Held at The Hayes Conference Centre, Swanwick, Derbyshire, 18th-22nd July 2024.

It was wonderful to be back at The Hayes Conference Centre for another Synod. The opening service was led by Br David Howarth and the preacher was Richard Reddie who is the Director of Justice and Inclusion for the Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (CTBI). Richard spoke passionately on the theme of Synod, 'A heart of resilience', with readings from Isaiah 61 and Luke 4:16-30.

Br Philip Cooper as chair welcomed everyone to Synod. We were blessed to not just have congregation deputies, ministers and staff but also guests from the wider Moravian church and many Ecumenical guests. Sr Roberta Hoey, chair of the Provincial Board, officially opened Synod offering her thanks for everyone's attendance.

The first proposal was one of appreciation of the service that Br Paul Holdsworth rendered to the church as minister, a member of the Provincial Board and a member of the British Mission Board. Many people, friends, ecumenical colleagues and church members shared their personal reflections and memories of Br Paul.

Following on from the Statement of Inclusivity that was agreed at the last Synod, this year we agreed to the proposal to adopt a Statement of Safeguarding,

'The Moravian Church recognises that every human bears the divine image of the God who loves the whole world (COUF #871). The Church serves the world by challenging humanity with the message of the love of God, seeking to attain what is best for all (COUF #10). Church communities are therefore called to be places where God's love is demonstrated and where all are welcomed, valued, and safe from harm, especially the most vulnerable in society.'

As usual reports were brought by the varying Provincial Standing Committees including the Provincial Board report of Board of Management to Synod. There was time for questions and clarification throughout the presentation.

Each day began and ended with prayers which were led by Srs Lorraine Shorten and Susan Quildan-Foreman. Br Peter Gubi led our daily Bible studies which were all on the theme of Synod, 'Embracing a heart of resilience'.

Dotted around the sessions we welcomed our various Ecumenical guests who brought us greetings: Br Richard Reddie from the Churches Together in Britain and Ireland, Br Paul Rochester from the Free Churches Group, Br Damian Jackson from the Irish Council of Churches, Br Roy Totten from The Church of Ireland, Br Mike Royal, General Secretary of the Churches Together in England and Br David Ashton representing the Church of England.

We were also glad to be joined by Brs and Srs from around the Moravian Unity: Sr Lilian Stuger-Kembel representing the European Continental Province; Br Jørgen Bøytler, Administrator of the Moravian Unity, was invited to share updates of the resolutions of the latest Unity Synod held in South Africa last year; Sr Roslyn Hamblin brought greetings from Barbados in the Eastern West Indies Province, as did Br Richard Lwali, General Secretary of the Moravian Church in Western Tanzania.

There was an interesting and forward-looking presentation from Fulneck School by Elizabeth Dawson who is the chair of the Trustees and Devin Cassidy, the new head who has been in post for one year. Their report looked honestly at the past, present and future and the school which is showing encouraging signs of stability.

There were some low points to Synod as we had to vote on proposals of the closure of two congregations and one Society. Sr Sandra Windmill shared a history of the Kingswood congregation and her sadness at the church having to close after 278 years of faithful service. Salem congregation had ceased to worship but the members have joined with the Royton congregation. Sr Hannah Coope praised both congregations for adapting and coming together to continue worshipping and working for our Lord Jesus Christ. Sr Patricia White spoke about the work of the Stoke Newington Society throughout its 63 years of service.

On Sunday morning the elections began to fill the vacant positions on the Provincial Board and Standing Committees. Sr Roberta Hoey was re-elected for another four years of office. This will be her final four years as a Board member as 12 years is the maximum allowed. Sr Jane Carter and Br Michael Newman were also re-elected as non-stipendiary members of the Provincial Board for four years each.

One of the proposals debated and passed was how we encourage members to nominate themselves for the Provincial Board or standing committees. It was agreed that more information was required about the work and roles of the committees, and the Provincial Board and Church Book committee have been tasked with reviewing the process and reporting back to Synod in 2026 with their recommendations.

Memorials were brought to Synod from the Moravian Women's Association, the Men's Fellowship and Br Paul Greenhough brought his report as YPMA secretary. At the end of his report, he announced that he was regretfully stepping down from the role after 44 years of dedicated service. A proposal was brought to share appreciation of his service to mission work and this was received with great acclamation.

There was also a session to share updates of the Project 32 committee and their work and then we all had the opportunity to discuss the Provincial Strategy.

On Sunday evening Synod came together for a service of Holy Communion using the Rite of the Church of Ireland and the Moravian Church. The service was led by the Irish District and Sr Sarah Groves reflected on the recent agreement between the two denominations.

Monday came around very quickly and the final nominations for roles for Synod 2026 were filled and Synod was officially closed for another two years. Thank you to Br Philip Cooper and all the staff for helping Synod go smoothly throughout the weekend. It was a positive, constructive and reflective time all held together in prayer and the desire to serve God and God's church through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour.

Sr Lorraine Shorten

Minister for Bath Weston and Bath Coronation Avenue Moravian congregations