The clergy and lay/youth synod delegates gathered in St. John’s on September 18 and 19, 2026, for the first in-person synod in the Diocese of Eastern Newfoundland and Labrador since before the COVID-19 pandemic. It was a time of prayer, fellowship, and celebration of ministry, and also its 50th Anniversary as a diocese.
We were honoured to have had several special guests from the wider church join us for our synod:
• The Most Rev’d Shane Parker, Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada
• The Most Rev’d Chris Harper, National Anglican Indigenous Bishop
• Dr. Scott Brubacher, Executive Director of the Anglican Foundation of Canada
• Su McLeod, Director Supporter Relations, Alongside Hope (formerly PWRDF)
• Bishop John Watton, Diocese of Central Newfoundland
• The Rev’d Mickton Phiri, Diocesan Administrator, Diocese of Western Newfoundland
Our theme, “From Harbour to Horizon: Charting Christ’s Church 1976-2026…and Beyond,”continues our strategic plan, “Set Sail,” and the Five Marks of Mission.
Canon Dave Morgan, Canon for Creation Care and Stewardship, reminded us of our responsibilities as Christians to safeguard what our Creator has entrusted to us.
Canon Debbie Pantin, Canon for Evangelism and Witness, engaged us in new ways of approaching evangelism in our lives and the lives of others.
Angela Morgan updated us on the tremendous ministry throughout the diocese through our Strategic Plan – “Set Sail.”
The synod culminated with Archbishop Shane Parker’s blessing of our mobile bus ministry, Community Connector.
Bishop Sam Rose reminded us of where we have come from: from a new diocese in 1976 to an outward-looking diocese in 2026, focused on deepening relationships, transforming discipleship, renewing stewardship, and engaging partnerships.
As we journey beyond 2026, Bishop Sam’s Charge encouraged us with these words,
“To sail well into this future, we shall need deep trust in the One Captain of us all, an openness to adapt when the wind changes, the unity of purpose that is larger than any one parish…Fifty years is a wonderful milestone. It is not the end of the voyage. They Harbour of fifty years ago is behind us. A wide, hopeful and challenging horizon still lies ahead. With the Baptismal Covenant as our guide, the Five Marks of Mission as our chart, our Canons and their crew helping to read the waters, and the wind of the Holy Spirit filling our sails, we shall move forward in confidence and joy in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”