This would be a setting suitable for congregations without or without a choir and would be available for use in other chaplaincies of the Archdeaconry. Initial discussions have indicated that an honorarium of £1000 would be acceptable to the composer. St. Ursula's will contribute to this sum, but are asking for a contribution from the Archdeaconry over and above the normal budget amount for the Choir Festival. The Synod was generally in favour of the idea and it will be discussed at the next Standing Committee meeting. The question of the copyright for this music still needs to be clarified.

   Old Catholic Church (Revd. Klaus-Heinrich Neuhoff, recently appointed priest-in-charge in Olten) Revd. Neuhoff brought greetings from his church and mentioned some forthcoming events, such as the international OC Conference "The hope that lives in us" from 7-11 August 2006 in Freiburg in Breisgau, at which the Archbishop of Canterbury will be present. To mark the 75th anniversary of full communion between the Old Catholics and Anglicans in 2006, the Old Catholics are suggesting a joint synod with us in June 2006, the date and locality of which must still be discussed.

8. LAUSANNE
   The chaplaincy is gradually getting on its feet. Adèle Kelham expressed their thanks for the generous donations from the other Swiss chaplaincies to tide them over a difficult start this year. The 2005 budget should break even, but at the moment 2006 does not look so rosy.

9. ELECTIONS
   House of Clergy and House of Laity held separate elections. The following persons were elected for the next 3 year period:

   House of Clergy
   President	The Venerable John Williams, Archdeacon
   Vice-Chair	Revd. Geoff Read, Basle
   Chapter Clerk	Revd. Michael French, Geneva
   House of Laity
   Lay Vice-Chair	Carolyn Favre-Bulle, Lausanne
   Lay Secretary	Miriam Keller, Zurich
   Member Standing Committee	Vicky Atchison, Zurich
   Treasurer	Brian Morgan, Berne (elected by both Houses)

   It was pointed out that Carolyn Favre-Bulle and Brian Morgan attend Archdeaconry Synod by virtue of being our representatives to Diocesan Synod. This mandate expires in 2006. Miriam Keller is no longer an official representative from Zürich, but is willing to continue as secretary. Members were asked to support Brian Morgan's nomination as Diocesan Representative to General Synod (elections 2005), should he decide to stand.

10. ADDRESS BY ADRIAN MUMFORD, DIOCESAN SECRETARY
    Adrian Mumford brought greetings from Bishops Geoffrey and David. He went on to explain the functions of the Diocesan Office, covering legal, financial, synodical government, communications and more. They are particularly eager to have feedback from the archdeaconries and chaplaincies - they cannot help us if they do not know the problems. Adrian further mentioned that the Swiss Archdeaconry had decided a few years back to remain a small archdeaconry (instead of being merged with other countries), which amongst other things puts an extra financial burden on the home chaplaincy of the Archdeacon. He urged the Swiss Archdeaconry to think about providing direct financial support for the Archdeacon in future years.

11. FUTURE DATES
    28th January 2006: Archdeaconry Synod in Lausanne
    Date of summer synod still to be fixed.

12. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
    Departure Revd. Sam van Leer, Curate in Berne. The Archdeacon wished Sam all the best in his new chaplaincy in the Netherlands and thanked him for all he had done in Switzerland

    Location of Synod (previous request for complaint to be registered) A synod representative who was not able to attend the meeting wished to have his complaint registered that Friday was quite impractical for a meeting, especially when it was at the other end of Switzerland. Earlier in this meeting the Archdeacon had pointed out that our coming to Lugano was a token of support and solidarity with our church members there.

    Many, many thanks to Lugano for all the preparations for the meeting, dinner and pilgrimage, an unforgettable experience for many of us.

06.07.2005/MK

Diocese in Europe Synod: 6th - 10th June

Venue: Madri Pie Centre, Rome

The Synod venue and worship linked to the Diocesan 25th Anniversary theme of Pilgrimage

Attendees from Swiss Archdeaconry; Ven John Williams, Rev. Geoff Read, Carolyn Favre-Bulle, Brian Morgan. Canon Richard Pamplin was also present, supervising the Synod worship,

The Synod was extremely well organized and thanks are due to Adrian Mumford and other Diocesan staff.

