Three new thrusts aimed at strengthening and advancing the ministry of the local Anglican Diocese will top the agenda of the 112th session of Synod, which opens this evening.

According to Bishop Laish Boyd, head of the Anglican Diocese in The Bahamas and The Turks and Caicos Islands, these thrusts include a diocesan institute for instructing and training clergy and lay people in all areas of the ministry, strengthening and improving the ministry in multipoint parishes and the feasibility of permanent deacons in the diocese.

There will also be reports from the four archdeaconries as well as the functioning ministries in the diocese.

“Committees have done extensive work since the last synod in preparation for discussion and decision-making on these three issues,” Bishop Boyd told reporters on Saturday.

“We look forward to the tremendous fellowship and pray God’s blessing upon our deliberations.”

The synod is the diocese’s annual meeting.

Delegates are comprised of the clergy and two lay representatives from each of the 46 parishes in the diocese.

Some 200 delegates are expected to attend.

The synod opens at Christ Church Cathedral at 7:30 p.m.

Bishop Boyd will deliver the charge, which he said will address a number of current issues.

The synod’s business sessions begin on Tuesday and ends on Thursday.

Those sessions will take place at the Holy Trinity Parish Activities Centre in Stapledon Gardens from 8:30a.m.-5:00p.m. daily.