Vital Church Maritimes

​On April 27 – 29, the Rector, along with Karen Padovani and Cameron & MaryEllen Finlay, attended the Vital Church Maritimes conference held in Truro.  This annual conference had the theme of “Setting Sail” this year, noting that in 2023, Anglican churches in the Diocese were finally able to look forward into the future now that COVID was abating and full services, liturgical and otherwise, were resuming.  The keynote speaker was the Rev Dr Dawn Davis, originally of Dartmouth and now of the Diocese of Huron in southwestern Ontario.  We also had the pleasure of hearing from Stephen Doucet Campbell, a practicing psychologist who has recently relocated to Halifax, to speak on mental health issues at both a personal and community level arising from the pandemic.  Shawn Branch, of our neighbouring Diocese of Fredericton was also a featured speaker, talking about the way the church is or is not impacting younger generations.  We benefitted from having both Bishop Sandra and Bishop Ron participating, with Bishop Ron exploring his side line of emcee and comedian, decked out in foul weather gear!
 
Participants learned about Spiritual Growth, various forms of prayer, and the need to equip ourselves for the new journeys arising out of the COVID-era period.  Change has been thrust upon us by the pandemic.  We must choose to embrace the change and thrive.  ‘Church’ as we knew it has been irrevocably changed forever, and we embark on a new journey with God and God’s people.

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