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A hybrid meeting of the Synod Council of the Diocese of Ontario was held on Tuesday, March 25, 2025 at St. Paul's Parish in Kingston at 6 pm. Highlights of the meeting include:

Jane Kirkpatrick opened the meeting with reflections on the Feast of the Annunciation, followed by the Collect for the Day.

The agenda for the meeting was approved. Bishop Cliff made remarks about his visitations and activities, part of his normal busy schedule.  

Micheal Read and Barb Gilbert spoke about Synod 2025. The Schedule for Synod 2025 was approved by Council. David Selzer noted that according to the Canons, all notices of motion and other matters before Synod must be submitted 35 days prior to Synod, or be approved by the Synod Planning Committee. Nominations for Synod Council and General Synod must be entered prior to 4 April (Nomination forms are on the diocesan website.)

Laurie Dempsey on behalf of the lay readers of the diocese presented a grant application for the Anglican Foundation of Canada for ‘Summer Fruit for Souls’ for the amount of $15,000. The grant application was approved by Synod Council. David Selzer noted that St John the Evangelist in Bancroft was planning to apply for a major grant from the Anglican Foundation by the end of this year. DOORS is also planning to apply for a major grant for refugee work by the end of 2025.

The bishop mentioned that Canon Bob Wright was seeking a historic designation for St John the Evangelist in Stirling, which was built the same year as Parliament. A motion was made to this affect, and was approved.

Alex Pierson spoke about Insurance – the bills for renewal for parishes will be sent out in April. The 2024 Audit is in process – this will be presented at the next Synod Council meeting. The senior staff will work with the shortfall in the 2025 budget. Alex continued the conversation on budget priorities and gave a brief overview of diocesan budget issues.  

Wayne Varley spoke about his activities, including being a part of the national review of the correctional facility in Bath (Millhaven). Wayne attended an OPCOTE meeting in Toronto last week and noted that ‘we are graduating more good Anglicans than we take in initially.’  Wayne also spoke about fundraising for the Sisters at SSJD (Toronto) where the parish in Gananoque recently raised $1,000 towards the diocesan goal.  

The bishop brought up approval for St Paul, Newbliss (Kitley) and their self-funded  renovation project (approximately $90,000). The project was approved.  

The bishop mentioned The Ven Nancy Northgrave and her ministry this summer to cover a parish in the North for four weeks to provide relief for clergy there. This could stimulate other clergy to also consider contributing their time and build relationships outside of our diocese.

The next regularly scheduled meeting of Synod Council will be Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at 6pm.

The approval of the minutes of the March 26 meeting are pending. For questions about Synod Council, please contact the Ven. David Selzer, diocesan executive officer, by email at dselzer@ontario.anglican.ca or by phone at 613-777-0540.