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Mission Conference 2016 was titled, God So Loves the World – Mission: Globally, Locally and Everyday Life. The plenary and workshop components were designed to support the title theme. However, this was also a celebration of a new partnership, as Diocesan Council, the governing body of the D of NW had just three days prior passed a motion affirming the previously expressed desire of the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Philippines (EDNP), to enter into a companion diocese relationship with our diocese. Bishop Brent Alawas of EDNP was present at the conference, took an active part and spoke to those in attendance at a dinner later in the day.

It was a beautiful spring day, May 14, 2016, and the Musqueam Cultural Centre an idyllic setting for the first mission conference of the Synod every second year era.

Members of Synod staff had been on site as early as 6:30am to make sure that all was in readiness for the 180 clergy and lay of our diocese arriving between 8 and 9am to register. By 9:05am the Rotunda conference room was full to capacity with very few empty chairs available around the 30 round tables in place for the event.

The morning plenary consisted of:

  • A warm and generous welcome from a Musqueam Elder
  • Morning Prayer
  • A greeting and some information from Conference Coordinator the Reverend Ruth Monette
  • A welcome and some words from Bishop Skelton
  • Four speakers: George Cadman, QC who has been the Chancellor of the diocese of New Westminster since 1988; Felly Farinas, an early childhood educator originally from the Philippines; Law professor and deacon at St. Helen’s West Point Grey, the Reverend Pitman Potter; Dr. Andrea Mann, director, Global Relations for the Anglican Church of Canada. The conference organizing team with Bishop Skelton had asked them to prepare 10-15 minutes about how their faith has equipped them to live out their baptismal commitment in secular life, in the work that they do and in the service they offer to those around them.
  • Some time to chat in table groups and report back to the plenary reactions to the speaker's messages.

Following the plenary session there was a set of workshops, lunch and two more sets of workshops.

There was one event held in the Rotunda, and that was the 11:15 conversation with Bishop Brent Alawas. The other workshops were set up in the Community Centre, a multi-purpose building on the other side of the road from the Rotunda. Each set featured seven different workshop choices. Some were available during two sessions and two of the more popular workshops, Indigenous Justice and Compassionate Intervention covered some different material at the two sessions.

By 4pm the plenary were back in the Rotunda for Evening Prayer and the Collation of the two newest Archdeacons, the Venerable Philippa Segrave-Pride, Archdeacon of Burrard and the Venerable Karen Urquhart, Archdeacon of Lougheed.

At 4:45 the Rotunda was cleared to set up for the dinner. The reviews of the food served by the Musqueam Cultural Centre culinary team were extremely positive and the Wild Salmon dinner a big hit. 

As part of the closing dinner, attendees were treated to a feature presentation by Bishop Brent Alawas  of EDNP.  Bishop Alawas began by sharing that the diocesan motto is Shalom Berahim which means “Peace upon the mountains”.  The Northern Philippines features a large mountainous area which has seen much strife through civil war, rebellion and political conflict.  He explained that the name was fitting not because there is always peace, but that the diocese seeks to represent and embody the deeper peace and justice of Christ.  Bishop Alawas spoke with passion and a clear sense of pride about the emergence and independence of the diocese. 

Beginning as a Missionary District of the Episcopal Church of the United States, the Diocese was created in 1972 and further divided in 1986 due to rapid growth and expansion.  Owing  to strong leadership and the faithful commitment of local clergy, laity and Diocesan organizations, the Diocese is now fully autonomous and financially self-supporting.  Bishop Alawas’ address was met with great enthusiasm and a standing ovation.

Synod Staffer, Phil Colvin has been working through the evaluation forms and he reported to staff during the May 18 staff check-in that the ratings and comments are extremely positive.

The Musqueam Cultural Centre venue, staff, catering and service received very high marks.

Conference organizers plan to call back in the February 15 focus group that was gathered together as part of the planning for an evaluation session a few weeks from now in order to expand the scope of the evaluation data.

(The preceding is an excerpt from the feature length report article that will be available in Summer 2016 issue of Topic, the monthly publication of the diocese. For more images from the day please visit the photo album on Anglican Conversation: Diocese of New Westminster)

Images

  • The view of the Rotunda facing northeast PHOTO Melanie Delva
  • Bill Siksay readies the tables at 7:30am
  • The Rotunda fills up quickly by 8:45am
  • Felly Farinas
  • Bishop Skelton and Bishop Alawas smile as questions come in for the "Conversation with Bishop Alawas" workshop.
  • TRC Calls to Action discussion at the first Indigenous Justice workshop
  • A group of folks from our diocese, many who worship at St. Mary the Virgin, South Hill pose with Bishop Alawas
  • Nassim Elbardouhis, Compassionate Intervention facilitator
  • The new Archdeacons
  • The Salmon Barbeque buffet line. PHOTO Melanie Delva