Annual Synod to Be Held Online in November 

“Take our life and let it be consecrated, Lord, to thee” is the theme for the 151st Synod of the Diocese of Niagara, as chosen by Bishop Susan Bell. 

It’s a theme, inspired by a classic hymn, that evokes important diocesan priorities regarding vocations, leadership, and faith formation. All of which are articulated in our renewed diocesan Mission Action Plan, which continues to focus us on the many opportunities God is calling us to life and compelling us to love. It’s also an especially fitting theme for a Synod that will take place on the Feast of All Saints, November 1.  

As is our recent custom, our Synod will convene virtually this year, having met in-person last year to celebrate the diocese’s 150th anniversary.  Members will gather via Zoom to consider essential matters during the half-day session. 

At the outset of the Synod, Bishop Susan Bell will share her charge to members, reflecting on the theme and casting a vision for our collective ministries over the coming year. Members of synod will also hear how, through our Mission Action Plan, we are fostering opportunities to ignite faith, strengthening our missional culture, and prioritizing God’s justice. 

While Synods have a business component to them, they are first and foremost a spiritual gathering.  In gathering Anglicans from Mount Forest to Fort Erie and all points in between, we seek to build up God’s Church through prayer, story-sharing, relationship-building, discernment, and decision-making. 

The budget will share how the diocese continues to responsibly steward God’s gifts for our common ministries. Our recovery from the pandemic era continues as expected, and there will be lots of good news to share as we look ahead to 2026 and beyond with faith and hope for the ongoing renewal of God’s mission in Niagara.  

The business parts of the Synod will also include receiving the 2024 auditor’s report, as well as a few housekeeping changes to the canons. The election of regional representatives to Synod Council will be conducted using an online voting platform and reported during the Synod. 

All the reports and resolutions for the Synod will be posted at https://niagaraanglican.ca/synod/2025.  

In the coming weeks, please also hold the members of synod in your prayers as they discern how our diocese – and all its parishes and missions – will respond to God’s persistent call, consecrating our lives and service to our beloved Church. 

Archdeacon Bill Mous serves as the Executive Officer and Secretary of Synod.