Members of Diocesan Synod gathered at Flourish House on Saturday, 16 March 2026 for the first synod of the year. While there were matters of business to discuss, the bulk of time at Synod was devoted to prayer, in this year in which Bishop Michael has asked all across the diocese to focus time on this area of their spiritual life.
There were 16 prayer stations scattered around Flourish House with the invitation to pray for our world, our parishes and deaneries. Also for creation, safeguarding, modern slavery and other issues affecting our communities. Some of the prayer stations used the resources from the prayer boxes which are available for use where you are.
In his address to Synod Bishop Michael said, “As we pray during this year of especial focus on prayer, what are we hoping for? Looking for? What do we think our prayer is all about? My hope is that our prayer will change us from the inside out. That it will transform us, and our parishes, schools and chaplaincies to be open to God’s presence at work within us. I trust that we will see God act among us in ways we could neither deserve or expect.
“I pray that we will become agents of God’s kingdom, pursuing peace, justice and kindness throughout the world. That through our prayer we will become champions for the weak, the vulnerable, the oppressed. I hope that our prayer will make us into people who enable our children and young people to be active and vibrant in the faith. That it will cause us to value and cherish our church members and our local communities. That prayer will see our numbers of ordinands increase and the leadership of our churches grown and shared.
“Because of our prayer I hope that we will grow new worshipping communities that will connect with those who wouldn’t ever come to our traditional services. That prayer will deepen our faith and help us find solutions to the challenges we face around our buildings and our finances.”
During his address to Synod Bishop Michael took time to welcome Bishop Fiona to her first Bath and Wells Diocesan Synod, and also Barnaby Frith, our newest member of synod from Bath Deanery. Seventeen-year-old Barney shared his thoughts on his first synod and why he felt it was important to get involved. Synod also took the opportunity to thank Anne Gell, Archdeacon of Wells, who was attending her last Diocesan Synod at Bath and Wells.
Updates were provided on General Synod by James Cary and the Revd Liz Dudley. Liz said, “One of the really interesting debates we heard about was about the use of oasis for flowers. There was a feeling of, ‘why are we talking about flowers? We’ve got so many important things to talk about, why are we talking about this? But there was a real push back against this. What goes on in our parishes is important and it shows that there is a way to get an issue you care about through your PCC, through your Deanery Synod, your Diocesan Synod and debated at General Synod.”
Charles Doble, Chair of the Board of Patronage for the diocese, which is seeking to recruit some new members, one clergy and two lay people, also addressed Synod. He said, “We are looking for people who have an affinity for engaging with people, and to be gentle with those who are stressed, anxious and give them hope that their situation may be alleviated.”
Responding to Charles’s request, the Revd James Dudley Smith said, “The work the board does is prayerful, careful, fair and encouraging and we appreciate it. Thank you very much.”