Diocesan Synod 2023
Rev. Sharon, Linda Robertson, Tony Dodd and Marthe Duncombe represented St. Catherine's as Synod Delegates on Friday and Saturday, May 12-13, 2023.
At the Italian Cultural Center with a large parking facility. Registration Started at 8:00 am, coffee and tea were accompanied by beautiful small pastries,a very good start.
8:45 Synod Eucharist and Homily.
We shared table #20 with people from Powell River, we had good exchanges. They were a pleasant group.
After the noon Prayer it was lunch, they had a draw to know which table would go first ,we were lucky to be a part of the early tables.
Beautiful choice of sandwiches, some vegan options and some meat. Also we had a choice of assortment of vegetables with dip followed by a nice selection of cut fruits for dessert. Beverages were juice and pop during lunch and the coffee and tea were replenished all day when needed.
Around 5:15 it was time for Evening Prayer,a bit long (in my opinion ) to conclude a long day .
Submitted by Marthe Duncombe
We heard presettions from the following ministries funded by the Diocese.
MISSION TO SEAFARERS cares for the seafarers who have been away at sea. They are transported for free vaccinations at local clinics. They have onboard visits by Clergy. A “Sea Sunday” wreath laying was held at St. David’s Tsawwassen on the Fraser River for those lost at sea.
THE CHAPLAINS AT VGH and volunteers provide spiritual comfort to the sick and dying, their families and friends. VGH patients are from B.C, and abroad and Aboriginal and Inuit patients evacuated from remote communities. They also assist homeless patients with companionship, encouragement, prayer and Bibles.
PWRDF connects with the work of the Canadian Food Grains Bank amongst others. They also organize Diocesan educational events and letter-writing campaigns. They are now working to organize the annual Diocesan cycling fund raising Ride, an opportunity to support PWRDF with your favourite activity.
Submitted by Tony Dodd
The main resolution discussed at synod over 2 days was the response to the Report of the Task Force on Housing Affordability and Homelessness. Delegates to synod were asked to attend a 2 hour zoom presentation on the report a month before the synod meeting. As the resolution was long with different topics covered, instead of voting on the entire resolution on Frdiay, it was put over until Saturday and voted on as 6 separate resolutions.
There was much debate about whether the diocese should hire an “animator” – someone to oversee and assist individual parishes in working on this issue. We also debated whether allocating $5000 per parish was the right way to go but instead evaluate proposals and make larger grants given that not all parishes will participate. Many parishes said they lacked the volunteer resources to take this issue on. We discussed the feasibility of setting up a diocesan society that will assist parishes with property development as many parishes lack the expertise amongst their congregation to sell surplus land or develop it.
For a link to further information on the Synod content and resolutions: click here for Diocesan Synod News
Submitted by Linda Robertson