Presidential Address – Synod 2020

Theme: The God of Surprises

Acknowledgement of Country:

As we meet today for this, the first session of the Fortieth (40th) Synod of the Diocese of  Wangaratta,  I  acknowledge  all  Aboriginal  people,  the  traditional  owners  of  the various lands on which we meet throughout the Diocese and pay my respects to their elders past, present and emerging.

Today  I  also  acknowledge  my  own  indigenous  heritage  within  the  context  of  my previous country of residence and identify with the pain and suffering of all those who have experienced the loss of land and the challenges of having their culture, heritage and   language   disregarded. I  also   affirm   my   own   commitment   to   the   work   of reconciliation  and  my  support  for  the  Uluru  Statement  from  the  Heart  which  was endorsed at Synod last year.

It  is my hope that, as the Anglican family within  the Diocese of Wangaratta, we  will continue  to  acknowledge  on  our  pew  sheets,  publications,  vision  statements  and especially at  special  Parish  or Diocesan  events,  the  original  custodians  of  this  land and celebrate our unity as God’s people as we celebrate our one-ness with all creation.

Introduction, Welcome and Expression of Thanks

Today is my sixth Synod in the Diocese of Wangaratta and my first Synod as the 11th Bishop of Wangaratta and I welcome you all to this first session of the Fortieth Synod. I especially extend a hand of greeting to those who have joined our ranks since our last Synod, from overseas and
locally, in The Rev’d Jerome Francis from the Diocese of Cape Town South Africa, The Rev’d David Kerr and The Rev’d Emily Payne from the Diocese of Melbourne, together with their families where they have accompanied them. Welcome also to lay Synod representatives and others who are joining for the first time.

It  is  a  rather  strange  Synod  because  of  the uncertainty  in  preparing  for  today  as to whether  we  would  be  able  to  meet  in  person  or  would  have  to  use  the  Zoom application. It is a strange Synod because we have no other special guests to welcome and Synod has really been in progress for a few weeks with all our pre-Synod Zoom meetings.  It  is  a  strange  Synod  because  we  were  due  to  meet  in  May,  then  in September and now we are finally meeting today.

It  is also  strange  because,  in  all our  lay  and clergy  pre-Synod  meetings I  asked for special  consideration  so  that  we  would  not  require  elections,  despite  this  being  an Election Synod. Given the changing circumstances during these unprecedented times, I hope we can
contribute to this ‘bare-bones’ Synod in the most efficient, simple and easy way, given that the second session of the Fortieth Synod will, God willing, take place towards the middle of next year.

Yes,  it  is  strange,  because  additional  people  who  would  normally  be  in  attendance would  be  Clergy  with  Permission  to  Officiate  (PTO)  who  are  entitled  to  attend  and speak  but  not  vote  and  many  others  who  would  normally  wish  to sit  in  the  Visitors’ Gallery.  If  these  were different  times,  we  would  have  done  it  the  normal  way,  but  I believe, given the restriction on numbers and other rules, we are doing the best we possibly can.

Since  our  last  Synod,  we  have  also  had  the  retirement  of  the  10th    Bishop  of Wangaratta, The Rt  Rev’d John Parkes, and we  give thanks to God  for his ministry during his eleven-year Episcopacy. We wish him and Margaret well in their retirement.

Last year at Synod we were privileged to have the Melanesian Brotherhood present and  as  part  of  our  Diocese.  Through  the  reality  of  Covid  19  and  the  missional challenges within the Shepparton Parish and community, the brothers have relocated to the Diocese of North Queensland and will soon be working in the Torres Strait on Thursday Island. We are grateful for the ministry of the Brothers and wish them well in their new context.

The God of Surprises

I  have  chosen  as  my  theme  for  this  Synod  Charge  the  concept  of  ‘The  God  of Surprises’, as I  begin to  share my hopes, dreams, thoughts and vision  for my own episcopal ministry and hopefully on how we can collaborate together as the family of God in the Diocese of
Wangaratta over the next few years. I base this on Mark 4:35- 41 and specifically verse 41 – ‘Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?’.

This passage refers to a time of great uncertainty and fear for the disciples. They were faced with a great challenge in what they thought was about to happen to them. They thought that they were about to die and accused Jesus of not caring. At that moment they lacked faith, even though they
often journeyed with Jesus, experiencing Jesus’ transforming and all-embracing love. What a surprise to them when Jesus uttered the words,   “Peace!   Be   Still”   and   all   happened according   to   his   words.   Here   they discovered that, with Jesus in their midst, all will  be  well, for God is always present even when we think that God is asleep.

