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Synod — the “together-way”.

 

Our triennial Diocesan Synod is planned for this coming Oct 15-18 (Thursday to Sunday) in Peace River.

 

If you are coming as a delegate or observer, what can you expect?

 

While Synods are gatherings through which we guide our diocese, there won't actually be a lot of decisions being asked for.  Instead, the intent is to share what the Diocesan Executive Council (DEC) has done on behalf of the diocese since the last Synod and provide general direction for the upcoming session of DEC to proceed with.  Rather than bring everyone together and then put in a pressure-filled vote over ‘x’ (whatever ‘x’ may be), our approach is to identify direction, share guidance, and then ask the DEC to prayerfully and thoughtfully implement the healthiest steps forward on the general path identified.  So, most of the detailed decisions are done at the DEC level, or the parish level, where parish vestries and individuals decide how they will live out the direction mapped out at Synod.

 

Here are key points of what to expect:

  • The Bishop’s Charge.  Given instead of a sermon at the opening eucharist, the Bishop’s Charge outlines the Bishop’s vision for the next triennium and asks for diocesan support to walk into that vision.
  • The Charge Response.  A selected trio of individuals will canvass the Synod Delegates and write up a Bishop’s Charge Committee Report in which they state if they agree with the stated vision, what areas they have difficulty with (if any), and how they see the diocese proceeding on this path.  This is a corporate Synod response to the bishop, which will be used to help guide DEC going forward.
  • Synod delegates may put forward specific resolutions for the body to vote on.  We already know about these incoming resolutions:
    • Voting for members of DEC, Regional Deans, Provincial Synod Delegates, National Synod Delegates.  These votes are recommendations to the bishop, who announces if he assents or would like a re-look before finalizing (for whatever reason).
    • Thanks and Memorials — for saints of the church in our diocese
    • Proposed changes to the Canons — these must be passed by Synod in order to take effect.  This Synod is examining the introduction of a Discipline Canon and a revision of the Parish Review Canon
    • Renewal of our full membership in the Council of the North.  It is through our full membership as a Council of the North diocese that we receive our annual grant from the National Church, access to other funds, and collegial support and assistance.  This renewal must be done at each synod to keep our membership current.
    • Review of our financial picture.
  • Parish Snapshots — delegates are asked to give a brief snapshot of each of their parishes, for our mutual education and encouragement
  •   This year we are having workshops on Contemplation, the joy of being a small parish, and living our faith in the world today.
  • Our guest speaker.  We are very honoured to have the Primate, the Most Reverend Shane Parker, as our guest speaker for our synod this year.
  • We shall have opening and closing Eucharist services at the cathedral, worship each morning and evening during Synod, and prayers throughout.
  • We have short presentations planned for our updated Regulations, Best Practices, our Investment Philosophy, Legacy Giving, a proposed education approach (“Tea with Adam”), Alongside Hope, Anglican Foundation, On Eagles’ Wings, Future Staffing, and our Diocesan “State of the Union.”  
  • Reflections given by our Synod Guests: The Most Reverend Charles Duval, Archbishop of McLennan-Grouard of the Catholic Church of Canada, the Rev. Shannon McCarthy, Executive Member of the Northern Spirit Council, United Church of Canada, and Rev. Olav Traa, assistant to the bishop, Synod of Alberta and the Territories, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada.
  • Finally, times of fellowship, renewing and building new friendships.

 

It shall be a full synod!  

 

Synods are important, and I am very grateful for the participation of members from across the diocese.  Your coming and joining in not only influences the direction of the diocese, but, critically important, helps cement us all together as the body of Christ in Athabasca.

 

Thank you, and may you be greatly, greatly blessed as you continue to live in fellowship with our Lord and Saviour, Jesus the Christ.

 

+David