Nordic / Baltic Synod: communications, women bishops and new Area Dean

The Revd Paul Needle

The Diocesan Communications Officer, the Revd Paul Needle, led a workshop for the members of the Nordic / Baltic deanery which met in Kungälv, near Gothenburg, Sweden from 30 September to 2 October. Clergy and laity from congregations in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Estonia and Latvia were present to hear Fr Needle present guidelines for good communications in church magazines, websites, blogs and to lay out some principles to bear in mind when facing the media. 


The Deanery Synod voted to send a note to Bishop's Council urging it to heed the mind of the diocese expressed in Diocesan Synod concerning the issue of ordination of women bishops. (The Diocesan Synod voted to accept the proposals of the General Synod, but due to our Diocesan Constitution, it is our Bishop's Council, a much smaller body than Synod, that makes the final decision on such matters).  


During evening prayer on 30 September, Archdeacon Jonathan LLoyd presented the Revd Barbara Moss to me to be commissioned as Area Dean, to serve for the next three years. Barbara is the chaplain of St Andrew's Gothenburg, where the Synod gathered on Sunday morning for a festive eucharist, with confirmations.


The meeting room was named the Snorre room, but it was, nevertheless, a lively gathering!  


Area Dean the Revd Barbara Moss
St Andrew's Gothenburg. Photo courtesy of Anglican Church in Finland

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