The 2026 diocesan Synod will elect two clergy delegates and three lay delegates to represent this diocese at Provincial Synod.
The next Provincial Synod will take place September 17th and 18th, 2027 at the Sorrento Centre in Sorrento, BC.
The Ecclesiastical Province of British Columbia and the Yukon is one of three ecclesiastical provinces in Canada, and is composed of six dioceses: British Columbia, New Westminster, Caledonia, Kootenay, the Territory of the People, and Yukon. The ecclesiastical province meets for Provincial Synod every three years to explore shared challenges, discuss theology, discuss shared resources, and coordinate on joint projects that effect their shared regions.
Clergy (2)
I was born in Calgary but moved with my family to Courtenay in 1967. I attended the University of Victoria, graduating in 1977, and returned to Courtenay several years later, where I met David, my husband of 45 years. We moved around BC frequently because of our work before eventually settling back in Courtenay. We have two grown daughters, two grandchildren, and two cats.
Shortly after retiring, I became more involved at St John the Divine, Courtenay, serving in almost every possible lay role except singing in the choir! In 2015/16, I began to discern a call to the diaconate and was ordained a deacon by Bishop Anna in 2021.
My diaconal ministry includes street outreach, volunteering at the local soup kitchen, and leading a team that runs our parish free store. I also serve as treasurer on the boards of the Sonshine Lunch Club and the Comox Valley Community Justice Centre.
I currently represent the North Island clergy on Diocesan Council and serve on the Diocesan Finance and Investment Committees.
I am a cradle Anglican who loves our liturgy and traditions. I believe we are all called to ministry through our baptism and that, guided by the Holy Spirit, our Church can grow and thrive.
I am putting my name forward to be a member of Provincial Synod because I enjoy being part of the decision-making process and I love the collegiality found while doing this type of work. I arrived in the Diocese of Islands & Inlets in August 2025. In the Diocese of Rupert’s Land, I was on diocesan council as a lay person, as a transitional deacon, and as a priest. I was elected to the Executive Committee from 2022-2024. I attended Provincial Synod twice and General Synod once. I was the Diocese of Rupert’s Land representative on the Provincial Executive from 2021-2025. I was also part of the National Chaplain’s Network (now defunct), the planning team for three Anglican-Lutheran clergy conferences, and the chair of the Joint Anglican and Lutheran Committee for 2SLGBTQ+ Education, Advocacy, and Policy (now defunct).
I see attending Provincial Synod as an opportunity to learn about the processes that take place within this diocese, as well as bringing a transgender voice to the table. Having a position in Provincial Synod will hopefully help me to work at making our church a safer place for the queer community within our diocese.
Beyond church activities, I love to read and learn. My to-read lists and piles are never-ending. I am taking classes at the College of Emmanual & St Chad, working towards a master’s in theological studies.
Lay (3)
Marjorie Aitken, St John the Divine, Courtenay (Mid-North Island)
I am interested in allowing my name to stand as a Representative of the Diocese of Islands and Inlets for next year’s Provincial Synod.
I’ve been a member of five different Anglican Churches in this Diocese over my lifetime and my faith has been developed throughout each parish.
My role has continually been one of administration, from Parish Council Secretary, Envelope Secretary through Sunday School Superintendent, Warden, organizing plant sales, garage sales and whatever else needs to be done.
I have a deep and abiding faith that has been developed throughout my lifetime due to various unexpected tragedies but am thankful that those experiences have taught me the reality of Christ living in me, and I in Him.
Harla Batinovic, St Peter, Saanich (Greater Victoria)
I have been an active member of the Anglican Church throughout my life. I was baptized at St. Martin-in-the-Fields in Victoria and have been a member of St. Peter's for the past 26 years.
My involvement in parish and diocesan life began at an early age. At 16, I served on a parish council while living in San Diego. After returning to Victoria, I served on the Parish Council of St. George's and, in 1985, attended the Diocese of British Columbia Synod as a Youth Delegate, witnessing the Diocese's approval of the ordination of women. That same year, I served on the Diocese of British Columbia Youth Council and represented the Diocese at the National Youth Synod in Montreal.
Later, while living in Burnaby and attending Holy Trinity Anglican Church, I attended the Diocese of New Westminster Synod that authorized the blessing of same-sex unions, the first such authorization by an Anglican diocese in Canada.
