Convening Circular and Synod Journal for the One Hundred and Seventeenth Session of The Synod of the Diocese of New Westminster “Hold Fas t to What is Good” May 26th & 27th 2017 at the Italian Cultural Centre, Vancouver Table of Contents INTRODUCTION TO SYNOD AND PRAYER FOR SYNOD 3 OFFICERS OF SYNOD 4 INFORMATION FOR DELEGATES 6 SYNOD COMMITTEES 9 BISHOP ’S REPORT 10 DRAFT AGENDA 21 REPORTS 23 INTRODUCTION TO REPORTS 24 Diocesan Committees and Task Forces REPORT OF THE DIOCESAN COUNCIL 25 REPORT OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON MANAGEMENT , FINANCE AND PROPERTY 26 REPORT OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON MISSION AND MINISTRY DEVELOPMENT 27 REPORT OF THE MURRIN FUND 28 REPORT OF THE CONSTITUTION AND CANONS COMMITTEE 29 REPORT OF THE FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY WORKING GROUP TO DIOCESAN COUNCIL 30 REPORT OF THE ASSESSMENT TASK FORCE OF DIOCESAN COUNCIL 32 REPORT OF THE BISHOP ’S ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON APPOINTMENTS 34 REPORT OF THE CATHEDRAL CHAPTER 35 Chaplaincy REPORT OF THE CHAPLAIN TO THE ST. MICHAEL ’S CENTRE & HOSPICE 36 REPORT OF THE CHAPLAIN TO UNIVERSITY AND COLLEGE STUDENTS 37 REPORT OF THE CHAPLAIN AT VANCOUVER GENERAL HOSPITAL 38 care+share REPORT OF THE COMMUNITY SUPPORT MINISTRY COLLABORATION PROJECT 39 REPORT OF ST. PAUL ’S ADVOCACY AND OUTREACH 40 Unit and Wisdom Groups REPORT OF THE ANGLICAN CAN ASIAN MINISTRY (ACAM) GROUP 41 REPORT OF THE DIOCESAN YOUTH MOVEMENT (DYM) 42 REPORT OF THE ECO -JUSTICE UNIT 44 REPORT OF THE ECUMENICAL AND MULTI -FAITH UNIT 45 REPORT OF THE PRIMATE ’S WORLD RELIEF AND DEVELOPMENT FUND UNIT 46 REPORT OF THE REFUGEE UNIT 47 Related Groups REPORT OF THE 127 HOUSING SOCIETY 48 REPORT OF THE CAMP ARTABAN SOCIETY 49 REPORT OF THE COMING HOME SOCIETY 50 REPORT OF THE MISSION TO SEAFARERS 51 REPORT OF THE SORRENTO RETREAT AND CONFERENCE CENTRE 52 REPORT OF THE VANCOUVER SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY 53 Other Reports REPORT OF THE SOCIETY OF ANGLICAN CHURCH WOMEN 54 REPORT OF THE DIOCESAN ARCHIVIST 55 REPORT OF THE DIOCESAN SCHOOL FOR PARISH DEVELOPMENT 56 REPORT OF THE DELEGATES TO GENERAL SYNOD 57 REPORT OF THE EDUCATION FOR MINISTRY PROGRAM 58 REPORT OF THE INDIGENOUS JUSTICE MINISTRIES 58 REPORT OF THE SALAL +C EDAR WATERSHED DISCIPLESHIP COMMUNITY 60 REPORT OF THE STREET OUTREACH INITIATIVE 61 Continued -> Synod Convening Circular 2017 2 MINUTES OF THE 116 TH SYNOD OF THE DIOCESE OF NEW WESTMINSTER 62 RESOLUTIONS 76 / R.1 MEMORIALS 78 NOMINATIONS 82 Introduction to Synod The theme for Synod 2017 is " Hold Fast to What is Good ”. This quote from 1 Thessalonians 5:21 is meant to encourage all parishes of the Diocese of New Westminster to reinvest in growing communities of faith in Jesus Christ to serve God’s mission in the world. The theme draws our attention to four areas in our Diocesan Vision Priorities: 1) to walk with Indigenous Peoples through the exploration of First Peoples Learning Principles; 2) to ensure Financial Stability by using innovative approaches to meet our current and future challenges; 3) to commit to Engaging Diversity through the awareness of anti-racism, and 4) to celebrating the successes of Developing Parishes. Interactive presentations, table discussions and feed- back will be used to foster an atmosphere of learning, discovery and dialogue. And we are also pleased that Archbishop Fred Hiltz, Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada has kindly agreed to lead Synod at Morning Prayer and preach on these subJects on Saturday. Prayer for Synod Almighty and everliving God, source of all wisdom and understanding, be present with those who take counsel in the Synod of this diocese for the renewal and mission of your Church. Teach us in all things to seek first your honour and glory. Guide us to perceive what is right, and grant us both the courage to pursue it and the grace to accomplish it; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen . 3 Synod Convening Circular 2017 The Diocese of New Westminster Officers of Synod President of the Synod The Right Reverend Melissa M. Skelton Dean of the Diocese The Very Reverend Peter G. Elliott Chancellor Mr. George E. H. Cadman, Q.C. Registrar Legal Assessor Mr. Donald N. Paul Ms. Jennifer Dezell Clerical Secretary Lay Secretary The Reverend Christine Wilson Ms. Kim Hodge Treasurer Auditors Mr. Bob Hardy Rolfe Benson & Co. Synod Convening Circular 2017 4 The Synod of the Diocese of New Westminster One Hundred and Seventeenth Session of Synod To be held at the ITALIAN CULTURAL CENTRE in the City of Vancouver on May 26th & 27th, 2017 Circular Vancouver, B.C. April 13, 2017 Dear Sir/Madam: We are instructed by the Bishop of New Westminster to inform you that in accordance with Article 3 of the Constitution, she