At my ordination as a priest I was reminded that I never cease to be a Deacon and therefore I never cease to serve. Over my almost 25 years of ordained ministry, I have always held to the belief that Christ is best served in serving others. Here we refer to all  those  whom  we  encounter  on  life’s  journey,  especially  the  lonely,  the  poor,  the vulnerable, the emotionally challenged, the stranger, the refugee and those who feel that they do not belong, because they are, or feel, different from others.

I  have  experienced  this  God  of  surprises  throughout  my  entire  ministry.  I  have witnessed and experienced many transforming moments in the exercising of a ministry of  availability,  visibility  and  presence.  As  a  Priest,  I  believe  that  my  task  is  to  lead people  into a deeper, more meaningful  relationship  with  God and with  one another. Yes,  I  will  celebrate  the  ‘sacrament  of  great  unity’  in  the  body  and  blood  of  Christ, baptise and preach and even be a focus of unity within my own congregational setting, but there is no better moment than bringing comfort to those who mourn, friendship to those who are lonely, acceptance to those who feel rejected and a lighter moment to those  who  feel  the  heaviness  of  what  life  and  our  present  day  context  sometimes cause. I have often said that I do not want to be remembered for successful fundraising events or building achievements within a Parish or Diocesan context, but hopefully for making someone else smile or feel special, even if just for a moment.

The   God   of   surprises   continues   to   act   to   this   day   and,   as   God’s   agents of transformation and change, if  we allow ourselves to be open to experience this, we will be surprised by what will happen when we continue to engage in this ministry of availability, visibility and presence and prioritise the things that are most essential in our ministry. In a saying attributed to St Teresa of Calcutta ‘Not all of us can do great things, but we can do small things with great love’.

Having ministered in South Africa for almost 19 years and, despite having spent time in the UK, Germany and France and being convinced that God was calling me to the northern hemisphere, in 2014 I was once again surprised. I knew many people in well respected  and  influential  positions,  but  what  a  surprise  when  a  previous  Diocesan Archdeacon of the Diocese of Wangaratta responded to me less than an hour after I had written to the former Bishop of Wangaratta and my life was never the same again!

I was offered two further interviews in the ‘land down under’, including another ministry opportunity in a picturesque coastal setting within the Bunbury Diocese. I was well on my  way but, once again,  this  God of surprises  led me  to  the  bush,  among  the gum trees  and  rivers
and  far  away  from  the  ocean  which  I  love.  Michelle  sent  me  on  a mission  to  find  a place  with  a  beautiful  beach  with  surfing  opportunities,  but,  upon return, having found that place, I was once again surprised when she told me that ‘God made the bush, the outback and
the lilies of the field’ and that is where we needed to go. Another surprise, even though the three boys voted NO!

It should be no great surprise that the one whom  the wind and sea obey is the one who we should obey in turn, allowing ourselves to be surprised by the one who calls us to loving service in faithfulness and humility. A saying that I have always held close to  my  heart…  “Trust  in  God’s
purposes  for  sending  you  into  the  unknown”…  would send me in another direction. It is the unknown, the unfamiliar, the uncomfortable, the uneasy which will bring about the surprise of your life. Having then just been told that it was not the custom within the Australian Church to elect a person from  within the same Diocese as Bishop, God once again surprised me when I was called minutes later with the news that I was
elected as the 11th  Bishop of Wangaratta.

Here I am today, walking every day with this God of surprises, who does not only call, but is also the God who strengthens us for ministry and service in and to the world. Here  I  am,  still deeply  and  whole-heartedly  committed  to  my  work  as  a  Deacon,  a Priest and now as a Bishop
within the Church of God in Australia, a place which was never, ever on my radar. In preparing for the Enthronement service, it was suggested that I include a saying of St Augustine which, among other things, said… ‘For you I am a bishop, with you I am a Christian’. My privilege, joy and
delight is what I am with you and not for you. Here I am, still deeply and passionately in love with God, God’s people and God’s Church and all those whom I encounter daily. I do not know what surprises are in store for me, or for us as a Diocese, in what is to come, but I continue to trust
the  God  of  Surprises  who  is  with  us  and  who  will  sustain  us  through  the  changing circumstances of our lives.

Bushfires

What  a beginning  to  a new  year;  what  a  start  to  a new  Episcopal Ministry,  with  the devastating bushfires described as the worst ever,  destroying the beautiful landscape, life-giving trees, plants, insects, bird and animal life, as well as live-stock, human life and property in
Corryong and parts of the Alpine Region. The 2009 bushfires are what the former bishop had to deal with and the 2020 bushfire period was an inaugural and difficult event as I started my ministry, even before my consecration. I do not want to be the cause of any fire other than ensuring that we ignite the fire of the Holy Spirit amongst the people of God within our Diocese for the mission and ministry to which we are called.

