The 51st Provincial Synod, held at Holy Cross Anglican Church in Calgary, gathered together bishops, clergy and laity from 10 diverse dioceses: Edmonton, Athabasca, Calgary, Qu'Appelle, Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Brandon, Rupert's Land, the Arctic, and the Indigenous Spiritual Ministry of Mishamikoweesh.
Representing the Diocese of Edmonton at the Provincial Synod (as chosen by the diocesan Synod) were the Rev. Colleen Sanderson, Cathy Armstrong, Emily Stephen-Garneau, Matthew Mercer-Deadman, the Rev. Danielle Key, the Rt. Rev. Stephen London, the Rev. Clare Stewart.
“It was a lively, pensive gathering that had many wonderful moments and, like most gatherings of many people, tense moments,” says the Rev. Danielle Key, rector of Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Edmonton.
In a moment of jubilation, delegates voted to change the name of the Ecclesiastical Province of Rupert's Land to the Ecclesiastical Province of the Northern Lights as of June 1, 2024.
“It was an honour to be at Provincial Synod for the changing of the province’s name. It is a beautiful step forward for everyone as we walk hand-by-hand with our Indigenous brothers and sisters,” says Emily Stephen Garneau. “I gained a broader understanding of the church in the Province of The Northern Lights, as well as the church as a whole in Canada.”
The opening service at Holy Cross church featured an “incredibly moving time of teaching from the Diocese of Calgary's diocesan Blackfoot Elder Eric Crow Shoe,” says Key. “We also heard passionate talks from our Primate Linda Nicholls, from the National Indigenous Archbishop Chris Harper, from Bishop Annie Ittoshat from the Arctic, as well as presentations highlighting the work of every diocese in the province.”
As the youth delegate for the Diocese of Edmonton, Stephen-Garneau says she was glad for the “chance to meet with other attendees and make closer connections. I was also able to reconnect with people I met last year at General Synod. I enjoyed getting to watch and learn from other dioceses, and noticed a similarity between our diocese and the Diocese of Rupert's land, in terms of support for our queer community.”
In addition to helping to “clean up some of the outdated language and old names of individual dioceses in the canons and constitution,” the Edmonton diocesan delegation brought to the attention of the newly formed Constitutions and Canons Committee the need to ensure fully inclusive language in the wording of the canons, says Key.
“As one can imagine, when representatives of 10 different dioceses come together in one room there are sure to be many opinions, ideas and, yes, disagreements about what is best practice and what our canons and constitutions should consist of, remembering that they are meant to guide, not hinder us in our Gospel work. We are delighted that these changes will be made,” Key says, “that we become a more open, affirming and welcoming ecclesiastical province.
“One of my favourite moments of this entire Synod was hearing it loudly proclaimed that: ‘Numbers do not matter,’ whether we are a small diocese or a large diocese; whether we are a wealthy diocese or a struggling diocese; what truly matters is our faith; how we proclaim it and the grace, mercy and hope that we project out into the world.”
Members of Provincial Synod representing the Diocese of Edmonton were elected to the following positions:
- Provincial Executive Council: Danielle Key (clergy), and Emily Stephen-Garneau (youth delegate, appointed)
- Canons and Constitutions Committee: Danielle Key (clergy)
- Provincial Court: Steve London (bishop)
- Ministry Committee: Emily Stephen-Garneau (youth delegate)
- Provincial Panel: Clare Stewart (clergy), Matthew Mercer-Deadman (laity), Cathy Armstrong (laity)
Special thanks to James B. Tubman, Danielle Key, Emily Stephen-Garneau, Noel Wigeria for providing photos.
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