Synod 2023 Reflection – Jane Andrews
Contrary to popular belief (i.e., anyone who has ever read my Synod reflections), there is not a dress code at a diocesan Synod. If there was, I am sure it would not mandate wearing a pink scrunchie to match your pink glasses.
Every year, I write about my wardrobe choices for Synod. As someone who loves to wear funky earrings and loud clothing at church, but traditional Sunday best at Synod, I could devote an entire blog entry to my bold choice to wear a pair of jeans to our Saturday session. I would write about how I finally felt comfortable enough to be myself in church.
However, this reflection is not about me or my clothes. I want to write about something slightly more important.
At Synod, there is something called the “lay conference”. It sounds a lot more relaxing than it is. Essentially, people that aren’t ordained can ask questions to the Bishops and the General Manager of the Anglican Church of Southern Queensland. It allows people to highlight issues that are important to them.
One person asked about the increasing polarity in the church. It had caused severe angst and heartbreak in his church, to the point where people left the church. It was not unique to his church. Our division can be highlighted at Synod, where people have the platform to air their concerns.
I understand that our own church does not agree on every single issue. I do not expect us to. We hold a wide variety of beliefs on a broad array of topics. Even my wardrobe choices are not universally loved!
One thing I feel we do well at Robina Anglican Church is listen to each other, particularly the needs of others. At any given day of the week, our parishioners will be hard at work serving others, both in our congregation and in the wider community. We serve alongside people we don’t agree with. It doesn’t mean we sweep these issues under the rug. I have found that most times we can discuss our differences in a respectful way, and continue to serve our community.
It’s why I like our guiding statement: Brave for the Benefit of Others. Sometimes we have to be brave enough to disagree with others. We have to be brave enough to be honest with others about controversial topics like finances. Sometimes we have to be brave enough to admit when something’s not working, or can’t continue.
This is what I took away from Synod. This Synod, we tackled significant issues, some that we may have no control over. And yet, the debate was mostly respectful. There was less negativity this Synod than in previous sessions. I was glad to be involved in passing motions with significant debate, as it meant we had heard the perspectives of different people in our wider church.
You might not always agree with me. But I’m thankful that you will try to listen to me, and I will try to listen to you. I hope we will all be brave enough to continue to stand up for what we believe in, and have hard conversations.