Australian bushfires, amongst other things, was one reason why Australia was never on  my  radar.  In  2009,  I  watched  scenes  on  TV  of  the  ravishing  Australian  Bushfire while  in  South Africa  and  said  that  I  will  never  go  to  Australia,  but  here  I  am.  Yet another  surprise.  What  I  have  experienced  through  this  event  is  the  resilience,  the support, the care and commitment of people to be of service to one another. I have seen the love and oneness with the earth encompassed in human relationships and generosity  –  clergy  and  laity  throughout  the Diocese  and  beyond  standing  together, working with secular organisations to show the gospel in action – to interrupt their own lives  to  donate,  counsel,  provide,  house  and  to bring  hope,  exercising  the  motto  of ministry which I will forever hold onto, a ministry of availability, visibility and presence.

I want to express my sincere thanks to the many who gave unselfishly of their time, their  money and  their  expertise  and  those  who  assisted  greatly  and  sacrificially through   that  difficult   time,   including   those   who   travelled   to   our   most   affected communities to  bring  some  economic  and  relief  support.  I  pray  that  this  road  to recovery  may  restore  the  human  dignity  of  all  those  so  deeply  affected  by  the bushfires.

COVID-19

News,  reports  and concerns  about what is called Corona Virus or COVID-19  would soon  set  us on  a  different  pathway.  This  was  once  again  something  that  would  be unlike anything most of us would have seen in our lifetime, but can be equated to the 1918 Spanish flu epidemic that unsettled our world. How unsettling too for us as a faith community, as my consecration on 22 February  just preceded changes to our normal practice  as  Church  but,  thank  God,   we  were still  able  to  gather  on  23  February  in great numbers to witness and be part of my
installation and enthronement as the 11th Bishop of Wangaratta, followed by good food and fellowship.

One of my first tasks as Bishop was to announce the temporary closure of Churches in March, when many already  felt that it was not  safe to gather – this enabled us to help curb the spread of this virus, which has not only taken us by surprise, but shaken the very essence of our humanity. I was a new bishop who hardly had a moment to engage in the ministrations of my episcopal office when I had to navigate a new way of connecting with all throughout the Diocese.

The  real  challenge  for  us  was  having  an  Easter  like  never  before,  being  unable  to celebrate   the   holy   mysteries,   the   Triduum   in   all   its   rich   spiritual   and  liturgical expressions.  We  could  not  join  for  corporate  worship,  but  still  found  ways of  being together. We were challenged to do and be Church in a rather unusual fashion, but somehow,  we  have  reached  more than the  usual number  of  regular  attendees.  We have been given a new platform through which to navigate our ministry and were able to bring many within our Diocese together without travelling long distances. Through this, we have been able to reduce the carbon footprint and contributed significantly to the  safeguarding,  integrity,  renewal  and sustainability  of  creation.  Many  of  you  are aware of my passion for this part of our mission,  but now is not the  time to expand upon this, simply to encourage you to keep it in mind in all that you do.

Bushfires and COVID-19 will be with us for a long time, but with the wonderful change of restrictions being eased, I still encourage each one of us to be vigilant, to be careful and to move slowly and at all times to do the right thing and that which will ensure our safety and well-being as a first priority. Church will always be here as God is always here, as expressed in a communication to the Diocese dated 7 October, “The Church of God has always been in existence and will continue to exist well beyond our lives”. It  is  good  to  connect  in  person,  but  we will  ensure  for  all  the  best  reasons  that  we connect through the Zoom application also so that we can be together even when not in the same place. Thankfully, it is looking more and more hopeful that we will be able to have something resembling our normal services at Christmas, although still with the required safeguards.

Challenges and Developing our Ministry Plan of Action

I have discovered that the Diocese has had two strategic action plans, the second of which I was a part at its tail end. Various activities for the regeneration of growing the Church, with initiatives like back to Church Sunday, the National Church Life Survey, different measures for church vitality and the vision and mission statements were often embedded in long, wordy and hopeful statements which, for many, probably became difficult   to   understand. I   can   justify   this   statement   because,   as   the   previous Archdeacon for Ministry Development, I assisted some of our Parishes to re-work, re- engage,  re-write  and  re-develop their  strategic  plans  and  to  turn  them  into  simple Ministry Action Plans.

