By Joe Thorp, Secretary of Synod
The Adelaide Anglican Synod for 2025 concluded its annual session on Sunday, marked by an emphasis on synodality, youth engagement, and a move toward streamlined ministry governance.
Held once again at Starplex at Trinity College Gawler, due to the very high satisfaction survey last year, the session was, once again, affirming for Synod members to listen carefully, and speak respectfully, acting synodically – flourishing and united in God’s Love.
The weekend began with the Synod Eucharist held on Friday 16 October at St Peter’s Cathedral. During the beautiful service a new Archdeacon was collated, four new area Deans for the Triennium were commissioned and four members of the laity were awarded Diocesan extraordinary service “Achbishop’s Pins”. See story here.
On Saturday, Trinity College students led us in morning worship and then the Headmaster, Mr Nick Hately, and Chaplains, the Rev’d Dave McGillvray and Lilly Bures, along with five students shared a presentation on Anglican Identity at the school. Accompanied by the contemporary music provided by the students in our worship it was an uplifting way to start the day.
The President’s address by “Mitre 10” (++Geoff being the 10th Bishop of Adelaide) opened with an acknowledgement of country in the form of prayer for reconciliation, and then focussed on synodality, discipleship and culture; ministry wellbeing and lay ministry development; Christianity in the context of today’s society, prayer and renewal; and finished with acknowledgements, thanks and a prayer for the future borrowed from Ephesians 3.16-19.
Diocesan Finance Manager Ms Katerina Andrushenko provided a finance presentation and the Financial Statements for 2025, the budget for 2026 and the rate of assessment at 14% were all resolved.
Synod then moved into conferences facilitated by Angela Hazebroek OAM and volunteer table facilitators using the contemplative dialogue methodology. The topics were the Aboriginal Ministry Fund Discussion Paper, and the Faithfulness in Service Information Paper.
Building on our experience with conferences in table groups last year, these conferences once again proved a valuable opportunity for dialogue, for people to hear and to be heard.
Regardless of outcome, the culture of respectful listening and engaging with views and ideas that are perhaps different from our own is assisting in developing the culture of synodality and walking together that Archbishop Geoff has encouraged during his episcopy.
We are very grateful to Angela, the volunteer table facilitators and Caralyn Lammas, the Community of Learning Coordinator, for the conduct of the conferences.
Synod members are also the Members of AnglicareSA Limited, and so participated in the AnglicareSA AGM conducted by their Chair Tim Sarah. Members heard a presentation by Tim and CEO Grant Reubenicht about the activities and direction of AnglicareSA before adopting the Financial Statements, Audit Report and Appointing the Auditor for 2026, as well as conducting elections for the AnglicareSA Board.
Synod members appreciated the opportunity for direct dialogue with the Board of AnglicareSA in the continuance of this vital mission partnership.
There were two items of legislation which were both passed by Synod: changes to the Constitution to define the powers of Administrator and Commissary differently from the powers of Administrator Sede Vacante, and repeal of the Continuing Ministry Education Ordinance 2003 which has been superseded by the Ministry Wellbeing Framework and its associated policies and activities. The Ordinance is repealed with immediate effect, whilst the changes to the Constitution will only come into effect if endorsed at next year’s Synod.
Other resolutions of Synod were approving changes to Faithfulness in Service which were the subject of the Information Paper; acknowledging the valuable work towards and encouraging further work on the establishment of an Aboriginal Ministry Fund; rejoicing in the 175th anniversary of Anglican Board of Mission and encouraging ongoing support; noting changes to AnglicareSA’s emergency assistance program and encouraging assisting people in need.
Finally, we celebrated and gave thanks to God for 10 years at Barney’s Croydon, while encouraging church planting and regeneration and equipping for adaptive ministry.
Along with votes of thanks for the arrangements, Synod members resolved with standing acclamation thanks for the President for his address and his leadership of the Synod over the term of his episcopacy.
It was particularly heartening this year to begin and end with hope – hope in the young people at Trinity College Gawler and hope in the renewed ministry at Barney’s Church Croydon.
