Shorter, more focused Diocesan Synod coming in May

The Rev. Stephen Bailey, chair of the committee, said that the Synod, the annual general meeting of the diocese, will begin Friday evening, May 22, with registration at Christ Church Cathedral and continue for one day only on Saturday at St. Mary's Kerrisdale.

"We believe there will be two benefits to this," Bailey wrote in a letter to all clergy and lay delegates. "We will be responsible with our resources-time and money-in a time of austerity."

"But secondly, and as important, a simpler, shorter meeting will allow us to focus on the primary issues that we must address-the future of our diocese-as we consider adoption of the Diocesan Council's recommended Strategic Plan 2018."

As usual, the Synod will consider submitted resolutions and elect people to several offices, including the diocese's delegates to the national Anglican Church of Canada's General Synod in June 2010.

Deadlines for resolutions and nominations to be included in the Synod Circular are March 23 and 26, respectively. The Circular is due out March 30. The final deadline for resolutions will be set at Synod. Nominations are open up to the end of the first session on Friday. They must be submitted by May 19 to be on a list with biographical information that will be distributed to delegates as Synod opens.

A shorter synod meeting means that few committees and units and affiliated organizations will have platform time, and the use of audiovisual equipment will be reduced. However many groups can set up tables in St. Mary's gymnasium, and all will be submitting written reports.