“I pray that we will find our faith grows as we too step out onto the challenging path ahead. That we might fix our eyes upon Jesus, the one in whom all we need can be found, and the one who holds out his hand to lift us from the fear and anxiety that might seek to trap us.” Bishop Ruth said in her Presidential Address at a virtual diocesan synod this weekend during which members were tasked with approving a deficit budget for 2022
Synod members, many of them newly elected, voted in favour of a deficit budget of £1.992m to be funded from Diocesan reserves and gains on sales of properties. They also agreed that the Parish Share request be held at 2021 request levels. But members delayed making a final decision on a proposed five-year plan, instead opting to hold a further meeting to allow for longer discussion.
In her Presidential Address Bishop Ruth acknowledged the challenging financial decisions the diocese is navigating. “We have already had to make some adjustments in reshaping the support services we offer to parishes and schools. We have sought to do so with care and an eye to where we perceive we can have the best local and sustainable impact.
“This has not been without pain and cost to individuals within that process and I want to thank all those who have been a part of that journey for their grace and commitment and the way they have put the diocese and its needs before their own. Thank you!
“We too need to weather proof our endeavours to live and tell the story of Jesus but we recognise that our God is one of great abundance. His grace is sufficient for all our needs and ours must be a response to His love which calls from us both a commitment to a growth in personal generosity and a determination to address the fragility in the fabric of our life together.”
Chair of the Board of Finance, Ian Theodoreson outlined the financial situation as he presented Council’s budget. “The budget is not much changed from our 2021 position a slight increase in Common Fund recovery and some on going grants, but we are still going to be relying on reserves and the gains on the sale of properties to balance the books.”
He went on to say, “This was always going to be immensely difficult; we are right to take some time to understand the longer-term implications.”
Mission Team Leader, David Maggs updated Synod on Environment and Climate Change Rolling 3-year Action Plan. Simon Hill Archdeacon of Taunton, shared an update on Vacancy in See Committee, outlining the timescale for the appointment of the new Bishop of Bath and Wells and Adrian Youings Archdeacon of Bath, updated members on the DBF re-shaping.