Synod service a grand celebration of many ministries

by Ana Watts

Reports, statistics, prayers and even a well received video all celebrated the First Fruits of the Nicodemous Project on the first day of Synod 2011, and the evening was filled with joyful celebration at the Synod Service. Archbishop Claude Miller took the members through the birth and first growing years of the Nicodemous Project and predicted a continuing fruitful future in his comprehensive charge to synod. But that was just the beginning for the celebrations. He also presented a bishop’s award of merit, commissioned a new diocesan chaplain for the Mothers’ Union, installed the diocesan vice-chancellor and installed an archdeacon as the diocesan parish development officer.

Christ Church Cathedral was filled to capacity for the 7o’clock Eucharist and six of those present were bishops. In addition to Archbishop Miller were synod chaplain Bishop Cyrus Pitman of the Diocese of Eastern Newfoundland and Labrador, Bishop Matthias K. Madadues-Badohu of our Companion Diocese of Ho in Ghana and retired bishops of this diocese George Lemmon and Bill Hockin.

Archbishop Miller presented his executive secretary Phyllis Cathcart, who has efficiently served four bishops with discretion, grace and loyalty, with The Bishop’s Award of Merit. She was completely surprised by the honour and was moved to tears by the kind words of all four bishops, three of whom were present. Archbishop Harold Nutter, the first bishop under whom she served when she began working at the Synod Office 23 years ago, sent a heartfelt message from his new home in Ontario.

The Rev. Michael Caines of the Parish of the Nerepis and St. John was commissioned as chaplain and an officer in the Mothers’ Union of the Diocese of Fredericton. A large contingent of Mothers’ Union members from throughout the diocese was in attendance to celebrate his new position, including his mother Ann Caines of the Parish of Sussex.

Archbishop Miller officially installed Brent Theriault, QC, of Bathurst as vice-chancellor. He has been acting in the position since October of 2010 and brings expertise in property law to a diocese that owns a lot of property.

David Edwards arrived at the service as Archdeacon of Saint John and left as Diocesan Parish Development Officer Archdeacon. He officially assumes this new position in the diocese on Nov. 1. Congregational development is one of the cornerstones of the Nicodemous Project.

 

Ana Watts is Diocesan Communications Officer

 

 

28 October 2011
Diocesan Communications