Dioceses around Australia are recognising the impact of the Hope25 campaign in their local contexts, and are preparing and passing Synod motions of thanks and commitment.
In the Diocese of Brisbane, the following motion has been proposed for the agenda for their upcoming meeting:
That this Synod:
- Gives great thanks to God for the Hope that we have in Jesus Christ in this uncertain world;
- Gives thanks to God for the efforts of parishes and commissions in sharing this hope as part of the Hope25 campaign;
- Commits itself to pray for those who heard about this hope around Australia throughout Hope25
- Recommits itself to the continual proclamation of the Kingdom Hope that we have in Jesus in our Parishes and Commissions as an integral part of our ministry and mission.
From the Diocese of Tasmania, we have this proposed motion:
This Synod gives thanks to God for the widespread efforts during the Hope25 season of evangelism to share the hope we have in Jesus and prays for God to bring much fruit. This Synod also calls on all parishes and ministries to build on this work of evangelism in the years to come, so that many Tasmanians would turn to God in repentance and faith and live as disciples of Jesus.
The Diocese of Gippsland recently held its Synod in mid-May. There was a resource table and an hour of sharing Hope25 stories and celebrating parish initiatives. The following motion was passed:
That this Synod commit to maintaining the focus on outreach generated by the Hope25 project as a Diocesan priority, and asks the Bishop and Diocesan Staff to identify opportunities each year for parishes and ministry centres to share what they have been doing with regard to outreach and how that has impacted the life of their communities.
Rev Susan Liersch gives a full report on the Hope25 celebrations at the Gippsland Synod.
These motions show a shared commitment to proclaiming the hope we have in Jesus and building on the momentum of Hope25 across the nation.