The Diocesan Synod of Central Newfoundland The Anglican Church of Canada The Forty Fourth Session of Synod Hosted by the Parishes of Fortune-Lamaline and Grand Bank The Bishop’s Charge 2017 Delivered at Synod Prepared for Diocesan and Public Distribution May 2017 1 Contents Table of Contents Contents ............................................................................................................................... 2 Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 4 Highlights of Tonight’s Worship ............................................................................................. 6 Transitions ............................................................................................................................ 7 A New Bishop In the Office ............................................................................................................. 7 Synod Office .................................................................................................................................. 8 Synod Office Staff........................................................................................................................... 9 Program Officer’s Position .............................................................................................................. 9 Mint Brook................................................................................................................................... 10 Diocesan Committees ................................................................................................................... 11 St. Martin’s Cathedral .................................................................................................................. 11 Companion Diocese ...................................................................................................................... 11 Diocesan Refugee Committee ....................................................................................................... 12 The Diocesan Constitution ............................................................................................................ 13 The Bishops Handbook ................................................................................................................. 13 Purpose of the Handbook: .................................................................................................................. 13 Changes in the Handbook: .................................................................................................................. 13 Expectations around the Handbook: .................................................................................................. 14 General Synod and Diocesan Discernment around the Marriage Canon ......................................... 14 Future Processes and Directions .......................................................................................... 18 Communication ............................................................................................................................ 19 Understanding who we are as the Body of Christ .............................................................................. 19 The Essential Nature of Communication ............................................................................................ 20 Communicating with Youth ................................................................................................................ 20 The Communication Charge to the Diocese ....................................................................................... 22 Stepping Forward in Faith: Moving from Survival to Mission. Our Policy on Sustainable & Strategically Missional Ministry ........................................................................................... 22 Working with the Policy ............................................................................................................... 22 Regional Deans ............................................................................................................................ 23 Identifying and Enabling the Ministries of our Clergy and Laity ...................................................... 24 Equipping our Diocesan Lay Ministries .......................................................................................... 25 The Call to Ministry ............................................................................................................. 25 Vocation ...................................................................................................................................... 25 Bishop’s Discernment Processes for Holy Orders ........................................................................... 26 Theological Education .................................................................................................................. 26 2 Conclusion: Let Us move forward with faith, believing the Waters shall part! ...................... 27 Appendix 1 Study Guide for the Bishop’s Charge ................................................................. 28 Appendix 2. Scripture References in the Bishops Letter and Charge...................................... 33 Appendix 3 Bibliography ...................................................................................................... 36 Appendix 4 Diocesan Committee Members (Still in Process) ................................................ 39 Appendix 5: Marks of Healthy Parishes ............................................................................... 40 Appendix 6 The Bishop’s Electronic Communication ............................................................ 42 3 Introduction At the 2017 Lenten Clergy retreat I shared a prayer from a young Rabbi whose name is Stephanie Kolin: God Who Creates, God Who Redeems, God of shalom— of peace, God of wholeness, We remember standing at the shore of the sea, afraid, Our enslavers in hot pursuit, ready to take us back to captivity. We remember the tumultuous sea before us that showed no signs of parting. And we remember you told us: ( v’yisa’u) go forward! We stepped forth. The waters parted. We moved our bodies from slavery to freedom. You moved our souls from oppression to redemption. God who Creates, God who Redeems, If it can happen once, it can happen over and over and over. Go forward! Let us cross the sea with all who are enslaved, with captors on their heels. And together, let us make those waters part! Quoted in: Mclaren, Brian D. The Great Spiritual Migration: How the World's Largest Religion Is Seeking a Better Way to Be Christian The Crown Publishing Group. I have hope and confidence that whether read or heard this poem has evoked some personal image from your own life journey, and pray it stirs the heart of this Synod. These are excitedly uncertain times for our Church; approaching armies bring uncertainty on our rear, and a dark cold sea waits in front - No clear vision of a way forward, but certain knowledge that if we stay where we are: death. But Listen…. The Spirit Calls in the uncertainty: V’yisa’u! … Go Forward!....And We Shall, because We have decided to Follow Jesus. No turning back…No turning back! Tomorrow marks the tenth month of my ordination as your Bishop. In preparation for Synod, which obviously is a focal point for me, I have been looking back at the processes I have joined, thinking about the whirlwind of discernment required in our diocese and country, and all I have yet to learn about the wonderful gift the 4 people of our Church are. As well, I have been considering things left undone which I ought to have done; and things which I ought not to have done. As I present my first Charge to our Diocese, I know my task is to provide the clearest picture of “who we are” and “where we are” as a diocesan family. I also know there is nothing new in your ears when I offer my pennyworth: “We have reached several tipping points in relation to ministry, numbers, finances, vision and discernment.” Let us begin by claiming Christ’s assurance that when we, at Synod, humbly acknowledge our need of the Spirit’s wisdom and guidance, then like the Apostles with one heart and mind cry: “Lord, Increase our faith!”, it shall be done. (Luke 17:5) NRSV Let this synod stand on Philippians 4:13 and 4:19 which tells us that we can do all things through the strength of Christ, and that he will provide all we need to do these things. Our desire is to turn “where are we?”, into “this is where we are going!” We are not experiencing a sudden arrival of some calamity. We have been engaged in escalating contests between faith, culture and institutions for quite a while. There is a bigger picture: Changes in Christianity are international in scope, so it is important to realize that our diocese is joining a conversation that other parts of the world, including our own country, have been deeply engaged in for quite some time. We can be thankful that there is a wealth of understanding available through the experiences and struggles of others, and many people willing to share it. I am encouraged by the work of our National Church in relation to the way we have gathered people from coast to coast to share stories, wisdom and resources. I am not only encouraged, but excited about our future, and thank all who have led us to this place. Thank you to our former bishops, executive officers, chancellors, synod office staff and volunteers for their