The following message was approved by the WAC Coordinating Team on 13 October 2023 and has been sent to 238 of the participants of the October 2023 Synod for whom we could find email addresses.
16 December 2023
Dear *,
We are hopeful that Synodality represents the future of the Church.
We ask that at the October 2024 Synod that you strongly support three main themes:
- Equality for laity We are delighted to see non-bishops with Voting Rights at the October 2023 Synod. We would like to see all future Synodal assemblies including an equal number of lay people as Voting participants. And the lay participants should be selected by the laity.
- Unity in diversity The October 2023 Synod showed that many of the hot button issues which we would like to see are not supported by many in the global south. Therefore, the best way forward is to embrace unity in diversity. This is clearly outlined in Chapter 19 (g) and (j) of the Synod Synthesis. This would allow some countries to move ahead with important issues of equality for laity, women, LGBTQ+ and married people.
- Equality for Women All ministries should be open to all the baptised who have that vocation, regardless of sex, gender orientation or Marital status. The Synod Synthesis noted different positions about women’s access to the diaconal ministry. Opening access for women to the diaconate would be an important step in opening all ministries to women.
We ask for your support for the three themes outlined at the October 2024 Synod.
Blessings and best wishes,
Colm Holmes,
Chair We are Church International
Email:
Dr Martha Heizer,
Vice-Chair We are Church International
Email: