Swiss Archdeaconry

Minutes of Synod Meeting
held on Saturday, 2 February 2008
at St Andrew's Church, Zürich

Present:
The Ven. Arthur Siddall, Archdeacon of Switzerland, Italy and Malta
The Revd. Adèle Kelham, Area Dean of Switzerland
Guest Speaker: Christian Aid: Revd. Alison Warner

Basel St. Nicholas Revd. Geoff Read, Robert Keene
Bern St. Ursula's Revd. Roy Farrar (Neuchâtel), Hector Davie, Hans-Karl Pfyffer, Susan Zysset, Brian Morgan
Geneva Holy Trinity Revd. Maree Wilson, Nick Meyer
La Côte Revd. Paul Holley, Valerie Geschonke
Lausanne Christ Church Revd. Adèle Kelham, Angela Fall
Lugano St. Edward's Linda Chiesa, Mary Palmesino
Montreux St. John's Ven. Arthur Siddall, Geoff Fookes, Philippa Martin-King
Vevey All Saints Revd. Clive Atkinson, Les Cutter
Zürich St. Andrew's Revd. Canon John Newsome, Revd. Gabriel Amat, Vicky Atchison, John Waygood, Miriam Keller, Br. Marcel Benedict (visitor)
PTOs Revd. Canon Peter Hawker, Revd. Lars Simpson (St. Gallen)
Old Catholics Revd. Dr. Harald Rein

Apologies
Basel Revd. Anne Lowen, Revd. Robin Stockitt, Manney Harrison; Bern Revd Linda Bisig, Karen Bell; Geneva Revd. Mike French, Kilian Anheuser, Mary Talbot, David Omumbwa; La Côte Revd. Julia Chambeyron, Jennifer West; Lausanne Geraldine Coulthurst; Zurich Marilyn Buchmann; P.T.Os Revd. Andrew Ling, Revd. Hugh Pettingell, Revd. Stephanie Meier, Revd. David Miller, Revd. Dr. Russell Hilliard;
Emmanuel Church Revd. John Beach, Helena Mbele-Mbong;
Old Catholics Rt. Revd. F-R. Müller, Revd. Christoph Schuler, Revd. K-H. Neuhoff

Morning Session
The Archdeacon, Ven. Arthur Siddall, opened the meeting with prayers and welcomed all those present. For some it was the first meeting, for others the last. The election of new chaplaincy representatives takes place at AGMs this year. He stressed that when chaplaincy representatives are elected they should be prepared to attend Synod meetings and be able to take back the information gleaned there to their chaplaincies.

  1. Approval of Minutes of Synod held on 16 June 2007
    The minutes were approved with amendment under 7. Diocesan Synod - Diocesan Environmental Officer
    "Newly-elected Diocesan Environmental Officer, Brian Morgan, will be making the diocese aware of the amount of greenhouse gases produced from church premises, with the aim to reduce emissions to 40% of their present levels by 2050 in line with C of E environmental policy."
  2. Matters Arising
    There were no matters arising.
  3. Finance (Treasurer Brian Morgan)

    Presentation All chaplaincies had paid their quota promptly. Expenses were mostly below budget, which led to a surplus of CHF 2625.52. Total assets of the archdeaconry amount to CHF 20'479.41 (approx. 50/50 Archdeaconry account and SAMTS).
    CHF 250 is still held for Mürren. Peter Hawker suggested this could be given back to the church there. The Synod passed an official resolution that Brian Morgan should clarify with Mürren and pay back the money if they want it.

    In reply to a question concerning the allocation of SAMTS (Swiss Archdeaconry Ministry Training Scheme) money, it was stated that this money is available for training or book costs of clergy or lay readers. Applications should be made to the Standing Committee, who will approve the donation. In 2007 CHF 600 was paid out for book expenses, the remainder was paid to the diocese for the next Pastoral Conference.

    The Auditor's Report was read out and the Approval of the Accounts followed unanimously.

