Radical Uncertainty: truth and hope in the Church in Wales
Rob Moore reports from April’s Governing Body
The Archbishop, in his presidential address, reminded us that, as we travel through the uncertain landscape of our own day, we must be open and honest about the contexts in which we find ourselves. For only in telling a truthful story about where we are, and who we are, can we undertake to experiment, and take the appropriate approach for our own LMA situations and ministry opportunities as they appear in God’s unfolding plan today.
As part of this Archbishop Andrew highlighted three points:
- do more, better, together
- build a better collegiality
- be courageous and take risks
During Question Time and in engagement with the other reports presented, GB members reflected on those ambitions and spoke strongly in support of working and learning together.
Introducing his Restoring Welsh Rivers initiative, the Archbishop led us to reflect on our individual and collective stewardship of creation, with the expert speakers encouraging a healthy debate that modelled how we can “practise the art of curiosity and [be] prepared to evolve” as we consider our ambitions and strategies, at a local and national level. Rather than being a reactive Church, being a proactive one, “able to learn, develop and grow” so that we may lead the conversation from a position of faith rather than trying to have our voice heard once others have set the agenda.
Day Two saw debate on a Private Members’ Motion that sought to codify in the Terms of Service the convention that the Bishops have encouraged of a 48-hour work free period each month, but also to extend the post-Christmas and Easter holiday entitlement from six to seven days.
With five proposed amendments to the original motion we could have been in for a long debate. However, the Bishop of St. Asaph moved a Procedural Motion to suspend debate without a vote on the motion and this proposal was passed by a clear majority – with a reassurance from the session chair, Tim Llewelyn, that he would bring the matter to Standing Committee so that they may undertake to look at clergy and lay wellbeing more extensively and bring proposals to Governing Body in the near future.
As we prepared to leave, Archbishop Andrew charged us with sharing what had happened at GB, and to commit to doing God’s work in the world, knowing He promises to be with us providing everything we need, so that we may, as the Archbishop encouraged us, “…trust and be courageous. And to venture well”.