Over four decades of parish and synod involvement, I have witnessed and participated in significant moments in the life of the Church. These experiences have given me an appreciation for prayerful discernment, respectful dialogue, and the importance of listening to diverse voices as the Church responds to changing circumstances.
Over the years, I have served as a Sunday School teacher, youth group leader, parish event coordinator, parish council member, and Diocesan Synod Delegate. I have also raised three children in the Church.
Throughout my years at St. Peter's, I have experienced significant change in parish life, including parish amalgamations, ministry restructuring, and the re-investiture of St. Peter's as an independent parish. These experiences have reinforced my belief that building for the future of the Church requires both respect for our traditions and a willingness to embrace change.
Carolyn Dieleman, St Philip, Cedar (Cowichan/Mid-Vancouver Island)
Carolyn Dieleman was born in Woodstock, Ontario, to Dutch immigrants. She attended university in Michigan before returning to Canada to work for an M.P. in Ottawa for five years.
She later moved to Edmonton, Alberta, where she worked for over 30 years with the Government of Alberta in various iterations of the department responsible for employment and training. Her work focused on program design, analysis and review, and federal-provincial policy development.
Over the course of her career, Carolyn worked in Indigenous programming, job creation and training programs, early school leavers’ needs, literacy, and adult English as a Second Language (ESL) programming.
These roles gave her the opportunity to learn about the needs of vulnerable adults seeking to find and maintain employment.
Through ESL program design, she worked directly with language providers to develop innovative programs supporting immigrants from foundational through advanced professional language training. These programs helped newcomers use their skills and knowledge to integrate into their communities and become self-sustaining.
Carolyn also helped establish two non-profit agencies: one national organization focused on standards for immigrant language programming, and one provincial organization focused on essential skills programs. Both continue to provide services across Canada.
Since retiring to Vancouver Island, Carolyn has continued to volunteer with these organizations. She and her husband are active members of St. Philip Anglican Church, Cedar. She recently completed a three-and-a-half-year term as Rector’s Warden and continues to serve on Parish Council.
Julie Foster, St Paul, Nanaimo (Cowichan/Mid-Vancouver Island)
Moving from Port McNeill in 2020 to Nanaimo I now worship at St Paul's on the traditional land of the Snuneymuxw peoples.
In the Parish I am a Lay Worship Leader, Liturgical assistant, intercessor, reader, I am Lay Eucharist and provide Pastoral care, and Sunday welcome guests to free lunch, Synod representative and currently on Ecclesiastical Provincial Council.
With community organisations I support vulnerable women, help build right relationships with Indigenous communities and a group working for peace and freedom.
I am part of the Anglican Communion Peace and Justice Network and Laudato Si movement.
I am an Oblate with the Sisters of Saint John Divine.
Cory Herrera, St Matthias, Victoria (Greater Victoria)
Cory Herrera seeks the privilege of participating in Provincial and General Synod. She’s had the privilege of being on Provincial Synod since Diocesan Synod 2024 and on Diocesan Council since November 2024.
Cory has worshipped at St. Matthias for about 25 years. She’s been in leadership roles most of the time since 2009: Parish Council; beginning in 2013, as People’s Warden or Deputy Rector’s Warden; she’s also been a Diocesan Synod representative since 2013. A believer in succession planning, she looks forward to retiring as Warden and welcoming a new leader at the next parish Vestry.
Formally educated as a historian, Cory’s doctoral specialty was Early Modern / Reformation Europe. Graduate school gave her an enduring love of the Anglican embrace of the gifts of scripture, tradition and reason. Those studies found their indirect way into her subsequent career.
Cory is a retired public servant and experienced non-profit Board member. Not legally trained, she’s worked closely in legal issues, particularly in Indigenous relations and reconciliation, and the wide span of Provincial legislation. She has dealt with economic, taxation and financial issues in both professional and volunteer work. Cory has deep and broad leadership experience in major projects (e.g., treaty negotiations, past chair of the Greater Victoria YM-YWCA and the Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island). She brings energy, collaboration, and generosity to both secular and ecclesiastical challenges. Cory sees her faith as the wellspring of her commitment to service.