On 12 March the Board of Nominators sent a communication to synod members. The update, from the Chair of the Board Dr Jenny George, addressed five matters.

The first was about board membership; the second about the amount of time being devoted to board meetings as well as more informal online meetings and discussion. The third was timelines leading into the election synod and details of a second day if required. The fourth point acknowledged the complexity of the synod act and provided a summary of the processes the committee is undertaking. And finally, Dr George asked of synod members to pray for the board and the diocese, and also to not badger board members with questions about their work.

What was very clear in the three-page update was that this task of selecting potential candidates to bring to the election synod was onerous and time consuming. Dr George wrote that a number of board members had stepped down “for a variety of personal reasons”. The board initially consisted of 18 members. As of 12 March, there are 14 members, who are listed in the update.

The board had its first formal meeting on 10 August last year. Since then, it has had 20 meetings as a full board, “involving more than 71 hours” of this group’s time.

Dr George also explained that individually, board members had put in many hours in small groups focussing on specific topics, such as writing a diocesan profile, analysing feedback from synod members, managing board logistics, and one assumes, attending work, church and family commitments and finding time to rest.

She acknowledged the workload that had been required, saying it was part of the reason some were unable to continue as board members.

“This must have been a hard decision to make but understandable and I want to honour those who contributed to our processes but were not able to continue,” Dr George wrote.

The chair also expressed appreciation for the 14 remaining members.

The diocesan administrator, Bishop Genieve Blackwell, has named 23 and 24 May as the synod election dates, but the update from the Board of Nominators does not lock in those times, as there is much preparation required to be ready for the election.

Dr George reminded synod members that it is Registry, not the Board of Nominators, that organises synod. However, the board is preparing all the information required to inform and educate members about the election process and the voting itself. A pack will be sent to all members two weeks prior to the election.

These events can be overwhelming, given the responsibility on the shoulders of synod members. To assist, the Board of Nominators have prepared a cheat sheet.

Members of the last election synod in 2006 still remember the stress of the election process.

Commenting on Facebook about The Melbourne Anglican’s recent post about election harmony, Reverend Dr Craig D’Alton wrote “My own recollections are vivid and even traumatic. I’m sure I’m not alone in that, but I’m equally sure that others will have contrary memories.”

The Venerable DrColleen O’Reilly wrote in response: “I had actually had a brief period of what I would now call PTSD after the last election. I was a member of the Board and could not speak in the Synods. Remember we had two before eventually electing and did that on an additional night. When I ran into one of the candidates in London much later and he kindly asked about the Diocese I burst into tears when I spoke- me! In tears in public! I felt ashamed of us all.”

In further reflections, Dr D’Alton expressed concerns about the election process itself. He believes it is deeply flawed, and a proper overhaul is needed.

“My first hope would be that people leave dirt in the ground rather than flinging it. Second, that conversations are not held behind closed doors or in emails.”

Dr George has been very specific in her requests to synod members. She specifically names three groups as a focus for prayer.

“Pray for the board – for stamina and good humour and a continued focus on God’s will for the Diocese of Melbourne.

“Pray for candidates – for clarity, discernment and wisdom.

“Pray for synod members – that we will all be able to discern collectively who should be the next Archbishop for Melbourne and that we will do it in a way that is respectful, honest and gracious.”