ARISE, SHINE!
Isaiah 60:1
January 2024
To the Delegates of the 51st Session of Provincial Synod:
We look forward to gathering for the 51st Session of Provincial Synod in Calgary, AB on Thursday evening, May 23 to Sunday mid-day on May 26, 2024. Members of Synod will be hosted by the Diocese of Calgary and will be staying at the International House, University of Calgary. Attached is a welcome brochure that the Diocese of Calgary has created.
Details for Provincial Snyod are outlined below: Please read carefully and thoroughly.
- Registration will begin at 1:00pm on Thursday, May 23, 2024 and will continue until 5pm on Thursday. Registration will re-open on Friday morning.
- The Opening Service of Synod will be held at Holy Cross, beginning at 7:00pm on Thursday evening. A reception hosted by the Diocese of Calgary will follow. Buses will take delegates from the University to the church, and back again following the reception.
- Synod sittings will be held in the Blue Room, International House, University of Calgary, Friday morning through Sunday noon.
- Sittings of Synod will include presentations, resolutions, discussions, teachings and balloting for the various officers and committees of the Synod.
- The banquet will be held on Saturday evening at St. Peter’s, Okotoks. Buses will transport delegates back and forth.
- To showcase our theme each diocese is being asked to give a 10 minute presentation to synod. Please see the attached document with guidelines for this presentation.
On Saturday April 13 at 12 noon Eastern, 11am MB time, 10am AB/SK time there will be a Zoom meeting that will introduce delegates to Synod. This meeting will be repeated on Tuesday April 16 at 6:30pm AB/SK, 7:30pm MB and 8:30pm Eastern.. Please make a point of attending one of these events, in order to meet other delegates and learn more about Synod.
Travel Arrangements/Transportation:
Delegates from Calgary, Edmonton, Athabasca (if possible), Qu’Appelle, Saskatoon and Saskatchewan should travel by vehicles and carpool as much as possible. Travel by car is paid per km at the following rates: $0.25 per km for 1 delegate per car; $0.35 per km for 2 delegates per car; and $0.45 per km for 3 or more delegates per car.
Delegates from The Arctic, Rupert’s Land, Brandon and The Indigenous Spiritual Ministry of Mishamikoweesh are authorized to travel by air. Please try to make your return flight later on the afternoon of May 26. We ask that you try and find the cheapest airfare as we are trying to be good stewards of our financial resources. Reimbursement will be paid up to return economy fare.
Reimbursement for expenses can be requested by completing an Expense Claim Form. Please email the Provincial Secretary and she will email you the form. Forms will be available at Synod.
Accommodation and Meals:
We have booked 2 bedroom dormitory apartments in the International House at the University of Calgary. The two bedrooms share a bathroom and a living space but the bedrooms are separate. If there is someone that you would like to share with, please indicate that on the registration form.
Arrangements have been made for all meals, except the Saturday night banquet, to be taken at the International House beginning with supper on Thursday and concluding with breakfast on Sunday. A “to-go” lunch will be available Sunday. Please be sure to advise of any dietary restrictions or food allergies when you register for Synod on-line.
Registration for Synod:
An on-line registration form will be established on the Provincial website at http://rupertsprov.org/synod-registration/
beginning March 1, 2024. Registration Deadline: April 1, 2024.
.Convening Circular and Conference Material:
All reports, memorials and other documents to be included in the Convening Circular for the Synod must be submitted to the Provincial Secretary by March 31, 2024. In April, you will receive an email notice that the Convening Circular and Conference material has been posted to the provincial website. The email will also include a link for you to download the material onto your device. PLEASE DOWNLOAD IT. Many prefer to work electronically. However, if you wish to receive a printed copy of the circular, you will need to indicate so by checking the box “printed copy” on the on-line registration form. One will be ready for you when you arrive at the Synod site. Please read all the material prior to coming to Synod.
Participation at Synod:
Your active participation in Bible Study, worship and group discussions will not only enhance your experience at Synod, but will also enrich others’ experience and benefit the gathering as a whole.
Elections will be held for the various committees and boards of our Provincial structure. Please be sure to consider how God is calling you to serve, whether it be on one of the committees or one of the positions available for election. Details about elections will be included with the Convening Circular.
Our Church seems to be awash with gifted musicians. We invite those with musical talents to bring instruments, and offer your talents, for the benefit of the members at various times through the gathering.
Please watch for the email with details about the pre-synod Zoom meeting.
Looking forward to meeting you and sharing in this experience with you.
Yours in Christ,
The Reverend Victoria Luke
Provincial Secretary
Ecclesiastical Province of Rupert’s Land
163 Pezer Crescent
Saskatoon, SK
S7S 1J6
306-382-1787
email: eprlsecretary@outlook.com web: http://rupertsprov.org