Exploration Stage

Exploration Stage

We are now entering into the Exploration Stage of our diocesan synod, running from September 2024 to December 2024. During this period, we ask you to plan and facilitate Theme Gatherings in your parish in stages. These should relate to each of the four themes. The themes are:

Nurturing Faith for Tomorrow’s World

Building Connections

Enabling Access

Fostering Christ-Like Care

A summary leaflet for each theme will be available on the first Wednesday of each month from September, and we ask that you encourage parishioners to read the leaflets carefully and prayerfully to enable them to participate fully in the theme gathering meetings.

All theme gatherings should be completed by 16th December.

This will allow the Synod team adequate time to process parish responses in time for the Final Synod Gathering in March.

The aim of the Theme Gathering is to:

Engage people in exploring the four overarching themes that have emerged from The Big Listen.

Progress our synodal journey by providing an opportunity for people to suggest proposed actions.

Embed further the practice of synodal listening in our parishes, schools and groups.

It is important to remember that we can only take forward what is within the remit of a ‘Diocesan’ Synod.

Big Listen Report

On Saturday 18th May, hundreds of Synod members from across the diocese gathered to hear the feedback from our recent Big Listen, which drew to a close in January.

During the day, we explored four principal themes that had emerged from around 30,000 responses submitted during the Big Listen. The themes are:

Nurturing Faith for Tomorrow’s World
Building Connections
Enabling Access
Fostering Christ-Like Care

These themes were further explored through four presentations delivered by Rev Prof Peter McGrail and Dr Emma Swai of Liverpool Hope University, who have produced the Final Report.

Download the Final Report here

Big Listen Report

Resources for Exploration Stage

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