The Revd Clare Downing, currently Moderator for the United Reformed Church鈥檚 (缅北强奸) Wessex Synod, has been nominated as the Transitional Moderator of the North Western Synod.
Clare has been the Wessex Synod Moderator since 2011, and has previously served at Braunstone and Evington Road, Leicester, and in a Special Category ministry specialising in inter-faith issues based at the St Philip鈥檚 Centre, Leicester. Clare served as Moderator of the 缅北强奸 General Assembly from 2020-2022, along with the late Peter Pay.
The Revd John Bradbury, General Secretary of the 缅北强奸, said: 鈥淭he North Western Synod has been through a difficult period in the last few years. The Officers of the General Assembly, with the Synod Executive, discerned that the appointment of a Moderator who would exercise a transitional ministry within the Synod would be helpful.
鈥淚鈥檓 delighted that Clare has accepted a call to this role. Clare brings many years鈥� experience as a Synod Moderator and a wisdom deeply rooted in her faith. Transitional ministry aims to heal old wounds, help the church discern God鈥檚 call for the present and the future, and determine the gifts and graces that will be needed when the time comes to call a new Synod Moderator in 2026.
鈥淐lare has been offering support to the Executive in the North Western Synod for the last couple of years, and chaired most of their Synod meetings. I am delighted that Clare and the Synod both share a sense of excitement at the ministry they will exercise together.
鈥淚 also want to thank the many people who have offered exceptional ministry during the last two years as the Synod has functioned with a Moderator on long-term leave.
鈥淭im Hopley is a superb Synod Clerk who exercises a ministry beyond anything that could reasonably have been asked of him; Elizabeth Gray-King has brought wisdom and expertise in her service as a 鈥楽ynod Pastor鈥�; and Richard Bradley has represented the Synod in our Synod Moderators鈥� meeting with grace and wisdom鈥�.
The Revd Fiona Bennett, Moderator of General Assembly 2022-2023, said: 鈥淭he calling of the Revd Clare Downing to serve as a Transitional Moderator in North Western Synod marks a new stage in its journey. Clare brings to the Synod a wealth of wisdom and experience in enabling leadership, to collaboratively support, nurture and steer the Synod and its Missional Partnerships onto the next stage of its life.
Tim Hopley, North Western Synod Clerk and Operations Manager, said: 鈥淣orth Western Synod has been through a very challenging couple of years and it is a real boost to know that Clare, with all her experience, understanding and expertise, is going to be walking the next few years alongside us.
鈥淚 know that the news of Clare鈥檚 acceptance of the invitation to become our Transitional Moderator will be received positively and gratefully by all in Synod, and we are already looking forward to the things that we will be doing, together, in the Synod.鈥