Statements are good, plans even better but, unless executed with objectives, actions, timeframes and outcomes connected to them, the best statements and plans will have no effect. The reality is that our Mission as the Church of God is always evolving, but even  so,  we  know  that  we  share in  God’s  mission  and  Jesus’  ministry  as  fully expressed in the challenges that Jesus set for his disciples and all of us. The calling, training and equipping of the twelve disciples (Matt 4:18ff; 9:9; 10:5ff; Mark) the calling and  return  of  the  seventy  (Luke  10:1-12,  17-20)  and
the  dominical  command  (Matt 28:19) are the very foundations on which our mission and ministry need to be built, as well as the central aspect of our faith as expressed in the wonderful commandment to love God and neighbour (John 15:12-17) as previously defined.

Reflecting on the sermon I preached at my Installation and Enthronement, I believe we should always endeavour to keep things simple and real by being available, visible and present. A Church Community that does not embrace the community in which and for which it exists, despite the
challenges, is a disengaged church and does not reflect the concept of how a Parish in an English context refers not only to a territorial entity, but to the people of its community. The concept of Parish in this way resonates deeply with me, as the South African Theologian, David Bosch, suggests
that ‘the Church is the experimental garden of the new humanity’. (Bosch, Konig & Nicol 1982:15 Open Letter  to  the  Dutch  Reformed  Church)  William  Temple,  one-time  Archbishop  of Canterbury,  also  said  ‘The Church  is  the  only  institution  that  exists primarily  for  the
benefit of those  who  are  not its members.’ (‘Letter from the  Archbishop of the West Indies’ in Theology (1956), vol. 59. Understanding this, we can clearly see that the role of the Church and that of its mission is overwhelmingly for the sake of the world.

This  intrinsic  and  interactive  connection  should  present  us  with  a  pattern  for  our collaborative ministry, mission, outreach and evangelistic approach. It is not so much about a program of Back to Church Sunday, Renew, Alpha, Decade of Evangelism, Partners   in   Mission,
Intentional   Discipleship,   which   was   the   latest   Anglican Communion  developed  program, or  the  Lambeth  Conference,  now  2022,  theme: “God’s world for God’s Church”. It is about keeping it simple, keeping it real, making it achievable and returning to the basics. It is not
something that needs to look good on paper  or  a  poster,  but  something that  can  be  achieved  when  we offer  a  ministry  of hospitality, humility and simplicity.

The reality is that we have complicated the system of gospel sharing and good news- bearing.  It  seems  we  have  focussed  so  much  on  establishing  procedures  and protocols in our ecclesiastical arrangements, that we have placed maintenance above mission, money above ministry
and meetings  above  worship. I  believe  that we also seem to be placing a greater emphasis on things temporal than things spiritual, as we

leave the latter to the individual and focus on the former as a collective. I would like to encourage  ways  of  further  developing  our  spiritual  growth,  both  individually  and collectively.

It is my hope, as a Diocese that has been challenged and watched by the Diocesan Financial Advisory Group (DFAG) in regard to our viability and sustainability, even as we remain on the watchlist, that we do what we need to do in order to show that we can and will make a difference. There is no doubt that there will be challenges, but I have  often  said  that  challenges  create opportunities  and,  if  we  show  we  can  move beyond  mere  viability  and  sustainability,  and  prioritise  those  important  missional approaches   even   within   challenging   times,   the God   of   surprises,   through   our concerted efforts, will bring about an even greater surprise.

As one who is a bishop for you, I would like to walk with you, talk with you, pray with you, worship  with  you as we engage  in  a mission  strategy to re-develop, re-design, renew, refresh and refocus the ministry within the Diocese so that we can ‘re-birth’ our ministry.   This will not
happen overnight, it will take time, but I believe that it can be done. Here I am talking about a simple plan, but one that can be effective and which will be able to define an achievable outcome in each of our contexts. It will have to be business ‘unusual’, like the ‘new normal’ we often
reference. What we need to do is to ensure  that  we  become  part  of  the  ‘growing  process’ and  not  just  aim  to  manage decline. It would also mean that we will have to move away from the ‘I’ syndrome and work hard towards the ‘we and us’ syndrome because we are all in this together. We cannot  remain  just  Parochial,  we  will  have  to  think  Diocesan,  missional  and  look beyond  ourselves;  what  we  have  and  how  we  have  been  doing  things  for  the  past many  decades needs  to  change.  As  the  Church  exists  for  the  world,  we  need  to understand that, in our context, we need to exist for one another and be partners in mission  as  we  remain  faithful  to the  God  who  calls  and  equips  and  the  God  who continues to surprise us. This work will not be my doing alone, but what I hope we will achieve together.

