All you need to know about Diocesan Synod
The 141st Session of the Diocesan Synod of Fredericton will take place on Saturday, Nov. 7, at Christ Church Cathedral in Fredericton. A synod session is the general business meeting of the Diocesan Synod corporation.
Why another session of synod so soon, you may ask. April's synod session was a "special" synod to discuss the future of our Cathedral.
November's will be what is called a "regular" session. The synod constitution states that "the synod shall meet not less often than once in the second year following the last regular meeting", that is, approximately every two years. Our last regular synod session was in November 2024.
There is a provision to extend to a third year, but that should only be used under extenuating circumstances, like a pandemic.
Another type of special synod session is an electoral synod.
WHAT BUSINESS?
During a regular session of the synod, members approve the minutes of the previous synod session(s), vote on motions to change synod legislation or other matters brought up by members, receive the financial statements of the previous year(s), elect members to General (national) and Provincial Synods, and accept the membership of the Diocesan Council in place until the next session.
In addition, the diocesan bishop gives a "Charge" to the membership and to the diocese as a whole; a talk outlining what has been accomplished, his (or her) vision going forward, and how the synod and the parishes can be a part of that vision.
Archbishop David has suggested the theme "On We Go" for November's session and his charge.
“It is my hope that we can spend time reflecting on how we have travelled during the past few years, especially since COVID, and to begin to set a course as to where we might go,” he said.
Between synod sessions, decisions are made by the Diocesan Council, a group of about 30 archdeaconry-elected or appointed clergy and laypersons. This is effectively the "board" of the synod corporation.
MEMBERSHIP
As a practicality, there is a limit on the number of voting members at any given synod session. Each parish may send up to two laypersons as elected at the last parish annual meeting, or three laypersons if at least one of the three is between the ages of 16 and 35 years (at the time of the parish election). Licensed clergy as well as the current synod officers also attend as voting members.
Synod sessions are not intended, however, to be closed meetings. Any member of a parish may attend as a volunteer or observer without the right to vote. We do wish to know in advance as seating may be an issue. Observers are not normally provided lunch.
If you would like to volunteer to help with the hospitality aspects, please contact Susan Dickie at the synod office.
PRAYER
Though not all can attend, all parish members are asked to pray for our synod session in November. Please pray especially for the attendees from your own parish, and for all that will gather, that our efforts may be Christ-centered and Spirit-driven; and that, as we go on together as the Anglican Church in New Brunswick, we may enter fully into the work God is giving us for this time and place. Please also continue to pray for the efforts to move forward with the Christ Church Cathedral restoration initiative.
GREATER CHAPTER MEETINGS
Chatham – Oct. 20 - St. Mary, Chatham, 6 p.m.
Fredericton – Oct. 29, 6:30 p.m.
Kingston and the Kennebecasis – Oct. 28 - St. Paul, Hampton, 7 p.m.
Moncton – Oct. 22
Saint John – Oct. 21
St. Andrews – Oct. 19
Woodstock – Oct. 26 - St. Luke, Woodstock, 5 p.m. for supper
Consult the synod sessions page for more up to date information.
PHOTO CAPTIONS:
All photos from the April special synod on the future of Christ Church Cathedral. Photos by Gary Barfitt and Derwin Gowan.