Deanery Regional Gatherings are being planned in preparation for our Special Synod on May 8th, 2020.  The Regional Gatherings are being designed as a source of information sharing:

1. There will be background information on how we got to where we are now in terms of same sex marriage in our church and how the ‘local option’ came to into being. What about the conscience clause – how does this work?
2. Information and upcoming Synod. What is the motion asking Synod to do? General rules around Synods. Our Anglican way of decision making.
3. Engaging with the Scriptures – the Anglican approach. A power point presentation prepared by the Archbishop will be used at every gathering, which will help those present understand more about our engagement with the bible.
4. Each deanery is going to do some small group work; Algoma has invited a Lutheran and a United Church minister to speak about the effect that same sex marriage had on them and their denominations; Muskoka is hoping to have two guest speakers; Sudbury-Manitoulin has scheduled two sessions at Villa Loyola; Temiskaming is finalizing details.

Dates and times of the Regional Gatherings are:

SUDBURY-MANITOULIN – Thursday, March 19, 2020 at Villa Loyola, Sudbury – two sessions – 2-4 pm/7-9 pm

Sudbury-Manitoulin Regional Gathering

MUSKOKA – Saturday, March 21, 2020 at St. Thomas’, Bracebridge – 9:30 am-2 pm

Muskoka Regional Gathering

TEMISKAMING – Saturday, March 28, 2020 at St. John the Divine, North Bay – 1 pm

ALGOMA – Saturday, April 4, 2020 at Emmaus, Sault Ste. Marie – 12:45 pm

THUNDER BAY-NORTH SHORE – Gathering was held on February 29, 2020

Please try to attend one of these gatherings to become more informed and prepared for the Special Synod in May.