The Synod voted to pass the budget unammended. This means the funding for the Chaplain and Chaplaincy will be withdrawn.
Many ammendments were tabled, but were all shot down on technicalities and so weren't voted upon.
This is obviously a blow to the Chaplaincy community at Southampton. We feel slightly betrayed by the Diocesan Secretary and by the Bishop of Winchester as they gave us assurances in the meetings we held with them that amendments could be made, and a full debate would be had. Whilst they did not lie to us out right, we feel that what they said to us could be considered misleading.
We will now turn to finding alternative funding for the Chaplaincy as we feel that we can no longer trust the Diocese to keep their word and find alternative funding themselves.
If you have any ideas on how we can fund the Chaplaincy, please email us on secretary@savesotonchaplaincy.co.uk
More information to follow in the coming days. We will undoubtedly will require your help again.
Please keep us in your Prayers.