Caledonia Times
March, 2017 Volume 49, Issue 3 A Diocesan Section of the Anglican Journal
Archbishop meets with Executive Committee
To prepare for the Spring election of the 10th Bishop of Caledonia
O
n Friday, January 13th 2017, Archbishop John Privett met with the Diocesan Executive Committee concerning the election of a new Bishop for the Diocese and all of the details surrounding the Electoral Synod and the consecration and installation of a new Bishop who will become our 10th Bishop of Caledonia. The meeting began with Morning Prayer, remembering Hilary of Portieres. Introductions came next as there were a couple of folks who did not know everyone else at the table. So the members of Executive introduced themselves to the new members and each member sharing a hope or a concern that each has for the next six months. Many spoke of a desire for a new bishop who is faithful and good. Others spoke of a desire and a hope to have a Bishop who teaches the Faith and knows the passion of Christ. Other members expressed a desire for a smooth, successful Synod and unity for the Diocese after the Synod. The deliberations over the path to electing a new bishop started with the Archbishop reflecting on the “Gift of Transition”. Archbishop Privett pointed out those gathered, that we are called to respond to God’s will through listening and responding to God while working to be faithful to God in community. Archbishop John also noted that he thought it might be odd to have him in the lead instead of Bishop Bill after such a length of time. He paid tribute to Bishop Bill and his ministry in the wider Church as someone who represented both him and us well and was committed to the life and community of the Church. Archbishop John told Executive that he had recently seen Bishop Bill and that both he and Margaret looked fantastic. It was evident that there had been a removal of a great back pack, a great weight. The Metropolitan gave thanks to God for Bishop Anderson and his ministry. Gift of Transition In speaking to the task that is ahead for Caledonia and the Electoral Synod, the Archbishop noted that every time the Parish has a change in clergy, there is an opportunity for renewal and for changes in ministry. This is also true of the Diocese when looking to elect a new Bishop. We as a diocese have an opportunity to consider the future and to ponder the way forward together. He spoke of the Exodus and all that the People of Israel faced in making transition. They faced leaving Egypt: they experienced the excitement and the fear of the new and the unknown. They faced the beginnings and endings of their community while wandering in the Desert. This was a time of preparation for the people and of the leadership. The Israelites had to stop being in Egypt and being slaves and become different. They had to become the people that God was creating them to be. They were going through the process, as author William
Bridges pointed out, of endings, the neutral zone and beginnings. We as a diocese, are in that moment of the neutral zone as we await the election and consecration of a new Bishop. Archbishop Archbishop John Privett Privett noted that he will have by the end of this process, installed all of the sitting bishops of the province over the past 10 years. Reading and covering the Canons Discussion and work then turned to deciding the path to take in electing the next Bishop. Archbishop Privett and the Executive Committee worked through the Canons of the Diocese to determine what needed to be done and when. It was decided that the Call to Synod would go out from the Rev. Gwen Andrews, the Diocesan Administrator on January 20th 2017. According to the Canons, the Synod needs to be held within 90 days. Therefore the Electoral Synod will be held at the Cathedral of St. Andrew, Prince Rupert April 21st to 23rd 2017. The Eucharist will be celebrated @ 7pm on April 21st and the actual election will take place on April 22nd. Everyone is welcome at the Opening Eucharist and to the Sunday Service at the Cathedral. However, according to the Canons, there will be no observers permitted to the election. The Canons of the Diocese require that the process be in camera. This means that only the licensed clergy and the elected lay delegates are allowed on the floor of the Electoral Synod. The Administrator has appointed the Search Committee of three clergy and three laity to assist in the work of getting ready for the Synod. The Profile and much of the work around the information needed to send to candidates has been done. The nomination process needed to start fresh and is currently on going. Any Anglican, in a Parish in this Diocese can nominate a priest or Bishop in good standing and who is eligible according to Canon I. Parishes are reminded that they need to have the certificate for the Synod delegates into Audrey Wagner, Registrar, by Friday March 31st. If there is no certificate, the delegates may not be seated at the Synod. If the congregation/parish has not had its annual meeting, the delegates from last year are still eligible to come, but again there must be a certificate for the Registrar. Parishes are able to send one delegate for every fifty eligible voters at a Annual Meeting. Parishes and congregations who have less than ten voters can join together to elect one person to represent both.
It was pointed out that the Bishop elect will need 2/3rds majority of each house, clergy and laity. The Synod can vote up to 20 ballots and then, if there is no election, choose to adjourn. When there has been an election, Archbishop John will call the other Bishops of BC-Yukon to gain their concurrence of the election. Canon IV of the Province of BC-Yukon covers the consecration and installation of the new Bishop of Caledonia. Related Matters Archbishop asked the Executive Committee to consider pastoral care of the Candidates during the election by asking the question: “How do we support people through a stressful time? In what fashion?” The Administrator and those who are helping to plan the Synod, will take this into consideration. There was a good discussion about providing for Episcopal vestments – every Anglican bishop needs for the Bishop be properly attired. The Province has set aside $1,000 to help in this regard and the Executive Committee made a motion to set aside $3,000. Parishes invited to give to the Bishop’s Vestment Fund. There is already an episcopal ring and the Cathedral has a crosier which is there for the Bishop to use when at the Cathedral. The Archbishop and the Executive Committee talked about and chose a tentative date for the Consecration and Installation. When the Bishop Elect is known, there will need to be a consultation amongst the House and with the Bishop elect as to what date it will actually happen and should be announced in good time for people far and wide to come and participate. The Archbishop reminded the Executive Committee to call everyone to the necessity for prayer and vigilance over the next weeks and months. The Executive is planning to have a prayer team the day of to pray through the Cathedral and to pray for the Synod during the election. Other Business The Executive Committee revisited the issue of Canon #1A for the Election of a Co Adjuator Bishop, as it was left hanging when the election was cancelled last September. After some debate on procedures, it was decided to send the Canon to the next regular session of Diocesan Synod. It was also decided, that in the absence of a diocesan bishop that the Dean would attend the Council of the North meetings on behalf of the Diocese. March 13th to 16th in Toronto. There were a smattering of property issues that finished out the day, including the celebrating of the rezoning of land in Fort St. John to allow for the new Church building to be built. This was a major hurdle to clear so that the new Church building could be built.
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