Diocese of Huron
190 Queen's Avenue
London, Ontario, N6A 6H7
(519) 434-6893
Toll Free in Ontario:
1-800-919-1115
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Journey to Synod
OCT. – DEC.
- The Synod Organizational Committee meets regularly throughout these months
reviewing details from the previous Synod including comments from the Synod
Evaluation forms, looking at details for the preliminary agenda and addressing
details for the upcoming Synod. Special thanks to this dedicated group of
volunteers.
- Throughout the Fall, the Diocesan Bishop, The Rt. Rev’d Bruce H. W. Howe
“ruminates” (one of his favourite words) on the theme of the upcoming Synod and
selects a theme speaker(s).
- Under the direction of Canon Paul Rathbone, Director of Administrative Services,
the Year End packages are sent to the parishes in November. Included in these
packages are the Certificates of Election and Notice of the Registration Fee for
the following year. Following the parish vestries, the Certificates of Election
(COE’s) are returned to Huron Church House for processing. Needless to say, the
COE’s involve many hours of data entry into our large Diocesan data base
eventually creating part of Section 1 of the Convening Circular containing the
names of Synod Representatives, as well as Wardens, Treasurers etc. Special
thanks to Elizabeth White and Cathy Hodgins for their tremendous work in
completing this huge task! Special thanks as well to Canon Sue Tite for the many hours spent proofing Section 1.
- At the December Diocesan Council Meeting, the Nominating Committee of the
Diocese meet to review the membership of all Standing Committees of the
Diocese. Upon confirmation, these Committee nominations and their
membership are noted in the Nominating Committee Report contained in Section
2 of the Convening Circular. My thanks to The Rev’d Canon Sam Thomas, Chair
and the members of this Committee for their support.
JAN. – APR.
- Deanery Council Meetings – The Regional Deans and Lay Vice-Chairs are
responsible for the nominations from the Deanery Councils for Deanery
Representatives and Sub-Representatives and up to 5 lay nominees to the
Diocesan Council; Deanery Youth Representatives to Synod; nominees for Lay
Vice Chairs; Budget-Sub and Administration and Finance Representatives. These
names are contained in Section 2 of the Convening Circular and are the names
that create the ballots at Synod. Also contained in Section 2 are the Registrars
Report, all other committee reports as well as “Parish Stories”.
- The Deadline for Motions to be included in the Convening Circular is February
28. Following this date, the Motions Committee meets to review and confirm the
Motions. My thanks to our Chancellor and Chair, Canon Lindsey Elwood for his
dedication and support and to the members of the committee including The Rt.
Rev’d B. Howe, Canon Paul Rathbone, Mr. Joe Wooden, Lay Secretary to Synod
and The Rev’d Eleanor Caruana. These Motions create Section 3 of the
Convening Circular.
- The Synod Agenda is a “work in progress” for the months leading up to Synod. It
is regularly reviewed by the Synod Organizational Committee and the executive
staff in an ongoing effort to best use the time allotted for Synod. There is much
work to do and much to celebrate and highlight in our Diocese in the very short
time that is, Synod. Highlights of the Agenda are included in Section 0 of the
Convening Circular. The complete Agenda will be available at Synod in your
registration package.
- Sections 6 and 7 are generated through the Administration and Finance
Department under the direction of Paul Rathbone. My thanks to him for his
support and dedication and to Charlie Mungar for his assistance in generating
these sections.
- Our goal is to have a final Convening Circular ready to post and print by early
April. Needless to say many people are involved in this process. I have named
but a few and there are many more who should be thanked.
MAY – AUG.
- Following Synod, Section 4 - The Journal of Proceedings (minutes of Synod) is
prepared and distributed along with Section 5 – Synod and Parish Statistics.
These final two sections complete the annual Synod Journal.
In conclusion, I hope that this overview helps to reflect that the efforts of many people
throughout our Diocese help to make Synod happen. One of the great pleasures in my
role as Synod Administrator is the time that I spend with so many clergy and lay
members of our Diocese in the months preceding Synod. I look forward to meeting all of
you at Synod.
Blessings,
Sarah
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