What  Parish  Clergy  need  to  consider,  is  that  they  are  licensed  by  the  Bishop  to  a Parish – it is this Parish, congregation and community that they serve and where they exercise their ministry to foster the work of change and transformation, advance the gospel  and  make  the
difference  in  the  lives  of  all  those  whom  we  encounter  within life’s journey and all those who are entrusted to our care. The work within the Diocese will only be strengthened because of what we are able to do in the Parish and Parish Community. I know that many of our number value
offering opinions on various social justice and other related issues, but even this should happen grounded in the context of where we serve and alongside those whom we serve. There is a lot to do, but charity begins at home.

In saying this, I am not suggesting we do not tackle issues that deeply affect us, but I hope that this will be a process of sharing our energy through the work of our Social Justice Committee which started with great ‘gusto’ a few years ago. The membership was high and now we only have four
people trying to cover so much. Here we have an opportunity to go back to the drawing board and do what we can with our available human and
other resources.

The reality is that our congregations are tired, many of them elderly and we have seen that, in some cases, when certain people leave a congregation due to retirement or down-scaling,  the future  viability  of  that  congregation  is  threatened.  Two  of  our Churches will probably be
deconsecrated soon and we will need to have intentional conversations on how the ministry of each Parish or Parochial District will unfold and develop  over  the  next  few  years.  Many  love  the  concept  of  the  building  and  the maintenance thereof and will put lots of energy and spend
lots of money on buildings, without conceptualising a ministry action plan focusing on growth areas.

Here  we  need  to  navigate  a  plan  of  action  as,  for  many  of  our  congregations,  the survival kit over the last few months has been ‘Jobkeeper’. I fear that, as from Easter 2021, it will be an entirely new ‘ball game’. Strategies will have to develop so that we can  move  from
‘surviving’  to  ‘thriving’  mode,  as  we  express  our  ability  to  make  the difference.

Re-structuring

In moving to practicalities, there will be changes and different emphases. Clergy are called  for  and  tasked  with  building  ministry,  mission  and  outreach  in  their  context. Together with parishioners, they will best know what is worth trying, what empowering, training  and  resources
are  needed  and  how  the  outcomes  will  be  assessed  and celebrated. I will surely be part of those conversations when I visit parishes over the next year.

I,  along  with  Diocesan  staff  and  committees,  will  consider  how  restructuring  might streamline the way we do things to avoid wasting valuable time or money. It should be borne in mind that, for the first time in a very long time, the 2020-21 budget is a surplus budget.

One of the most vital contributions to the re-structuring program is another quality on which  I pride  myself  and that  is effective  communication  –  intentional  conversations and absolute transparency. This trait should not be reserved for a select few, but apply to all of us who are
part of the Diocese of Wangaratta. Trust building and respectful interaction  will  be  essential  ingredients  in  our  relational  involvement  as  we  try  and reflect the biblical image of the Church of God described as the ‘Body of Christ. (1 Cor 12:12ff) We all need each other and we are
in this together and once again, ‘together, we  can make a  difference’. I  will  be  your bare-foot bishop (though  I  prefer  sandals) and will endeavour to uphold the concept that ‘Christ is best served, in the serving of the neighbour’.

Partners and Mission

Within  the  Diocese  and  during  these  unprecedented  times  we  have  still  been  well served and  supported  by  the  ministry  of  our  Mission  Agencies,  like  the  Australian Board  of Mission,  Anglicare  Parish  Partnerships,  Loaves  and  Fishes,  The  Bush Church Aid and the
Christian Missionary Society. I am told that this Diocese used to have good collaborative initiatives for mission giving and I hope that we will be able to rekindle  that  flame  which once made  this Diocese  stand  out.  In the redeveloping  of our  Mission  Plan, I  hope  we  will engage with all these agencies, both Anglican and ecumenical, to see how best we can support one another and navigate a plan for what will work for the Diocese. I know that many competing organisations will flood our letter boxes  around  this  time  of  the  year  seeking  donations and,  for  struggling  Parishes within   the   current   economic  decline   and   unemployment as   a  result   of   COVID restrictions, it will be a long road to recovery.  We might want to prioritise and not bite off more than we can chew and hope that this is an initiative that we can all work on together.

Diocesan Ministries

Amidst the Parish Ministries, we also have Diocesan initiatives and Committees who, despite the present situation, have served the Diocese well. The Mothers’ Union used to  be  a  ‘force  to  be  reckoned  with’  but,  over  the  years,  age,  health  concerns, leadership  and  continuous
engagement  have  affected  members  and  they  have become  less  able  to  be  involved.  Yes, it  is  a  worldwide  organisation  with  excellent objectives, but without succession, strategic and innovative ministry planning in such a widely geographical Diocese, it might be difficult to
achieve some of the outcomes.

