The Diocesan Synod gathered to meet last Saturday 11 October. The matters under consideration included the annual report of the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory Panel, through which members learned about the significant increase in work being carried by the Safeguarding Team, in part generated by events external to the Diocese but with a major impact in parishes and the diocesan safeguarding service. Finances were also very much on the agenda, both the annual report and accounts for 2024 and the budget for 2026, the latter having been shaped by the Synod at its previous meeting in June. A number of national uncertainties had been resolved since that initial meeting but the application for substantial grant funding over the next 6 years from the national Church of England would only be submitted at the end of this month. The outcome would be known towards the end of the year and could make a real difference from 2026 onwards. Finally, Synod heard an update on actions being taken to reduce the Diocese’s carbon footprint, including a plea for even more parishes to be using the Energy Footprint Tool. Again, the rate of response was one factor that was expected to play a major part in being able to access national grant funding.
In his Presidential address, The Bishop of Exeter, Rt. Revd. Dr. Mike Harrison said,
“The Christian faith does have much to say about how we engage with the fractures, the polarisations, the tribal markers in our world — but irritatingly for politicians not in ways which can be coopted for my party, irritatingly for a bishop not in ways offering knock-down arguments which are immediately compelling to synods, and irritatingly for ourselves not in ways which give quick practical methods for overcoming such polarisations.”
Click here to read Bishop Mike’s full presidential address.
The Exeter Diocesan Synod is the main decision-making body for the Diocese of Exeter. It brings together representatives from across the diocese – bishops, clergy, and lay members – to discuss and shape policy on matters that affect church life locally. Members are elected for three-year terms and typically meet two to three times a year under the leadership of the Bishop of Exeter. Alongside its role in governance, the Synod also oversees finances and contributes to wider Church of England initiatives, such as sustainability and safeguarding.
Bishop Mike’s full presidential address can be download here:
The next scheduled meetings are:
- Saturday 21st March 2026
- Saturday 6th June 2026 (contingency)
- Saturday 10th Oct 2026
