Synod 2025 Important Dates to Remember
ACCOMMODATION RESERVATIONS - Opens February 3, 2025
Accommodation booking is now open! Please use this link from St. FX to make your reservation.
https://hotel.stfx.ca/diocese.bnb . Two options are available: a single room with a private washroom, or the most economical choice for two people—a double room with two separate bedrooms, a shared kitchenette, and a washroom.
CANONS 35, 11 AND 20
During Synod in 2023 a motion was made and carried stating A working group consisting of at least one Archdeacon, one Regional Dean, the Bishop, the Executive Director, and five additional members (clergy and lay) from across the Diocese, is to be charged with the following tasks:
a. To re-examine Canon 11: The Diocesan Council, Canon 20: Regions and Regional Deans, and Canon 35: Parochial Government and any other associated/impacted Canons to review personnel (volunteer and stipendiary) requirements.
The three committees have submitted their reports to Diocesan Council in 2024, and motions will be presented at Synod in May. To streamline the process, we will be hosting a webinar for each canon, featuring committee members who will explain, clarify, and answer any questions you may have. We encourage everyone to attend in order to help make our time at Synod more efficient.
CANON 11 WEBINAR - Late March/Early April
CANON 20 WEBINAR - Late March/Early April
CANON 35 WEBINAR - Late March/Early April
CERTIFICATES OF ELECTION - Due MARCH 15
The deadline is slightly earlier this year to allow sufficient time for the information to be entered into our database. The form can be found [HERE] and should be sent to Tonia at office@nspeidiocese.ca.
CONVENING CIRCULAR - April 17
The Convening Circular will be uploaded to our website under Synod 2025 [HERE] on April 17. Please ask your parishes to print a copy if needed. Reports are due April 1, and can be sent to Jana at bishopsoffice@nspeidiocese.ca
NEW DELEGATE ORIENTATION WEBINARS - MARCH 3 & APRIL 3
This year, we’re thrilled to offer a new opportunity for first-time delegates to learn about Synod and ask questions ahead of time! In addition to the in-person session on the morning of Synod, we will host two online sessions (March 3 and April 3 at 6:30 pm). These online sessions provide an excellent chance to ask questions, hear from other delegates, and gain valuable insights to help you feel better prepared for Synod. We highly recommend that new delegates attend one of these sessions. If you would like to register for the March 3rd session you may do so [HERE]
NOMINATIONS DEADLINE - MAY 5
Nominations will be needed for Provincial Synod, and Youth at Diocesan Council. Nomination Forms will be sent out April 1st, 2025
RESOLUTION WEBINARS - Late March/Early April
New this Synod! To maximize our time together, we will be hosting webinars on submitted resolutions. These sessions will give delegates the opportunity to ask questions, seek clarifications and engage directly with those submitting the resolution. While resolutions cannot be amended until Synod, these webinars will ensure delegates arrive informed, prepared to vote, or for any potential amendments to be discussed on the Synod floor. The dates and times for these webinars will be confirmed and shared after the resolution submission deadline on January 23, 2025.
SYNOD REGISTRATION - APRIL 24 TO MAY 8
Synod registration will open on April 24 and close promptly on May 8 to meet St. FX's catering deadline. The registration link will be sent to delegates and posted on April 24 under the Synod 2025 tab on the website. Youth Delegates please reach out to Jana at bishopsoffice@nspeidiocese.ca to register.
YOUTH - MAY 3 and MAY 23
In preparation for Synod, in addition to the new delegate and resolution webinars, we will also coordinate a zoom call for youth delegates to discuss whatever is of interest. The date and time for this will be set based on youth delegate availability.
We will also have a day-long youth delegate orientation road trip on May 3! It’s going to be a fun-filled day on the road where we will drive around, pick everyone up in or near their communities, and then journey to Antigonish together to check out St. Francis Xavier University, get to know the spaces that we will be in for Synod, and get to know one another a little better too. There will be no cost to youth delegates to participate in this, and I’ll send out all of the details about timing and registration after AGMs have wrapped up and we know who our youth delegates will be!
On Friday before Synod begins, we will also have one more youth delegate gathering, with time to ask any last minute questions, talk through anything from new delegate orientation that people are curious about, and eat lunch together. We’ll send details about this along when youth delegates register for Synod
CHILDCARE AT SYNOD - MAY 2
To help make it easier for those folks to be able to say “Yes!” to being a Synod delegate for their parish, we are offering FREE childcare for children aged 2 to 12 who have a parent or primary caregiver who is participating in Synod. We’ll have a team or screened and trained staff who will offer fun and engaging activities for your children while Synod is in session, so that their grownup can be fully focussed on the work of Synod. To make sure that we have enough staff, snacks, and fun and engaging activities for the kids, we need anyone who will be bringing their children to register them by May 2. Delegates will be able to indicate whether or not they would like to make use of this program when they register for Synod, and then we will send along an additional registration form for their children. While we hope to be able to accommodate anyone interested, spaces may be limited, so be sure to register early!