At St. Martin’s Cathedral in Gander on the 10th of December 2025, The Rt. Rev’d John E. Watton, ordained The Rev’d Carol Budgell Manning to the diaconate. Rev’d Carol will be going to the Parish of Lewisporte in January of 2026.

Also, Bishop Watton ordained The Rev’d Steward May and The Rev’d Don Brett to the priesthood. Rev’d Steward will continue his ministry in the Parishes of Twillingate and Gander Bay. Rev’d Don will continue his ministry as Hospital Chaplain in Grand Falls. Thank you to all who came supported these three individuals as they continue their ministries.

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From the first moments, the atmosphere was unlike any other Church gathering we have attended. This was a room of Indigenous Anglicans, and not simply Anglicans who happen to be Indigenous, but people whose faith and identity are inseparable. That distinction shaped every prayer, every conversation, and every decision we made together.

Worship anchored our days, with morning and evening liturgies blending Gospel-based discipleship with ceremony, song, drumming, and dance. We prayed in our own languages, smudged, and celebrated God’s presence in ways that were both deeply Christian and deeply Indigenous. In those moments, we saw the Anglican Church at its most beautiful, rooted in tradition, yet fully alive to the gifts of culture and community.

Over the course of the week, there were also three special days where participants wore colours to mark shared commitments and remembrance:

Orange to remember the former students and survivors of the residential school system

Black to honour the call to end racism for all

Red to honour and remember missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and gender-diverse peoples. (photo at the top of this page)

The work of Sacred Circle was not only ceremonial. We wrestled with questions of governance, representation, and how to live into Our Covenant and Our Way of Life.

We discussed structures grounded in our own ways of knowing, being, and doing, the structures that would allow us to be truly self-determining while remaining in loving relationship with the wider Anglican Church of Canada.

There were moments of hard truth-telling, with stories of hurt, loss, and the long shadow of colonialism, but also moments of joy and laughter. Elders offered words of wisdom. Youth spoke with vision and hope. I was struck by the humility of our leaders, who reminded us that self-determination is not about power for its own sake, but about service and about building a church that nurtures our people, strengthens our languages, and walks alongside our communities in both struggles and celebrations.

As we left Calgary, we carried a renewed sense of what it means to be part of this movement. Sacred Circle is not just a meeting; it is a living witness to God’s reconciling love, expressed in an Indigenous voice. It is a place where faith and culture dance together, where Gospel and tradition strengthen one another, and where the future feels possible.

Back home in Newfoundland and Labrador, we are encouraged to keep walking “beyond the treeline,” and toward a Church that is fully alive to who God has called us to be, here in our own lands and communities.

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The main purpose of both Synods was to review the diocesan constitution, which had not been updated since 1998. Early in Bishop Watton’s tenure, the constitution was placed in abeyance for review and revision to update its language. Bishop Watton stated that this was the reason for holding both Synods back-to-back: an update to a constitution requires reading and approval from two synods before it can be implemented in the diocese.

For the 49th diocesan synod, Bishop Rose was present and brought greetings from the Diocese of Eastern NL, and presided at the opening Eucharist using the Eucharist Prayer from Jerusalem. Bishop Organ was unable to attend due to another commitment, but did send his regrets which Bishop Watton shared with those present.

Bishop Watton began his Charge by asking all present to “be aware of all the love that Christ has planted in our hearts, and that he is here with us, right now.” And he shared a reading from Proverbs 4:20-21: “Pay attention to my words; turn your ear to my sayings. Do not let them out of your sight; keep them within your heart.” Bishop Watton stated that “This message is only able to be offered in this way because of all of the gathering, teaching, sharing, struggling, and working together we have done over the past nine years.”

Then Bishop Watton went on to say the role of this synod is:

•To build community by being attentive to and passionate about scripture and the revealed laws of love Jesus has given us.

•To take counsel, pray, and become one in being bravely and sacrificially sustainable because of our devotion to the Mission of our Lord.

•To call the leaders to stand for the Gospel

•To rebuild our very own guidelines for the community of faith: our constitution. When the people of God poured out the longing of their hearts to the leaders of the Church, the leaders were able to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. That is what we are doing here. Our constitution, will give us the common foundation we need to establish unity and purpose for our diocese.

The Bishop stated “From this synod, we will be able to build his city on the hill and shine for the world to see. Let us recommit in this synod, and beyond to let our light so shine before others, so they may see our devotion to Jesus, and with us, glorify our Father who is in heaven.”

The diocesan chancellor presented the constitution at both the 49th and 50th synods. Synod delegates moved and second all 22 chapters on the first reading and the second reading, with Bishop Watton concurring after each motion.

The Diocese of Central Newfoundland, in its 50th Synod now, has this new constitution to help the diocese to move forward into the future. To reiterate from Bishop Watton’s Charge, the diocese is now able “to rebuild our very own guidelines for the community of faith.”

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On November 8th, 2023, Bishop John Watton ordained The Rev’d Jonathan Durdle to the priesthood at St. Bartholomew’s Church in Harbour Breton. Rev’d Jonathan will be the priest- in-charge of the Parishes of Hermitage and Harbour Breton. 

The Rev’d Kathy Russell Ordained to the Diaconate

On November 28th, 2023, Bishop John Watton ordained The Rev’d Kathy Russell to the Diaconate at St. Aidan’s Church in Port Blandford. Rev’d Kathy will be ministering in the Parish of Brooklyn as a vocational deacon. 

