After an uplifting day of Synod business, Bishop Susan Bell hosted an anniversary dinner at the Burlington Convention Centre to mark the beginning of the diocese’s sesquicentennial. Archbishop Linda Nicholls, 14th primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, was the featured speaker at the event.
The diocese was founded in 1875, and formally incorporated by an act of the provincial legislature which received royal assent in 1876.
The celebratory anniversary dinner drew some 200 guests from across the diocese, with all proceeds being directed to the newly established 150th Anniversary Curacy Fund, which will support the training and formation of priests throughout the diocese.
A pre-dinner reception, sponsored by KPMG, kicked off the event as clergy and parishioners mixed and mingled with members of synod.
Church dignitaries attending the dinner also included Archbishop Colin Johnson, assistant bishop of the Diocese of Niagara, Bishop Michael Bird, 11th Bishop of the Diocese of Niagara, Bishop Douglas Crosby, Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Hamilton, Pastor Dave Witt of TrueCity, a network of churches in Hamilton. In addition, representing Ecclesiastical Insurance, the dinner’s lead sponsor, were David Huebel, president, and Colin Robertson, chief risk management and customer officer, along with our diocesan insurance broker, Linda Papadopoulos, senior vice-president, AJ GALLAGHER.
Dean Tim Dobbin served as the emcee for the evening’s program. As part of the celebration, Sarah Bird, missional formation coordinator, introduced the plans for a time capsule in celebration of the 150th Anniversary. She encouraged guests to share their prayers for the Church and hopes of for the future of the Diocese of Niagara. Guests perused ‘then’ and ‘now’ display takes, featured highlights of the diocese’s ministry. Some even fully embraced the spirit of celebration by taking pictures in the ‘selfie corner’.
Following dinner, Bishop Bell sat down with Archbishop Nicholls for a conversation that explored the Synod’s theme, ‘Faith in the Future.’ The two shared stories of their journeys through life and ministry, which the former primate reflecting on her pioneering ministry as a priest, bishop, and archbishop. As primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, she was only the second woman to serve as primate in the worldwide Anglican Communion. Bishop Bell observed that the archbishop was an icon for many women in ministry, including her.
During their hour-long conversation, Bishop Bell invited Archbishop Nicholls to engage with a wide variety of questions, including “If you knew 30 years ago what you know now,” how would your early days of ministry be different. The primate reflected that she might hold some liturgical practices more gently.
Archbishop Nichols rounded off the conversation with what the future looks like for her as a now-retired primate, passionately discussing her work moving forward with the Anglican Communion’s Science Commission and the importance of engaging the knowledge found in science with our faith.
If you would like to make a gift to the diocese’s 150th Anniversary Curacy Fund, please visit the diocesan website, or if you are interested in making a legacy gift, please be in touch with Canon Drew MacDonald at [email protected].
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