Cursillo is another ministry, whose members led and participated in a recent Diocesan Morning  Prayer  Service.  Regular  Ultreyas  used  to  be  featured  in  the  Diocesan Newspaper  and  I  hope  that  we  will  soon  be  able  to  navigate  how the  future  of  this ministry will be
strengthened within the Diocese. Like the Mothers’ Union, there is once again a need for a Ministry Action Plan.

Plans that started with excitement and many events have diminished over the last few years, even before the impact of COVID, with decreasing participation – I’ve already mentioned  the  Social Justice  Committee  and  previous  Strategic  Operational  Plans. This could once again bear
testimony to the need to do an entire ‘ministry overhaul’ which allows us to start this process afresh following this Diocesan Election Synod. It is my hope to call interested people together early in the new year and see how best we can navigate this. You know that this is my passion and,
as Bishop of the Diocese, I will continue to work with all ministries and parishes to achieve good outcomes.

I would also like to express my thanks for the ministry of the Diocesan Finance and Property  Committees  over  the  past  year,  as  well  as  our  Bishop  in  Council  Interim Executive  who worked  tirelessly  with  us  to  deal  with  very  important  matters.  These committees have
served the Diocese well and, as the newly formed Bishop In Council Executive Committee, we will continue the work of the former Finance Committee. I would like to express my thanks to those who have served this committee for many years. We will be looking at additional members for some of these Committees and to redraft their ‘frame of reference’ which will coincide with what we hope to achieve as a Diocese.

Anglican School Commission (ASC)

Notwithstanding the difficulties of COVID19, it was wonderful to welcome Nick Jones and  family  to  Cathedral  College  Wangaratta  at  the  beginning  of  2020.  Keith  Willet became the principal of Cobram Anglican Grammar School mid-term and we continue to build relationships with the three schools within the boundaries of the Diocese.   At a recent pre-Synod Zoom meeting we had online reports from the three principals and I look forward to engaging  with School  Council Members, teachers and students as partners, together with the ASC. We also recognise the outstanding contributions of former principals, Adrian Farrer and Steve Gale.

Safer Church

One  of  the  most  challenging  activities  over  the  past  few  years  has  been  to  help members  of  our  congregation  understand  the  importance of us  as  a Diocese  within the Australian  Anglican  Church,  together  with  all  denominations,  getting  our  Safer Church
practices in place. This requires all clergy, church workers, leaders and various participants  in other  ministries  to  ensure that  all  ‘checks and  balances’  are  in  place and that we have filled in all documents and provided support documents for ministry clearances within the Diocese.
I am aware of many who have questioned, and those who refuse to participate in, this, even though we simplified the process at our 2018 Synod with a new schedule for Lay Authorisations. Less than this we cannot do, as we are required by the Government and the Anglican Church of Australia, as well as in the interests of children and vulnerable adolescents and adults, to ensure that we have satisfied all requirements.

I trust that we, as a Diocese, have followed all procedures and protocols with respect to clearances for ministry and remind you again that any of our number who are not cleared for ministry are not to proceed or be involved in any way until a clearance has been issued. This is hard but necessary and I encourage you to be in contact with The Rev’d  David  Still,  our  Safer Church  Officer  with  regard  to  any  issues  that  need clarification or for the clearance procedures. This is hard for me too as a ‘new kid on the block’, having to implement what should have been in place already, but I will not only do the right thing, I will be seen to be doing the right thing.

Future Synods and Gatherings

I  started  presenting this  as  a  bare-bones  Synod,  but  I  hope  that  we  will  engage  as soon  as  we  are  able  to  continue  with  our  intentional  conversations  and  innovative ministry action planning and the advancement of ministry as I described earlier. This will  need
the participation  of  all of  us  and  I want  to  ensure that  our  discussions will become practical  engagement.  I  hope  to  offer  ministry  and  service  here  within  the Diocese  of  Wangaratta  as  Bishop  for  the  next  few  years  and  we  will  have  ample opportunity to navigate our collaborative plan as it unfolds. I want to stress that ‘less is more’ and I would rather do less and do it well, than to tackle everything under the sun and not achieve anything. Hopefully we will begin to look at legislative changes to some of our Diocesan Acts, but here I would also want to take it slowly as I want to try and work within the framework of ‘the spirit of the law and not always the letter of the law’. I hope that we will be able to ensure that mission will come before maintenance, ministry  before  money  and  worship  before  meetings. I  would  really  love  for  us  to move back to the basics, prioritise and do those things that make our ministry as lay and  ordained more worthwhile,  when  we  transform  our world  and society  by  simply being, as well as by doing.

