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By Rev. Canon  Grayhame Bowcott

WHAT DOES IT TAKE to host over 350 delegates, dignitaries, vendors, observers, and guests for a week-long triennial gathering of Canadian Anglicans (and ecumenical partners)– with participants arriving from coast to coast to coast?

The answer: an army of volunteers, three years' worth of planning, and a hearty helping of God’s Spirit of hospitality!

From June 22 to 30, the Diocese of Huron hosted the 44th Session of the General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada at four venues: St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Convention Centre (RBC Place), the DoubleTree and Delta Armouries hotels in our see city of London. 

Hosting a General Synod is not for the faint of heart, as it entails shepherding guests from airports and train stations (some who had never been to Ontario before), hosting an opening reception and a closing banquet, compiling hundreds of delegate bags with goodies from groups and sponsors, overseeing the security and orderliness of times of delegate voting, chauffeuring VIPs and those with accessibility needs, and, most importantly, being a constant presence of information and support to answer all the questions and the requests of our guests as they arise.

The Diocese of Huron is proud to say that we did all this, (and more!), with the help of over 80 volunteers and more than two years’ worth of logistical preparation with the General Synod 2025 Planning Group.

At the helm of this volunteer army were two amazing co-chairs, Libi Clifford and The Rev. Margaret Walker, who, along with myself, divided up the various duties of responsibility and hospitality to ensure that every plan had a back-up, and that every scenario of our daily gatherings had support and care. Routines included delegate registration (including working with our tech team to provide electronic voting devices), shepherding guests between the four venues (sometimes providing  transportation), helping to set up and host the first-ever reception in our newly renovated St. Paul’s Cathedral nave (with our amazing Crave Catering team and cathedral volunteers), staffing the Primatial election, planning and hosting the closing banquet, and making sure that everyone found their way back home (via train, plane and automobile). Suffice to say, there were few boring moments to be had more than a couple particularly exciting ones!

On behalf of the many members of General Synod who asked me to pass on their thanks to Huron, I give thanks to God for all of those who did us proud in their joyous service of hospitality. To the volunteers who served at RBC Place, the people who assisted folks at the airports and hotels, all who gave people rides, the folks at St. Paul’s Cathedral, and to every person who prayed for us while we met – thank you! It was a very good meeting and the outcomes are filled with the sense the Holy Spirit of God led us and we followed. Thank you especially to Libby, Margaret, and Gray who led the way as co-chairs of the Local Arrangements Committee.

“I thank my God always in remembrance of you." Philippians 1:3

--- Bishop Todd Townshend

Early on in our gathering, our colourful volunteers were nicknamed “the ladybirds” by Archbishop Anne Germond, a reference to the bright red vests that we wore to be easily distinguishable to our guests. The reputation of our diocese as being “warm-hearted and generous” was embodied through the attention to detail and the care offered up by each and every volunteer.

General Synod’s Acting General Secretary commented that no one could remember a “more organized or considerate” Local Arrangements team, and that the pride of our Diocese was apparent in our diverse and committed services to our guests who joined us from every part of our country.  

I’m sure that, in other articles in this newsletter and in the Anglican Journal, that the historic decisions made during our gathering, including electing Archbishop Shane Parker (formerly the Bishop of Ottawa) as our new Primate, establishing a National Youth Council, and resolutions that will review and revise our National Church governance structures, will be shared with you in the reporting of the hard work and the fruits of the spirit that resulted from our General Synod.

For our part, the Diocese of Huron is proud to say that we were able to create a space for this important ministry to be possible. It was truly a privilege for us to host our “beloved Church” at its best. To all the faithful volunteers who helped to make it happen, may we heartily say: THANK YOU!

The Rev’d Canon Dr. Grayhame Bowcott is passionate about fostering congregational relationships and sharing our Anglican vocation with others. He serves as Rector of St. George’s, The Parish of The Blue Mountains, and as Program Director for the Licentiate in Theology program at Huron University.