It was an intense week and I have to say it was a relief to get off the screen on Sunday. With NSW lifting lockdowns, our Sunday was enjoyed with our family gathering alfresco for lunch – something we have missed greatly.

Here’s a few thoughts in no particular order.

  1. In retrospect, given that we were destined to gather online, it would have been better to spread out the meetings over several weeks allowing a little more reflection and processing time. The week felt very rushed and by the time everyone got comfortable with the technology, we were nearing the end. The benefits of hindsight!
  2. While I am committed in principle to spiritual discernment as the foundation of decision making in this process, I remain unconvinced that the particular model chosen for the plenary is able to deliver. The ‘Spiritual Conversations’ model adopted by the organising committee, left many feeling frustrated and with insufficient time to address the practical issues of the question we were given to answer (Formation of Leaders). We did, however, enjoy many wonderful insights from scripture throughout the week.
  3. There were many references to people at the margins and people who have been hurt. Calls were made for changes to church teaching on sexuality and access to ordination by women. As a local church event, the PC is not authorised to determine ‘what’ is taught (ie doctrine), only to determine ‘how’ it is taught (ie pastoral practice). I hope that future discussions will honour the boundaries so that we can give full attention to the task at hand. There is certainly much we could be doing to better present the doctrine of the Church and to more pastorally engage with people in the centre and at the margins.

It’s not over yet – not by a long shot. Work will continue over the next nine months to give birth at the second assembly in July 2022. Let’s hope that we, as a community, are ready to receive the ‘fruits of the womb’ of the Church and nourish it to fullness over the coming decades.