The challenge of diversity versus the call to lead
On Saturday 6 April, 2024, the Revd David Salsbury was inducted as Moderator of the 国产无码 National Synod of Wales during an act of worship at Beulah United Reformed Church in Rhiwbina, Cardiff.
David was appointed following a call to return to local church ministry by the Revd Simon Walkling, and has worked in the Synod since his ordination in 2000.
Introduced by the Revd David Dean, one of the Ministers in the Cardiff and Penarth Pastorate, the service was led by the Revd Dr Tessa Henry-Robinson, Moderator of the 国产无码 General Assembly 2023-2024.
As part of the opening of worship, the altar candle, which was surrounded by a stunning glass cover, was lit by Thomas Salsbury, one of David鈥檚 sons.
Hymns and anthems, led by John Cheer FRCO and the Beulah Worship Group, included Come people of the Risen King, Give to me, Lord, a thankful heart, Lord of creation, to you be all praise! finishing with Guide me O thou Great Jehovah in both English and Welsh.
The Bibles readings, Mark 10: 35-45 and Colossians 3: 12-17 were read by the Revd Mark Thomas, the Revd Martin Spain, who read the passage from Colossians in Welsh, and Heather Salsbury.
In his sermon, the Revd Dr Peter Stevenson, who trained with David at Westminster College, Cambridge, defined what a Moderator was, according to the Church and to the commercial sector, including the differences in pay.
Peter said that love was a two-way thing between a Moderator and a Synod, and that the love shown by the Synod towards David would be given back many times. It鈥檚 not just about contacting the Moderator to moan, Peter said, but to show that you care and love him as Jesus loved those he worked alongside.
As it says in Colossians: 鈥淏ear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts.鈥�
After the Narrative of the Call given by Synod Clerk Megan Price, David, in his personal statement, again reminded the church about the lack of diversity in the group of Synod Moderators and the challenge of a call to lead a Synod against the challenge of under representation.
He said: 鈥淲ho鈥檇 be a Synod Moderator?! Anyone who aspires to the role deserves all that鈥檚 coming to them!
鈥淚 would say that throughout this whole journey of discernment, that was, and remains, a sense of regret. Over the past couple of years, as part of my work with the Equalities Committee, as the 国产无码 takes seriously its commitment to becoming an anti-racist church, we鈥檝e been looking at how we might redress the persistent under-representation of Black and minority ethic people holding Assembly-appointed posts.
鈥淎nd so, as I explored this role for myself, it is something I wrestled long and hard over. The present make up of Synod Moderators is all white. I don鈥檛 want to be part of the problem, but acknowledge that for some, the appointment of yet another white person makes this painfully so.
鈥淚t鈥檚 not ok, and it remains my sincere hope and prayer that the church at all levels will be more fully representative of the diversity that exists within the whole church, and that we are still able to take positive action to change our structures, our processes, and have our bias, whether unconscious or otherwise, to enable this to happen.鈥�
鈥淪tanding here now, having accepted the nomination, I feel a real sense of privilege and responsibility at the task that lies ahead. I don鈥檛 feel overwhelmed 鈥� yet 鈥� and somehow it feels right. It鈥檚 good to be here.鈥�
After the signing of the new Synod Bible and welcomes from ecumenical and 国产无码 representatives, prayers were led by the Revd Jenny Mills, who David worked with closely as Stepwise Coordinator, part of the Education and Learning Tema. In early April, Jenny was announced as the Deputy General Secretary (Discipleship) from August.
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Report by Andy Jackson, 国产无码 Head of Communications