After Holy Communion during which the Archbishop of Canterbury spoke about Archbishop Janani Luwum, martyred in Uganda under Idi Amin, the Synod settled down to a thoughful debate about the impact of sanctions on benefit claimants, and voted by an overwhelming majority for a motion which, among other things, called upon 'Her Majesty's Government to initiate a full independent review of the impact and efficacy of the sanctions and conditionality regime.'
After lunch and a fascinating and moving presentation by the Living Out group at a fringe meeting which I attended, Synod spent the rest of the day debating the Reform and Renewal agenda.
First of all, was quite a technical and complicated debate about the way ministerial training is going to be funded in the future, all in the context of the Church's plan to increase the number of ordinands (ie vicars-in-training) by 50 per cent.
Next was a presentation, followed by questions, on 'resourcing for the future'. This about was about how the Church's central funds can be allocated in the future to (1) mission in the poorest communities in our country and (2) to investment in new growth opportunities.
Again there was a welcome focus on an outward facing church, committed to growth, which concluded this short, but encouraging, group of sessions in Westminster.
The Synod meets next at the University of York in July.
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