Adult Lay delegates to Synod, elected at the Annual Meeting of the Parish, were Paul Hobson and Kathy Phillips. The Youth delegate was Emily Turner. Clergy are all automatic delegates and the Parish was represented by Rev. Cathy Lee Cunningham Ritcey (Rector), Rev. Ann Watson (Deacon) and Rev. Bruce Matthews (Honorary Assistant).

A pre-Synod meeting of the Clermont Regional Council was held at St. James', Kentville on the evening of May 13, 2008. Synod delegates are automatically members of Regional Council and were in attendance.

We wish to acknowledge the support we have received from our Rector, Cathy Lee, in undertaking our roles and responsibilities as lay delegates.

1. Introduction

We respectfully submit this Report to the Parish on the 141st Session of the Diocesan Synod of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. The sections below provide a summary of the major events/business conducted at Synod. Much of the background material can be found at the Diocesan Website: http://www.nspeidiocese.ca.

We cannot hope to convey to you the true richness of our participation at Synod. Bishop Sue ensured that the focus was on more than business. Synod was a time of reflection, prayer, worship and fellowship. It was a coming together of an Anglican Community. The delegates from Horton sat as a group throughout, supporting each other though this vital process. We found our involvement to be truly inspirational.

We would like to make special mention of the Rt. Rev. Bill Burrill, retired Bishop of Rochester. Bishop Burrill was the keynote speaker, our Companion on the Way, and provided us with remarkable insight on the meaning of Stewardship. We look forward to sharing parts of that insight with you over the coming year, as we undertake our church's 190th Anniversary Celebrations. We have appended to this Report a brief summary of Bishop Burrill’s remarks.

The Report begins with the election of Archdeacon Ronald W. Cutler as Suffragan Bishop. This is followed by a summary of Bishop Sue’s Charge to Synod, which, by extension, is a charge to the entire Anglican community in the Diocese. Next, the various motions and presentations are summarized and we report on the Diocesan Ministries of the Parish. A concluding section outlines our sense of where we, as a Parish, go from here, building on the many themes of Synod.

Finally, we would be pleased to discuss in greater detail with any Parish Member issues arising from Synod.

2. The Election of a Suffragan Bishop

The Opening Session of the 141st Session of the Diocesan Synod of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, held at the Cathedral Church of All Saints, Halifax, N.S., on Friday, May 23, 2008, convened for the purpose of electing a Suffragan Bishop, The Bishop of the Diocese, the Rt. Rev. Susan Moxley presided.

The session began with Holy Eucharist. During the service, the Bishop dedicated the 2010 Celebration Vestments and Paraments and the Processional Cross. The vestments and paraments were made by Daphne Gabriel of Gabriel Designs. The Processional Cross was designed and constructed by William Zink of St. James’, Kentville. Its inlaid carvings (the HIS and Fish) were crafted by our own Don Marston. Don was present in the Cathedral for the dedication.

Following the Eucharist, Synod proceeded to the election. Archdeacon Ronald W. Cutler was elected Suffragan Bishop. on the 3rd Ballot. In the Order of Laity, 279 ballots were cast (146 - simple majority - needed for election). In the Order of Clergy, 138 ballots were cast (96 - 2/3's - needed for election). Archdeacon Cutler received 170 Lay votes and 98 Clergy votes. 

3. The Bishop’s Charge

Synod resumed on Saturday morning at Dalhousie University’s Student Centre. The morning began with the Bishop’s Charge, followed by Holy Eucharist. The Bishop’s Charge may be accessed, in two parts, at 
http://www.nspeidiocese.ca/synod/charges/2008/2008_Bishop_%20Charge_Part%201.pdf
and
http://www.nspeidiocese.ca/synod/charges/2008/2008_Bishop_Charge_Part%202.pdf

In part 1 of her Charge, the Bishop identified our theme for Synod as going forward as “Companions on the Way.” She said that this image of "journey" has been with us and will continue with us throughout 2010 when we will celebrate "A Journey Just Begun".  Bishop Sue reminded us that we do not travel alone, and thus we are all companions on the way with many levels of interpretation.  Bishop Sue also 

• Outlined Diocesan Personnel Changes
• Updated details on proposals for property development of the Anglican Diocesan centre and the three houses
• Recognized the anniversaries of Ordination to the Diaconate
• Presented Faithful Service Medallions
• Recognized memorials
• Shared "The Amazing grace Project" where all Canadian Anglican congregations are invited to sing the hymn, "Amazing grace", on Sunday, November 23, 2008. (Go to www2.anglican.ca/amazinggrace)

In Part 2 of her Charge, Bishop Sue began by telling us that, as we journey, we walk as part of a community of faith, side by side, accompanied by Jesus.  She identified for us the end of our journey as “the fullness of the Kingdom of God where all God’s children live by faith through grace and experience justice and joy”.  But then she asked the question: “Are we there yet?” 

