This year, our Diocesan Synod returns to Kilmarnock on Saturday, 7 March 2026, beginning with the Eucharist at Holy Trinity, Kilmarnock and continuing at the Howard Centre.
The Eucharist is open to all, and the proceedings of the Synod are open to communicant members of the Scottish Episcopal Church who are resident in the Diocese. If you wish to attend Synod as a visitor, please contact the Diocesan Secretary – diocesansecretary@glasgow.anglican.org.
The business of the day will feature a session with Bishop Nick on the vision and plans for the Diocese, as well as presentations from the charity chosen for the Bishop’s Lent Appeal – the DAISY Project – and others. A number of elections to General Synod and its Boards, as well as Diocesan Council will also take place – if you are interested to stand, please find relevant application forms below.
The following list indicates how business it to be brought to the agenda of the Synod. It is always at the discretion of the Bishop to allow or remove items from the agenda.
- By request from the Bishop
- By Request from the Council
- By individual Synod members as follows:
A motion shall normally be submitted electronically or in writing to the Diocesan Secretary no later than 7 days before the Synod. Such motions shall require a proposer and seconder and be supported by six members of the Synod (excluding the proposer and seconder of the motion).
The Bishop (or the Convener of the Synod) may agree to the motion being placed on the Synod agenda or may choose to defer to the will of the Synod. In this latter case, the proposer shall have 2 minutes to address the Synod on why the Synod should consider the motion at that time before a vote is taken on whether the motion should be considered, the Synod voting as one house by simple majority.
Motions may not be submitted on the day of the Synod except by agreement with the Convener of the Synod.
AGENDA
Saturday 7 March 2026 at The Howard Centre, Kilmarnock
09.00 Registration, tea and coffee in the Howard Centre.
09.15 – 09.45 Freshers’ meeting with the Rev Canon Gordon Fyfe at a space in the Howard Centre. (Freshers will be advised where to go on arrival.)
10.00 – 11.00 Eucharist including the Constitution of Synod and Bishop’s Charge at Holy Trinity, Kilmarnock. [please note that the Chrism Mass this year will take place in Holy Week and not during the Synod Eucharist]
11.10 Bishop Nick in the chair [Howard Centre, please note that times given from hereafter might be changed or amended on the day.]
Welcome to Synod, Apologies, Meeting Appointments, Provincial Staff Representatives.
Synod’s approval for any guests and non-voting members to speak, or Chair sessions.
Appointments according to the Constitution and Canon 61, inc. Diocesan Secretary, Diocesan Treasurer, Diocesan Auditor.
Property Committee and Boundaries Committee Appointments
Approval of Diocesan Synod Minutes of 2025 in February and Extraordinary Diocesan Synod 2025 in June and any Matters Arising from same.
Notice of any AOCB agreed with Bishop Nick prior to the meeting.
11.30 Elections (the Very Rev Reuben Preston, the Dean)
11.50 Bishop’s Presentation and Table Discussion (Bishop Nick)
12.40 Presentation of 2025 Accounts and Auditor’s report, and of 2026 Budget (Dr Susan Burr, Diocesan Treasurer)
1.00 Bishop’s Lent Appeal 2026 – The DAISY Project
1.10 Update from Bishop’s Lent Appeal 2023
1.15 Lunch in Loudoun Hall
2.10 Submission of Synod Returns (the Rev Canon Gordon Fyfe, Synod Clerk)
2.20 Churchcraft Conference Announcement
2.30 Diocesan Environmental Group/Net Zero Action Plan Team Presentation
2.45 The Village
2.55 Matters from General Synod
Opinions from Diocesan Synod on Second Reading of the Proposal that Blessing of a Marriage (2025) be added to the Schedule to Canon 22
3.10 Legacy of Slavery Project (the Rev Willie Shaw)
3.25 Issues for Synod (the Dean)
Election Results
3.35 Any AOCB agreed before the meeting.
4.00 Confirmation of the Acts of Synod and The Blessing
Vacancies
There are a number of vacancies to be elected during Diocesan Synod 2026.
Completed Applications Forms are to be returned to the Diocesan Secretary (preferably via email) – diocesansecretary@glasgow.anglican.org – by 28 February 2026. For queries and further information, get in touch with the Diocesan Secretary.
Diocesan Representatives to General Synod
•3 clergy members to be elected for a 4-year term (Download Application Form)
•4 alternate clergy members for a 1-year term (Download Application Form)
•2 lay members to be elected for a 4-year term (Download Application Form)
•4 alternate lay members for a 1-year term (Download Application Form)
Diocesan Representative to the Faith and Order Board
•1 clergy member to be elected for a 4-year term (Download Application Form)
Diocesan Representative to the Mission Board
•1 clergy or lay member to be elected for a 4-year term (Download Application Form)
Representatives to Diocesan Council
•2 clergy members to be elected for a 4-year term (Download Application Form)
•[1 clergy member to be elected as mid-term vacancy replacement with term ending Diocesan Synod 2028, position filled to be homologated]
•[1 clergy vacancy TBC]
•3 lay members to be elected for a 4-year term (Download Application Form)
