Learning the ropes: Paul listens durng the first-time members orientation. (See separate story.)

"It's information overload," he chuckled.  "But it's incredibly exciting."
     So far, Paul is finding value in just being with other Anglicans.  "I've had limited exposure to people outside of Toronto for national events, and suddenly here you could be having breakfast with a bishop in B.C., lunch with a farmer from Brandon, and so on."
     "It's good to know that we're all members of a common church when we're here -- not 'You're a delegate from X Diocese'; we're all members of the same General Synod.  And that's very encouraging."
     "Yes, there are a lot of faults in the church, but here's a place where we can all listen and be one."
     With the Synod theme of Lift Every Voice guiding his thoughts, Paul thinks listening to every voice is just as important.   "I'm not going to agree with all those voices, but I look forward to listening to them."
     Paul believes it's more of a challenge these days to really listen to each other.   "People want to know where you stand now," he explained.   "There are more shades of grey and I don't think you can stand in the middle any more."
     Even though Synod business hasn't started yet, Paul says he already feels his horizons have broadened.  And he's anxious to "get into the resolutions and get things into action."

Day Six, May 26
For anyone else, it would be a lousy way to spend a 20th wedding anniversary.  But for Paul Feheley and his wife who is back home in Oshawa, it makes perfect sense.
      Doing the work of the church is a passion for both Paul and his "very understanding" spouse.  As he reflects on the Synod at the half-way way mark ("95% to 99% of which I'm actually enjoying"), Paul says he's exhausted but excited to be learning a lot.
      "It's like the end of a good worship service," he explains.  "You're spiritually drained but excited because you've done what God has asked you to do."
     And so far, Synod hasn't held as many surprises as he thought it would.  The tone of debate, for example, he is glad to be finding refreshingly respectful.  So far, Paul has only spoken at the mike once.   But he is finding more value in the discussions, not necessarily the formal debate.
      "I've used the forums mostly to learn more about the wider church.  For instance, I attended the forum on Northern Ministry which is something I didn't know a lot about. . . . And learning these new skills and ways of listening to people from different cultures is important."
     One thing Paul says he's valued was time spent getting to know people from his own diocese better.  "I see these people from time to time in the diocese, but being able to spend so much time learning and sharing with them has been very helpful.  At our table, nobody wears clerical dress, so we all come together in a community and harmonious way."
     Paul was looking forward to the evening off, which he was to spend with his diocece having dinner and visiting the open house at a nearby Convent.

Paul Feheley is rector of St. George's Oshawa.  And this is his first time at a General Synod.
     He is at General Synod "to learn more about how other Canadian Anglicans think and understand our Church. As with perhaps most people I love our Church but worry about its future direction and the danger of division."
     The Rev. Canon Feheley has been ordained for twenty years and has been active in the leadership of his diocese.
     Thanks to his generous participation, we'll be following Paul around for the next few days -- finding out what he's thinking, how he's feeling, and what surprises he's finding.