Page 5 - Moravian Messenger Oct 2020

Notice of Synod
The Provincial Board hereby give notice that the rearranged Synod in 2021 will be held at The Hayes Conference Centre, Swanwick between Thursday 11th March and Monday 15th March 2021 inclusive. Please note that we meet on the Thursday not the Friday as at previous Synods.
The timetable for submission of Credentials, Memorials, Nominations, Proposals and Reports is as follows:
1. Congregation Deputies' Credential Form to be at Church House by 1st December 2020 (2.3.a.3). Deputies will not be expected to bring a copy with them to Synod.
2. Class A Proposals* must be notified to the Provincial Board by 11th December 2020 (2.3.b.1).
3. Class B Proposals* must be notified to the Provincial Board by 21st January 2021 (2.3.b.2).
4. Reports and Memorials must be sent to Church House by 20th January 2021.
5. Nomination Forms for Provincial Board and Provincial Committees to be at Church House by 28th January 2021 (2.4.i.5.1).
Synod Papers will be distributed sent out all those attending by 15th February 2021.
Note *:
1. Class A - Proposals that effect and become part of the Book of Order of the Moravian Church in the British Province.
2. Class B - Proposals which are not to be incorporated in the Book of Order of the Moravian Church in the British Province.
3. Proposals which have not been duly notified under the Book of Order 2.3.b.2 above will only be given a place on the Agenda paper if:
a) They are regarding matters which have arisen since the last date for the submission of proposals, or
b) They are in response to issues current at the time of Synod, or
c) They arise at Synod, and
d) Synod agrees by show of hands that they be included on the Agenda paper.
Provincial Standing Committees
There will be vacancies occurring on various Provincial Committees and members of congregations are asked to consider putting themselves forward to serve the province on a committee.
The upcoming vacancies are as follows:
Church Book Committee
One member for four years
One member for two years
Finance Committee: The Church is a charity and has investments and trusts that require advice and management. The committee welcomes in particular members who have a financial background.
Three members for four years
Church Service Committee: This committee supports the Provincial Board in all areas of Church Service and plans and organises continuing training for ministers and lay workers.
Two members for four years
Provincial Youth and Children's Committee: This committee invites anyone who is interested in promoting youth and children's work and activities in all its forms.
Two members for four years
One member for two years
Faith and Order and Ecumenical Relations Committee: This committee advises the province on questions of faith, Church order and ecumenical matters.
Two members for four years
Mission and Society Committee:
This committee deals with items of home mission in the UK, renewal and social responsibility. It has recently looked at issues such as child poverty, climate change, social media, Community Engagement and Mission in our congregations.
Two members for four years
World Mission Committee: This committee supports the British Mission Board in its mission and efforts in South East Asia, Western Tanzania, Star Mountain, Elim Home in South Africa and other mission projects.
Two members for four years
serve them, requesting an immediate meeting with the Provincial Board to rectify the situation. However, the Provincial Board, as often is the case, were firm in their resolve and support of Sr Shaw and determined that she would carry out such the call they had discerned. It was with even greater dismay to the same congregation that she retired in 1975.
Millicent Fawcett, a suffragist leader once stated in a speech: 'Courage calls to courage everywhere, and its voice cannot be denied.' When Sr Shaw died in 1976, in a tribute to her in the Messenger, it was noted that she never sought such tributes but living in the light of Faith, she always sought to be of service.
Yet in walking in such a light with courage of conviction, Sr Shaw, carried the baton from all those before her - both sisters and brothers - who persevered to a new body, a body of courageous ordained women ministers all of who to this day continue to push new boundaries and rise to challenges in their ministry on a daily basis.
I would like to end this article noting that I could have written for many more pages, and perhaps I will eventually. Ordination was only the beginning and I have not had the opportunity to reflect on all the other areas of Church Service that sisters have helped propel forward.
Discovering Sr Shaw, led me to discover so many stories of brothers and sisters from throughout the 20th century who constantly sought to carry out the work of the Church, to spread the gospel but to also challenge the norm when it became too comfortable, and
for people to meet together even in disagreement and to finally reach consensus.
Sr Roberta Hoey
Provincial Board
Thanks to Sr Lorraine Parsons for all the archival material and to Sr Anne Geary and Br Fred Linyard for introducing me to Sr Emily Shaw.
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