At the Canadian General Synod this past June (23rd-29th) I experienced a week of pure Holy Spirit, some hard but rewarding work and deep friendship.
When I received the schedule and pre-reading, the reality of this Synod commitment landed. The meetings were book-ended with two full travel days, there was pre-reading for procedures and motions and a packed schedule: prayer at 7:30am with wrap up daily at 9pm.
The business of Synod included such resolutions as restoring the Diaconate, pathways for transformational change of General Synod (presented by Dion Lewis), hospitality to migrant workers, tenets of Disability, and reduce greenhouse gas (moved by our own The Rt. Rev. Mary Irwin-Gibson).
We also received reports from the Council of the North, the Anglican Council of Indigenous Peoples, the Anglican Foundation and Alongside Hope, and sent messages of support and prayer to the Diocese of Jerusalem.
During our breaks we met and chatted with the sponsors of Synod and visited their display tables on subjects ranging from financial management to insurance to theological colleges and archives. Please do reach out to us if you have any questions or would like to discuss further.
The teaching by Primate Anne Germond was framed by three questions that we discussed at our tables:
• What is Jesus (the Gospel) calling the church to do?
• How is the church facing dark nights?
• How is the church soaring like eagles?
On each table was a stone, a cedar sapling, and a copy of the First Nations Version New Testament, which we often use in Montreal. We took turns holding the stone to speak and truly listened to each other. We came together to tackle difficult questions, frame resolutions, and find solutions. What a wonderful experience to encounter people from different dioceses and different parts of the country and to share many views of Scripture and an enduring faith in Jesus.
The selection of our new Primate was a refreshing gift of Holy Spirit: after several rounds of voting, the Laity voted to ask the House of Bishops for another candidate. Bishop Shane Parker emerged as our new Primate. We felt, as Synod, that Primate Shane Parker offers hope and possibility for the church in this moment. Later, when inducted, he told a story about not having been sure the mitre would fit his head. Looking at the mitre, he had seen that there were layers of insulation and duct tape inside (for it to fit the previous Primate). He removed those layers, and it fit. An apt metaphor for the work to be done, as he said: “Now it’s time for us to remove the insulation, to feel the heat and the cold.” Throughout the many important decisions and votes at Synod, I felt absolute trust and faith in our Montreal delegation (clergy and laity). We worked solidly together and enjoyed each other’s company.
As we move forward, as Anglicans in Canada, I am inspired and encouraged. Our delegation returned comforted and recharged. The theme of this 44th Synod was, “They will soar on wings like eagles” (Isaiah 40.31). In the words of acting Primate Anne Germond in her welcome, “This verse offers words of hope and promises of strength and resilience for those who trust in God. Even in a time of immense challenge in the church and in the world, this will be a time of spiritual renewal. We will be formed by our common prayer and worship, as well as opportunities for fellowship and the study of God’s word” .
