Based on responses to the themes suggested for running the Synod meetings, below are the dates & themes of the planned Synod meetings for Saint Paul’s.  Please use this sign up sheet to register to join the discussions.

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𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: As we did for the first meeting, we are planning on having both an In-Person (in the upstairs room at the Church) and Online session for ALL sessions. These will be TWO separate meetings, each one having separate participants.

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𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗝𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟮𝟰𝘁𝗵, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟮 – 𝟭𝟵:𝟬𝟬 (𝗜𝗻-𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻 & 𝗢𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲)
Theme: 𝐋𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 – Listening is the first step in our journeying together, but it requires an open mind and heart, without prejudice.

Questions for discussion:

• What are some limitations in our ability to listen, especially to those who have different views than our own?
• What space is there for the voice of minorities, especially people who experience poverty, marginalization, or social exclusion?
• How is God speaking to us through voices we sometimes ignore?
• Do we feel we are listened to when we speak at St. Paul’s?

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𝐓𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐅𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟑𝐫𝐝, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟐 – 𝟏𝟗:𝟎𝟎 (𝗜𝗻-𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻 & 𝗢𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲)
Theme: 𝐃𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐮𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐭𝐲 – Dialogue requires perseverance and patience, but it also enables mutual understanding.

Questions for discussion:

• To what extent do diverse peoples in our community come together for dialogue and how are divergences of vision, or conflicts and difficulties addressed?
• How do we promote collaboration with neighbouring parishes, religious communities in the area, lay associations and movements, etc.?
• What are the places and means of dialogue to promote mutual understanding that the Holy Spirit wants us to create at St. Paul’s?

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𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐅𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟐𝟏𝐬𝐭, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟐 – 𝟏𝟗:𝟎𝟎 (𝗜𝗻-𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻 & 𝗢𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲)
Theme: 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐉𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲 – A synodal Church, in announcing the Gospel, “journeys together.”

Questions for discussion:

• How is this “journeying together” happening today at St. Paul’s?
• What groups or individuals are left on the margins?
• What can we do to get individuals that are left on the margins involved?

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𝐓𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝟏𝐬𝐭, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟐 – 𝟏𝟗:𝟎𝟎 (𝗜𝗻-𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻 & 𝗢𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲)
𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐄: Date was changed from Wednesday, March 2nd due to it being Ash Wednesday
Theme: 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 – In a synodal style we make decisions through discernment of what the Holy Spirit is saying through our whole community.

Questions for discussion:

• What is the relationship between consultation and decision-making, and how do we put these into practice?
• Do our decision-making practices listen to the wants/needs of the Parish?
• How do we see our parishioners becoming more aware of how much their faith and insights count — and need to be heard?

Dear St. Paul’s Parishioners,

Below is a short explanatory view of our new Synod which will involve a series of dialogues of our Parish members brought together through listening to one another.

A Church that listens!

Please take a few minutes to watch and learn more about the meaning of the Synod to our Church.

Also, kindly please sign up to join these very important dialogues.  Information regarding the dates, timing and discussion topics can be found in the sign up sheet.

God Bless,
Father Ovie