    Budget 2008 John Waygood, archdeaconry representative on Partner Sein, presented his report on Partner Sein, the joint Anglican/Old Catholic Aid Agency. The archdeaconry currently contributes CHF 4500 (500 per chaplaincy) p.a. + any direct collections in individual chaplaincies. The total for 2007 was CHF 10'708. In John Waygood's opinion we are not carrying our weight financially. All the projects in Africa are run with Anglican churches and he encouraged the Swiss chaplaincies to pay more out of their charity monies. A suggestion to increase the quota was rejected. It is up to individual chaplaincies to decide how much extra they are willing to give in excess of the quota.

    It was felt that the SACEP seminar at Wengen might be too expensive for some people who would nevertheless like to attend. It was therefore suggested that the remaining ca. CHF 1'600 2007 surplus could be earmarked as support towards fees of the SACEP seminar in Wengen to be used on a discretionary basis within each chaplaincy.

    It was decided by Synod
    1.To make a one-off contribution of CHF 1'000 out of the 2007 surplus to Partner Sein
    2.The remaining surplus of CHF 1'600 to be used as a discretionary fund for the SACEP meeting at Wengen     .

    Appointment of Hon Auditor 2008 Hector Davie was willing to continue as auditor in 2008 and was duly elected.

    Many thanks to Brian Morgan and Hector Davie for looking after our money.

  4. SACEP (Revd. Paul Holley, La Côte)
    Paul Holley presented an interesting programme for 2008

    Further suggestions for SACEP study groups included

  5. Anglican-Old Catholic Relations
    Revd. Dr. Harald Rein from the Old Catholics brought greetings from Bishop Fritz-René Müller. In Geneva there had been a joint service with the OCs. In Zurich there was a televised service from the Augustine Church with OCs and Anglicans taking part.
  6. Written Reports
    The following reports were submitted in written form. There were no questions.

    Lakeside Study The present situation and future of the chaplaincies along the Lake of Geneva (Geneva, La Côte, Lausanne, Vevey, Montreux and the surrounding area) was the subject of a study by Malcolm Lesiter. This was a clergy initiative in order to give a better picture of what each chaplaincy is doing with a view to more co-operation and developing the resources available. The result has been positive. It was suggested that the next stage could be to involve lay participation and reaching out more to the English-speaking communities in this area.

  7. Future Programme
    31 March SACEP Faith in the Earth - a Christian Perspective
    Lecture by Rt. Revd. James Jones, Bishop of Liverpool at Nyon
    25 - 27 April Choir Festival in Geneva
    23 - 25 May SACEP Making the most of Resurrection Seminar led by Rt. Revd. John Pritchard, Bishop of Oxford, Hotel Jungfraublick, Wengen
    24 - 25 May Various ecumenical services on TV for opening of EURO 08
    21 June Archdeaconry Synod with Bishop David in Bern
    12 - 14 Sept. Archdeaconry Retreat led by Revd. Martin King
    13 September Children's Ministry Workshop with New Wine network Basel
  8. Any Other Business
    Music copyright Agreement has been reached over music copyrights in Germany and Switzerland - see www.ccli.de (Church Copyright Licensing) Churches in Switzerland and Germany can pay a due and make an annual return which allows them to use copyrighted music in service sheets.

    Eucharist and Lunch

    Afternoon Session

    Christian Aid

    presentation by Revd. Alison Warner

    This was a presentation by Revd. Alison Warner of Christian Aid, which is a C of E aid agency working particularly in developing countries. It works with some of the world's poorest communities in 50 countries, ensuring that people can build the life they deserve. The present emphasis is on providing clean water for the people, which in its turn reduces disease and gives the women especially more time and opportunity for education and basic training. The Lent appeal 2008 is for projects in Ethiopia. Christian Aid Week 11 - 17 May will focus on Ghana and Bangladesh.
    For more information and written documentation see www.christian-aid.org or Alison Warner direct by email

    Many thanks to St. Andrew's Zurich for hosting the Synod.