The Synod was held in the most delightful spot and we were blessed by the most beautiful weather! It was opened by the Rev. Ken Letts, who introduced the speakers, and we were immediately given an interesting historical overview on Anglican identity by Dr Colin Podmore.

Bishop Geoffrey then welcomed us and we were pitched into all sorts of practicalities concerning insurance and legal intricacies including the situation in Caimac, much of which, I have to confess, went over my head!

The Bishop then filled us in with information about Diocesan policy on training for Ministry: the age limit is 60 on account of the cost of training! obviously hey won't be taking me on............

He then talked to us about the Easter life of Christ and spoke of recent visits to former communist countries (including Albania) where he saw a great recrudescence of faith.

Colin Podmore was extremely interesting on the history of Anglicanism which he spread over three sessions so that we were not too overwhelmed.

We went back to discussion on insurance and the final talks, which I much relished, on safeguarding the planet, with the mention of the most serious problems, poverty, malnutrition lack of drinking water, child labour etc.

The growing world population was invoked and a good deal of time on global warming which will shortly produce vast numbers of environmental refugees. He poke of the Eco footprint : in theory we all have 1.5 global hectares but the US uses 10 per person and Western Europe 5.4, so we all need to improve our ways of using resources. Churches should reduce heating, look into car share and any other way that can be imagined to reduce waste; jumble sales were invoked!

The time we spent was interspersed with beautiful reverent services ( a lot of tuneful old hymns with a message!) and pleasant meals where we were able to catch up with our brothers and sisters all over the country. It was a delightful respite from the daily round and we came away refreshed. True, the journey was alarmingly long, but the beauty of the abbey and surrounding countryside was a compensation, much to be enjoyed.

Alison Coulavin March 2009