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Members of the Executive Council of the Anglican Diocese of Edmonton met on November 28 at All Saints’ Cathedral for their first meeting since the 69th Synod in October.

Between synods, the Executive Council functions as the governing body of the family of churches comprising the Edmonton diocese. Members are elected to represent each of the four regions of the diocese. Because members of the newly-elected Executive Council reside in Edmonton or the surrounding cities of Sherwood Park and Devon, meetings will be convened in person, except during inclement weather when they will move online. 

Strategic Planning

According to Bishop Stephen London, “the most important issue” this Executive Council is tasked with is the creation of a strategic plan for a dynamic, sustainable future, based on the findings of the first phase of the strategic planning process, a comprehensive environmental scan as presented to Synod by Anna Bubel, Another Way Consulting. Bubel’s report identified an abundance of assets upon which to build, such as: “spiritual dedication, talented people, land and buildings, commitment to community service and diversity/inclusion.”

However, she used a health metaphor to underline that although approximately 25 per cent of parishes are “in good health and/or thriving,” approximately 42 per cent of parishes are “experiencing chronic health issues,” and 33 per cent are “palliative” and “actively dying.”

In preparing a summary of Synod’s discussion of the key implications of the Listening in Spirit | Shaping Our Future Together report for the Executive Council, the Ven. Jonathan Crane, Archdeacon for Mission and Discipleship, observed an “openness to change,” and a “strong interest in creatively moving forward.”  

The Very Rev. Alexandra Meek added that members of the Executive Council “must move out of the sphere (mindset) of our parish, as we are doing this work on behalf of the 46 parishes of the diocese as a whole.” 

Amplifying the message of his charge to Synod that this is “a challenging time for the church,” Bishop Stephen London directed the Executive Council to review the 40-page transcript of Synod table conversations about the phase one report by February 1 when they will meet for a retreat day at Camp Van Es for discernment and decision-making.

“We will use key areas of focus to write the outline of the Mission Action Plan (MAP) for the diocese,” he said.

“We’ll all be changed by this process,” said Meek.

2025 Financial Plan

Shifting focus ever so slightly from visioning to funding, the Rev. John Gee, synod secretary-treasurer, presented the 2025 Proposed Financial Plan for Executive Council approval. He noted a significant decrease in parish apportionment, the largest revenue stream. Apportionment fell from $836,000 in 2024 to $774,000 in 2025. As a result, the diocese’s operating revenue fell from $938,700 in 2024 to $802,000 in 2025. 

“Parishes try really hard to honour their apportionment commitments,” said Gee. 

However, with less funding available, cuts were made to the Indigenous Ministries Team, Social Justice Committee support and the Edmonton diocese’s membership in the Greater Edmonton Alliance.

Bishop Stephen London explained that the Edmonton diocese is also expected to pay apportionment to the Anglican Church of Canada based on a formula. Because some dioceses have been unable to pay their full apportionment, the national church is also facing significant funding challenges. 

The 2025 diocesan budget includes $100,000 for strategic planning and policy development from a Strategic Planning Futures Fund created following the closure of two parishes, Holy Trinity Riverbend and St. Stephen the Martyr, Edmonton. 

Gee presented a balanced budget by drawing $179,800 from the Diocesan Development (reserve) Fund (DDF).

“This will no longer be the case going forward,” said Bishop London, as there must be a minimum of $650,000 available in the DDF to lend to parishes. 

The 2025 financial plan passed by the Executive Council provides financial stability for the coming year, but, as Bishop London noted, it is of utmost importance to implement a strategic plan to “hopefully, right-size the diocese by 2026.”

Legislative Committee

Chancellor Rob Reynolds, KC, presented the slate of Legislative Committee members for adoption by the Executive Council. He explained that the Legislative Committee proposes (to Synod) revisions of the Canons and Constitution, the set of rules by which parishes and the diocese are governed. Members of the current Legislative Committee are: Reynolds (chair), Bishop Stephen London, Canon Scott Sharman, Executive Officer; the Rev. John Gee, Margaret Unsworth, K.C., Helen Ward, K.C., the Rev. Robyn King.

Request for Parish Incorporation

St. Peter the Apostle, the Filipino congregation of St. Matthias Anglican Church in west Edmonton, has notified the Executive Council of its request to be incorporated as a parish. This marks the start of a formal process that involves the parish answering a series of questions and consultation with the parish of St. Matthias, Edmonton.

View the 2025 Executive Council