OVER 100 church representatives and clergy from across Wiltshire and Dorset will meet on June 22 at St Paul’s Church, Salisbury.

The gathering will celebrate the new official Fairtrade status of the Diocese, and successful financial returns in 2009 despite the economic slump.

Synod members will also hear of the process of electing candidates to General Synod in July.

The Bishop of Sherborne, Dr Graham Kings, will introduce a dynamic, combined approach to evangelism and social action aiming to transform the lives of both individuals and communities.

Dr Kings said: “Sharing the good news of Jesus Christ and working for justice in society interweave in God’s mission. The proposed Council of Mission aims to map, co-ordinate and stimulate encouraging projects and models.”

This will be the final Diocesan Synod presided over by the Bishop of Salisbury, Dr David Stancliffe.

He said: “Synod is the Diocese’s Parliament, where people from every walk of life meet to share their vision for where God might be leading us to go. As we listen to each other, my hope is always that I’ll meet someone who’ll change my mind. That’s what I’ve loved most over these 17 years.”

This Synod also includes the annual meeting of the Diocesan Board of Finance and members will be asked to approve the budget for 2011.

Diocesan Secretary Lucinda Herklots said today, “We are all aware that the UK economy remains in a fragile state, with the prospect of long-term austerity measures. It is simply a matter of timing that the chancellor has chosen the same day for his emergency budget; we hope we don’t get too many surprises in his announcements.”