Her answer is paraphrased/extracted below:

1. Where are we, as a diocese, on the journey toward the Kingdom of God?

• a. The Diocesan Synod adopted a vision in 2003. The vision was meant to help us move in a focused way toward the realization of God’s Kingdom in our part of God’s world.
• b. Youth Initiatives
• i. Embracing Youth
• ii. Diocesan Youth Conference
• iii. Teens Encounter Christ
• iv. Ask & Imagine
• v. Generation 2008
• vi. Habitat for Humanity

• i. Congregation’s members know who they are before God. (Identity)
• ii. The congregation knows what it is called to do. (Vision)
• iii. The congregation has the resources and leadership necessary to carry out its calling. (Stewardship)
• iv. People experience the power and energy of the Gospel in their worship and life together. (Worship)
• v. The activities of the congregation make a discernible difference in individual lives and in the larger world around us. (Outreach)

• i. Leap of Faith Capital Campaign (fulfilling obligations and enabling new work)
• ii. Annual Appeal  (something to explore: an idea to sustain & do new works)

2. Are we there yet?

• a. “If we are talking about the Kingdom of God, we can see signs of it all around us, but its fullness still eludes us.”
• b. “If we are talking about the Diocesan Vision, again, we can see signs of progress, but its fullness still eludes us.”
• c. “By 2010, I would like to be able to say, “We are here! In every parish, we can see evidence of Christ-centered congregational life. We can see evidence of mission beyond the walls of the church building – in the local community and in the world. We can see evidence of the community of faith ministering to one another and to those who are not yet part of that community of faith.”

Motions were dealt with throughout the two days, in no particular order. They are listed below along with the outcome in each case.

MOTIONS

NUMBER Note: Complete motions may be obtained from either of your Lay Delegates. OUTCOME
1)  Amendments to Canon 1-- Coadjutor Bishop’s Right of Succession and duties of Coadjutor, Suffragan & Assistant Bishops. Carried
2)  Amendments to Canon 35--would change the qualifications a person must have in order to vote at a meeting of a parish or a church. Defeated
3)  Amendments to Canon 16, Section 4—Extends exemptions for Allotment purposes to include building maintenance (repairs).  Effective Jan.1, 2009 Carried
4)  Amendments to Canon 16, Section 4—Extends exemptions for Allotment purposes to include Youth Ministry expenses by a region or parish. Defeated
5)  Environmental Responsibility—Resolution to establish and fund diocesan environmental initiatives (program of education, plan of greening operations) as an additional responsibility of the Diocesan Social Justice Sub-Committee. Timeline for program design: Synod 2009; Timeline for implementation: Synod 2011 Carried
6)  Amend Canon 16, Section 2—Term of appointment for members of the Budget Sub-Committee. Carried
7)  Sustainability of Synod in its Present Membership—Would (a) reduce Synod size (# adult delegates), (b) voluntary reduction for next Synod. Carried
• Resolution to prepare recommendations for Synod 2009
• Voluntary reduction next Synod Defeated
8)  Sustainable Agriculture –Would make representations to Government & our Bishop and Diocesan Council make provision for an educational process Carried
9)  Strategy Planning Committee—in abeyance for 2008-09.Carried
10)  Program Planning Committee-- in abeyance for 2008-09.Carried
  
There also was a motion to consent to hear a motion defining marriage as only being between a man and a woman.  The Synod voted not to consent to hear this motion.

5. Presentations

Presentations were interspersed throughout the meeting. They may be found at 
http://www.nspeidiocese.ca/synod/synod.htm#synod139

1. 2010 Presentation

• a. Annapolis Royal where it all began: Service of Celebration October 2010.
• b. 300th Anniversary Prayer distributed to all parishes
• c. Information source “2010” on Diocese website 
• d. Service 3PM June 6, 2010 at Exhibition Arena planning team at work
• e. Gospel Book completed and travelling to parishes now
• f. 2010 Processional Cross completed
• g. Vestments, stoles etc designed and completed
• h. Posters for parishes ready for you today!
• i. Region – Funds are available to each region
• j. Hymn #656: She Flies On
• k. Parish

