The Synod theme: "Now you are the Body of Christ and individually members of it."
1 Corinthians 12:27
Documents for the 2025 Synod will be forthcoming shortly.
Who Takes Part in Synod?
All licensed clergy, certain retired clergy, and elected lay delegates are invited and expected to take part. All active, licensed clergy are reminded that attendance at Synod is mandatory. Exceptions can only be made by the Archbishop. If circumstances require you to be absent from Synod, please contact the Archbishop’s Office immediately.
Registration
If you are eligible to vote at Synod, that is, you are licensed clergy or are clergy with the right to vote at Synod, or you are an elected lay delegate to Synod, you are asked to register for Synod by May 7, 2025 using the button below.
In order for a resolution to be entered into consideration, it first must be passed through the Resolutions Committee to determine whether it is in order. This committee is once again in 2025 being chaired by Ms Jennifer Dezell.
To submit a resolution for consideration please email the text along with the names of the mover and seconder to resolutions@vancouver.anglican.ca. You do not need to worry about formatting, as all resolutions will be edited into a consistent style.
For more information on the purpose of resolutions, what makes a good resolution, and how to write a resolution, please consult Appendix A of the Letter to Delegates which all delegates will have received.
At Synod we will be holding elections for several diocesan positions. We are now welcoming nominations for the positions below for election at Synod.
We invite Clergy and Parish Councils to look within their communities to identify suitable nominees for these ministries in our diocese. Note that the nominee is required to consent to the nomination. Though nominations may be submitted until the Close of Nominations on Friday, May 30, 2025 at 1:30 pm, in order that biographies can be distributed to Synod Delegates before proceedings begin, we strongly urge you to please submit these by May 15, 2025.
For in-depth information on these positions, feel free to consult the Diocese of New Westminster’s video gallery. All positions are for two-year terms, unless otherwise stated.
The Treasurer - 1 member
The Treasurer is a member of Diocesan Council, serves as Chair of the Standing Committee on Finance & Property.
Archdeaconry & Youth Representatives to Diocesan Council
- 1 lay representative/archdeaconry
-1 clergy representative/archdeaconry
-2 youth representatives between 15 and 25 years of age.
Representatives on Diocesan Council are meant to oversee the governance of the Diocese between Synods. Their responsibilities include attending meetings as scheduled and participating as active members of the Council.
The Court of the Diocese of New Westminster - 3 lay members, 3 clergy members
Lay nominees must be at least 23 years old and communicant members of the diocese for at least the last three years.
The Bishop’s Advisory Committee on Appointments - 3 lay members, 3 clergy members
The Bishop’s Advisory Committee on Appointments advises the Bishop on appointments and assignments in the diocese including Parish Recruitment for clergy.
Secretaries of Synod - 1 lay secretary, 1 clergy secretary
Secretaries of Synod are primarily responsible for minute-taking at all Synods of the Diocese held within their term. Attendance for minute-taking is required at all Synods.
The Anglican Initiatives Fund (AIF) Administrators - 2 lay members, 2 clergy members
AIF is the administrative body for a series of internal grants distributed for the work of ministry in the Diocese.
Location
Synod will occur at the Italian Cultural Centre (3075 Slocan Street, Vancouver, BC V5M 3E4). The nearest Skytrain station is Renfrew Station on the Millennium Line. Ample parking is available on site, although delegates are encouraged to carpool if driving. The building is wheelchair accessible, and the venue will be air conditioned.
Costs
While the Synod Office bears the overall financial responsibility for providing Synod, some shared costs will be divided out and billed to the parishes afterwards. This includes the cost of meals, which will be provided on site by the Italian Cultural Centre catering staff. Please indicate dietary requirements in the registration form.
Childcare
Due to limited capacity and limited space on site, we will not be able to provide childcare. If there are members of Synod who will need childcare in order to take part in Synod, we will be able to provide some bursaries, depending on need, to partially offset the cost. Please indicate your request for such in the registration form.
