Thank you to Carol Knox and The Anglican Fellowship of Prayer for these payers for Synod.

Prayers for Algoma’s Synod May 7-10  2025

Dear People of Algoma

Once again, as Algoma’s Anglican Fellowship of Prayer coordinator, I’ve prepared prayers for us to use each day of synod that reflect the activities of each day. Please use them all, but with special attention to what is particularly assigned to your deanery.  This time, to avoid the same deanery praying for the same day each synod, I have arranged the alphabetization by baptismal name of the Archdeacon.  Blessings from Dr. Carol Knox

PRE-SYNOD AND WEDNESDAY MAY 7                             Archdeacon Deborah: Thunder Bay-North Shore

Holy One of Blessing, thank you for the freedom we have in Canada to gather for our upcoming diocesan synod.  Thank you for Archbishop Anne, for all those who have been elected as delegates, and for those who will provide leadership.  May they have safe journeys to Sault Ste Marie and a sense of your presence with them.  May they grow together in companionship as they travel, worship and work together and may they experience a new awareness of what it means to be the Body of Christ. Give them wisdom in their decision making and joy in all that transpires.

We pray especially for the opening Eucharist and for Dean who will be ordained deacon. As delegates pour water from their home areas into the beautifully crafted bowl, may they experience a greater desire to safeguard this sacred resource of our planet. As Dean is ordained deacon, may the fire of your love burn in his heart so that he gives himself in service to you and to the most vulnerable in the world.  We ask all this in Jesus’ most precious name.  Amen.

OFFICIAL OPENING: THURSDAY MAY 8: MORNING        Archdeacon Glen: Sudbury-Manitoulin

Holy One, thank you for bringing us to the official opening of synod and for the joy of worshipping together in song and prayer.  We thank you for the message that Archbishop Anne brings in her charge to synod. Open our ears to hear and our hearts to respond to the vision she has for Algoma for the next two years. When delegates return home may they bring back this vision to their parishes and deaneries and find ways to implement her priorities in their particular places and contexts.  We pray also for our keynote speaker David Csinos as he shares his vision for intergenerational faith formation. Help us to value people of all generations in our congregations, youth and the elderly, as well as those of midlife who do most of the visible work. Help us to see that you have given gifts to each member of the congregation for the building up of the Body of Christ. We are excited to welcome youth to this synod and to meet the young people who have been nominated for Executive Committee and  General Synod.  May this gathering encourage them in their relationship with you and assure them that they are valued in the life and work of the church.  We ask this in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

THURSDAY MAY 8: AFTERNOON and EVENING               Archdeacon Joan: Temiskaming

God of New Beginnings, enable our delegates to come with enthusiasm to the breakout sessions this afternoon. Help them to choose wisely so that as many new ideas as possible come back to their various congregations and deaneries.  In Group One, we pray for Jay and Norm as they share how music informs us as members of the Body of Christ and as they lead hymns from Sing a New Creation. We pray also for Allison. May she outline the new Lay Readers manual in ways that excite the lay readers to expand their ministry for the good of their parishes, especially in this time of decreasing numbers of clergy.  In Group Two we pray for Jeff, Heather and Su as they focus on youth ministry. Help the delegates to embrace the idea that not only is ministry to youth important but that ministry by youth is equally important in growing healthy congregations. We pray also for the reception hosted by youth delegates this evening, that it be a time of fun and making new connections. In Group Three we pray for Ryan as he shares about the Huddle up to the Hunger initiative and the terrible reality of food insecurity in Canada. May delegates be given a vision for what they can do in their parishes and deaneries in terms of education, advocacy and action. We ask all this in Jesus’ name.  Amen

FRIDAY MAY 9:                                                                       Archdeacon Kelly: Muskoka

Holy One of Blessings, we thank you today for all those who have worked the past few months to organize the events of this day, particularly for the work of the Diocesan Executive Council and the various committees under the leadership of the Archdeacons. We ask for the guidance of the Holy Spirt during the plenary sessions when resolutions will be brought  forward. We particularly pray for the work of the Constitution and Canons Committee and the discussion around parishes, congregations, incumbents, and numbers of synod delegates. We ask for openness to hear what is being said and a positive outcome for all.  We give thanks for Jane and Jennifer as they look after the financial aspects of our diocese, as well as for the generosity of parishioners.  Guide Jane as she continues her ministry as our new Executive Officer and Jennifer as she now functions as the main Financial Officer for the diocese. May the spirit of generosity and fiscal responsibility enable us to go forward with a positive budget for the next 2 years.

We pray for the evening fund raising dinner and guest speaker Roberta Bondar.  May she inspire all gathered as she shares her faith and her work as an astronaut.  Giving thanks for contributions to the Episcopal Endowment Fund in the past few years, we give thanks for the work of those who have organized and contributed to the silent auction at the dinner.   We pray for generosity of bidders so that a significant amount of money may be raised to help ensure the office of bishop in Algoma.  And may great fun be had by all. We pray in Jesus’ name.  Amen

SATURDAY MAY 10                                                                Archdeacon Roberta: Algoma

Holy One of Blessing, as synod draws to a close we give thanks for all the good that has happened in sessions and for the opportunity to renew and make new friendships with our siblings in Christ. We give thanks for the work of the Response to the Archbishop’s Charge Committee and for the report they have prepared.  May the delegates return with it to their parishes and be energized to share it in a manner that will encourage their parishes to adopt new ways of being the Body of Christ in this changing world.  May all be given safe travels home and carry many good memories of their time at synod. We ask all this in Jesus’ holy name.  Amen