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An online virtual meeting of the Synod Council of the Diocese of Ontario was held on Tuesday March 22, 2022. Highlights of the meeting include: 

The Reverend Lynn Mitchell opened the meeting with a devotion on Peace.

The Bishop spoke on the sad and sudden passing of the Reverend Darlene Cunliffe, who was a member of Synod Council (Hastings Deanery) and the priest-in-charge of the Parish of North Hastings. Her funeral will be held on Saturday April 2 at St John the Evangelist in Bancroft.

Council heard an update from the Executive Board regarding work that is being done to scope and detail a facilitator position to support churches as they look to the post-Pandemic world. This role is intended to assist churches as they consider how to grow to meet new challenges and opportunities for mission and ministry. The Board hopes to have the position detail finalized and begin recruiting in the next 4-6 weeks.

Canon Michael Read provided Synod Council with an update from work that has been underway to consider how to move into our next Synod (planned for 2023). The Steering Committee from Synod 2021 continues to work on developing a proposal.

The Finance Officer, Alex Pierson, presented Council with an overview and update of the financial systems evolution program that has been underway for several years now. The 2021 Financial Year Audit is underway with our appointed Auditor (Wilkinson & Company). The Audited Consolidated Financial Statements for 2021 are expected to be presented to Council at the April meeting.

The Archdeacon of Ministry and Program, the Ven. Wayne Varley, provided an update to Council on recent discussion with the DOORS group around priorities and next steps in the support of refugee settlement. The Federal Government is making a number of changes to the programs and requirements, while the global need continues to escalate.  

Council was updated by the Worship Committee on their work for the Renewal Of Vows service and the upcoming Clergy Retreat.

The chair of the Stewardship Committee advised Council that the diocese has paid for access to resources from The Episcopal Network for Stewardship (TENS). Churches will be able to access these online. More information to follow.

Next meeting of Synod Council will be Tuesday April 26, 2022.   

The next regularly scheduled meeting of Synod Council will be Tuesday April 26, 2022, at 6pm. It is anticipated that Council will return to hybrid meetings (in person with the option to attend online) at the April meeting.

The approval of the minutes of the March 22 meeting are pending. For questions about Synod Council, please contact Alex Pierson, Diocesan Executive Officer, by email at apierson@ontario.anglican.ca or by phone at 613-544-4718.