Delegates to Synod began arriving at the Italian Cultural Centre following the Eucharist at St. John’s, Shaughnessy at about 12noon. After a buffet lunch, the first items on the agenda were five TALKS on subjects of interest to Anglicans. The TALKS were moderated by Archdeacon Stephen Rowe:
Communications: Kerry Allman serves as the internet strategist for the Episcopal Diocese of Olympia. After 25 years of experience in software design and implementation, he joined the bishop’s staff as a technical advisor and creative partner in maintaining and improving diocesan communications. He has served on the board of the Episcopal Communicators, whose ministry is devoted to communications within the Episcopal Church at the national, regional, diocesan, congregational, agency and educational facility level. His blog, “Putting the I-T in Spirit”, is a tool and resource for faith communities in expanding their presence in cyberspace. His work to develop a new diocesan website and bolster the dioceses’ social media presence recently earned national accolades.
Money : Bishop Greg Rickel was elected the eighth bishop of the Diocese of Olympia on May 12, 2007, ordained bishop on Sept. 15, 2007 and installed on Sept. 16, 2007, at St. Mark’s Cathedral in Seattle. He has served the wider church as a stewardship consultant for the Stewardship Office of the Episcopal Church and for the Episcopal Network for Stewardship (TENS). He has recently completed a six year term on the board of TENS. Bishop Rickel embraces radical hospitality that welcomes all, no matter where they find themselves on their journey of faith. He envisions a church that is a safe and authentic community in which to explore God’s infinite goodness and grace as revealed in the life and continuing revelation of Jesus Christ. As Bishop of Olympia he has articulated a vision with three main mission foci: congregational development, concentration on those 35 years of age and under, and stewardship of all creation.
Youth and Ministry : Andrew Stephens-Rennie is the Executive Director of Word Made Flesh Canada, an intentionally ecumenical social-profit organization that exists to serve and bear witness to hope amongst the most vulnerable of the world’s poor. A graduate of Wycliffe College, Andrew most recently served the Anglican Diocese of Ottawa as Missioner for Youth Formation and Vocation. In Ottawa, Andrew helped to pioneer The Open Table, a Christian community of young adults, and served as a part of the planting team for the New St Albans, a Christ-Centered, Spirit-Led, Contemporary Urban Church.
GODSPELL: The Reverends Andrew Halladay and David Taylor have a passion to perform the Passion. The stories of Jesus are electric and have the power to transform individuals into a community. Over the past few months as they have worked together to bring Godspell to life at the Cathedral for production this May 26th they have witnessed first hand that the story of Jesus is as new as it is old. Both are ordained ministers in the Anglican Church of Canada. David is an Associate Priest at St. Mary, Kerrisdale and Andrew is looking for work in a parish near you.
Refugees: The Reverend Michael McGee was born in Montreal and graduated from Montreal Diocesan Theological College in 1990. Michael came to the diocese as an associate priest at St. Mary’s Kerrisdale in December of 2003 after serving in the dioceses of BC, Athabasca, and Calgary. He is currently the incumbent of St. Helen’s Surrey. Michael’s committee work with this diocese has included BACA, DC, MCDC, G&L and the Refugee Unit. Michael has been a refugee coordinator for both the diocese of BC and Athabasca.
The Five Talks will soon be available on Social video media, linked through the diocesan website, stay tuned.PRESENTATIONS
Diocesan School: Archdeacon John Stephens, Rev. Trevor Fisher, Rev. Patrick Blaney, Erin Davis and Liz Cullen
A diocesan school grounded in the traditions of the Anglican Church would provide students with a university-preparatory education focused on the growth of the whole child. It would be a fully accredited, non-profit, co-educational independent school offering a balanced program where traditions meet the technologies of today. The proposed curriculum is the B.C. Government curriculum with the addition of chapel attendance and Bible study. The programs would include Pre-K to Grade 12. It is anticipated that a Preschool and Junior School for Pre-K to Grade 7 would open for operation in 2013. In Year two, a Middle and Senior School program would be added.
A local company was consulted to help create a plan and feasibility study. In the study, parents were asked what they would expect from an Anglican school. The parents said that the school should focus on: Anglican Ethos, inclusiveness, a community and global perspective, be contemporary and relevant, the school should endeavour to instill a strong desire to serve the community, leadership, a strong focus on academics and the arts.
Cost is a large factor based on parent’s ability to pay, teachers salaries and cost of operating the school. A further report will come to Synod 2013.
Tuition costs would be between the Roman Catholic model and the costs of other Christian schools.
The following Motion, Motion #5 was to be put before Synod but due to time constraints it has been referred to Diocesan Council.
Motion #5
That Synod supports the initiative to create a school which is identifiably Anglican and has a relationship with the Diocese of New Westminster.
Moved by: The Venerable John Stephens
Seconded by: The Reverend Patrick Blaney
White Paper on Diocesan Reorganization and Restructuring: Dean Peter Elliott
A task force will be asking everyone to participate on how we organize ourselves as a diocese. The White Paper is a method of beginning a conversation about how the Diocese is structured, with the hope that we can hear how God is calling us to be the church in our place and time. To change so that our Diocese can more effectively be an agent of God's mission in the world.
Dean Peter Elliott asked “Is the way that we are structured serving us effectively? This is key part of Plan 2018.” 1967 was the last time that Diocesan structures had a significant review.