2. Atlantic School of Theology Presentation (Power Point) 
3. Committee on Ministry 2008 
4. Fresh Start Synod Presentation 2008 (Power Point) 
5. Habitat for Humanity (Power Point) 

• a. Vision:
• i. A world where everyone has a safe and decent place to live.
• b. Values:

• a. Part of General Synod Strategic Framework 2005-20
• b. Serving God’s World Strengthening 
• the Church 
• c. Develop programs specific for youth and young adults
• d. Build capacity to address local justice issues
• e. Enhance communication and nation-wide networks
• f. Re-dress sense of local/national church disconnect
• g. Train disciples for ministry

• a. Companions on a Journey is the Diocesan stewardship initiative
• b. Our mission is to enable parishes to offer year-round stewardship programs.
• c. The responsible management of something entrusted to our care.
• d. Regional workshops
• e. Diocesan Stewardship Conference, Oct 3-4, 2008, at Diocesan Centre

• a. A brochure, “Telling Your Story”
• b. Charles O’Neil

6. Parish of Horton, Diocesan Ministries

•  a)  Jim Amos is a member of the standing committee on national and world   mission.
•  b)  Emily Turner was elected the Youth Delegate for the Diocese of Nova Scotia  and Prince Edward Island for the Provincial Synod of the Ecclesiastical Province  of Canada

During the coming year, we will be bringing recommendations forward to Parish Council regarding some key initiatives coming out of Synod. 

Specifically, we will be fulfilling our obligations to the Diocese of NS and PEI by:

• Revisiting, revising and completing our church visioning process prior to the 2010 celebration
• striking a committee to complete the Parish history from 1968 to present
• making our church youth aware of upcoming youth events
• exploring the provision of a Youth Minister and the further development of a youth room in our Sunday School area
• participating in "The Amazing Grace Project" on Nov.23, 2008

 We will also be recommending that the Parish:

• arrange and provide a site for a meeting of the Stewardship group
• arrange to show a video featuring the Rt. Rev. Bill Burrill on the topic of "Stewardship"
• invite Mr. Charles O’Neil to speak to the resource document “Telling Your Story”
• arrange for Jim Purchase to share plans for the 2010 celebration
• celebrate Ministry Sunday on January 25, 2009
• plan a celebration/recognition of the upcoming 50th anniversary of the PWRDF in 2009
• bring in other speakers/special guests to highlight other elements of the Synod presentations

Appendix

Overview of the themes presented by The Right Rev. Bill Burrill, Retired Bishop of Rochester, in his talks on stewardship.

Stewardship Overview

Stewardship is everything we say or do after we say, "I believe".
Not just fund-raising, stewardship encompasses our whole lives.
Stewardship is the responsible management of something entrusted to our care
• Creation
• Gospel
• Our family
• Our brothers & sisters in the world
• Our personal vocations
• Our property and home
• Our own personal life
The key: I am responsible for building and maintaining me; we are who we are by choice.

Stewardship of Self

For Christians, this journey is set in baptism; we are to become a reflection of Jesus Christ, dying to our self-centeredness and be reborn in the Spirit of Christ.
Love we learn by grace: our gift from God; and by discipline: our response.
We need to be people of thanksgiving; God did not put us here on earth to be critics of creation but rather stewards.
Let us be better at listing our thanksgivings.
Anything of importance in life is a gift; be filled with awe with this mystery.
Express thanksgiving in
• prayer and intercession for others
• "corporate" worship in and with your faith community
• study and awareness of the history and tradition of our church
• service to others; commit ourselves to ministries
• money: obligation vs. responsibility (where your treasure is, there also will be your heart)  "It would be easier if God just gave us 90% of what we get."
Our aim is thanksgiving for all the gifts bestowed on each of us.
Thanksgiving is part of the journey from self-centeredness to love.

Stewardship: Why is Money so Important?

Can we change ourselves and how we view and use money?
Money is the way the world evaluates us and how we express ourselves, how we present ourselves, how we make our impression, and how we ensure security.
"The most important spiritual decisions we make are financial."

Stewardship and Our Identity

Do we know who we are?
What choices have we made?
Who are we versus who is God calling us to be?
Our identity changes over time and we must let go of some of our identity.
We have to learn to let go gracefully, learn "dying to the old self".
Individuals often experience anger as they face elements in their lives that they have to let go whether it be age, attitude, or different decisions.
Our goal is to live with God through Christ, to create joy and harmony within ourselves and others.
Our offering is just another element in our relationship, our touching, our making communion.