Consecrate our Lives and Ministries to Thee

“Hear what the Lord is saying to the Church” was the response to the scripture readings at the 151^st Synod of the Diocese of Niagara held via Zoom on November 1, 2025.

It was a fitting response with the Synod’s theme being “Take my life and let it be consecrated, Lord, to thee,” based on the hymn by Frances Ridley Havergal. The Synod brought a deep focus to the way God is calling Anglicans in Niagara to serve in the Church today, examining the ministries, missions, vocations, and formation happening across the diocese, lived out in the diocesan Mission Action Plan (MAP).

After the call to order by the bishop, Dean Tim Dobbin offered the territorial acknowledgement, before Bishop Susan Bell welcomed members and attended to various housekeeping matters. Following a motion to move the consent agenda, Synod entered into a time of prayer, led by Canon Nirmal Mendis.

The bishop then delivered her charge to Synod.

“Every year, as I make an accounting of what we’ve been doing in our beloved diocese, I am reminded of the deep faithfulness, resilience, and generosity that live at its heart,” said Bishop Susan Bell. The charge wove together the Synod’s theme, the diocese’s vision statement (Called to Life – Compelled to Love), and a Gospel passage (John 1:35-50) to reflect the Church and the world and the way in which the Spirit is at work.

The bishop pointed to increases in average Sunday attendance, new missional initiatives, and the improvement of the diocese’s financial position as signs that “something is happening” and that the Spirit is on the move across the diocese.

It’s almost like the Spirit is out ahead of us, beckoning us to take baby steps – “come on, you can do it,” observed the bishop. “And you know, we can.  We can do it.  With faith. And hope. And love.”

Canons Named

During her charge, Bishop Susan Bell announced, with Dean Tim Dobbin, two new honorary canons of Christ’s Church Cathedral: Cheryl Barker, rector of St. George’s in Georgetown, and Will Alakas, rector of St. Columba’s, St. Catharines. “Both have distinguished themselves by their love for their parishes and by their support of the diocese as a whole.”

A Missional Moment

Reconvening after a short break, those gathered were introduced to the designated diocesan missions by Canon Ian Mobsby, community missioner for the diocese. Through the course of a video, delegates heard about the ministries of 5 diocesan missions and missional initiatives:

·       All Saints Mission - reaches out to the de-churched and unchurched in their central Hamilton neighbourhood.

·       The Migrant Farm Workers Mission - supports the spiritual, food, and personal needs of workers from Mexico, South America, and the Caribbean who are in the Niagara region seasonally and for whom English is a second language.

·       Mission in Acts Mission - engages with new-to-Canada Mandarin-speaking migrants in the Oakville area.

·       St. Luke’s Community - journeys with many de-churched millennials who are exploring contemplative and catholic spirituality in Hamilton’s North End.

·       And The Hamilton Well is a budding missional initiative based on James Street North, reaching out to the spiritual-but-not-religious and other seekers through contemplative Christian spirituality.

Audit Matters

Christine Morrow, diocesan treasurer and director of finance, addressed the Synod speaking on the 2024 Auditors' report and the audited consolidated financial statements. This was followed by a motion to appoint KPMG as the auditors for 2025. The motion was carried without debate. 

Exploring Mixed Ecology

Canon Ian Mobsby and Dr. Emily Hill then provided for members of synod an overview of the Mixed Ecology Model of Ministry, sharing with members how parishes thrive when multiple congregational expressions coexist and support one another, focusing on different worship styles, languages, cultures and methods of connection. Following this introduction, members were placed into breakout groups to explore how they might respond to spiritual curiosity expressed by a couple encountered at a coffee shop.

2026 Budget

Canon Ellie Clitheroe, chair of the Diocesan Budget Planning Committee and Christine Morrow then introduced the 2026 budget. They shared that the budget represents “a picture of increasing financial health of the diocese,” forecasting an operating surplus before capital items. 

The focus for the budget this year is on missions and overall cohesive direction for the diocese, with $4 million being invested into missions in Niagara. The budget will prioritize:

·       Investing in the Diocesan Mission Action Plan

·       Piloting the St. Brigid’s Community

·       Enhancing the sustainability of our diocesan missions

·       Providing ongoing support for parishes, missions, and chaplaincies

·       Stewarding the care and upkeep of Cathedral Place.

“We budget based on an equitable formula which tracks with the highs and lows of the parish experience,” reported Morrow. “The increased revenue of nearly $300,000 in 2026 is a reflection of our ongoing recovery from the pandemic era.”

In commending the budget to Synod, Canon Clitheroe stated, “We are on an excellent trajectory, moving from a significant deficit this year to a modest surplus in 2026.” The budget was approved by members.

Canon Changes

After the review of the budget, Archdeacon Bill Mous, executive officer and Secretary of Synod, and Canon Greg Tweney, chancellor for the diocese, presented several proposed canon changes, mostly of a housekeeping nature.  The most substantial revision, derived from practical experience, was made to Canon 4.1 related to vestries and churchwardens. The changes address extraordinary vestry meeting extension requests, add some communication expectations for vestry meetings, provide guidance about vestry nominations, and seek to better reflect the business of an annual vestry meeting. 

Report on the 44th General Synod

Adam MacNeil (lay member), Paige Keller (youth member) and Archdeacon Terry Holub (clergy member) delivered a report on the national meeting of the Anglican Church of Canada held in the Diocese of Huron this past summer.

“One of the amazing things about General Synod is how it reveals the remarkable diversity in our Church,” says MacNeil. “Together, these diverse gifts reflect the many ways God equips the Church for the shared work of God’s mission.” MacNeil had the privilege of moving a motion to request an increase in the number of youth delegates eligible to serve on the Council of General Synod, and seconded a motion which endorsed the creation of a National Youth Council. Both motions passed, and MacNeil reflected on Bishop Susan, articulating how important it is to raise up the voices of young people in our National Church – people who are not simply the future of the Church, but indeed are full members of the present Body of Christ

Keller also noted the unique opportunity to see the diversity in the National Church. “Naturally, we didn’t always agree, and sometimes our opinions were quite different,” she says. “That was new for me and really eye-opening. But what stood out was how our conversations always remained respectful, comfortable, and deeply meaningful.”

Keller shared that she and Bishop Susan were elected to represent the Province of Ontario on the Council of General Synod. “I’m so excited to see what the Council of General Synod is all about and to be a part of what’s next.”

Other Business

Regional representatives for the five regions were then elected to Synod Council for the 2026 to 2027 term: The Reverend Rob Towler (Brock); The Reverend Victor Kischak (Greater Wellington); Susan Little (Hamilton-Haldimand); Mark Young (Lincoln); and Amy Collard (Trafalgar).

A resolution was also carried that the diocese extend warm greetings and congratulations to the United Church of Canada on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of their formative Union and to the Presbyterian Church in Canada on the occasion of their 150th anniversary.

Anniversary Year Conclusion

Before closing in prayer, there was a final missional moment – a compelling and inspiring anniversary video reflection which highlighted the diversity of the diocese, showcasing the growth of the diocese, its parishes and communities, and the missional and outreach initiatives. The video featured reflections from the assistant curates in the diocese and the importance of the role for development as clergy, a focus of the diocese’s anniversary fund. 

The bishop gave her assent to all the actions of Synod before Canon Naomi Kabugi led members through closing prayers and a litany of thanks. Bishop Susan Bell then offered a final blessing, and as the Synod adjourned, members departed with the joyful hope of faith in the future.