This Saturday we meet as a Synod to consider the future of Selwyn College...

Dear friends in Christ

Over the past few years Selwyn College – Te Maru Pūmanawa has come before Synod as we have wrestled with what place it has in our Diocese. This has been a long process and I know that some of you will feel engaged with this and others of you, less so. With the recent election of Synod representatives, there are about 20 per cent of us who are new to Synod and haven't been involved in the Selwyn College – Te Maru Pūmanawa Hui this time last year or what has taken place in previous Synods. 

Whatever your involvement to date, I really encourage you to take this opportunity to become involved: we are making a  significant decision about the mission of the Church. Indeed, it is the first time we as a Diocese have reached the point about whether one of our Diocesan institutions stays with us on the journey.

We have listened to the request to meet in person to consider this issue. This has been particularly challenging to do over 2020 with an initial Selwyn only Synod being cancelled due to the COVID-19 lockdown. This in particular has been hard for everyone, but I encourage you to come to Synod having read the papers, prepared to listen and engage in the process. We are pleased to welcome Archbishop Sir David Moxon (the Chair of the Selwyn College Review Panel) and Ms Anne Stevens QC (Chair of the Selwyn Board of Governors) and Luke McClelland, Warden of Selwyn College – Te Maru Pūmanawa to Synod on Saturday to be part of our conversation.

We trust in God for the ability to make the right decision and that we will follow the leading of the Spirit.

Please uphold the Synod, Selwyn College – Te Maru Pūmanawa and it's staff, students and Board in your prayers.

I look forward to seeing you on Saturday.

+Steven

See article on Saturday 14 November Synod session

Remember to bring your Prayer Book with you if attending Synod.