Bishop Harold Miller's closing remarks at this year's Down and Dromore Diocesan Synod on 23rd June  were that it had been "an energising Synod and a very important one in the life of the diocese."  The involvement of more younger, members at Synod made a notable difference to what turned into a vibrant, interesting and informative day.

Synod opened with an inspiring service of Holy Communion.  Bishop Harold highlighted three anniversaries in 2009: The 400th anniversary of the Charter of Down and Dromore Cathedrals, The 150th anniversary of the ‘Ulster Revival’ and 40^th anniversary of the ‘Troubles’.

The Synod viewed a video of St Patrick's Day 2009, which will be placed on the Diocesan website prior to next March 17th.

Commending the important work of the two cathedrals, Bishop Harold made a request to all the parishes of the diocese give 1% of their total income for the next five years to a fund for improvements.  [Visit:  www.downcathedral.org.]

Bishop Harold noted that the Synod was being held in Shankill, Lurgan, a parish which had been transformed by the 1859 ‘Ulster Revival’. The Bishop stated that: “We need to know that our business is not separated from our faith: we do our practical business as people of faith.” and that "we desperately need to reintegrate, with the anointing of God, the spiritual aspects of our life."

The Bishop spoke passionately about the  40^th  anniversary of the ‘Troubles’  Bishop Harold said that: "Forty years is an important time-frame in the scriptures". He continued: "It is a generation. It is a long period of time, like that in the wilderness, and it brings a sense of completeness. Now something fully new begins. This is an anniversary to celebrate by determining to deal with our issues fully and fearlessly."

Synod welcomed a motion proposed by Mr T. N. Wilson and seconded by the Venerable Philip Patterson, Archdeacon of Down, on behalf of the Diocesan Council that the uplift to the annual assessments for the General Fund for 2010 be set at 0%.

Members of synod were presented with two important presentations.  Firstly, an overview of the results of a ‘Children's Ministry Survey’ undertaken by Revd. Andrew Brannigan and secondly an inspiring overview of the work of ‘Christians Against Poverty’ (CAP ) presented by Basil O'Mally and Hilary McClay.

While recognising that there is much good work among children taking place in the diocese, the survey highlighted a worrying decline in Sunday School attendance over the last five years.  There was much support from the podium for the appointment of a ‘Children’s Development Officer’ for the diocese.

The presentation of the work of ‘CAP’ gave members of synod much food for thought and highlighted the work of an organisation which is of particular relevance at the present time.  CAP works in partnership with local parishes to offer several practical ways in which churches can respond to the problem of individual debt. A first and inexpensive step is for a parish to run ‘CAP Money’, a simple money management course that can be used within the church or as a community outreach tool.  For further information on ‘CAP Money’ go to www.capmoney.org.

As in the past number of years, Synod took time for a 'Conversation on the Work of God,' a Methodist tradition which gives opportunity for members to speak more personally and passionately about the ways in which they see the Spirit of God at work in their churches. It was once again an encouragement to all present to hear what God is accomplishing today in and through his people in this diocese.

Dean Stephen Lowry announced that the two area Deans would be urging parishes to participate in the 24/7 prayer initiative later in the year [for further information on this visit the Diocesan website – click here].

Bishop Harold brought a successful day to a close by stating that: "We have raised a lot of interesting and key missional questions and I think all of us go back, not just having attended a Synod but encouraged and keen to put some of those ideas into action."

Click here for the full text (in pdf format) of Bishop Harold’s synod address from the Down and Dromore Diocesan website.