Your Synod Council at Work

Synod Council met on Tuesday, November 25 at St. Paul’s, Kingston and online. Laurel Dempsey led devotions, reading from the end of Psalm 119 and offering a prayer for the council. Bishop William also offered a prayer giving thanks for the life and Christian witness of the late Tony Ashworth.

The bishop shared in his opening remarks the joy he is finding in each of his parish visits, many of which have been for Confirmation services. He expressed his hope that as the diocesan wide book study on 'To Love and Serve' begins in 2026 it will encourage many toward Confirmation or Reaffirmation of their faith.

Su McLeod, Alongside Hope (formerly PWRDF) director of supporter relations was welcomed as a guest speaker. Su provided an in-depth overview of Alongside Hope’s recent international and domestic initiatives, including sustainable development projects in Kenya and Bangladesh, neonatal health programmes, and Indigenous youth wellness efforts. She shared stories of hope from across the globe and Canada, emphasizing how projects that seem relatively simply can have tremendous impact. She engaged in questions about funding, addressing the impact of funding cuts by other international agencies. Alongside Hope partners with local agencies or organizations and while some partner organizations have had to reduce staff, core programs remain stable. She expressed her appreciation for the supporters who have helped Alongside Hope meet its fundraising targets. The council discussed the need for ongoing fundraising and the importance of diocesan representation to maintain communication and support. The bishop shared that a representative for the Diocese of Ontario is needed to attend the annual Alongside Hope meeting and asked for names to be suggested to him. 

Under the property update, Finance Officer Alex Pierson outlined the ongoing efforts to manage cemeteries. With the growing list of cemeteries entering the abandonment process and recognizing the concerns and questions arising regarding the management of cemeteries, an online meeting will be held in January for wardens and cemetery leaders (date to be announced). 

On other property matters, the council reviewed and approved the transfer of a 12-foot strip of land in Brockville to the United Church, resolving a longstanding title issue dating back to the 19th century. All associated costs of this transfer are covered by the United Church. The council also approved the installation of an electronic sign on the property of St. George’s, Trenton.

Alex reported on the diocesan insurance program, including the results of an independent review by Intech, ongoing negotiations with Ecclesiastical Canada, and upcoming changes to coverage and risk management practices. The review by Intech concluded that the diocese’s insurance package is well-coordinated with robust coverage and experienced insurers. In response to requests from wardens and treasurers, the Synod Office will host an online insurance workshop in late January or early February to provide guidance on coverage, risk management, and upcoming changes, ensuring parishes are informed and prepared (date to be announced).

The council was updated on IT and security upgrades with Alex detailing the migration of diocesan email and IT systems from Canadian Webhosting to Microsoft Exchange and Office 365. This will be a phased migration for staff, then clergy and then parishes. The move includes Office 365 licenses for parishes, providing access to OneDrive, SharePoint, and other productivity tools. Overall, these upgrades aim to improve reliability and security. A new payroll portal will replace email distribution of pay stubs and tax forms, allowing users to securely access documents online. This change will reduce email traffic and enhance security for diocesan employees. 

Alex presented the 2026 draft budget, including updates to stipend and salary grids, travel and housing allowances, supply rates, and allocations for ministry and lay support. Council members raised questions about congregational growth, compensation, and financial policies before approving the balanced budget. 

The council approved a 2.4% increase to clergy and staff salary grids, a 1.5% increase to travel reimbursement, and a 2.6% increase to housing allowance, in line with CPI and pension fund guidance. Alex reviewed the budget’s income and expenditure breakdown, noting a conservative approach to CMM income, adjustments for bishop’s travel, IT licensing, and the removal of one-time audit costs. The budget remains balanced at $1.545 million. The Financial Guidelines and Information will soon be posted on the diocesan website under Parish Finances (Resources/Clergy & Parish Resources/Finance & Payroll/Parish Finances).

Under other business, council discussed preferences for future meeting dates, agreeing to conduct a poll to determine the most suitable day of the week. Dean Doug Michael provided a summary of the decision to discontinue the Lunch by George program at the Cathedral at the end of June 2026 due to safety, security, and resource challenges, clarifying the rationale for council members and addressing concerns about the impact on the community.

The next Synod Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, from 6 to 8 pm at St. Paul’s, Kingston and online.

The approval of the minutes of the November 25 meeting is pending. For questions about Synod Council, please contact the Diocesan Executive Officer The Ven. Jane Humphreys, by email at jhumphreys@ontario.anglican.ca or by phone (613) 777-0540.