Synod and Skydiving – Jackson King
So, the initial plan was for Jane and I to reflect on Synod together. However, out of fear of needing to comment on Synod outfits, I thought it’d be best to leave the fashion expertise in her very capable hands.
I was fortunate enough to be invited along to Synod this year as a youth rep for the southern region in the diocese. I was excited but safe to say I had absolutely no clue what it would entail.
This Synod was a very first for me, which had me quite nervous if I’m being candid. I spent most of the time bouncing more and more questions off Jane, and trying to take in all that was being discussed.
Synod was one of a couple of a couple of firsts over the last few weeks. Just this week on Wednesday, I made what some will say is a terrible decision and went skydiving with some friends of mine down in Byron Bay, and wow! It truly was a one-of-a-kind experience. A combination of fear, awe and wonder all compressed into a 45 second freefall.
My immediate thought as I left the plane was ‘I’m on top of the world’. However, as I looked around. I’ve never felt smaller than that moment. Looking around I saw everything. From the hundreds of cars making their way up and down the highway, to the acres of land and farm scattered across the northern, to the small dots of people embracing the sunrise along the beaches of Byron Bay. Being witness to so many people all making their way from one thing to the next. My world had never been smaller than in those few minutes.
The number one question that I was asked after experiencing Synod was, “what did you think of Synod?” Up until Wednesday, I’m not sure if I could have answered that question, but ironically there’s something about falling face first towards earth that creates the most real and authentic perspective of our world and has put a newfound appreciation for my time at Synod.
Like skydiving, Synod gave me a birds eye view of all that goes on within our diocese. To no surprise, as a 20-year-old, I realised I knew very little about all the work that contributes to the life of the wider church. To be able to read and listen about the work in Anglican schools, churches, and other organisations such as Anglicare, felt a lot like jumping out of a plane and being witness to everyone’s journeys and experiences, all within ‘our’ community but felt so detached from anything in ‘my’ world.
I’d say my experience of Synod was all about a broadened perspective. Being able to fully experience a sense of ‘massiveness’ within our universe, which I feel may be somewhat lost in a time where we feel the world is in the palm of our hands. I loved this sense that I was only one small piece of a larger journey. One tiny chapter of a story that has been centred around connection for thousands of years. Connection with our world, connection with God, and connection with each other.
Whether it’s a day that we take one pace at a time and embrace a sunrise, or whether it’s a day to freefall towards the earth at what feels like uncontrollable speeds. I wonder what chapters of this ever expanding story will be written today.
Have a great week.
Jackson