New report ushers in next stage of Synod

Friday 9th August 2024

As we prepare to begin the exploration stage of our diocesan synod, a new report has been released.

Individuals, parishes and groups are now being invited to prayerfully discern the content of the report, in view of theme gatherings starting next month.

Produced by Rev Prof Peter McGrail and Dr Emma Swai of Liverpool Hope University, the ‘Big Listen’ Report details the responses and principal themes identified from the diocesan wide Big Listen exercise, which took place between October 2023 and January 2024.

The themes, highlighted below, will be explored in more detail with as many people as possible, during the upcoming theme gatherings:

Nurturing faith for tomorrow’s world
Building connections
Enabling access
Fostering Christ-like care

The Big Listen Report

Ahead of the theme gatherings, all are invited to take time to read and prayerfully discern the content of the full Big Listen Report.

Download the Final Report here

Episcopal Vicar for Formation Canon Paul Daly, explained that we are all called “to reflect, to pray and discern the road ahead” as we move into this next stage of our diocesan synod.

He stressed that during the upcoming theme gatherings, we will be invited to reflect on the key themes that have emerged from our Big Listen exercise, so it is important to take time to reflect, fully consider and explore each of the four themes as detailed in the Big Listen Report.

Next Steps – The Exploration Stage

The exploration stage of our diocesan synod will be from September to December 2024. During this period we are all invited to take part in Theme Gatherings in our parishes and groups in stages.

The main purpose of the theme gatherings is to engage people in exploring and understanding the content of the themes that have emerged from The Big Listen, enabling them to suggest proposed actions to progress our synodal journey.

A summary leaflet for each theme will be available on our dedicated synod webpage on the first Wednesday of each month starting from September and we are all encouraged to read the leaflets carefully and prayerfully to participate fully in the theme gathering meetings.

The summary leaflets will be available on the following dates:

Nurturing faith in tomorrow’s world – Wednesday 4th September
Building connections – Wednesday 2nd October
Enabling access – Wednesday 6th November
Fostering Christ-like care – Wednesday 4th December

How to Get Involved

We are eager to encourage as many people as possible to participate in our diocesan synod and there are a number of ways you can get involved over the coming weeks and months;

Take time to read and prayerfully discern the content of the full report for yourself.
Continue to pray for our diocesan synod, in your private prayers and in your parishes and groups
Encourage your friends and family to get involved. We really do want to hear from as many people as we can.
Join one of the upcoming theme gathering sessions in your parish or group
Keep following and praying for our synod journey

Take a look at our dedicated Synod page to find out more.