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A diocese, a grouping of churches held under the leadership of a Bishop, needs order and a united way to function, grow, and fellowship together. The Synod meeting includes discussion and votes on next year’s budget, our Canons (bylaws of the diocese), and the elections of various leaders. As we gather for ecclesiastical and church governance purposes, we also worship and pray together, see, and know each other. The embodied reality of being together in and of itself is an act of unity in Christ, fellowship, and love.
DEFINITIONS
Colleges = the consultive bodies of our presbyters, deacons, and laity for the purpose of strengthening each of these respective orders, and increasing collegiality and communication among and between the orders.
Convocation = the annual assembly of our bishops, priests, deacons, and laity. Our convocation includes teaching from Bishop Yassir Eric and various breakout sessions providing information about the programs and initiatives of the diocese.
Synod = the legislative body of our diocese, including clergy and elected lay delegates. Its main functions include electing persons to diocesan committees, passing resolutions and approving policies, considering and approving budgets and proposed amendments to the canons, receiving reports, and providing time for diocesan-wide fellowship.
PRAYER FOR A DIOCESAN SYNOD
Please be in prayer for these gatherings as we seek to lift Christ higher together in the Diocese of Christ Our Hope.
“Gracious and everliving Father, you have given the Holy Spirit to abide with us for ever: Bless, we pray, with the Holy Spirit’s grace and presence, the Bishop(s), Priests, Deacons, and all the Laity who assemble in your Name; that your Church, being preserved in true faith and godly discipline, may fulfill the will of him who loved her and gave himself for her, your Son Jesus Christ our Savior; who now lives and reigns with you and the same Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.”
-The Book of Common Prayer 2019 (pg. 648)
The following is a brief summary from the Rev. David Hyman explaining why their parish has reason to thank God for recent developments with the city which significantly impacts the life of their church. We celebrate and praise God for answered prayers.
Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Chapel Hill, NC, recently received unanimous approval from both the Orange County Board of Commissioners and the Chapel Hill Town Council for a conditional rezoning permit. The rezoning allows us to build a new church facility and to include several small homes on our property to offer to vulnerable neighbors impacted by our community’s housing crisis. It also means that after meeting in six different locations, our parish can finally build our first permanent facility in the 15-year life of our church.
We are relieved our project has been approved after a long, multi-year process, marked by challenges and opposition. We are also humbled by the encouragement we received from local leaders.
When our application came forward, council members apologized for how demanding our process had been when we are clearly committed to meeting real needs in our community. They commended our work in racial reconciliation, our efforts to address homelessness, and our dignified response to food scarcity. They also held Holy Trinity up as a model for churches who are willing to consider their property as an opportunity outreach to the community. Chapel Hill’s mayor called the project “a great example of a faith community living their values.”
We now look forward to building on our 12 acres with a twofold calling in view: a home for worship, and homes for neighbors in need. We pray this land will become a place where the love of Christ is made visible in our city. Give thanks to the Lord for He is good, His mercy endures forever (Ps 136:1).
Thanks,
The Rev. David Hyman
Holy Trinity Anglican Church
Chapel Hill, NC