summons the Synod of the Diocese of New Westminster to meet on Friday, May 26 th , 2017 at 9:00 a.m. at the Italian Cultural Centre (3075 Slocan Street, Vancouver) beginning with Holy Eucharist. Synod will re-convene at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 27 th , 2017 with Morning Prayer again at the Italian Cultural Centre. In accordance with Article 3.1 this session of Synod will elect the Clerical Secretary of Synod, the Lay Secretary of Synod, Treasurer, members of Diocesan Council, clergy and lay delegates to General Synod, clergy and lay delegates to Provincial Synod, members of the Bishop's Advisory Committee on Appointments, members of the Board of Discipline and Administrators of the Anglican Initiatives Fund. Nominations for all positions will close on Friday, May 26 th , 2017 at 2 pm. The Rev. Christine Wilson Ms. Kim Hodge Clerical Secretary Lay Secretary 5 Synod Convening Circular 2017 Information for Delegates Registration Registration will start at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, May 26th at the Italian Cultural Centre. Clergy and Lay Delegates are required to register as early as possible to avoid last minute congestion. Registration concludes at 9:45 a.m. When delegates have registered, they are asked to leave the registration area. All delegates are required to register before Synod begins. Late registration on Saturday, May 27 th will be from 7:30 a.m. to 8:55 a.m. at the Italian Cultural Centre. Each parish may register only the number of delegates to which it is entitled. Each Lay Delegate attending Synod will receive a Lay Delegate's Certificate which is to be signed by the Priest in Charge or Peoples’ Warden of the parish and the attending delegate and submitted to the registration clerk at the time of registration. If an Alternate Delegate is attending Synod, such Alternate must receive the certificate from the delegate, and correct the name before registering. Please also ensure that the Alternate Delegate has been given access to the Convening Circular material in advance of the Synod meeting. When the full quota of delegates from a parish has registered, no substitutes for the parish may be made, even if some of those who have registered are unable to attend all Sessions of Synod. Opening Worship The Archdeacons, Regional Deans and Dean are asked to vest for the Opening Worship service on Friday morning. Transportation Allowance Ferry costs will be met for delegates from Powell River and the Sechelt Peninsula. Those travelling from beyond Horseshoe Bay and east of a line through Maple Ridge/Langley are eligible for partial reimbursement of travel expenses. Delegates should arrange to come in car-pools. Mileage and ferry costs will be paid on that basis. Claims for transportation should be mailed to the Diocesan Business Administrator at the Synod Office immediately following Synod. Synod 2017 Location Synod will be held at the Italian Cultural Centre, May 26 th and 27 th , 2017. All events will be held at this location. The Italian Cultural Centre is located at 3075 Slocan Street (at Grandview Highway) Vancouver, B.C. V5M 3E4. The nearest Skytrain station is Renfrew Station, on the Millennium Line. There is ample parking on site, and the building is wheelchair accessible. As our event is being held at the end of May, we expect to be using air conditioning in our meeting space. It is always a challenge to find the perfect temperature for a large number of people; you may need a light sweater or wrap if the air conditioning is cool for you. Meals Lunch will be provided on both days, but please be advised that there will be no food served up on arrival on Friday or Saturday morning . On Friday evening, there will also be a canapés reception for delegates, which will give us an additional chance to get to know each other and catch up. Synod Convening Circular 2017 6 There will be a no-host bar on Friday night, and drink tickets will be sold at lunch time. While credit card payments are possible, cash is much appreciated as it is much faster to process. You will spend less time in line, and more time enJoying your meal and your conversations. Attendance All delegates are urged to make every effort to be present at all times during all sessions of Synod beginning with the official opening service "Diocesan Eucharist and Celebration of Synod" at the Italian Cultural Centre on Friday, May 26 th , at 9. 00 a.m. Sessions Synod will assemble at the Italian Cultural Centre for the opening worship at 9:00 a.m. After the worship service the opening business session will begin. The Friday session will also include several presentations and an evening reception. The Friday meeting will finish at approximately 7:00 p.m. Synod will re-convene on Saturday, at the Italian Cultural Centre, at 9:00 a.m.