By Stuart Mann
The Diocese of Toronto rolled out the welcome mat in fine style on the opening night of General Synod, hosting a reception that highlighted the diocese’s rich cultural diversity.
After the opening worship service, General Synod members spilled out into the hallway and were greeted to the warm sounds of a steel pan, played by Joy Lapps-Lewis. Following the music, they entered a room that offered plenty of hot and delicious food from the Caribbean, China and other parts of the globe.
“It’s a nice way to relax and visit with people – and the food is excellent,” said Jim White, a farmer from Saskatchewan and a member of the delegation from the Diocese of Qu’Appelle.
Mr. White was one of about 250 people who attended the reception, many of whom gathered around a large round table in the middle of the room filled with tasty treats such as cocktail Jamaican patties, mini marinated beef kabobs, spiced beef with raita, and mini vegetable spring rolls.
In addition to the food, flags, artwork, brochures and carrying bags from several countries, including South Africa, Jamaica, Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, Barbados, St. Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago, and China adorned tables around the room. There was also a display of First Nations items.
“It was exciting putting this all together,” said Andrea Delvaille, a member of Christ Church, Deer Park in Toronto and one of the organizers of the reception. She travelled to many consulates in Toronto to see if their countries wanted to be involved – with excellent results.
“Everybody was very receptive to the idea and pleased to hear what we were doing,” she said. “It has been very good exposure for the Anglican Church.”
She was glad the diocese had the chance to do something special at General Synod. “I think it’s a very nice opportunity for people to mix and mingle after maybe a long day – people have travelled and some have come from a long way. It ends the evening on a really pleasant note and sets the tone for the next few days.”
As the official host of General Synod, held July 7-12 in Richmond Hill, the diocese is putting on the opening reception and closing banquet and providing more than 60 volunteers and some staff members to help make it all run smoothly.
It’s a big job. In addition to General Synod members, there are guests, observers, presenters and people staffing display tables – about 400 people in total, organizers estimate.
Some of the volunteer tasks including greeting people at Pearson International Airport and Union Station, and helping out with greeting, registration, directions and the opening and closing festivities at the Sheraton Parkway Toronto North Hotel and Suites, where General Synod is being held.
“It’s going really well and our volunteers have been fantastic,” says Laura Walton, chair of the Local Arrangements Committee and a member Christ Church, Batteau. “They have a real generosity of the spirit.”
In his welcoming remarks, Archbishop Colin Johnson thanked the Local Arrangements Committee and the volunteers for the work they’ve done. The crowd burst into a round of applause. He added, “I’m delighted that so many of our friends are here to celebrate with us, and the Diocese of Toronto is thrilled to host this event and General Synod.”
His comments were followed by a video about some of the missional activities in the diocese, “Our Church in the Public Square.”
The reception was preceded by a two-hour worship service that included a powerful sermon by Archbishop Fred Hiltz, Primate, and a short performance by the Spirit Movers, a dance group with L’Arche Daybreak in Richmond Hill.
