Gibraltar Archdeaconry celebrates a week of "Growing Together"

The warm welcome from the parish of Sts Peter and Paul, Torrevieja and the wonderful views of the Mediterranean, contributed to a very productive synod of the Archdeaconry of Gibraltar. Clergy and laity from the congregations of the Diocese in Europe in Spain, Portugal, Andorra, Gibraltar and Morocco spent from 1 to 4 February working on a full agenda under the general theme “Growing Together”. This was the third and last year of a three-year programme looking at strengthening the unity in the Archdeaconry, a sense of common mission, and ways to improve the pastoral care of clergy and congregations. Bible studies were led by the Revd Andrew Tweedy of St George’s Barcelona looking at passages to do with sheep and shepherds as a way to reflect on aspects of our life together. Sessions of the meeting looked at: 

• The theological issues and the proposed legislation relating to women in the episcopate
• The current status of the Diocesan Strategic Review and the future of free-standing Archdeacons
• Reports from General and Diocesan Synod and from the partner diocese of Peru
• The dynamics of conflict and growth, led by the Dean of Liverpool, the Very Revd Justin Welby.
• Equipping our congregations for better communications
• The new Archdeaconry Handbook which gives guidance on a wide range of issues related to congregational life in the Archdeaconry of Gibraltar.

Casual vacancies in the clergy and lay representation to Diocesan Synod were filled by the election of the Revd Haynes Hubbard (St Vincent’s Algarve) and Mrs Joan Berry (Sts Peter and Paul, Torrevieja), respectively. Area Dean Hugh Broad and Archdeacon David Sutch (below) guided the proceedings over the four days.

After the hard work, there was a moment or two of fun!