Simon Says ...

A response to GS Misc 1048 . In the interest of transparency, I plan to post all my contributions to the General Synod on this blog.  Not always interesting, but useful and above all open. This is my written response to a Synod paper that asked for feedback. General Synod Simplification Group I write in response to GS Misc 1048. I am very supportive of the general thrust of the Group’s work, and of the specific proposals that it has set out in GS Misc 1048.   In particular, I note that the Group has looked at the Church Representation Rules (CRRs) with a view to simplifying them.   It is very good that the CRRs are available free of charge online, and I hope that this will continue to be the policy of the Synod and the Archbishops’ Council. I would like to add two things to their consideration, both relate to the CRRs. 1.          The need for two annual meetings, with a doubling of notification, the slightly comic need to close one meeting and i

A Sermon for Evensong Genesis 50.4-26 ; 1 Corinthians 14.1-19 . Some words from this evening’s second reading: “I will pray with the spirit, but I will pray with the mind also; I will sing praise with the spirit, but I will sing praise with the mind also”. This seems a splendid opportunity to give a plug for something that will be coming in the autumn: a course of study called ‘How to read the Bible (without switching off your brain)’.   It is aimed at those within the church who would like to know more about the Bible, and also at those who are not in the church but are interested in what Christians believe.   I very much hope that those who come along will have a more rounded picture of the Bible by the end, and will learn something about what it says (and what it doesn’t), how the Bible was written, how Christians read the Bible and also how the Bible forms part of our prayer and worship.   A brain is required, but not a huge background knowledge of the