The Special Session of Synod on May 27, 2023 took place via Zoom from the Cathedral of St Michael & All Angels’, Kelowna, with 96 participants (lay and clergy delegates plus guests). The worship service was presided over by The Most Reverend Bishop Lynne McNaughton and Dean of the Cathedral, David Tiessen. The theme of this Special Synod was the same as the previous year, with an extra verse from Isaiah 43: 18-21:
Do not remember the former things,
or consider the things of old.
I am about to do a new thing;
now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
I will make a way in the wilderness
and rivers in the desert.
The wild animals will honour me,
the jackals and the ostriches;
for I give water in the wilderness,
rivers in the desert,
to give drink to my chosen people,
the people whom I formed for myself
so that they might declare my praise.
This passage of scripture was used as a Lectio Divina exercise during the worship service, which was followed by the Bishop’s Charge to Synod (See — Bishop’s Charge).
After the worship service, Bishop Lynne expanded on the “Structure Working Group (SWG)” Implementation Plan. The Bishop charged the delegates to discuss in their groups, “What sparked their imagination regarding SWG’s vision for the future; specifically the VISION, VALUES and MISSION mentioned in the plan.
The work done in the discussion groups initiated changes to the proposed Mission Statement. The new wording is as follows: “Our mission is to cultivate thriving communities embodying and bearing witness to God’s love through Christ for all of Creation.”
These changes were passed by the delegates. In addition, the plan to hire a coordinator to carry the Structures Working Group forward was also passed.
The Implementation Plan, Vision, Values and Mission will go to the parishes for further discussion.