How will this be achieved? By proposing changes to the following areas of our lives and inviting members of the Diocese into a dialogue about proposed changes:
**Alternative years: Diocesan Synod and Mission Conference
**50 people are on Diocesan Council? Is this the best use of the time of so many?
**Fewer standing committees.
**Revisions of our Canons and Constitution to reflect these changes.
There will be 5 or 6 regional regional consultations over the autumn of 2012.
Diocesan Council will be kept appraised.
Final report will be presented to Synod 2013.
Everyone is invited to participate in the consultation.
Members of the Task Force: Paul Borthistle, Sue Foley-Currie, Andrew Wilhelm-Boyles. Jim Stewart, Peter Elliott.
PWRDF: Peter Goodwin
PWRDF works with the Federal Government and many relief agencies and celebrated its 50th Anniversary in 2010.
PWRDF is currently working with Doctors without Borders to help 63,000 women and 95,000 children to improve women's and children’s health in 59 villages. Recently there have been two PWRDF presentations outside of Anglican circles including a recent presentation at SFU.
A new DVD on the Mozambique Health Project was shown as part of this presentation and is available to each parish as a component of an information package to help promote PWRDF. This Diocese has always strongly supported PWRDF.
Anglican Church Women (ACW): Margaret Warwick
The ACW is a group of women who support the whole Anglican church through prayer, work and stewardship.
Their new address is 7012B Merritt St. Burnaby. For over 60 years, the ACW have been sending bales of needed items to the north. The Diocese of the Yukon submits an order form for what is needed, mostly clothing. The clothing is stacked and stitched together and sealed with duct tape. The ACW sends 19-23 bales 3 times a year. The bales are transported up the Alaska Highway to Whitehorse for distribution. Some of the parishes in the north operate thrift shops. Money raised by sales helps to pay the pastor’s stipend. For many Anglicans in remote areas, the nearest department store is 200-900 km away. Lots of knitters make items for the bales.
ACW collect soap and other samples to distribute to Salvation Army, Union Gospel Mission and other relief organizations.
ACW has social activities where they meet over lunch and listen to guest speakers . Grains of Salt raise funds to help Inuit on Baffin Island. Used glasses are sent to ACW Place. Cancelled stamps and Campbell's Soup labels are used to help raise funds for mission work A portion of the mission work of the ACW is directed to the Mission to Seafarers.
There is always a need for more volunteers to tie bales and sort donations.
Anglican Foundation: Canon Judy Rois, Executive Director. Established in 1957 when church attendance was at an all-time high and the economy was booming. A group of 7 Anglicans got together to begin to look to the future by forming a foundation, chaired by the Primate with its own Board of Directors. The first donation was $25,000 with other donations to follow. First disbursements went to help a Northern Quebec First Nations church. It offered a vision of hope, money and resources. All Anglican Foundation funding is to support Anglican churches in Canada. Churches can give to the Anglican Foundation annually at $50 per year. 26 parishes in the Diocese of New Westminster make an annual gift to the Anglican Foundation. The foundation has contributed to many projects in the Diocese of New Westminster. The Diocese has received $250,000 in grants and $100,000 in loans. The Anglican Foundation now has children’s memberships for $2/year. Kids want to help kids go to camp, help other kids in poverty and assist kids with disabilities to go to church. The Anglican Foundation cares for kids with donations with a “hope bear” that was Canon Judy had on display on the lectern. Seed money is available for building renovations including wheelchair ramps, youth ministry, the church in the north and men and women in the Canadian forces. The Diocese may receive up to 3 grants per year.
Truth and Reconciliation Commission: Laurel Dykstra, Rev. Michael Batten, Rev. Clarence Li
The purpose of this commission is to invite churches, local Native people and our local governments to reconciliation. This is a response to the abuse that occurred at Indian Residential Schools operated by churches on behalf of the federal government. Our church started a national healing fund. Money has helped but reconciliation is not about money but about building relationships. Today many parishes have established new relationships from being strangers to being neighbours and finally becoming friends. On the Sunshine Coast, the local Anglican church is beginning a new relationship with the Sechelt Indian Band. Both parties are reflecting our common past and building trust and friendships. Father Matthew Johnston is working on building relationships with First Nation’s people on Vancouver’s downtown eastside. St. David of Wales in Vancouver’s Sunrise neighbourhood is building relationships with Nisg'aa.
We are asked to attend a Truth and Reconciliation Event with the Anglican Aboriginal Bishop as the guest speaker on Nov. 24. A national Truth and Reconciliation Event will be held in Vancouver in Sept. 2013.
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The next item on the May 11th, Synod Agenda was dinner and about an hour into the dinner service it was time for some entertainment. Synod delegates were treated to a 15 minute series of excerpts from the upcoming production of Godspell scheduled to “hit the boards” May 26th at 1pm and 7pm at Christ Church Cathedral.
Images: Home Page, Bishop Greg Rickel talks about MONEY. Top, Synod Office staff prepare for the arrival of delegates in the Trattoria Room. Top right, Kerry Allman talks about Communications. Lower Top right, Andrew Stephens-Rennie, Middle left, Rev. Michael McGee talks about Refugees. Middle, Dean Peter Elliott presents a PowerPoint on Diocesan Reorganization while Synod secretaries take notes. Lower right, PWRDF Diocesan Unit Chair, Peter Goodwin. Lower Centre, TRC presenters Laurel Dykstra, Rev, Clarence Li, Rev. Michael Batten. Below, Godspell cast receives well-deserved applause.\