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Fly on the Wall

This article also appears in the February issue of the Diocesan Post.

This regular column reports on the activities and decisions of Diocesan Council--the "synod between synods" of our diocese.

At its December meeting, Diocesan Council heard presentations from the diocesan communications officer, the vision implementation team for emerging ministries and the Vision Fund jury which administers funds in support of vision-related initiatives across the diocese.  

Effective Communications

Catherine Pate updated council on the work done over the last two years to improve communications across the diocese. This included conducting a communications audit and updating synod office technology, rebuilding the diocesan website, parish town hall meetings with the bishop, parish visits and consultations, frequent e-news from synod office, regional gatherings, We Together conferences, diocesan-wide website strategy, rebranding, vision promotion and education, the publication of parish and diocesan manuals and guidelines, redeveloping the Diocesan Post and publishing articles online. In 2018, efforts will focus on helping parishes develop communications strategies and offering regional workshops on a variety of communications topics.  

Emerging Ministries

Rob Crosby-Shearer and Craig Hiebert presented a number of models for emerging ministries taking shape across the country as well as a few examples from within the diocese including a replant of a historic parish in Ucluelet, the strengthening of an indigenous-settler church relationship in Port Hardy, Emmaus/Abbey Church monastic community and church plant. Council was then asked to consider obstacles facing possible emerging ministries in the life of the diocese and ways those barriers could be removed to ensure success.  

Ian Alexander and Julie Poskitt updated council on vision-related activities initiated across the diocese over the last year and the funds each project received through the Vision Fund. The total funds disbursed to date (2016-17) is almost $320,000. A full report, including a list of funded projects can be found on the diocesan website bc.anglican.ca/vision/vision-fund.  

Finances

  • St Columba to receive a parish grant of $3000 to cover 2017 shortfall.
  • FTE salary and benefits for the Refugee Sponsorship Program to be supported through the diocesan budget and vision fulfillment funds in 2018 with subsequent COLA increases as mandated by Council for fiscal year 2019-2021.
  • An anonymous donor has given $11,000 to support UVic chaplaincy and $1,331 to support the curacy program. 
  • A 2018 narrative budget will reflect the diocesan vision and will be presented at Synod in April. The current deficit is $113,400. For more information about Diocesan Council (including downloadable minutes) click here.