The Rev’d Maxine Abbott Ordained to the Priesthood 

On December 13th, 2023, Bishop John Watton ordained The Rev’d Maxine Abbott to the priesthood at St. John the Baptist Church in Wareham. Rev’d Maxine will be priest-in-charge in the Parish of Indian Bay.

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During the opening eucharist, the Archbishop Linda presented Ms. Debra Gill with the Award of Merit for her ministry when she lived in the Artic.

The Bishop’s theme for Synod, “We are Living Stones,” was chosen, and he asked synod to reflect on 1 Peter Chapter 2: As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him— you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 

The Bishop’s Charge was dedicated to those people who are found, week by week, in the pews in every corner of our diocese: to those turning on the heat; listening to announcements; contributing to fundraisers; listening to sermons; singing choruses and hymns; kneeling or standing to pray; rising to say the creed; smiling at babies who are brought for baptism; extending hearts of sympathy at times of death; breaking bread; and drinking wine from tiny cups. It was also dedicated to those who do not share in any of this. 

He also stated it was for to those who need love, meaning, hope, healing, and reconciliation and for those who are called to serve as followers of Jesus. The Charge was offered in hope that we who belong to Jesus and share in the life and flow of his Church, will once again take to heart his claim upon us, and answer the Spirit’s call to live for our Lord on land and sea, in our shopping centres, schools, hospitals, workplaces, prisons, shops, vestries, ACW’s, men’s groups, committees, and in our own hearts and homes.

Bishop Watton reminded Synod to recall the two promises of Philippians:

• Philippians 4:13 – I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.
• Philippians 4:19 – But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

The Bishop emphasized that many present are well aware of the changes that are taking place in your own context. It is important that we see this change with a broader perspective. But that we need to know that we are facing some huge changes—that some new conversations are beginning, and some of the concerns are becoming urgent. We are talking about some huge church and parish buildings that need, literally, hundreds of thousands of dollars in repairs; many of our church buildings, rectories, and halls are due for some major repairs and upgrades. Some of these buildings were built for congregations of hundreds and are now visited by a couple dozen at most.

On a positive note throughout each deanery, laity are not just talking about survival, but stepping up to ask about vocation, and communities are embracing the need to empower lay ministries and raise up deacons and priests for local ministries. Things are happening, and people are responding, so we need to be ready to be risk takers within our hearts and in our parishes for the sake of the Gospel.

The Bishop stated that he takes “great” hope because there is a tangible movement in our diocese. People are responding to the Holy Spirit’s calling us to new expressions of ministry and vocation. Bishop Watton reminded synod, and asked members of synod to remember, that God is leading us, and that we are the ones chosen to present and represent Jesus in our time.

During the opening eucharist, the Primate presented Ms. Debra Gill with the Award of Merit for her ministry when she lived in the Artic.

The Bishop’s theme for Synod, “We are Living Stones,” was chosen, and he asked synod to reflect on 1 Peter Chapter 2: As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him— you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 

The Bishop’s Charge was dedicated to those people who are found week by week in the pews in every corner of our diocese: to those turning on the heat; listening to announcements; contributing to fundraisers; listening to sermons; singing choruses and hymns; kneeling or standing to pray; rising to say the creed; smiling at babies who are brought for baptism; extending hearts of sympathy at times of death; breaking bread; and drinking wine from tiny cups. It was also dedicated to those who do not share in any of this. 

He also stated it was for to those who need love, meaning, hope, healing, and reconciliation and for those who are called to serve as followers of Jesus. The Charge was offered in hope that we who belong to Jesus and share in the life and flow of his Church, will once again take to heart his claim upon us, and answer the Spirit’s call to live for our Lord on land and sea, in our shopping centers, schools, hospitals, workplaces, prisons, shops, vestries, ACW’s, men’s groups, committees and, in our own hearts and homes. 

Bishop Watton reminded Synod to recall the two promises of Philippians:

• Philippians 4:13 –  I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.
• Philippians 4:19 –  But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

The Bishop emphasized that many present are well aware of the changes that are taking place in your own context. It is important that we see this change with a broader perspective. But that we need to know that we are facing some huge changes–that some new conversations are beginning and some of the concerns are becoming urgent. We are talking about some huge church and parish buildings that need, literally, hundreds of thousands of dollars in repairs; many of our church buildings, rectories, and halls are due for some major repairs and upgrades. Some of these buildings were built for congregations of hundreds, and are now visited by a couple dozen at most.

On a positive note throughout each deanery, laity are not just talking about survival, but stepping up to ask about vocation, and communities are embracing the need to empower lay ministries and raise up deacons and priests for local ministries. Things are happening, people are responding, so we need to be ready to be risk takers within our hearts and in our parishes for the sake of the Gospel. 

The Bishop stated that he takes “great” hope because there is a tangible movement in our diocese. People are responding to the Holy Spirit’s calling us to new expressions of ministry and vocation. Bishop Watton reminded synod, and asked members of synod to remember, that God is leading us, and that we are the ones chosen to present and represent Jesus in our time.

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On 1 February 2023, Bishop Watton gathered all rectors and associate clergy at Martin’s Cathedral in Gander. The meeting began at 11:00am with the Holy Eucharist. Together they spent the day reviewing foundational principles of leadership and team building, and how to incorporate them into our commitment of serving Jesus in our time. Bishop John spoke of the intricacies, complexities, and potential of relationships within parishes. The teaching and reflection were infused with conversations around mission, sustainability, and of the responsibility of those in Holy Orders to be outward signs of commitment, collegiality, shared ministry, leadership, humility, and hope for one another and for the whole Church. 

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