What is "Synod"? Synod means "government" or, in
this case, "church government".
The smallest unit of church government is the Parish. Deanery Synod
is the next tier "up". Above these come Diocesan Synod and
General Synod.
What is "deanery"? A deanery is a group of parishes. In
Petersfield Deanery there are fifteen parishes. In the Portsmouth
Diocese there are eight deaneries, of which Petersfield Deanery is
one.
Both clergy and lay people are able to be members of Deanery Synod.
The joint "chairs" of our Deanery Synod are the Rural Dean
(currently the Revd.
Simon
Weeden), and
the Lay Chairman (currently Mr. Geoffrey Barwick).
Petersfield Deanery Synod meets four times a year. Parishes take
turn to host the meetings.
All clergy (but not retired clergy) are automatically members of
deanery synod. Lay members are elected by their parishes - between two
and four from each parish, depending on the size of the parish
electoral roll. Elections usually take place at the Annual Church
Meeting.
The life of a deanery synod is three years.
Deanery synods act as an essential intermediary body between the
parish and diocesan synod. For example, there are topics which are
passed for discussion from diocesan synod to the deanery, and then,
through the deanery to the parish. Communication can also take place
in the opposite direction. These discussions might result in a vote.
Visiting speakers often enhance a deanery synod's agenda.
Finally, and most important, a deanery is empowered to discuss
finances and to raise its own deanery quota (or precept) for financing
special events or even an extra member of staff. Discussions can be
quite lively!
Bill
Grace
