The Rev Michael Hughes writes:

The “A Way Forward" Working Group has been reporting regularly to General Synod Standing Committee since its establishment.

Early in August the “A Way Forward" Working Group provided a formal report of its progress for wider distribution. 

It did this at the request of General Synod Standing Committee which had asked for a report which could be made available to the biennial gathering of Te Pihopatanga known as Te Runanganui and to Diocesan Synods.

General Synod Standing Committee was concerned to ensure that all meetings received information, and that the information was consistent between them.

The report was provided on 5 August 2015, in time for Te Runanganui and every Diocesan Synod.

In the report the Working Group outlines its intention to propose a two-step process which would allow consultation at Diocesan Synod and Hui Amorangi level between sessions of the General Synod/Te Hinota Whanui in 2016 and 2018. 

This process will give more time for consultation than would have been possible for a proposal capable of adoption at a single General Synod/Te Hinota Whanui. It is the procedure provided for by the Church of England Empowering Act 1928.

• Click below for the Working Group report.