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Diocesan Synod met on Sat the 29th of November. One of the main items on the Agenda was to receive the Draft Strategy Paper, to discuss it and to vote on whether the ideas contained in the paper should be developed. Synod voted in favour of asking the Strategy Development Group to continue to work on the Strategy by prioritising the ideas contained in it, identifying things for the Diocesan Synod to fund and things we will ask the National Church's DIP to support and coming back to Synod in March to continue the conversation.
It was a warm, engaged and encouraging Synod meeting.
Bishop Graham said, in his presidential address to Synod:
"I dream that we foster a missional culture in every place, served by hope-filled
clergy and lay leaders, deepening our commitment to discipleship so that more of our churches are thriving, as well as growing younger and more diverse. We need the courage to do this. Courage to hope and courage to act. When we do, we will contribute something of great value to our local and national community as more people witness to the transformed, redeemed life found in Christ."
Following the decision of the November Synod, Tim Sweeting, the Diocesan Secretary said:
"I am delighted that our Diocesan Synod has approved the work on the Diocesan strategy to this point and we can continue working on it. This follows several months of consultations where several hundred people have contributed their thoughts and ideas into the documents prepared for Synod. I'm looking forward to seeing how we can support mission and ministry through the Diocesan strategy in 2026."
And Richard Lamey, the Director of Mission and Ministry said:
"I am proud to stand here because this strategy will help us become more fully the disciples and churches God is calling us to be. I will not overpromise. No strategy is perfect. Not everything we try will work. Lots of good stuff will still happen outside anything we write or plan. We have usefully spent time this year working out where we’re missing the mark and the specific challenges we face across the piece.
We have something here, together, which will address the challenges we’ve named and do more. We are trying to model something- an invitation into a way of thinking, a way of living, a way of being the Church defined by who we know and believe God is. To build on the things which are working already, which we have heard about in every conversation and every visit. As well as everything listed in the Paper I have been to 3/4s of our Deaneries, to Synod or Chapter, and had important and encouraging conversations in all of them.
This Strategy addresses something I was clearly told by Synods in Heacham and Rising, in Thetford, in Norwich, in Loddon, in Lothingland- don’t tell us we have challenges. We know that. Tell us where to start. Give us ideas. Help us think through our next step. Our four focus areas do respond to real challenges- and they call us back to our rooted identity: to the why woven through everything we do and are: to the people God made us to be, Christ liberated us to be, and the Spirit longs for us to become. Transformed hearts transform hearts. Transformed communities transform communities.
The strategy is not just problem-solving; it’s also an invitation to live as God’s redeemed Easter people. The four areas are really one call. Like a beautiful quartet, they belong together and strengthen and feed off each other.
Communities of disciples who learn and grow together in generous, gracious common life- who are excited by the call to walk more closely with Jesus and do what he does. Hope-filled leaders who are supported, developed, and freed from isolation and pressure. A culture of missional possibility—people of hope who know God will always turn up, who live as if they have already been rescued and restored, who rejoice in their call to join in with the work God is doing already. And finally, a Diocese which is growing younger and more diverse, because we are not fully the Church until everyone is invited and finds a home.
Communities of disciples. Hope filled leaders. A culture of missional possibility. A Diocese becoming younger and more diverse.
The Strategy is not merely a response to challenges. It is an invitation into fullness of life, to remember our first love and not let go. Christ longs to transform us, our churches, and our communities. A single strategy is never the only way that happens—but I am convinced that our Strategy can make a significant and lasting contribution across every part of the Diocese. It is really exciting to have got to this stage after so much work and input by some many people. Thank you for everything you have shared so far, and for your prayerful engagement and wisdom- and do keep asking questions and making suggestions as you respond to the Strategy Document and as we begin to look forward together."
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