Zoom link | Recordings Playlist (YouTube)
Synod staff members are pleased to begin offering the Synod Commons - a regular open forum online for clergy, parish lay officers and staff, and others who are interested.
Session topics will be announced in advance. Each session will typically include a presentation and time for questions (on the topic and if time, on any topic). Sessions will be held on Tuesdays from 12:10 - 12:55 pm and will be recorded.
For the rest of this calendar year we will begin with one session per month on the 1st Tuesday.
December 2: Small Parish, Big Impact
Shawn Branch, Director of Mission & Ministry, will chat with Cleo Cyr from the Parish of Hammond River about how this small parish is making a big difference in its local community and what we can all learn from their journey. The conversation will also highlight how Shawn gets to come alongside parishes like Hammond River as they listen, dream, and respond to what God is doing in their midst.
In 2026, we will move to twice-monthly, skipping early January.
January 20:
Past Commons Sessions
November 4: Shared Ministry Budget
Key points:
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- Parish assessments are increasing as the early pandemic years have dropped out of the 3-year calculation formula.
- Parishes want to separate reporting of investment income by operating and non-operating
- Fundraising income for capital projects and emergency deferred maintenance may not necessarily need to be considered operating income.
- For 2026 there will be a 2% cost of living increase to the minimum stipend scale and housing allowances. It is recommended the same increase be applied to parish lay staff salaries. Health premiums are expected to rise by about 15%. Insurance premium numbers are expected late November.
- We are looking for requests for SMB reduction to be submitted by November 14.
- The 2026 budget will be brought to the November 29 Diocesan Council meeting.
October 7: Overview of the Synod Website