Episcopal Ministry

As bishop of the Diocese, it is my hope, intention and sincere prayer to ensure that we remain together, as I am called ‘to maintain the Church’s witness to the resurrection, protect  the purity  of  the  gospel,  proclaim  Jesus  as  Lord,  guard  the  faith,  unity  and discipline of Christ’s Church’ among other things. I am deeply aware of my commission in  the  exhortation  and examination, especially  as teacher of the  faith,  chief minister and pastor and my answers of ‘I will’ to the many questions I was asked before my consecration. I am also aware of the charge given to me at my ordination as a Deacon and Priest on which I often I meditate. Even in that glorious and humbling moment of being set aside for this special episcopal ministry, I hold dearly to the questions that were asked at the beginning of the service of installation and enthronement, to which I answered:

‘I  am  Clarence,  a  servant  of  Jesus  Christ,  and  I  come as one  seeking  the  grace  of God, to travel with you in God’s service together.

I am Clarence, sent as bishop to serve you, to proclaim the love of Christ and, with you, worship and love him, with heart, soul, mind and strength.

I  am  Clarence  and  I  come  knowing  nothing  except  Christ  and  him  crucified  and  in weakness and fear and in much trembling.’

So dear friends, I preach Jesus and none other, this is my agenda!

Appellate Tribunal & Service of Blessing

At Synod last year, a vast majority of the Synod Representatives of our Diocese voted in favour of a service of blessing for persons married according to the Commonwealth Marriage Act 1961. This was assented to by the then President of Synod, The Right Rev’d A John Parkes, which brought the regulation into law in this Diocese.  The matter was referred to the Appellate Tribunal by the former Primate of the Anglican Church. In response to that, and upon a request from the Primate, I, as Vicar General, asked all our clergy to respect the processes of the National Church and, even though we were not obliged to, we agreed that we would not have any  services of blessing until a  determination  and  opinion  were  delivered.  This  all  happened  at  a  time  when  the former Bishop went on Long Service Leave until his retirement.

Two  weeks  ago  we  received  the  determination  and  opinion  from  the  Appellate Tribunal,  which  is  the  Anglican  Church’s  highest  legal  authority.  It  released  a  5-1 majority opinion that there is no contraindication for using the service of blessing for civil marriages, including that of same sex couples, as authorised at last year’s Synod. What was categorically stated by the Tribunal is that the Diocese has not gone against the teaching of the Church on any question of faith. It also re-iterated that this is not a service  of  marriage,  but  of  blessing  for  those  married  under  the  Marriage  Act  as amended.  This,  in  summary,  means  that  the  regulation  which  came  into  effect  last year can now be used for its intended purpose. I stated then and re-iterate now that, within this determination, there are no winners or losers and this matter will continue to be a bone of contention within the Anglican Church.

Some  within  our  Diocese,  both  lay  and  clergy,  do  not  agree  with  the  regulation. Clauses  5  and  6  of  the  Regulation,  as  well  as  an  explicit  statement  by  the  former Bishop  last  year,  state  that  no  ordained  person  within  this  Diocese  should  feel compelled to do anything against their own belief and I would want to emphasise that again  today.  Equally  importantly,  please  respect  the  decision  of  anyone  else  in  the Diocese  who holds a  different  viewpoint from  you. As  I continue  in conversation on this topic and work to hold us together as a Diocese, I encourage you to do the same in your own parishes.

As a relatively new Bishop within the Church of God, who has not been part of previous discussions with  other  Bishops  within  the  national  Church,  especially  as  General Synod did not take place this year, I would like to continue in conversation with them and the wider Church, wherever that may lead us. Recently, at a Bishops’ meeting, I expressed my feelings about this process and the fact that, following Synod last year, I felt alone in all of this, as I endured many insults and being blamed as a cause of division in the Church in Australia. I have not even had the
opportunity to share my thinking, but yet there are those who accuse me of advancing the legacy and ideology of others. I am one who can stand in my own right, but feel insulted and am deeply pained  by  the  insinuation  and  insensitivity  of  others.  Against  this,  I  am  extremely grateful
for  those  who  have  had  a  sympathetic  ear  and  a  generous  heart  and  who understand something of the position in which I’ve been placed.

Through all of this, I believe in a God who does not push away but a God who draws us  closer.  I  believe  in  a  God  who  delights  in  God’s  creation  and  who  values  each person  created  in  God’s  image  and  likeness.  I  believe  in  a  God  who  calls  us  to transform  and  change
the  world  by  sharing  the  generosity  of  God’s  grace  and  all- embracing love with all those whom we encounter on our journey. This is the God I serve and will continue to serve.

