Minutes of the Fifty Second Session of Synod
The Diocese of Athabasca
Fifty-Second Session
Synod of the Diocese of Athabasca
Saturday, September 19th, 2009
St. James Cathedral
Peace River Alberta
Election of a Bishop
Synod was called to order at 10:04 a.m. in St. James Cathedral by the Most Rev’d David Ashdown Metropolitan of the Ecclesiastical Province of Rupert’s Land.
Opening Procedures
Metropolitan called the synod to order at 10:04 am
Roll Call
Rev. Wayne Putman called the roll for the Clergy - 17 of 21 clergy present
Ms. Rosemarie Howell called the roll for the Laity - 50 of 54 laity present
Reports of Committees
Summary Report from the Diocesan Search Committee September 19, 2009
In compliance with the Constitution and Canons of the Ecclesiastical Province of Rupert’s Land, Anglican Church of Canada, and the Diocesan Search Committee is able to report that there are six candidates are eligible for nomination for the position of the Bishop of the Diocese of Athabasca -
Each candidate submitted their curriculum vitae (CV) as requested in our Diocesan Memorandum. All necessary documentation has been received, and each candidate met both canonical and local requirements as set out in the Constitution Part VI [(a), (b), (c), (d), (e) 1 and Canons [(d)J of Rupert’s Land.
The Diocesan Search Committee members worked very hard to ensure that the Memorandum was completed and sent out according to the timeline, and that all functions of the committee were performed in accordance with the Constitution and Canons. The Committee began this process in May 2009. Through each phase of the process the members have prayed and reflected on the mandate set before them to provide and meet the task of the Committee, which was to create the Memorandum for the election of a Bishop, to receive and process the nominations ensuring that each candidate met the canonical and local requirements and to forward these nominations to the Diocesan Administrator at least 21 days prior to the meeting of the Electoral Synod [c9.10 (k)].
The Committee consisted of the following members as per Canon[(a), (b)]
- The Rt. Rev. Jane Alexander - Provincial Episcopal Appointee
- The Venerable Michael Sung - Provincial Clerical Appointee
- Mr. David Fisher - Provincial Lay Appointee
- The Rev. Joan Schellenberger- Chair
- The Rev Canon Terry Leer- Secretary
- The Rev. Lesley Hand
- Mrs. Leslie Mann
- Mr. Leroy Overacker
- Dr. John Davidson
- The Rev. Lesley Wheeler-Dame - Diocesan Alternate
- Mr. Compton Vigilance - Diocesan Alternate
I wish to thank the Committee members for all their hours of dedication to this endeavour. They have worked very hard on behalf of the Diocese. Also, I want to thank all who helped us during this time. We greatly appreciate your input, prayers and support.
It is with pleasure that I submitted the following names in alphabetically order as per Canon [C9.1O (h)] to be candidates for this Episcopal Election.
- The Venerable Andrew Hoskin
- The Venerable Daryle Kerr
- The Rev. Canon Fraser Lawton
- The Very Rev. Dr. lain Luke
- The Rev. Stuart Mennigke
- The Rt. Rev. Larry Robertson
There were no further nominations received pursuant to Canon [I(1)].
Respectfully submitted
The Rev. Joan Schellenberger
Chair of the Diocesan Search Committee
Reverend Joan Schellenberger presented the committee report. Moved that the Committee Report be accepted by Rev. Joan and second by Rev. Terry Leer. Motion carried
Nomination of Credentials Personal
Your Grace,
It is my honour to inform you that the persons who will function as the credentials team for this synod are:
- The Reverend Canon Herman Dittrich (chair), and Ms. Joana Muzyka
- Assistants to the credentials team Ms. Dorothy Malone and Mr. Terry Francis
Nomination of Recording Secretaries
Your Grace,
It is my honor and privilege to nominate the following two names to you for your
appointment as recording secretaries to this synod:
- For Clerical Recording Secretary I nominate The Reverend Wayne Putman
- For Lay Recording Secretary I nominate Ms. Rosemarie (Rose) Howell.
