Episcope Circle

This June marks one year since the diocese elected the (then) Rev. Stephen London to be the 11th Bishop of Edmonton. London was consecrated September 18, 2021 and immediately began to bring his own style of leadership to the role. Bishop Steve’s approach is marked by consensus-building; by listening to the experience and opinions of others as decisions are made. It’s an approach he feels will always be important but is particularly helpful as he moves through the early years of his episcopacy, learning about the diocese and discerning its needs.

One aspect of diocesan leadership that has been in place for many years is what was formerly called the “BADs” meeting: a gathering of the bishop, archdeacons, and dean. Since September 2021 the BADs meetings have been replaced by the Episcope Circle. This leadership group includes all the diocesan archdeacons, the dean of the diocese, and a new role that is being called the canon to the ordinary. The Rev. Canon Dr. Scott Sharman has been appointed to this position and explains what it means:

“This mouthful of a title actually means something quite simple. Here ordinary is just another title for the bishop (from the Latin ordinarius), and a canon (from the Greek kanonikos) is someone who is particularly related and bound to someone or something else. A Canon to the Ordinary, therefore, is just a close walking companion of the bishop as they seek to go together on the way.” (See the diocesan website for more.)

“Together on the Way” also describes the leadership style reflected in the Episcope Circle.

“Creating this thing called the Episcope Circle,” says Sharman, “is an attempt to be more explicit and intentional about the extended and shared nature of the bishop’s ministry of ‘oversight’ (in Greek, ‘episcope’). Rather than an occasional consultative meeting with the bishop, as though the bishop is essentially a solo leader, it is meant to serve as an ongoing forum to ensure that the bishop never walks alone. In this model of episcopacy, the bishop is always discerning the Spirit and making decisions in a collegial and collaborative manner with other voices and perspectives in the room.”

The Episcope Circle meets regularly to pray, share, and discuss a wide range of issues relevant to the life of the diocese: discipleship, congregational development, administration, human resources, the pastoral care and spiritual formation of the college of clergy, the work of decolonisation, justice, and right relations with Indigenous communities, social and ecological justice, ecumenical and interfaith relations, vocational discernment, theological education, and more.

“Together on the Way” has also become the theme for the 68th diocesan synod, planned for October 2022. In preparation for synod, Bishop Steve wants to extend the culture of consensus-building to include as many voices in the diocese as possible. In addition to in-person meetings wherever possible, he has posted an interactive video on the diocesan website providing an opportunity for feedback on his own observations regarding the challenges and opportunities facing the diocese. It will be available until June 10.