Learning Commons created

Executive Archdeacon Linda Hill and Caroll Carkner, Chair of the education committee, reminded Synod members that at the 2023 meeting, plans were made to revise diocesan Canons, Bylaws and Regulations to bring clarity to parish structures and to provide training for parish leaders. There was also a plan to create a Learning Commons and a program for Parish Development. “And we said we’d learn how to do contextual mission and establish new worshipping communities.” They reported that those things have all been done or are in the works.

Training workshops offered

Almost 100 people attended a workshop for treasurers, church wardens, and clergy led by Joel Prentice and Sanjay Grover in April.

Paul Lex and Archdeacon Linda Hill presented a workshop on governance, employment issues, and safe church attended by 97 people in May. Powerpoint presentations from the workshops are available on the ADO website under the Learning Commons.

Anti-racism training is now part of the Safe Church in the diocese. Several events were led by the Reverends Chung Yan Lam, John Holgate, and Simone Hurkmans. The events they led take a creative, interactive approach to this important area of training.

Two in-person cemetery workshops were held, one in Quebec and one in Ontario. They were led by Rob Hanson, the Rev. Dr. Mary-Cate Garden, and Archdeacon Eric Morin.

Resource Hubs and Knowledge Networks

The Learning Commons also includes Resource Hubs and Knowledge Networks, which aim to bring people together around topics of common interest and to share practical resources. Information about Hubs and Networks will soon be available on the diocesan website. The Rev. Gillian Hoyer is the coordinator for both. The first Resource Hub will be about rural ministry and other hubs are being planned, including ones for parish stewardship and for children’s and family ministry, they said.