Michael Lugton: previously it has been reported that the board should consider Banking on Bloodshed. A member of the Board has been to a conference on Banking on Justice. The Board has in March this year considered this matter. The fundamental question is the extent that the church wishes to look at relationship between finance and discipleship. Should consideration be given to placing funds away from mainstream banks? There is a good deal of interest across the church. Brechin Diocese is considering this. Some pratical difficulties in relying on banks without an extensive banking network. Also charity trustees have a responsibility to seek best returns.

A prior question is how the core values of our church can be defined in order to make a distinction betwen what is ethical and what is not. Board has not felt able to make any specific recommendation but believes there is a case to consider this further and the Board has resolved to ask the Mission and Ministry Board to ask that Church in Society Committee might be invited to consider this further. This committee has agreed to consider this in the coming year.

John Armes: deacons are part of the three historic orders. In our system, a deacon remains a deacon but most become priests. Our system of recruitment is not disposed to discerning the vocations of those who feel called to a vocational diaconate.

Working group has come to the view that this matters.

SEC is part of Porvoo which has a committment to work to a common understanding of diaconia. Working group was set up to respond to Oslo Consultation.

Bishop Mark speaks of the vocations day in his diocese at which 120 people turned up. 40 came to next and then it was down to 25. Series of days were spent looking at diaconate. Currently there are still people exploring this.

John Armes – this dialogue is a response to ecumenical partners and people approaching bishops who have diaconal vocations.