Synod has come and gone for another two years! Some of the highlights: a special musical feature by the Ontario parishes, a motion for parish mental health training and awareness, a guest visit by a bishop from the past, and a beautiful photo display of pictures from the north. See the proceedings from a camera’s view:
Three of the photos on display from the NorthHere are the lyrics from the new musical number performed by the Ontario parishes:
Verse One- St. Alban’s, Kenora
St. Alban’s was the mother church / it is such an active church / Men’s group and Anglican Church Women / Messy Church and Sunday School / We provide meals for shelter from the cold / Moved from a surviving church to a servant people / Come hear the children’s choir warm our hearts / St. Alban’s, our mother church.
St. James’, Rainy River
1904 we joined the diocese / Renewed interest lets us worship again / Once a month with a priest from Kenora / We are active in our community.
Chapel of Cleaopas, Red Lake
We’re an Anglican/United joint ministry / Chukuni United and Chapel of Cleapas / We worship together and support each other / Led by a retired priest or lay people.
St. John’s, Fort Frances
We’re a small, aging congregation / That is theologically progressive/ We have three priests, lots of enthusiasm, and work well with the other churches.
Holy Trinity, Minnitaki
Come, come, come, come / Come to the church by the highway / Come from May to September / One evening a month, but never locked / With no heat, no water, or no electricity, this little church with a cemetery.
St. Luke’s, Dryden
Balance, balance, between the old and the new / St. Luke’s does amazing fundraising too / Messy Church brings the children / to learn and to have fun / We take care of our membership and reach out into the community/ We welcome all ages.
St. John’s, Wabigoon
Our church began in the 1890’s / Our little community boasts 500 people / We’ll welcome you always / Evangelism reaches out to the children / In August, flowering Sunday has the bishop bless our flowers for the cemetery.
St. Mary’s, Sioux Lookout
We’re the hub of the north for all the communities / We’re 50% Native and 50% Non-native / Our priest is just the same; how lucky we are! / Our hospital ministry comforts those far from home / Outreach provides winter clothing to those who have a need.
Church of the Good Shepherd, Atikokan
Small, faithful, active, dedicated / We’re all over 60 years of age / Began in the 1940’s / We respect the past, enjoy the present, embrace the future.
Emmanuel, Ignace
Come in, come in, and join us / We’re an Anglican/United faith family / We’re active, missional, and progressive / Our organist is Skyped in each Sunday / We serve our whole community / And reach out to the world.
Some of our churches are in cities: Kenora, Fort Francis, Dryden / Some of our churches are in towns: Rainy River, Red Lake, Sioux Lookout, Atikokan, Ignace / Some of our churches are in villages: Wabigoon / Some of our churches are in unorganized townships: Minnitaki / What are our industries? Kenora- tourism; Rainy River- farming; Red Lake- mining; Fort Frances- praying for an industry; Minnitaki- Egli’s sheep farm; Dryden- paper mill; Wabigoon- forestry; Sioux Lookout- hub of the northern communities; Atikokan- hydro plant; Ignace- sawmill.
