About Synod
Our annual general synod this year is to be hosted by Church of the Good Shepherd Vancouver on November 15-17, 2023. This synod will be an electoral gathering as we elect together a new suffragan bishop. This bishop will be the area bishop for our western region.
This year our theme is “Sent By Jesus” based on John 20:21. And we will have a special focus on evangelism and our priority as a diocese to be equipping and sending our members to be bold witnesses to the good news of Jesus. We will also have a special day for clergy on the Tuesday, wonderful teaching sessions, the Bishop’s Charge, reports and testimonies, meals together, and more. You can read Bishop Dan’s invitation here.
Read below for more about our speakers, venue, registration, agenda and hotel rates.
Our Theme Verse
“Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”
John 20:21
Some of our Featured Speakers
Richard Borgonon
Richard is a speaker and businessman from the UK. He is the founder and co-author of The Word One to One, an evangelism resource based on the book of John which is being taught and implemented by churches all across the globe. He was recently invited to present on The Word One to One at GAFCON in Kigali along with Rico Tice. He will be speaking on the Wednesday and Thursday of synod.
Richard spends much of his time sharing the Bible with senior executives as well as speaking internationally on evangelism in today’s world. You may have also seen him presenting at Gafcon 2023 in Rwanda. His passion is that every Christian can discover God actively at work in their own circle of contacts, as God builds His church through His Word.
Bishop Dan Gifford
Bishop Dan is our diocesan bishop and will be the chair of Synod. He will present the Bishop’s Charge to the diocese and other teaching during our time together.
Dr. Bruce Hindmarsh
Our main presenter at Clergy Day (Nov 14) this year will be author, speaker and professor Dr. Bruce Hindmarsh. Bruce is a professor of Spiritual Theology at James M. Houston and professor of the History of Christianity at Regent College and the author of multiple books. He will be speaking to our clergy specifically on enriching one's devotional life through the prayer book and the value and practice of personal retreats.
Episcopal Election
This synod is an Electoral Synod as we hope to elect a Suffragan Bishop whom will serve as area bishop for the West. The election is scheduled to commence during Synod 2023 on Thursday, November 16, 2023 at 10am.
Two nominations have been received and approved by our Electoral Nominating Committee and ANiC Council. You can learn more about our two candidates here:
Location
Church of the Good Shepherd
189 West 11th Avenue
Vancouver, BC, V5Y1S8
(see map)
Rector: Bishop Stephen Leung
Website: ancgoodshepherd.org
Preliminary Draft Agenda
A more detailed draft agenda is now available at the bottom.
All events are at Church of the Good Shepherd unless otherwise stated.
We are intending to livestream some services on our YouTube channel
Tuesday, November 14
Clergy Day: 9am – Mid afternoon (only for clergy)
Luncheon for clergy spouses - 12pm offsite
ANiC-Wide Event - 7pm at St. John’s Vancouver Evangelism Training with Richard Borgonon (free for everyone)
Wednesday, November 15
Registration Sign-in: 8am - 9am
Day 1 : 9am - Mid afternoon
Opening Eucharist 7pm Pacific at Good Shepherd (free for everyone and livestreaming)
Thursday, November 16
Day 2: 9am - Mid afternoon (to include our Episcopal Election)
Livestreaming Morning Prayer and Teaching 9-10am Pacific
Friday, November 17
Day 3: 9am – Mid afternoon
Livestreaming Morning Prayer and Teaching 9-10am Pacific
Accommodations
Accommodations are the responsibility of synod attendees. You are free to stay wherever is convenient for you, whether with friends or family, contacts at local parishes, or at a hotel.
Hotel Group Rate
We have a group rate for a limited number of rooms at the Holiday Inn on Broadway. If you are a Synod attendee you are welcome to book a room there while supplies last. There are many other accommodation options in the area but these rooms are at a reduced rate.
You can use this link to book online using the group rate: Book NowWhen booking by phone mention that you are with the Anglican Network in Canada to receive our group rate details.
The hotel is a 10-15 minute walk from our synod host church.
Holiday Inn
711 W. Broadway, Vancouver