1. General
   During the course of the Synod there were strong links to the Vatican. The venue lay just 200m from St Peter's basilica. Synod began with a private visit to the crypt of St Peter's housing the papal tombs, and Evening Prayer took place in front of the tomb of St Peter. In addition there were visits from Cardinal Kasper to the closing Eucharist and presentations by RC representatives on RC pastoral care to Migrants and RC position on Women in the Episcopate by Fr Jim PuglisL The Bible readings were led by Fr Gerald Collins of the Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome. There was even a strong rumour of a personal Papal audience! In addition, Synod visited the Anglican Centre and attended the closing Eucharist in All Saints Church, Rome. Farewells were said to two long-standing members of Synod, two of our current General Synod reps Diana Webster and Marion Jägers. It was also announced that the Bishop's Chaplain, Rev. Jonathan Goodall, has been appointed the new Chaplain to the Archbishop of Canterbury.

2. Key decisions by Synod
   It was resolved to divide the Archdeaconry of France into two areas but with a single Synod. This was for practical and geographical reasons and the impossible workload on the Archdeacon.

   The Swiss Archdeaconry scheme for Ministerial review was warmly welcomed and commended for trial/adaptation in other Archdeaconries operating in very different contexts with minor amendments. The results will be brought back to Synod.

3. Diocesan Finance
   The AGM of the Board of Finance considered and approved the accounts for 2004. On normal activities there was a small surplus and on exceptional items a book surplus on the sale of the house formally occupied by the Director of Training.
   The provisional financial projection for the next five was presented and discussed. Some concern was raised about the financial consequences for many smaller chaplaincies regarding any increase in common fund. The budget for 2006 will be considered and approved at the meeting of the Bishop's Council in the autumn.
   Various grants were allocated including a grant for Lausanne and a two year grant for Montreux to augment the stipend of the incumbent/Archdeacon.

4. Presentations and debates
   Sometimes the structuring of Synod often makes it difficult to know where information sessions and debates are headed and what outcomes are desired. For example, is further debate requested at Archdeaconry Synod level to feed back via Diocesan Synod toGeneral Synod, etc? This was addressed to some extent by a draft of a publication called A Summary of Synods.

   The presentations and debates included:

   An introduction to the role of Diocesan Chancellor by the new office holder, The Worshipful Mark Hill

   The theme of the Rochester Report, Women in the Episcopate, was an important topic given the views of our Diocesan Bishop and the venue (with input from Fr. Jim Puglisi, Director of the Centre Pro Unione, Rome). For many, the ordaining of women as Bishops seemed a logical extension of the decision to ordain women to the priesthood. Others, including our Diocesan Bishop, saw it as a decision of different magnitude given the Bishop's role as focus for unity and, for Anglican ecclesiology, our link to Apostolic succession. The RC input echoed this and it seemed that, although female Bishops exist in other parts of the Anglican Communion, there was something particularly significant about any decision by the Church of England. Some deep lines were drawn in the sand in regard to the current ecumenical processes with the Roman Catholic Church. Both Fr Puglisi and Cardinal Kasper urged the Church of England not to decide on this course unilaterally, but after a process of "synodality".

   At first glance the presentation Clergy Conditions of Service by Prof David Mclean, based on two GS Reports, appeared a bit irrelevant given the particular situation of our Diocese. However, some important insights into the Office holder status of our clergy did emerge.

5. Observations
   As always, Synod has great value for the conversations and worship, which draws together people from so many different contexts. It is a privilege to both represent the Swiss Archdeaconry and to simply attend.

   One underlying theme seemed to emerge in a number of guises at Synod, namely the issues addressed by the "Bishoping the Diocese" process. This began under Bishop John Hind and offered some imaginative ways forward, but it appears to have been quietly put on hold. The issues have not gone away. Neither can they be addressed simply through recourse to ecumenical partners or overlapping jurisdictions. In particular, this problem seems to simply have been squeezed "down" and begun affecting the role and resourcing of Archdeacons.

6. Future Synods of the Triennium
   Rome 2006, Köln 2007 - well, someone has to go, don't they!

Rev Geoff Read, with Input from other Synod reps
22 June 2005