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.

All Saints' Cathedral Music Director Jeremy Spurgeon introduced the Synod Song “Take, O Take Me as I Am” by John L. Bell. The worship team at St. Matthias played this music, which was sung at various times on Saturday to draw people back together.

As delegates, guests and appointees to Synod 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 Ven. Travis Enright, Archdeacon for Reconciliation and Decolonization, 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 dimmed, the Ven. Alexandra Meek, Dean of Edmonton, 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.”

Meek then lit the Synod flame which burned for the duration of the gathering, continuing the next day at St. Matthias Anglican Church in west Edmonton.

In his Bishop’s Charge, the Rt. Rev. Stephen London said the 46 churches comprising the Diocese of Edmonton are impacted by “forces (historical and present) 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 our challenges. 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 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 the Ven. Chelsy Bouwman as Archdeacon for Rural Ministry; and the Ven. 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 and offer throughout the diocese music connected to the church’s worship.

Bishop Stephen London convened the meeting of the 69th Synod, inviting the Rev. Canon Scott Sharman, Canon to the Ordinary and Executive Officer for the Edmonton diocese, to present the first resolution, L-1 (carried), to appoint members from full communion partner churches. This resolution enables a representative from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada and the Moravian Church in North America to participate as full members of the Synod of the Diocese of Edmonton. 

Synod received warm greetings from ecumenical and full communion partners representing Roman Catholic, United, Evangelical Lutheran and Moravian churches who each echoed Bishop London’s remarks that, indeed, Christian churches are not alone in their challenges in Living the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and that it is increasingly important to seek opportunities to support one another.

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