Synod Snippets Winter 2022
Synod Snippets is designed to help Synod members communicate what’s happening at Swindon Deanery Synod with their PCCs and wider congregations and provide points for discussion at and feedback from PCCs.
Please share all the information below widely in your parishes. Cutting and pasting the information into notice sheets and parish magazines as appropriate is encouraged!
If you want further information about anything below where there is not a contact listed, please email
Sally.robertson27@btinternet.com or Vicar@wroughton.com (Phill Harrison)
Our most recent synod was on 9th February. Here are some thoughts for you to digest.
Eco church
The environmental challenge facing our churches
At Deanery Synod on 9th of February our main agenda item was a presentation and discussion about the environmental challenge facing our churches. This was led by Claire Fussell, our diocesan Environmental Advisor and we were delighted that regular synod members were joined by a number of guests representing various churches around the deanery. A copy of Claire’s slides is attached, also attached is the ‘Pyramid of action’ handout that she used. If your PCC isn’t already talking about caring for God’s creation then perhaps you could use this handout as a starting point for a discussion?
Eco-network Swindon Deanery
We would like to create an informal network of people in Swindon Deanery who are interested in sharing information about the ‘green’ projects that they have going on in their churches, or who would like to know more about what other people are doing, so that they don’t need to re-invent the wheel. Your church may already have a designated ‘eco-champion’, or perhaps there is someone who is interested in looking after the churchyard in a more nature friendly way, or maybe you’re just concerned about your heating bills... If there are people in your church who would appreciate the opportunity to share in the wisdom of others with similar challenges then please ask them to get in touch with Revd Phill Harrison (vicar@wroughton.com). We will try and get a Zoom call together in March to find out what challenges people are having and who may be able to help.
Eco-church webinar:
A number of churches in our Deanery have gained their Eco-church Bronze awards (well done!). Join this webinar for advice and encouragement about pressing ahead to Silver:
Going for Silver – Wednesday 2nd March, 1-2pm and 7-8pm Book here.
Links to energy saving and green energy resources:
- The Net Zero Carbon Church Checklist is here: https://www.churchofengland.org/sites/default/files/2021-01/PP2NZC_SelfGuidedChecklist_onscreen_version.pdf
- Switching to green energy using group procurement: https://www.bigchurchswitch.org.uk/ or https://bigcleanswitch.org/
- National church guidance and resources on energy saving: www.churchofengland.org/resources/churchcare/net-zero-carbon-church
Living in Love and Faith
Details of how to express interest in the Deanery wide courses can be found here https://bit.ly/SwinLLF
Transforming Church. Together
Working groups have been discussing possible ways of implementing the vision and values which have been discerned as part of the Transforming Church. Together conversations so far and their recommendations will be discussed at Diocesan synod on 19th March. You can find details of the working groups here and the video summarising the values here.
Future Deanery Synod meetings:
Our next 2 meetings are (and anyone is welcome to attend):
Tuesday 10th May – at St Mary’s Purton
Thursday 21st July – venue tbc