Each parish is entitled to have three representatives at Synod, being the minister and two elected lay persons. Provisional parishes are entitled to two representatives (the minister and one elected lay person).
Role and responsibility of Synod representatives
The Synod has five main functions, to which parish representatives participate and contribute. These are –
- to elect persons to diocesan bodies (such as schools and organisations)
- to make ordinances (the legislation that governs the Diocese)
- to pass resolutions and make policies
- to receive reports from diocesan organisations and taskforces
- to provide a time for diocesan-wide fellowship
The Role and responsibilities of Synod members page provides greater detail.
Election of lay representatives
Synod operates on a three year term, with an ‘ordinary’ session each year and opportunity for ‘special’ sessions to be held in addition to the ordinary sessions. The Synod three-year term commences with the first ordinary session. Lay representatives are elected at the parish Annual General Meeting (AGM) in the same year as the first ordinary session of a Synod, and are elected for a term of three years. Accordingly, all parishes should elect lay representatives in 2023 (for the first ordinary session of the 53rd Synod), and again in 2026 (for the first ordinary session of the 54th Synod, in 2026), etc.
Qualifications for a lay representative
In order to be elected as a lay representative for a parish, a person must not be a member of the clergy, and must be –
- 18 years of age or older; and
- a communicant member of the Anglican Church of Australia (baptised and regularly participate in the Lord's Supper at an Anglican church).
Appointment of an alternate representative
If the Parochial Minister or a lay Parochial Representative cannot attend a particular session of the Synod, they may appoint an alternate for that session. The process is different for lay and clergy representatives -
- The Parochial Minister should email registry@sydney.anglican.asn.au in order to provide notice of the member of clergy they have appointed as their alternate (refer to the Synod Membership Ordinance 1995, clause 8A)
- A lay member of Synod should complete the Appointment of an Alternate Lay Synod Representative form.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does a lay Synod representative's term commence and conclude?
A lay Synod representative's term is tied to the (three year) Synod of which they are a member. They act as a member of that Synod, on matters related to that Synod, from the point at which they are elected, but their term officially commences on the first day of the first ordinary session of that Synod. Their term will conclude the day before the commencement of the next session of Synod (clause 18(1) of the Synod Membership Ordinance 1995). For example, a person elected in March 2023 as a representative of the 53rd Synod (2023-2025) will receive notices and communications relating to the September 2023 session (including invitations to nominate and elect persons to Synod-elected positions on boards and councils, where those positions are to be elected by the 53rd Synod), and will formally commence their term on the first day of the first session on 11 Septemeber 2023, and will conclude on the day prior to the first ordinary session of the 54th Synod, presumably in September 2026.
In the seven months prior to a first ordinary session of Synod (for example Feb-Sep 2023, Feb-Sep 2026), there is some potential for Synod-related work to be undertaken either by the representatives of the current Synod, or of the forthcoming Synod. That is, Synod representatives recently elected (for the forthcoming Synod) deal with matters relating to that forthcoming Synod, while at the same time the representatives of the current Synod may yet be called upon to attend a special session of Synod, or nominate or elect persons for Synod-elected casual vacanies on boards or councils where these relate to the current session. An example of this may be that members of the 52nd Synod (which held its final ordinary session in 2022) may be called upon to elect a person to a casual vacancy for a regionally-elected member of Standing Committee, up until 10 September 2023. Members of the 53rd Synod will not be involved in that election, but will receive notifices related to the forthcoming session during that same time period.
What happens if a lay representative resigns?
If a lay representative resigns during their three year term, the parish at a General Meeting may elect another lay representative for the balance of the original term. (See clause 20 of the Synod Membership Ordinance 1995.)
The parish may hold a special General Meeting at any time during the year to elect representatives, in accordance with the requirements set out in clase 4.1 of the Schedule (1 or 2) of the Parish Administration Ordinance 2008.
What happens if the parish doesn't elect one or two of the Lay Synod representatives?
If one or two lay representatives are not elected at the General Meeting held prior to the first ordinary session of a Synod (i.e., in 2023, 2026), then the unfilled position(s) will remain vacant until filled by a General Meeting (not Parish Council) of the parish (see clause 20 of the Synod Membership Ordinance 1995). Prior lay representatives do not continue in office (see subclause 18(1) of the Synod Membership Ordinance 1995).
The parish may hold a special General Meeting at any time during the year to elect representatives, in accordance with the requirements set out in clase 4.1 of the Schedule (1 or 2) of the Parish Administration Ordinance 2008.
Notification of representative and Further information
- Notify the Registry of the election, retirement, resignation, of representatives, or the appointment of an alternate - email registry@sydney.anglican.asn.au.
- Part 4 (clauses 8A-8C) of the Synod Membership Ordinance 1995 sets out in full the method for a minister to appoint an alternate.
- Part 5 (clauses 9-22) of the Synod Membership Ordinance 1995 sets out in full the rules governing the election of Synod representatives, and the appointment of alternates for lay representatives.
- Further information about the Synod and meeting dates.