Over the twenty five years some of us have been on G.S. there have been many changes... most of them for the better. Synod is much more friendly, the fringe groups and meetings give a detailed picture of particular concerns.

Unfortunately there is always an agonising choice to be made of which to attend. It helps too if you enjoy reading! After a time one becomes accustomed to the page layout for legal documents and reports but at first they can be daunting. The staff at Church House always go the extra mile and are very willing to help wherever they can.

We always need members across the board regarding church traditions, expertise, enthusiasm and age. Some of us "surfers" are not standing for re-election and some with more years or even less are also standing down so we need a great push to find people with the energy, enthusiasm, time and commitment to think of becoming candidates.
Caroline Spencer with the encouragement of the O.S.G. has pro-duced a leaflet setting out some of the details of being a G.S. Candidate. This may have been distributed via the lay chairs in your dioceses but if not then contact her for a pdf copy via e-mail. The O.S.G. encouraged Caroline to produce this as it seemed that no one else had thought of doing it! It is not a propaganda effort but one to encourage as many people as possible to think about, pray and consider either being a candidate themselves or encouraging someone else to offer.

I am not standing again but can honestly say that I have enjoyed my 25 years on Synod even though it has had its painful moments. It has been a privilege to be with people of so many different church backgrounds and views but each of us with the determination to make the Gospel of Our Lord known to all. It has also been not only a privilege but a pleasure to meet the people in the deaneries and share their hopes and concerns.

Shirley-Ann Williams