Deanery Synods
Deanery Synods:
- Consider matters concerning the Church of England
- Bring together the views of the parishes of the deanery
- Act as a channel of communication between parishes and Diocesan Synod
- Effect decisions made by Diocesan Synod
- Raise matters with Diocesan Synod
- Elect representatives to Diocesan Synod and General Synod
What do Deanery Synod Members Do
Membership
A Deanery Synod consists of two Houses, the House of Clergy and the House of Laity. Membership of these two Houses is as follows:
House of Clergy
- All Clerks in Holy Orders (clergy) beneficed or licensed by the Bishop who reside or work within the deanery.
- All Clerical members of the General or Diocesan Synods resident in the deanery.
- One or more Clerks in Holy Orders holding permission to officiate, one for every ten such Clerks resident or habitually worshipping in the deanery, elected or chosen from amongst their own number.
- Co-opted Clerks in Holy Orders up to 5% of the total members of the House or three whichever is the greater.
House of Laity
- Lay members of the General and Diocesan Synods whose names are entered on the roll of any parish in the deanery.
- Deaconesses and other full-time lay workers licensed to work in any part of the deanery.
- Parochial representatives elected by the Annual Meetings of the parishes, in accordance with a formula. Formula for Deanery Synod Reps
- Co-opted members (actual Communicants of sixteen years or upwards) up to 5% of the total members of the House or three whichever is the greater.
Each Deanery Synod has a Secretary, Treasurer, Rural Dean and Lay Chair.
The rules governing deanery synods are set out in Church Representation Rules part III, 14 – 28.
(Church Representation Rules 2022 edition: Church House Publishing ISBN 9780715111864)
The role of the Deanery Synod Secretary