I also recognise that I cannot tackle everything under the sun and that, as the body of Christ, we will not always agree on everything, but I pray that, as the Chief Pastor and Shepherd within the Diocese of Wangaratta, I will continue to point people to Jesus and will work with everyone to
advance the Kingdom of God in this place.

Knowing  that,  as  Bishop,  I  am  the  focus  of  unity  within  our  Diocese,  I  want  to  do everything  in  my  power  as  Bishop  here  and  as  your  representative  to  the  National Church,  to  continue  the  conversation,  while  many  other  Dioceses,  through  their Synods, will navigate their own processes. I do not know how they will respond and what the effect of all this will be on the National Church, but know that there are various opinions  and  statements  out  there.  I  am  committed  to  do  everything  to  hold  our Diocese together and to walk alongside
each of you in discerning God’s will for us. I do hope that you will honour my role as your representative to the Anglican Church of Australia. I do not believe that continuing in conversation goes against the decision of the Synod of the Diocese. I also do not believe that I am betraying the trust of those who have waited so long for this moment, as lawfully this service of blessing can be used by clergy who feel comfortable to do so, but the regulation also protects all those who feel they cannot.

I  will  have  a  difficult  task  ahead  amidst  all  the  other  challenges  that  we  face  as a Diocese, but I would like to carry out the injunction in the Prayer of Consecration for Bishops (page 805 APBA) ‘to exercise without reproach the office of bishop, using its authority to heal and not to hurt, to build up and not destroy.’

Please continue to hold one another in prayer and pray for God’s wisdom and strength for me and my family, to whom I am grateful for their love and support, as we hold you and all others throughout the Church in prayer.

Conclusion & Thanks

Thank you for being part of the first session of the fortieth Synod and for all those who have worked tirelessly to make this happen and exercised great patience over the past few  weeks.  Thank  you  to  our  Team  of  Clergy  and,  where  applicable,  their  spouses and, their immediate and
close family.

Thank you also to all members of Bishop in Council, the Bishop’s Leadership Team, The  Archdeacon, The  Dean  and  Vicar  General  as  well  as  the  Diocesan  Trustees, Diocesan  Treasurer,  Financial  Advisor,  Director  of  Professional  Standards,  Safer Church   Officer,  all  members   or   leaders   of   the   various   Diocesan   Groups   and Committees.

Special and most appreciative thanks to our Legal Team. Thank you to the Chancellor for his advice to me when I am so new to all these matters. It is good to welcome Clyde back to Synod today after the constraints on his involvement whilst also sitting on the Appellate Tribunal. Special thanks to the Diocesan Advocate for her advice to me  and to  the   Synod  of  the  Diocese  and  who, amidst  an  extremely  heavy  work  schedule, continues to serve us well in the Diocese. Rachel has done an extraordinary job in the submission  to  the  Appellate  Tribunal,  as  well  as  the
subsequent  response  and  has always  been  available  to  assist  me  to  understand  some  of  our  canons  and  acts.

Sincere  thanks  also  to  our  Deputy  Advocate,  Stuart  Bett,  for  his  work  within  the Diocese, as well as his support in legal matters.I want to express our sincere thanks to the Dean for all the arrangements in preparing the Cathedral for our use, as well as the arrangements around the Synod Eucharist. Please pass on our thanks to those from the Cathedral parish who assisted you in any way.

As one who has been part of the Registry Team and who now leads it, I must say that it is great to work with a team of people who know their work very well and who work so hard.

Thank  you  to  the  Registrar  Timothy  Williams  who  in  many  ways  is  a  ‘fountain  of wisdom’. We will be farewelling Tim following our Synod next year, but he will reduce his  days  of  work  from  February,  affording  me  the  time  to  begin  plans  for  the  re- structuring of the Registry.

I also want to sincerely thank Julie Torpey who, now having worked with three Bishops, has much valuable practical knowledge  relevant to both the  Registry Office and the wider Diocese.

My  grateful  thanks also  to  Fiona  Van  Bree  – she  is  the  first  friendly  voice  you  hear when  you  call  the  Diocese  and  manages  our  Office  very  well,  also  keeping  us connected through the Diocesan Newspaper.

Many thanks also to our Diocesan Treasurer Norm Kenny who has done a marvellous job,  particularly this year, in registering the  Diocese  for Jobkeeper and ensuring  we obtained the maximum benefits.

Much has been said, much needs to be done and the God of Surprises will continue to surprise us as we continue to trust in God’s purposes for our lives and as we talk, walk and discern together.

 

The Rt Rev’d Clarence E Bester

Bishop of Wangaratta