Synod 69 - Holy Spirit Within Us Leading Way to Vibrant, Sustainable Gospel Community

Throughout the 69th Synod of the Diocese of Edmonton, held October 18 and 19, the more than 170 friends who gathered as one in the name of Jesus Christ were encouraged to listen to what the Holy Spirit might be saying to the church.

The Synod, a bi-annual gathering of elected parish representatives, clergy, diocesan officers, Synod Office staff, ecumenical partners and guests, was orchestrated as an act of worship. There were many worshipful reminders to draw participants closer together around the Gospel.

Cathedral music director Jeremy Spurgeon introduced the Synod Song “Take, O Take Me as I Am,” by John L. Bell, and this music, played by the worship team at St. Matthias, was sung at various times on Saturday to people back together.

As people registered, they were invited to take in displays by various ministries in the diocese and contribute to the Diocesan Art Project by colouring sections of a mosaic depicting the theme of “Hearts Burning Within Us,” taken from the Gospel of Luke 24:13-35, the Road to Emmaus.

The opening eucharist on Friday evening at All Saints’ Cathedral incorporated a smudge ceremony, led by Archdeacon Travis Enright, Cree Elder Russell Auger and Sundance Road Drummer Marcus Cruz. Fiona Brownlee, Aboriginal and Church Liaison and a Bishop's Appointee to Synod, led the Prayers of the People in the four directions.

With the lights of All Saints’ Cathedral turned low, Dean Alexandra Meek explained that “each year at the Diocesan Easter Vigil we light, from the new fire, individual candles to remind us of each congregation that shares the light of Christ so faithfully across this diocese. It is a beautiful light in the midst of the darkness.”

The Synod flame burned for the duration of the gathering which continued the next day at St. Matthias Anglican Church in west Edmonton.

In his charge to Synod, Bishop Stephen London said the 46 churches comprising the Diocese of Edmonton are impacted by “historical forces that are far beyond anything our tiny diocese of Edmonton is going to change.” He urged members of Synod to face the reality of declining finances and a smaller volunteer base, rising insurance costs and fewer clergy, with “creativity and faith,” and be mindful that “We are not alone in this struggle. All Christian churches are facing this struggle…

“These are hard conversations to be sure, and they come with sacrifice, but humanity is always at its best when we rise to the challenge, and I am here to tell you that there are Christian siblings out there who are rising to the challenge, who are refocusing us on the centrality of the mission of Jesus Christ with the Gospel at the center. 

“We can partner and learn. We can be creative. We can rise to the challenge. We are not alone...” Read and Listen to the Bishop’s Charge

To “walk together with the whole of our synod in equipping the church for the living out of its vision and vocation,” Bishop London collated and seated Chelsy Bouwman as Archdeacon for Rural Ministry and Jonathan Crane as Archdeacon for Mission and Discipleship. Bouwman, who is rector of St. Thomas, Sherwood Park, and Crane, who is rector of St. Augustine of Canterbury, Edmonton, had attended youth group together as teenagers.

Making its Synod debut, the Diocese of Edmonton Children’s Choir (DECC), conducted by Laura Hawley, sang “I See the Love of God in Every River,” by David Ouchterlony, during communion. Formed in 2022, DECC, which is funded by the Anglican Foundation of Canada and generous donors, provides accessible opportunities for children and youth in grade two and up to learn music connected to the church’s worship to offer at church services and special liturgical events throughout the diocese.

Scott Sharman, Canon to the Ordinary and Executive Officer for the Edmonton diocese, introduced ecumenical and full communion partners, representing Roman Catholic, United, Evangelical Lutheran and Moravian churches. Following remarks from ecumenical guests, Synod voted overwhelmingly to give full communion partner churches (Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, Moravian Church in North America) a voice and vote in Diocesan Synod. Read the Resolutions Adopted by Synod

Synod representatives were asked to discuss the findings of the first phase of the Listening in Spirit | Shaping Our Future Together process, identifying the key implications arising from the asset categories of discipleship, diversity, and physical social, financial and human resources.

From the member survey, parish engagement sessions and personal interviews Another Way consultant Anna Bubel conducted from February to July, she had surmised that a “lack of intergenerational turnover is the existential threat” to the future of the diocesan family of churches. Read the Listening in Spirit Phase 1 Executive Summary

In 2022, the 68th Synod directed the Executive Council to enact policies and procedures ensuring future material benefits of the lands and infrastructure our churches occupy are equitably shared with First Nations, Métis, and Inuit partners in accordance with the spirit and intent of the treaties.

A Sacred Healing Lodge, Amiskwaciwâskahikan(ᐊᒥᐢᑲᐧᒋᐋᐧᐢᑲᐦᐃᑲᐣ), was formed to create a 10-year plan for Indigenous education and a spiritual system led by Indigenous people for vulnerable Indigenous youth. 

This Synod overwhelmingly supported a change to Canon 5 on the Disestablishment of Parishes to direct the diocese to allocate a minimum of 10 per cent of the property assets of the disestablished parish to the Pakitinâsowin (Sacred Lodge) Fund for Reciprocity and Reparations, or successor Funds established by Executive Council for reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples. Read the Pakitinâsowin (Sacred Lodge) Fund Proposal

The following people were elected by the 69th Synod on the evening of October 18, 2024:

Executive Council – North
Clergy: The Rev. Jordan Giggey
Lay: Cathy Armstrong, Emily Stephen-Garneau

Executive Council – South
Clergy: The Rev. Lisa Wojna
Lay: Morgan Cromarty, Suzanne Oswald

Executive Council – East
Clergy: The Rev. Ruth Sesink Bott
Lay: Mikaela Hanley, Brian Jolly

Executive Council –West
Clergy: The Rev. Andreas Sigrist
Lay: Brian Ault, Bruce Simpson

Diocesan Court
Clergy: The Rev. Helen Chan Bennett, The Rev. Jordan Giggey
Lay: Angela Bokenfohr, Jim Robertson (Member of Law Society)

General Synod
Clergy: The Ven. Travis Enright, The Ven. Jordan Haynie Ware, The Very Rev. Alex Meek
(Alternates (by order of vote: The Rev. Ruth Sesink Bott, The Rev. Akon Akon)
Lay: Cathy Armstrong, Betty Kaahwa, Matthew Mercer-Deadman
Youth: Emily Stephen-Garneau

Provincial Synod
Clergy: The Rev. Akon Akon, The Rev. Donna Gauthier, The Rev. Stephanie London
Lay: Betty Kaahwa, Matthew Mercer-Deadman
Youth: Emily Stephen-Garneau

Synod Recorders for the 70th Synod
Clergy: The Rev. Colleen Sanderson
Lay: RJ Chambers