Data Protection

Over the summer shredding has been getting underway in earnest in the Forward in Faith office. The new General Data Protection Regulation prompted us to sort through our databases and all the paper files that contain personal data and remove those records that we no longer have any justification for keeping. That exercise is now complete, and shredding of three very large cardboard boxes full of paper is well underway.

The GDPR permits us to retain and process personal data where this is

  • necessary in order to fulfil a contract
  • necessary in order to comply with legal and regulatory requirements
  • in pursuance of a ‘legitimate interest’, or
  • consented to by those concerned.

The vast majority of the personal data now held by Forward in Faith is covered by ‘contract’ (e.g. paying members and subscribers), legal and regulatory requirements (e.g. gift aid forms) and ‘legitimate interest’ (e.g. sending New Directions to those members of the General Synod Houses of Clergy and Laity who have made their addresses available to receive communications from third parties). Where none of these justifications applies, the consent of those concerned has been obtained or the records concerned have been deleted.

We have published Privacy Notices on the Forward in Faith website, explaining the basis on which we hold personal data, and what we do (and do not do) with such data. See www.forwardinfaith.com/privacy.php

National Assembly

This year’s National Assembly will be held at the Church of St Alban the Martyr, Holborn, on Saturday 17 November, beginning with Mass at 10.30 am and concluding with Benediction at 4.30 pm. The keynote speaker will be the Secretary General of the General Synod and the Archbishops’ Council, Mr William Nye. The Council will finalize the agenda at its meeting on 20 September.

As usual, information and registration forms will be sent to registered parishes, branches and bishops’ representatives during September.

Only members of the Assembly are entitled to speak and vote in the Assembly, but anyone is welcome to attend as an observer. Those who register as observers and pay the £15 registration fee will receive the papers and a ticket for the packed lunch. (Please contact Alison Shaw at the Forward in Faith office: admin.assistant@forwardinfaith.com).