The RECONNECT Task Force of the Diocese of New Westminster is a group appointed by Bishop Michael consisting of: The Venerable John Stephens (chair), The Venerable Douglas Fenton, The Rev. Faun Harriman, Mr. Jack Blachford, Mr. Cameron Gutjahr and Ms. Carol Tindall.
At the Special Synod, November 17th, 2012 members of Synod made comments which highlighted a strong desire for parishes to be renewed both internally, and with other parishes. The thread that ran through the written comments and the words spoken at microphones on 11/17 was a wish for renewal to occur in the parishes’ connection within our Diocese, the National Church and the Anglican Communion. After studying these comments they identified four key areas: communication, cooperation, connecting and caring.The Task Force assembled a brief survey to be filled out by Parish Councils/Church Committees in community. They are seeking answers formulated by the group not from individuals. The Task Force hopes that parishes will put the survey on the agenda as part of their March, 2012 meetings.
This survey will help constitute recommendations that the RECONNECT Task Force will develop and bring to Synod in May 24 and 25, 2013.
On March 13th, 2013, the Chair, the Venerable John Stephens visited the boardroom of the Synod Office at 401 West Georgia and administered the survey to the Synod Office Staff. It took about 45 minutes to discuss the two Communications questions, the two Cooperation questions and the Connecting and Caring question. Synod Staff members were engaged, open and interested as they discussed what they could improve to strengthen the relationships between parishes and the Synod Office.
There will be a pre-Synod day at St. Dunstan’s, Aldergrove the morning of April 20th for some preliminary discussions of the survey results and to take a closer look at the most current revision of The White Paper on Diocesan Reorganization and Restructuring. Synod Delegates are strongly urged to attend but the meeting is open to everyone.
Images: Upper right, The Venerable John Stephens relaxes before beginning the survey. Lower left, MAP Associate, Diocesan School for Leadership instructor and registrar, the Rev. Marnie Peterson participates in a discussion about communications.