Did you know that members of the thirteen Episcopal dioceses who belong to Province III of The Episcopal Church meet annually as a Synod?
In broad terms, a Synod is a gathering of persons, generally who belong to a Christian denomination who get together to discuss relevant issues and applications to their common life. Hence, the thirteen Episcopal dioceses who belong to Province III [Bethlehem, Central Pennsylvania, Delaware, Easton, Maryland, Northwestern Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh, Southern Virginia, Southwestern Virginia, Virginia, Washington, and West Virginia] met for their annual Synod on Monday, May 5, in Martinsburg, WV.
During this all-day meeting, the Synod attendees enjoyed fellowship with each other and talked about possibilities that could help their joint ministry efforts as they relate to Creation Care, Racial Reconciliation, and Provincial Identity. The group also voted to approve resolutions related to Province III finances, including the budget, and heard various inspiring reports, including updates about the ministry of Episcopal Church Women and Campus Ministry and Young Adults.
One example of the aspirations of the group is to better communicate the positive outcomes of various Province III initiatives. Another is to share ideas about Creation Care that are already developing across dioceses. All of us are encouraged, as Episcopalians, and as members of a geographical province, to be aware of the good things that are happening in our midst through the collaboration we enjoy as members of Province III. To that end, please look at province3.org to see more about the ministry of Province III.
The Diocese of Pittsburgh was well represented at Synod this year by (L to R)
Dr. Joan Gundersen, Bishop Ketlen, Steve Stagnitta, and the Rev. Canon Eric McIntosh.