Standing Committee & RB
Standing Committee News
The Standing Committee of the General Synod met on Tuesday, 28th January 2025, in an online format.
Canon Malcolm Kingston opened the meeting with a reading from Mark chapter 2 and in prayer, asking for more of the Holy Spirit’s presence to enable the Church’s worship and service and remembering those affected by Storm Eowyn who need the strength to endure while help is delivered. Canon Kingston also interceded for the current situation in Israel and Palestine, for a lasting peace and the freedom for people who have been displaced to return home; for peace in Ukraine amid this third winter of war; for comfort and support amid loss for the victims of the 1998 bombing in Omagh (on the day of the related judicial inquiry); and that the lessons of history would be noted as the world marks the 80th anniversary of the Liberation of Auschwitz.
The Archbishop of Armagh welcomed Archdeacon Mark Hayden (Cashel, Ferns and Ossory) to his first meeting as a member of the Standing Committee.
The Honorary Secretaries reported the renewal of the term of office for Ms Bridget Rippey as Complaints Administrator (under Chapter VIII of the Constitution) and recorded their gratitude to Archdeacon Andrew Orr for his work as Chair of Eco Congregation Ireland, as he stepped down from this position. Archdeacon Orr will continue as the Church of Ireland representative on Eco Congregation Ireland – an inter–church network of representatives from the Catholic Church, Church of Ireland, Presbyterian Church, Methodist Church, and Society of Friends, who promote care for Creation. Their report also noted that the closing date for this year’s Church of Ireland Census will be Monday, 17th February.
The Standing Committee approved a resolution that a bill to make editorial changes to the Constitution be brought to the General Synod of 2025 or 2026 on behalf of the Standing Committee; this exercise would seek consistency in formatting and cross–referencing within the Constitution.
The Standing Committee appointed District Judge Rosalie Prytherch as a lay judge of the Court of the General Synod for this triennium.
A presentation was made by the Revd Rob Jones (in his capacity as National Director for Pioneer Ministry) on behalf of the Pioneer Ministry Governing Council, as required in its terms of reference. Mr Jones reported on the substantial progress made in this area of ministry over the last year, including recent diocesan licensing and commissioning services and the first annual Pioneer Ministry Gathering in November 2024.
The Standing Committee approved requests that the Honorary Secretaries issued an invitation to the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, the Methodist Church in Ireland, and the Roman Catholic Church to each appoint two representatives to attend the General Synod in 2025, and to the Irish Council of Churches and the following denominations to appoint one representative each to attend the General Synod in 2025: the Moravian Church of Great Britain and Ireland; the Church in Wales; the Salvation Army; the Old Catholic Church; and the Coptic Orthodox Church.
The meeting closed with the Grace.