Saint John to host Diocesan Synod in June
Plans are in place for Diocesan Synod to meet at the Trade and Convention Centre in Saint John June 4, 5 and 6, 2009. In order to find out what this venue means for New Brunswick Anglicans in general and Synod members in particular, the New Brunswick Anglican talked to Archdeacon Geoffrey Hall, the Secretary of Synod and Chair of Synod Planning.
NBA: Why are plans underway for Synod in Saint John?
GMH: The Anglican community in Saint John invited us. Last spring we 
asked all the archdeaconries, through the clergy, about interest in hosting synod. We received one expression of interest and inquiry and one proposal, from Saint John, and it was an attractive one.
NBA: What made the Saint John proposal so good?
GMH: The Trade and Convention Centre in Market Square. It is a wonderful facility — comfortable, lots of space, good acoustics, all kinds of technical infrastructure and right downtown so there are lots of places to go and things to do when Synod is not in session.
The proposal also included the suggestion of a banquet with a special speaker — a time of fellowship for Synod delegates and others who might wish to attend. We think it would make a very nice event and we are working to incorporate it in the plans. We would have to sell tickets to the banquet and we would need contributions from the parishes to help cover the cost for the attending delegates.
NBA: Who will be the special speaker and is the decision finalized for the banquet?
GMH: We have yet to make those arrangements, but it is certain there will be special guests at Synod. Our Primate has already accepted an invitation and we await replies from others.
NBA: What other meals will be provided at Synod?
GMH: At least one lunch and possibly two will be served at the synod venue. With all the opportunities for sight seeing, however, we might just release the delegates one day at lunchtime to explore some of the nearby history and culture, and perhaps grab a unique lunch at the famous Saint John City Market. Water will be made available throughout Synod, and a food court in Market Square can supply coffee, tea, juice, soft drinks and anything else delegates may want.
NBA: Where will the synod delegates stay?
GMH: We are certain the Anglican community in Saint John will be happy to billet delegates, and we can help to make those arrangements if requested. Our sesquicentennial synod in 1995 was held in Saint John and arrangements made for billets proved to be unnecessary as many stayed with friends and relatives. Of course there are many commercial accommodations nearby and the Hilton Hotel, also part of the Market Square complex, has offered a special conference rate. Two thirds more parishes are within a 30 min drive to Saint John than Fredericton so we suspect many delegates will choose to overnight at home.
NBA: Where will the customary Synod service of worship be held?
GMH: There will be a service at Trinity Church, whether it opens the synod or not has yet to be decided, and everyone is welcome and invited to attend. At this point, Synod is very much a work in progress. We signed a contract with the Trade and Convention Centre, but everything else is still in the planning stages.
NBA: Does holding synod in Saint John make it more difficult to plan?
GMH: Not at all. The synod planning group consists of the chairs of canonical Synod committees — agenda, resolutions, credentials (registration) and nominating, plus the chairs of strategic committees like hospitality, worship, technical support and arrangements. These chairs, as well as some support members of synod staff, have been meeting for quite some time now and as synod draws nearer they will meet more often. Each chair shares his/her committee’s accomplishments to date so the group is aware of the status of the synod components and can make necessary decisions to ensure all the committees’ work will be finished in time for June 4. Some of the committees need people on the ground in Saint John, but several committees can work at a distance.
NBA: What committees need volunteer help in Saint John?
GMH: The arrangements, credentials, technical support and worship committees need Saint John area Anglicans to lend a hand as Fredericton Anglicans do when the meeting is in Fredericton.
NBA: Do we need any other volunteers?
GMH: We still need chairs for the agenda, technical support and nominating committees. The synod nominating committee is also the diocesan nominating committee and hopefully the chair will agree to retain that position.
NBA: How many people attend Synod?
GMH: According to current diocesan legislation, clergy licensed and canonically resident in the diocese are members of Synod, and each of the diocese’s 85 parish corporations is entitled to send three lay delegates. Church Army officers working and licensed in the diocese are also lay delegates. With ecumenical observers and other invited guests the Synod population is close to 400.
NBA: How is Synod funded?
GMH: With the exception of a few fund-raising initiatives, the parishes fund the diocese, including the Synod, through their contributions to the Shared Ministry Budget.
NBA: How often is Synod held?
GMH: Constitutionally the Diocesan Council is required to schedule synod at least every two years. It can be called more often at the Bishop’s discretion. It is customary that the biennial Synod is a residential Synod.
Diocesan Communications
25 November 2008
