Report of 170th Synod of the Diocese of Huron

Synod Report June 17/12

         We sometimes forget that in our Anglican system, we are organized and governed as Dioceses, not individual congregations.

         I am appointed as priest by the Bishop in consultation with the congregation I serve, and there wasn’t even always consultation.

         I can remember a time when clergy were appointed to congregations without any consultation by the Bishop. In our Episcopal system Bishops work not only with their fellow Bishops, but with a Synod structure.

         To those who haven’t been to a synod, there might be an assumption Synods spend their time debating motions and acting as sort of a parliament.

         Not so. Worship and Bible study are a central part of our synod experience. In our opening service we had an inspiring variety of music, liturgy, and the Bishop’s Charge, which sets the tone for synod.

         This year’s charge didn’t sugar coat the challenges the Anglican Church faces in the Diocese of Huron.

         Bishop Bob Bennett called the 170^th synod the hinge point in the life of the church.

         “We continue to build on the faithfulness of the past by struggling with our present, so that we will journey to a place where God wills us to be.”

         Bishop Bob, who works closely with Bishop Terry,  said the church now in 2012 no longer exists in the same way as it did at the time of his baptism in the mid-20^th century.

         “Absolutely guaranteed that the future will be unanticipated and in many ways unrecognizable.”

         Guiding us into the future will be the five Marks of Mission developed by the worldwide Anglican communion. “Feel the strength of the verbs that energize those five marks: proclaim, teach, baptize, nurture, respond, seek, transform, strive, safeguard, sustain and renew.”

         Bible studies offered clergy and lay delegates a chance to engage in small group scripture study after hearing presentations on passages by Bishop Terry, Canon Steve Harnadek of All saints, and Canon Todd Townshend.

         Lyle Moran, who was our lay delegate will focus on two of the efforts to lay groundwork for change in the Diocese: the first changes to the canons and constitution in more than two decades, and the Renew Campaign to raise funding for parish, Diocesan and national church programs.

         Another primary activity as Synod is a chance for 60 Diocesan Committees and ministries to connect with clergy and lay delegates and report back, both through plenary sessions and displays outside in the corridors.

         For me this was different kind of synod because I am retiring from full-time ministry. At the synod banquet on Monday night, the only formal meal of synod, tributes are made to the retirees. And we all get a chance to say a few words of thanks and have our photo taken with the Bishops.

         It was an honour to retire from Huron, although I’ve only spent almost two years here. I was reminded by how connected we are in the Anglican Church when I retired at the same time as the Rev’d Canon Don Ford who is at St. John the Evangelist London. I met Don in the early 70’s when he was in Divinity and I was an undergraduate arts student at Trinity College.

         We didn’t meet again until going on the clergy trip to Italy this past fall.

         Bishop Bennett closed his charge by reminding us, clergy and laity, that if what happens in Synod stays in Synod, if what happens in the Cathedral stays in the cathedral, if what happens in our hearts, stays in our hearts, then we are like the disciples locked in the upper room in fear before being anointed by the Holy Spirit.

         “We are God’s spirit-filled, and God’s sent community,” said Bishop Bob. And that is the message of Pentecost—the day Huron Synod began this year.