FYI - March/April 2010 Notes from Synod Office

Read on for recent developments in the diocese and for upcoming events.

Highlights of Indigenous Council Meeting

Concerns of the Council

Money to fund the Archdeacon’s travel, Sunday school curriculums

Summer VBS programs, Stresses of ministering at wake services and funerals

Clergy burn out, Suicide and ASSIST training

Dealing with traditional ceremonies (pipe, drums, sweet grass)

James Settee College

The Council was asked to nominate three reps to form a board to oversee the James Settee College along with Dr. Gary Graber, Canon David Smith and Bishop Hawkins.  Russell Ahenakew, Sheila Chaboyer and Sam Halkett were nominated and agreed to serve as the reps from the Council.

Self Determination

The Council had lengthy and productive discussions regarding implementing self determination.  What would be the level of commitment from their communities, should there be a Bishop to oversee it, what would be the costs involved?  There is a need for a sense of full membership in our church and have appropriate decision making.  It should be within the fellowship of the Diocese with dual membership and to take ownership and responsibility.

Cree Discernment Weekend

            Nine names were put forward for consideration for ordination.  It was strongly recommended that someone from the Council organize the event with help.  Archdeacon Halkett suggested that Sheila Reimer be in charge of organizing the weekend. 

Appointments

The Reverend David Phillips has returned to the Diocese to work as the quarter time Priest in the Parish of Spiritwood and Leoville as of February 17, 2010.

Deaths

Samuel Bear, brother of the Rev. Gerald Bear from Shoal Lake, died on Saturday, February 13, 2010, after a lengthy illness in hospital in Saskatoon.

Upcoming Events

• March 1-31 – James Settee College course at Wycl
• April 1 – Maundy Thursday –Clergy Renewal of Vows 12:10 p.m.
• April 18 at 4 pm - Annual Lay Readers’ licensing service at St Alban’s Cathedral, Prince Albert.
• April 24 at 10 am - ACW Annual Meeting at St Alban’s Cathedral, Prince Albert.
• May 18-20 - Vital Church Planting Conference in Edmonton. The Bishop has ten $1000 bursaries to provide to Parishes who want to send their Priest and some Laity to this conference. To take advantage of these bursaries, please mail a letter to the Synod Office requesting funding, with a list of intended participants, a rough budget, and include your Warden's and Vestry's endorsement.
• Clergy Retreat – October 4-7, 2010 (tentative)

Please Note

• Remember about the Bursaries for Parishes who want to attend the Vital Church Planting Conference
• The Statistical Forms are due and also the forms for licensing Lay Readers
• If a parish would like to provide the meal for the Lay Readers Service please contact Mary soon (763-2455)

BISHOP MICHAEL’S MARCH SCHEDULE

• March 10-14 – Council of General Synod meetings
• March 21 – Confirmation in Ahtakakoop
• March 31 – Lenten lunch in Tisdale

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING

• The Programe Coordinating Committee will be asked to consider how to follow up on the recommendations of the Evangelism and Mission Strategy Task Force and the 2008 Evangelism Conference to report to the May meeting of the Executive.

• The Bishop will select a clerical and lay member of the Executive Committee to assist in developing a Strategic Planning Day for the Committee to be held before the May 13, 2010 meeting of the Executive.

• The Executive Committee expressed its approval of the self- determination and pledges to work with the Indigenous Council towards this goal.

• Executive endorsed the Back to Church Sunday Campaign and will ask the Finance Committee to find funding for training and implementation.

• There was a motion that parishes and properties not under AON be given till June 30, 2011 to voluntarily transfer coverage to the diocesan AON Insurance Policy or be added July 1, 2011 and be billed appropriately.