Diocesan Executive Council (DEC) met virtually on Friday, February 6, 2026. We are pleased to share some highlights from the meeting:

Structure and focus of DEC meetings

Bishop Sandra, on behalf of the synod office senior leadership team, shared a number of proposed changes to the flow and structure of DEC meetings. These adjustments are a response to the need to better manage the number of reports members are asked to review for each meeting, to create more space for discussion among DEC members, and to create a formal mechanism for members to hear from each region about the joys and challenges of ministry on the ground.

Agenda structure

DEC meeting agendas will be structured under the following headings, so meeting focus and discussion is strategically aligned with our current diocesan priorities: 

  • Mission and Strategy - g., long-term planning, missional information or priorities
  • Leadership - g., discipleship, governance, capacity building
  • Stewardship - g., financial oversight, property, resource management

Reports and presentations

Rather than submitting written reports for each meeting, most synod office staff will be invited to present to DEC once a year with an update on their respective ministries. These presentations will be more detailed than a standard report format typically permits, and will also allow for more conversation between staff and DEC members. Members of the senior leadership team will continue to submit written reports for each meeting. Staff members may also be invited to present more frequently should there be a need.

Responsibilities of DEC representatives

Regional representatives are asked to share a ten-minute update, on a rotating basis, about their respective regions of the diocese. Each region will present once a year, sharing information about a joy, a challenge, and a reflection on ministries in their local area. Youth delegates will also be invited to offer an annual update, similar to regional ones, on behalf of young Anglicans across the diocese.

It was also reinforced that council members are expected to communicate information and updates from DEC back to their respective regions, whether via regional councils, their regional deans, or directly to each parish. To help facilitate this, and to provide clarity on information that can be publicly shared, synod office staff will provide a simple template that DEC members can complete each meeting and take back to their regions.

Regional updates

Valley region – presented by the Rev’d Sue Channen and Peter Hough

A joy: the Valley has recently welcomed several new clergy to the region, which has added a renewed sense of excitement and energy.

A concern: Regional council has not met in person since COVID.  With many newcomers (clergy and lay) since then, and with other general changes in parish life over the last six years, the people of the region do not know each other well. 

A reflection: If team ministry of any kind is to thrive in the region, people need to get to know each other again. Is there an opportunity to reinvigorate regional gatherings via interesting programming, or bring together people from parishes to work collaboratively on a common project? These are questions the region will continue to reflect upon.

Bishop’s Report

Bishop Sandra is embarking on an ambitious plan to complete nine regional visits in 2026, connecting with clergy and laity across the diocese. Her schedule for Sunday parish visits is also coming into focus and will be posted to the diocesan website in the coming weeks.

Bishop Sandra also reflected on vocational formation within the diocese, including a move to better accompany those discerning non-traditional ministries or ordination to either the vocational diaconate or associate parish priesthood (i.e. CAPP.) Previously, the role of Formation Director was tasked to work primarily with students at AST studying for full-time, priestly ministry. Now, the re-imagined role of Architect for Emerging Leadership’—held by the Rev’d Dr. Dawn Davis—is helping to equip a broader group of discerners for their respective ministries and holy orders. Other Christian denominations have recently shown interest in this approach, and are thinking about whether what we're doing could work as a model for their own contexts.  

The bishop also reflected on her recent parish visits, and the importance of celebrating the strengths and “small wins” that she sees across the diocese. While there is a lot of work to be done, there is also hope!

Other Items

  • Lawrence provided an update on the diocesan strategic planning process, including plans for consultations and strategies to ensure input is received from a broad cross-section of stakeholders. The need to ensure appropriate input from DEC members themselves was also discussed.
  • Lisa shared a recent news report noting that several churches in cities across Canada have seen an increase in the number of Gen-Z (i.e. young adult) people attending worship and showing an interest in Christianity. DEC members participated in breakout discussions to talk about this phenomenon and share stories of intergenerational engagement from their own parishes.
  • DEC members noted the youth and family ministry ‘Community Roots’ program, and commended that opportunities for parishes to engage children and families are being made available with no (or little) cost to parishes themselves. Bishop Sandra reminded DEC members that applications to participate in the 2026 iteration are now open. There are also several information sessions that parishes can attend to learn more and determine whether the program is a fit for them. Details about the program and upcoming information sessions are available on the diocesan website.

Next meeting

  • April 17 and 18, 2026 to be held in Shubenacadie.