Your Synod Council at work

An online virtual meeting of the Synod Council of the Diocese of Ontario was held on Tuesday, March 28, 2023 at 6 pm. Highlights of the meeting include:

The Very Rev. Doug Michael offered devotions, based on the Farsi expression ‘Nowruz Mobarak’ meaning ‘blessed new day’, which is used in the sense of happy new year. Doug spoke of the six Kurdish families the parish sponsored in Collingwood, and the other Kurdish families who became a part of the greater community. That sense of community was formed with the parish, and came together as a greater group, with the church as a focal point. He ended with prayer.

The agenda was adopted. The bishop included updates, including the deaths of Rev. John Utley, Rev. James Scanlon, and Marjorie Anne McGrory, Rev Lynn Dillabough’s mother. The Bishop noted that Rev. Rogerio de Assis will be coming to St Lawrence in Brockville from Sao Paulo in Brazil. The Most Rev. Francisco de Silva will be coming to the Diocese of Ontario for three months in May for a sabbatical, first staying in the eastern part of the diocese, and then in Kingston and will be available for teaching, preaching, supply, etc. while he is here.

The minutes of the 28 February were approved. There was no business arising from the minutes.

The Most Rev. Fred Hiltz, the immediate past Primate and co-Chair of the fundraising effort of the Sisters of St John the Divine (in Toronto), spoke about the fundraising campaign for the guest house of the order. The goal is to raise $2.7 million dollars, with additional money already raised. The Dioceses of the Ecclesiastical Province of Ontario have all been asked to make a contribution to this effort. Synod Council will think and pray about this and respond at the April meeting.

Canon Peter Case and Colleen Lowrie presented the 2022 Audit and provided details as well as answered questions. The 2022 Audit was approved.

There were two requests for application for the $15,000 Anglican Foundation Grants, in addition to the request presented last month from St Mark’s, Barriefield. Mike Lindsay from St James Anglican Church in Kingston presented the parish request for funds, along with approval for the parish to seek a loan for $350,000 for major foundation repairs. Both requests were approved.

The Rev. Canon Mike Read from St Lawrence Church in Brockville presented the parish request for funds, along with approval for the total project of $195,000 for accessibility. Both requests were approved.

DFO Alex Pierson presented a report on property issues of the diocese, including conversations with a group of parishioners from Christ Church, Tamworth.

Archdeacon Wayne Varley for Ministry and Program spoke of the Green Group’s presence at Synod, including a gift of trees. Additionally, he noted a recently approved Reach and Stretch Grant of $5,000 for Christ Church Cataraqui for music lessons and a feeding program for youth in and about the parish. This is the fourth Reach and Stretch grant for 2023.

There was no report for Stewardship and Development.  

The Rev. Lynn Mitchell spoke of the great activity of the Diocesan Worship Committee, including the Clergy Retreat scheduled for April 23-25, the Electoral Synod on April 29, Diocesan Synod May 26-28, and the Consecration/Installation of the next bishop.  

DFO Alex Pierson continued his conversation from the February Synod Council meeting of the financial framework for the diocese. He will expand this further in meetings around the diocese in the next month. This framework and its understanding will be critical in the budget development cycle and implementation.

DEO David Selzer submitted his report as required as administrator for St Paul’s, Kingston.

There being no other business, the bishop requested that the May meeting be an in-person meeting celebrating the work of the current council.

The bishop closed the meeting with the prayer for the election of a new bishop, and the grace.

The next regularly scheduled meeting of Synod Council will be Tuesday, April 25, 2023, at 6pm. This meeting will be in person only.

The approval of the minutes of the March 28 meeting are pending. For questions about Synod Council, please contact the Ven. David Selzer, Diocesan Executive Officer Pro-Tem, by email at dselzer@ontario.anglican.ca or by phone at 613-777-0540.