Synod applauds doctors who won't aid abortions
Synod strongly supported a motion affirming upholding the sanctity of human life at all stages, in the light of current debate surrounding abortion in Australia. The motion also "encourages and applauds" health professionals who will not promote or aid terminations "for reasons of conscience".

Clergy and laity split over remuneration vote
Clergy and laity divided over a call for clergy members of Standing Committee to refrain from voting on matters which concern remuneration and entitlements for ministers. The aim was to stop any real or perceived conflict of interest. The motion was lost when the vote was taken by houses. While the laity passed the motion 153 to 107, clergy opposed the motion 66 to 86. If the vote by houses had not taken place, the motion would have passed.

Parish tool kit to address climate change
The Sydney Diocesan Secretariat will develop a tool kit to help parishes respond to climate change. The kit will include environmental sustainability initiatives such as renewable energy and water conservation, as well as ministry resources expressing God's sovereignty over creation and our role in stewardship.

Push to relieve parish administrative burden
Synod has asked the Sydney Diocesan Secretariat to provide a report with "concrete recommendations" on easing parishes' administration burden. Issues to be examined include accounting, safe ministry requirements, property and insurance.

Watching brief formed on "Bill of Rights'
Synod asked the Social Issues Executive to maintain a watching brief on possible Federal Government plans to entrench human rights in a Bill of Rights or a Human Rights Charter. The SIE will engage with the Federal Government's consultation process and report back to Synod.

Sydney funds ministry in remote Western Australia
Archbishop Peter Jensen presented Bishop David Mulready with a cheque for $25,000 to aid employment of assistant ministers in his Diocese of North West Australia. Only three parishes in the Diocese are self-supporting, and Bishop Mulready thanked God for the support from Sydney Diocese and mission agency Bush Church Aid Society.

Lay and ordained women affirmed
Synod strongly affirmed women's ministry in the Diocese, after the Rev Chris Albany's motion calling on the Archbishop to consider how different views on women's ministry can be "creatively lived out" was lost. The alternative, suggested by Deaconess Margaret Rodgers, thanked God for the ministry of Sydney's lay and ordained women.
A later attempt by Mr Albany to have the vote on his motion recounted was defeated 156 to 252.

Meat added to missional diet
The push for theologically thought-out guidelines for contemporary church gatherings moved forward.
Debate centred on a report from the Doctrine Commission on the Theology of Christian Assembly. Archbishop Peter Jensen has been saying that do-it-yourself services can sometimes distort important elements such as the confession.
A liturgical group will now consult with missional church leaders about their needs for templates.

Rules now bigger but better
As Bishop Robert Forsyth said, it's "the biggest ordinance' ever but it will make parish life simpler.
Bringing together a host of seperate ordinances, churches have been given two clear choices for effectively managing parish life thanks to the Parish Administration Ordinance 2008.
The ordinance contains two schedules: one, for traditional parishes and another for parishes constituting several multi-site congregations.