Dear members of Synod:

This newsletter contains a call for nominations for elections to be held at Synod, submission dates for motions, how to obtain display tables at Synod and other essential updates.

We hope you find the newsletters helpful. Keep an eye out for the next issue.

The Rt. Rev. Andrew Asbil, Bishop of Toronto, has called all Synod members in the Diocese of Toronto to assemble for the 163rd Regular Session of Synod.  



CALL FOR NOMINATIONS

The Nominating Committee of the Diocese of Toronto is calling for nominations in preparation for our upcoming 163rd Regular Session of Synod. All voting members of Diocesan Synod are entitled to make nominations of any voting members of Synod. Elections will take place at the 163rd Regular Session of Synod on November 7-8, 2025.

The Nominating Committee is requesting that nominations be submitted by September 15, 2025 at 12:00 noon to the Secretary of Synod. Nominations must be submitted using the Nomination Forms.

Elections will be held for the following:

·      Provincial Synod

·      Synod Council

Provincial Synod

The next Session of the Provincial Synod will take place in Kingston , Ontario, hosted by the Diocese of Ontario in Fall 2027 (exact dates not confirmed). The Provincial Synod meets every three years and the term of office is for three years.

Nominees to Provincial Synod will be required to remain a member of the Synod of the Diocese of Toronto for the duration of their term, they must be willing and able to attend ALL meetings of the Provincial Synod, and must be willing to serve on a sub-committee or working group should they be asked or elected to do so. Expenses incurred are covered according to the diocesan policy.

The Diocese of Toronto will be electing four lay members and four clerical members to attend the Provincial Synod alongside our Bishops, Chancellor and Youth Member. Learn more.

See Nomination Form for Provincial Synod.

Synod Council

Synod Council generally exercises the executive powers of the Synod between sessions except those of a legislative nature. This 25-member governance body meets monthly to carry on the work of Synod. Elected members hold office from the conclusion of the meeting of Synod in which they were elected until the conclusion of the next Regular Session of Synod, usually a 3-year term. It is expected that those who are elected to Synod Council will attend the majority of meetings. Synod Council will be electing five clerical members and five lay members of Synod. Learn more.

See Nomination Form for Synod Council.

Youth Members for Synod

Are you between the ages of 16 and 30 and interested in church governance? If so, speak to your parish priest or the Secretary of Synod to express your interest in becoming a youth and young adult member of Synod. As a group of 40 like-minded youth, you will attend Pre-Synod (Oct. 4) and Synod (Nov. 7 - 8) and play a key role in voting on the important matters facing our Church.

Read the ministry position description for more information.

Display Tables



Display tables at Synod will be located in the conference centre foyer and open to attendees on Nov. 7-8, 2025. If you or your ministry wish to host a display table, contact Caroline Aston, Synod display coordinator, for more information.

Motions and Notices of Motion



A motion is a formal proposal brought to a voting body for its consideration. Motions require a mover and a seconder and are decided by a vote after a period of debate, the length of which is at the pleasure of the chairperson.

A Notice of Motion is a formal notice in writing by a voting member that they intend to make a motion. Notices of Motion can be delivered to the Secretary of Synod at any time. Such notices are placed upon the Agenda of the next meeting of Synod Council. Notices of Motion are printed verbatim in the Convening Circular. The Synod Council has the ability to express an opinion or make a recommendation on any Notices of Motion received. Any Notice of Motion received after the last meeting of the Synod Council, will be referred to the Agenda Committee. The Agenda Committee reports its recommendations to Synod. Such notices are placed on the agenda only with the consent of the majority of the Synod present and voting.

The deadline to submit your Notice of Motion for inclusion in the Convening Circular is Sept. 3. The deadline to submit your Notice of Motion for inclusion in the Supplementary Convening Circular is Oct. 9.

Send your Notice of Motion to in writing to the Secretary of Synod, Canon Laura Walton, ODT, by email at lwalton@toronto.anglican.ca.

Important Deadlines

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