NEWS FROM PROVINCIAL SYNOD
June 11 - 14, 2009

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NEWS BRIEF #2
Rupert's Land Provincial Synod - Calgary
From Tim Christison, Editor of the Sower

Again it was on the third ballot that an election was declared at the 46th Synod of our Ecclesiastical province. The Reverend Canon Michael Stonhouse of the Diocese of Saskatoon garnered 45 votes out of 76 cast and became the new prolocutor of Rupert's Land Ecclesiastical Province.

It is a convention in this province that if the prolocutor is from the clergy the deputy prolocutor will be elected from the laity. If the new prolocutor had been from the laity, the deputy prolocutor would be from the clergy. Because of this practice, the election of the deputy prolocutor will take place on Saturday.

Other business at the synod was the report of the Standing Committee on the Constitution and Canons which brought forth resolutions from minor ones to use technology in place of expensive face-to-face meetings and to allow the committee to make non-substantive changes [such as inclusive language] to canons and the constitution to an evolutionary change. The latter is the Canon IX on Episcopal elections.

In his explanation of the need for change, David Jones, Provincial Chancellor stated, "Among other things, Canon IX contemplates that the Synod of the entire diocese will elect all bishops. However, there are initiatives in various parts of the Province to form Area Ministries which consists of a part of a diocese [for example Northern Ontario, which is part of the Diocese of Keewatin] or which cross diocesan boundaries [for example, Northern Manitoba, which would encompass parts of the Dioceses of Keewatin and Brandon]. It is contemplated that an Area Ministry will have its own area bishop, elected by the clergy and lay people of that area.

In order to accommodate these variations, it is necessary to provide for flexibility in how Canon IX would apply in these and perhaps other circumstances [not all of which can be foreseen]."

The resolution was passed unanimously and the amendment reads: On application of the jurisdiction{s} seeking the election of a bishop having shown good cause, Provincial Executive Council may, with the concurrence of the Metropolitan, alter or dispense with any part of this Canon IX with respect to that particular Episcopal election.

The usual requirement to have two sessions of Synod to make amendments effective would mean that this amendment would not come into effect until passed by the 2012 Synod.

Chancellor Jones explained, "However, it is contemplated that there will be a need to elect bishops for one or more Area Ministries before the 2012 Synod."

He then proposed to the Synod the use of the special procedure contained in section 8.06 of the Constitution in order to pass this amendment at one meeting of Synod. With 75% of the members of each order present and voting separately approved its use and so the amendment is effective immediately.

The delegates learned of the collaborative and cooperative initiatives in Keewatin and Brandon dioceses to meet the needs of First Nations people who desire the ministry of presence and their own priests. The new perspective on ministry celebrates their own way of churching and their own culture. Bishop Njegovan of Brandon said as part of the joint presentation that Brandon and Keewatin had the same families and the boundaries of the diocese are not the First Nations guidelines. The desire is not separation but a way of being churched that is made by those immediately affected by the worship. The proposal is for area ministries.

More details on this important and exciting presentation after the completion of the synod.

Election Results

NEWS BRIEF FROM PROVINCIAL SYNOD OF RUPERT'S LAND
From Tim Christison, Editor of the Sower

Bishop David Ashdown was elected Metropolitan of the Ecclesiastical province of Rupert's Land on the third ballot at Holy Cross Church in Calgary last night, June 11th.

When asked by prolocutor Peter Yeung if he would accept the position, Bishop Ashdown responded, "The person elected was not my first choice," His statement emitted laughter from the approximately 100 delegates.

"But I will accept the position on the condition that Andrew Atagotaaluk, the senior bishop in the province, shares the load with me," he continued with his arm around his colleague's shoulder. As senior bishop of the province Atagotaaluk would traditionally take on the tasks of Metropolitan in his absence.

Atagotaaluk and Ashdown had split the vote on the third ballot with only four votes giving the lead to Ashdown. This was the first Rupert's Land election in which the whole synod elected the Metropolitan. All ten diocesan bishops are eligible for the position of senior administrator in the province. Currently there is no bishop for the diocese of Athabasca due to the retirement of John Clarke. His retirement also left the position of Metropolitan vacant. The remaining nine bishops were on the first ballot. Before the second ballot five withdrew leaving Don Phillips of Rupert's Land diocese, Jim Njegovan of Brandon diocese, Andrew Atagotaaluk of the Arctic diocese and David Ashdown of Keewatin diocese.

The election took place following an opening service for the 46th synod of Rupert's Land. The consecration of the new Metropolitan David Ashdown takes place at the Cathedral Church of the Redeemer on Saturday at 8 pm.

Prayer Vigil

There will be a Prayer Vigil for Provincial Synod, June 11 - 14 Thursday Evening: at Holy Cross Church 7:00 to 9:00 pm for the election of the Election of Metropolitan Archbishop of Rupert's Land .