The Church of England’s General Synod is repeating last year’s ‘virtual question time’, highlighting the growing ways in which the Church is using the web and other electronic communications media.

Prebendary Kay Garlick, Chair of the Synod’s Business Committee, said: “The Committee decided to hold the first 'virtual Question Time’ last November, to gauge the Synod’s interest in the opportunity to ask questions between meetings. Synod had to change its standing orders to make this possible and we are keen to give it a good trial. We have agreed that it should take place again this November and next, and then review the decision in the light of three years' experience.”

Members who wish to ask Questions must submit them by 5.30 pm on Wednesday 31 October 2007. Answers will be posted to them by first class post, with the text of all Questions and Answers available on the Church of England web site on Tuesday 13 November. The text will also be included in the Report of Proceedings relating to the February 2008 Group of Sessions.

This move builds on a range of recent developments using new technology to enhance the Church's web presence. With 1.2 million unique users last year, the Church of England website now embraces a range of new media formats including podcasts (in partnership with Premier Christian Radio) profiling individuals from across the Church, social network bookmarking tools on all news stories, an e-bulletin providing a monthly round-up of news items, and an audio archive of General Synod debates.

Notes to Editors

Members of the General Synod, the Church’s elected governing body, may ask questions of the House of Bishops, the Archbishops’ Council and other Church bodies or agencies under the General Synod’s standing orders when the Synod meets. Like Parliamentary Questions, these may be either oral with the opportunity to follow up with supplementary questions, or written.

The Synod meets twice a year (in February and July), with a third meeting in reserve (November). It holds a question and answer session each time it meets, but November 2006 was the first time that questions were asked and answered without the Synod meeting. The questions are treated as written, with no opportunity for supplementaries.

In November 2006, 25 ‘virtual questions’ from members were asked and answered, here.

Article from: The Church of England