The Moderator opened the Synod Meeting with worship and welcomesMinutes from Synod Meeting 17 – 19 March 2017 and ordinations/inductions were approved‍

Future of Synod Team

‍The main discussion was dedicated to ‘Future Shape of Synod Team’ and the following resolutions were passed:

Resolution 1. 2017/09/01 – Future Shape of the Synod Team

‍The National Synod of Scotland instructs

PPS:

(i)         To seek to appoint a Youth Development Worker (part time) and Children’s Development Worker (part time) as two separate posts.Details of each will be further developed in conversation with Synod Youth Executive and Finance and Property Committee.To set up a grant fund to support Youth and Children’s activities.

(ii)        To seek to appoint, in conjunction with the United Reformed Church General Assembly Mission Department, an Ecumenical Officer (full time)(iii)       To seek to appoint a Transition Minister (full time) through the United Reformed Church Special Category Ministry Scheme

‍Resolution 2. 2017 /09/02 – College Principal

‍The National Synod of Scotland warmly welcomes the decision of the Scottish United Reformed and Congregational College to appoint Revd John McNeil Scott as the new Principal of the College.

‍Resolution 3. 2017 /09/03 – College Principal

‍The National Synod of Scotland warmly welcomes Revd John McNeil Scott as the new Training and Development Officer for the Synod.

‍Resolution 4. 2017 /09/04 – College Principal

‍The National Synod of Scotland expresses its thanks to Revd Dr John W Dyce for his service to Synod as its Training and Development Officer and prays that he has a long and fulfilling retirement.

‍Resolution 5. 2017 /09/05 – Safeguarding

‍Synod acknowledges and accepts that the United Reformed Church National Synod of Scotland Safeguarding will be provided by a service agreement with Church of Scotland.

‍Resolution 6. 2017 /09/06 – Synod Team

‍Synod endorses the proposal to take forward the discussion of the development of a new 'Synod Team' to comprise all serving stipendiary and self-supporting ministers, Synod Officers and Convenors of Synod Committees and Links, and requests the Moderator to take the process forward, engaging with and drawing on support from others as appropriate.

‍Church Life Committee

‍Synod received the Church Life Committee report

‍Launch of Northerly Synods Listening and Mediation Service

‍Synod received details of the Northerly Synods Listening and Mediation Service

‍Future Provision of Safeguarding

‍Synod heard details of the future provision for safeguarding

‍Pastoral Committee Report

‍Synod received the Pastoral Committee report

‍Policy, Planning and Strategy Committee Report

‍Synod received the PPS Committee report

‍Resolution 7. 2017/09/07 – the National Synod of Scotland accepts the PPS report.

‍PPS Nominations Group Report + Future Nominations

‍Synod received the PPS Nominations Group report and the following resolution was passed

‍Resolution 8. 2017/09/08 – The National Synod of Scotland endorses the nominations as given in this report (page 20-21) and any further nominations given at the meeting on 16th September 2017.

‍Finance and Property Report

‍Synod received the Finance and Property Committee report and the following resolutions were passed

‍Resolution 10. 2017/09/10

‍This meeting of the Synod of Scotland resolves to accept the budget proposal for 2018

‍Resolution 11. 2017/09/11&

‍This meeting of Synod resolves that churches in Scotland will be asked to increase their contributions to the MMF in the year 2018 in line with the request from the Finance & Property Committee.

‍Children and Youth People’s Report

‍Synod received the Children and Youth People’s report

‍Ecumenical and World Church

‍Synod received the Ecumenical and World Church Committee report and the following resolution was passed:

‍Resolution 9.  2017/09/09

‍The Synod of Scotland thanks the Revd. Mitchell Bunting for his work as its Ecumenical Officer for just under 10 years, and prays God’s blessing on him as he commences his new ministries in Dumbarton and Helensburgh.

‍Church and Society

‍Synod received the Church and Society Committee report

‍Closing Worship

‍Synod expressed their appreciation for the service of Revd Mitchell Bunting (Bungie) and Revd John W Dyce (Jack).The moderator closed Synod Meeting with worship including Anniversaries and In Memorium