The 73rd Synod of the Diocese of Qu'Appelle
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In his first address during the first session of the synod the Bishop delivered his 'charge'. He pointed out that this was not to be confused with a military type charge.

In his remarks, the bishop pointed out that selections from John 14 are often used at funerals but this was not a funeral. Bishop Gregory gently stepped into the heart of his address by describing his office in the Cathedral in Edmonton. "It was a concrete wall... with nothing on it". He indicated that it needed art. Soon afterwards a man, an artist came to Greg, telling him he knew what the wall needed. He had brought sketches with him. Greg looked at a rather vivid depiction of the crucifixion but what caught Greg's eye was the text accompanying the depiction.

It read The Kingdom of God is no small matter

Greg went on, "while the things we do seem greater but the Kingdom of God is the greatest matter". We read John's Gospel and hear the words , "in my Father's house there are many mansions/rooms/dwelling-places (depending on the particular translation). We think of the Father's house as being out there: somewhere. There is an alternate understanding of this text. In the history of God's chosen people, God first dwelt among them in the tabernacle: a tent. Later He dwelt in a temple built for him in Jerusalem.

At the beginning of John's Gospel, John records the cleaning of the temple (John 2:13 - 19). After turning over the tables of the money changers, Jesus is asked for a sign. Jesus replies "Destroy this temple, and in 3 days I will raise it up (John 2:19). The temple Jesus was talk about was his own body.

Jesus further promises the Spirit binds 'you and me' just as I the Father are bound together by the Spirit. We are called to be the Father's house - it is us, our bodies. We are the abiding place of the Father on earth.

Who are we as the people of God in the Diocese of Qu'Appelle? It is we don't need to do MORE things. The idea, we only need to do more; more Bible studies, more visiting is a burden we can lay done. In doing these things we are concerned with keeping the (institution of the) Church going and we forget we are about the Kingdom of God.

There are four attitudes for us to pray about.

1. think about being Christ focused
2. not about running the Church but building community by being part of the community of God
3. shift from a culture of guilt to a culture of grace. We have received so much, we should be thankful and out of our joy do what needs doing.
4. Mission: to reach out to others outside our community