Synod rooted in worship experiences

Every activity at General Synod was rooted in Word and Sacrament. From the pomp and solemnity of the opening eucharist in Christ Church Cathedral to the exuberance of an outdoor eucharist and tree-planting with children from the Diocese of Montreal, General Synod members shared a variety of worship experiences throughout their meetings.

Each day began with an hour of Bible study followed by worship at the start of the morning sitting. In all, three opportunities were provided each day for worship: in the morning, eucharist and night prayers.

Eucharists, using several different forms and with a variety of presiders, were at noon except for the opening service in the evening and a late afternoon celebration in St. John the Evangelist church.

On the Sunday of synod, members followed tradition by spending the morning with a parish in or around Montreal. This enabled them to experience varied styles of worship in the setting of parish life. After the morning service the visitors were guests at lunch and some made short presentations about their home dioceses.

Delegates were also able to sample some of the material in the new hymn book, Common Praise, which was the source for all hymns sung at synod.

In addition to the regular worship opportunities there was a prayer room sponsored by the Anglican Fellowship of Prayer, where delegates could spend quiet moments of contemplation away from the business of synod.

The last act of synod was to share in “prayers for the road” led by the prolocutor, when members were told “our meeting is ended, the challenge lies before us; let us bring the work of these days before God … “