April 2009 CoGS Wheels

As Easter nears, I want to express my prayer for each of you; that you will feel the profound Love of God and gratitude for the gift of his Son, our Lord and Redeemer, Jesus Christ. As I write this, it is not certain that CoGS will meet in early May, at least face-to-face. The thought of a forty-person conference call is daunting. However, the reality is that our Church simply cannot afford the travel and accommodation costs. In whatever form it occurs, CoGS meets just before a very important event in the life of the Diocese, namely, our Synod that will meet in Kelowna in mid-May.

Since our last Synod in Cranbrook, September of 2006, Matt Koovisk (Youth delegate) and I have had the privilege to serve on our Diocesan Council, and since General Synod in Winnipeg in 2007, to be members of COGS. As I describe in my report to Diocesan Synod, the election process is both arcane and complicated. Strictly speaking, delegates represent the Ecclesiastical Province (in our case, the Province of British Columbia and the Yukon) and only indirectly are elected to represent a diocese. However I have found myself devoted to relating the business of General Synod primarily to the interests of the Diocese of Kootenay. When I sit at CoGS, I take into account the feedback I receive from Kootenay parishioners, and although I vote my conscience (or contribute to "consensus" — a new decision making model CoGS has adopted) I am informed by the ideas and opinions of many of you. I also feel supported by your prayers.

That brings me to the point of this month's column. Diocesan Synod is perhaps the most important connection between the "person-in-the-pew" — you and me, and our National Province of Canada. At Synod we elect both representatives to our Diocesan Council and delegates to General Synod. These are your fellow Anglicans from Kootenay who offer themselves for service in the administration of the church, and in some ways are your alter-egos (couldn't resist the pun) at national meetings.

Each parish in the diocese is asked to elect Lay Delegates to Synod and in May they will formally gather. I wish that at each parish Annual General Meeting the positions for Lay Delegates would be hotly contested but alas it too often means individuals are elected by acclamation, sometimes with misgivings. I can tell you, however, that the role is filled with interest and a sense of honouring God, and it is a great privilege. This month, if you have not already done so, seek out your delegates and engage them in conversation about issues that you feel strongly about in the life of our Diocese. The agenda promises to be full, and not without controversy.

1. There will be a resolution on the position of the Diocese on the question of same sex blessings.
2. There will be important discussions around the role of the Diocese in working for the Mission of God.
3. There will be proposed changes to our Canons and the way we determine the number of delegates from parishes.
4. Matters such as a new future for Camp Owaissi.
5. Discussions around the financial health of the Diocese.
6. International concerns.
7. The Anglican Covenant.

All are potential areas for Synod debate. Over a coffee or dinner, at a parish council meeting, after a Sunday service, or in any number of possible ways to meet together, contribute your ideas to this Synod by actively engaging your delegates. And, following the Synod, if any of your delegates have been elected to the Diocesan Council, or to General Synod, seek them out again when they go on your behalf to do God’s work in the Anglican Church of Canada.