Nomination of Scrutineers
Your Grace,
It is my honor and privilege to nominate the following six names to you for your
appointment as Scrutineers both clerical and lay for this synod.
For Clerical Scrutineers, I nominate,
- The Reverend Doug McClure, who is also nominated to be Senior Scrutineer for the purpose of reporting all the voting results to yourself and this synod
- The Reverend Lesley Wheeler-Dame
- Ms. Candace Mahaffey
For Lay Scrutineers I nominate,
- Ms. Janice Nowachin
- Ms. Jane Cowely
- The Reverend Greg Lynn
Thanks for the Search Committee
Your Grace,
I would also ask you to pass on to the gathered members of synod our profound thank you
and great appreciation for the enormous work and service provided by the members of
the selection committee. The work was often tense, always demanding, and yet, the
results were outstanding. For the combined and committed application their knowledge
and skills we are greatly indebted.
Respectfully Submitted by
The Venerable Daryle L. Kerr,
Diocesan Administrator
Credential Committee Report
Your grace,
47 out of 51 eligible lay voters or 92 % have registered as of 9:59 am. Saturday,
September 19th, 2009. This does constitute a quorum which by canon is 60% or better.
Your grace,
17 out of 21 eligible clerical voters or 80% have registered as of 9:59 am. Saturday,
September 19th, 2009. This does constitute a quorum which by canons is 60% or better.
Opening Eucharist
The opening Eucharist was celebrated by the Most Reverend David Ashdown beginning at 10:45 a.m.
Revision of Rolls
Revised roll call at 10:48 am
Your grace,
49 out of 51 eligible lay voters or 96 % have registered as of 10:45 am. Saturday,
September 19th, 2009. This does constitute a quorum which by canon is 60% or better.
Your grace,
18 out of 21 eligible clerical voters or 85% have registered as of
10:45 am. Saturday, September 19th, 2009. This does constitute a quorum which by
canons is 60% or better.
First Ballot
Called at 11:50 AM
Results received at 1:05 pm
House of Clergy |
House of Laity |
No election.
According to canon law, the one who has the lowest votes in both houses will be removed from the election of Bishop. The Venerable Daryle Kerr had the lowest votes in both houses so his name was removed from election of Bishop.
Second Ballot
Called at 1:10 PM
Results received at 1:52 pm
House of Clergy |
House of Laity |
No election.
The Reverend Stuart Mennigkle had the lowest votes in both houses so his name was removed from election of Bishop. Time was taken so that the secretary could contact the candidates that are not here by telephone to see if their names will remain in this election.
Third Ballot
Called at 2:19 PM
Results received at 2:54 pm
House of Clergy |
House of Laity |
No election.
No names where removed from this election of Bishop.
Fourth Ballot
Called at 2:54 PM
Results received at 3:24 pm
House of Clergy |
House of Laity |
No election.
The Venerable Andrew Hoskins had the lowest votes in both houses so his name was removed from election of Bishop. The Rt. Rev. Larry Robertson has withdrawn his name from election of Bishop.
Fifth Ballot
Called at 3:30 PM
Results received at 4:00 pm
House of Clergy |
House of Laity |
Synod has announced that the Reverend Canon Fraser Lawton is the new bishop elect for the Diocese of Athabasca.
Bishop Elect Lawton: "This is one of those moments when I thought I would have something eloquent to say but those words will come me at 1 in the morning. Taking a phrase from Archbishops David Ashdown’s sermon “Pray for Me”. Being part of this diocese of Athabasca has always been an honour and I am grateful to have you to share in this ministry. My prayer is that we will continue to share in this ministry and God’s will, will be done.
Archbishop Ashdown: "I want to thank each of the nominees for opening yourself up to God for the process of this election and I rejoice in the results. I want to thank the people who organized this synod and the music.
Archbishop Ashdown ordered that ballets be shredded.
Synod adjourned at 4:16 pm
Bishop Elect Lawton gave the closing blessing.
Members of Synod then gave Bishop elect Lawton our well wishes.