DIOCESE OF QU'APPELLE
The 73rd Synod of the Diocese of Qu'Appelle
Reports
Living the Covenant - 2004/2005
Parishes in our diocese faced many challenges - decreased membership, fewer finances, ageing
congregations. In becoming so absorbed in the tasks of paying the bills and keeping our buildings open
we can lose sight of what it is that God is calling us to be and do. So we looked for things common
to us all that would point to life and hope. One such thing is our baptism. Our baptism helps
define who we are and who we are being called to be - it reminds us of God's purpose in our lives. This
time of reflection and exploration we called Living the Covenant
A number of steps leading up to, and events for Living the Covenant were planned. Four regional
training sessions to equip two people from each parish to visit a neighbouring parish were held in November and December 2004. The purpose of these
parish visits was: to share why it is important to revisit our baptisms; to inform people of a Lenten Study that had been prepared for use in parishes; and most importantly, to encourage and assure parishes that they were not alone! Some of these visits took place in December 2004 others in January 2005.
Parishes were asked to gather as many people as possible to take part in a Lenten
Study. The study was designed to be held in five, two hour sessions during Lent but parishes were encouraged to do the study however and whenever it suited them best. In the study each of the five promises was examined and participants were asked, How do we live out this promise? What are we not doing that we believe God is calling us to do? These two questions were reflected upon at a personal, parish, diocesan, and world level.
One of the highlights during Lent was a visit by the then new Primate, Andrew Hutchison.
A diocesan gathering which included a child and youth component was held on
March 11, 12, and 13. Archbishop Hutchison lead us in a reflection of Living the Baptismal Covenant and explored with us how we might move forward as people of God in the confident belief and activity of our baptism.
In April parishes were asked to explore what they discovered about their baptismal calling. The hope was that this would help shape a parish mission plan. This was shared at a diocesan gathering on
Pentecost Eve.
