By The Venerable Deborah Kraft
Archdeacon, Thunder Bay–North Shore Deanery
Introduction (Editor’s Note)
As part of our coverage of Clergy Conference 2026, we are sharing daily reflections from clergy across the Diocese of Algoma. These brief dispatches offer a window into the life, learning, and fellowship of the conference as it unfolds.
Day One – Monday, May 4, 2026
Today was a travel day, with many clergy driving from across the five Algoma deaneries to the Soo—from Bracebridge in the south to Thunder Bay in the north. My husband Jouni and I drove from Toronto, where we had spent the weekend with family—Paul and Crystal and their two teenage daughters, Clara and Daphne—enjoying their ballet recital.
Sault Ste. Marie is the midway point between Toronto and Thunder Bay, but we thought it would be a faster drive from Toronto to the Soo than from Thunder Bay to the Soo. However, it still took us nine hours to get to the Water Tower Inn, as we were slowed down by construction. The weather was beautiful, and there are now several sections of the highway with a speed limit of 110.
We checked into the Water Tower Inn by 4 p.m. and said hello to several colleagues as they arrived. The Clergy Conference happens every two years, in between diocesan synods. It is a wonderful opportunity to worship together, learn, and build relationships. Thank you to the parishes for supporting your incumbents so they can come.
The theme for this year is based on Archbishop Anne’s motto for 2026. It comes from Ephesians 3:17: that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love—rooted and grounded in love.
We worshipped together at our Opening Eucharist at St. Luke’s Cathedral at 7 p.m. It is always a privilege to gather at the Synod Office and to worship together at our cathedral. It was raining as we walked across, and I was reminded of how, in the words of the Apostle Paul, God gives us rain from heaven.
The preacher was Bishop Susan Bell from the Diocese of Niagara. Bishop Bell focused on the theme of being rooted and grounded in love. Here are some of the key points I took from her heartwarming words: we are all called to be present in the name of God, to focus on service, and to do all things in love.
She referenced scripture from the Book of Acts, in which Barnabas and Paul are mistaken for gods—Zeus and Hermes—because of their acts of healing. In great humility, Paul responds, “We are mortals just like you.” Psalm 115 confirms the greatness of God and reminds us that idols, made by human hands, cannot be trusted. The Gospel from John 14 speaks of love and our call to love.
After the service, filled with beautiful music and the presence of the risen Christ, we returned to the Water Tower Inn and turned in early, as many of us—myself included—were ready to rest after long drives.
Tomorrow is a new day.
Follow along this week as we share daily reflections from across the Diocese of Algoma during Clergy Conference 2026.