Diocese of Kootenay 60th Synod

By Jonn Lavinnder

photos jonn lavinnder

The Diocese of Kootenay 60th Synod began with a worship service on Friday May 15 at St. Michael & All Angel's Cathedral in Kelowna. Guests included Mayor of Kelowna, Sharon Shepherd; The Rev. Patricia Giannelia, Priest, Christ Lutheran Church; Father Perter Tomkins, Priest, Immaculate Conception Church, and The Rev. Kent Israel, United Church. The All Saints, Vernon Worship Band, led by The Ven. Chris Harwood-Jones provided the music. Bishop John E. Privett addressed the 86 lay delegates and 34 clergy, and charged them to remember the theme of this Synod to be "Stewards of God's Mission" — partners in the work of praise, healing, reconciliation, and justice for both human beings and the created order. Bishop John added that he especially applauded the committee's efforts to make this a "green" Synod.

The keynote speaker on Saturday was Dr. Holland Hendrix Director of Philanthropy for the Anglican Church of Canada in Toronto. The Very Rev. Peter Elliot, Rector of Christ Church Cathedral, Vancouver and Dean of the Diocese of New Westminster spoke at the concluding Eucharist on Sunday.

Detailed information regarding motions passed and deferred will be available in the Kootenay Contact and the September edition of The HighWay. In brief, the motion for the same-sex blessing was amended and passed as follows: "That this synod request the General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada to authorize our Diocese to make provision for the blessing of same-sex couples following their duly solemnized and registered civil marriage, where at least one party has been baptized, and that the Bishop and delegates to General Synod be requested to pursue and support a motion to that effect." The result of the secret ballot was as follows: 96 in favour and 10 against. Motion carried.