Installations and collations during Cathedral Choral Evensong
by Ana Watts
At a choral Evensong at Christ Church Cathedral on Oct. 19, Clyde Spinney, Q.C. and Julian Dickson, Q C., both of Fredericton, were installed as chancellor and vice-chancellor, respectively, of the Diocesan 
Synod of Fredericton. The Rev. Capt. David Edwards, rector of St. Mark’s (Stone) Church in Saint John, was installed as a Canon of Christ Church Cathedral and collated Archdeacon of Saint John. Archdeacon Geoffrey Hall, executive assistant to Bishop Claude Miller, was named Archdeacon of Fredericton and adds the duties of this territorial position to his diocesan role.
Mr. Spinney served as vice-chancellor under Charles Ferris from 2001 until he became chancellor. Together they facilitated the adoption of the new Anglican Church Act, 2003 and participated in the Canon revision project. Clearly he brings a vast knowledge of Canon Law to this office.
In secular life he is Assistant Deputy Attorney General, Legal Services for the Province of New Brunswick. He directs the 30 lawyers of the Legal Services Branch and practises primarily in the fields of education, labour and employment, and administrative law. His experience includes appearance at all levels of the superior court in New Brunswick, the Federal Court of Canada, the Federal Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Canada. Recently he was successful counsel in a landmark administrative law decision of the Supreme Court of Canada.
A cradle Anglican, brought up in St. John’s, Oromocto, he was confirmed by Bishop Harry O’Neil in 1962. During a communion service in 1981 he experienced a re-birth of his faith as an adult and since then has been an active member of Christ Church (Parish) Church in Fredericton. Today he serves as a Eucharistic assistant and a greeter. He is also involved in Men’s Club and puppet Ministry.
In the past Clyde has served as warden and chaired the finance, personnel, Christian education, stewardship and companion parish committees. He also served as a Sunday school teacher, and convened the men’s prayer breakfast group for several years.
When the Parish Church developed St. Anne’s Lodge Ltd. To provide assisted housing to low-income seniors and families, he was the board’s initial secretary and incorporating director.
At the diocesan level he co-chaired, with the Rev. Gordon Thompson, the 1997 For Christ and His Family renewal conference at Atlantic Baptist University in Moncton. He was active in Cursillo and a member of the former Day of Enrichment renewal team.
He is married to Elizabeth (Fawcett) Spinney and they have three children in their twenties, Matthew, Gillian and Peter. Clyde enjoys reading golf, billiards, hunting, fishing and carpentry and looks forward to retirement in a few years when he will have time to pursue these interests as well as more time to devote to his duties as chancellor.
Mr. Dickson is a member of the Cox & Palmer law firm in Fredericton. He specializes in commercial litigation and family law. Son of the Honourable Mr. Justice David M. Dickson, he comes by his affinity for the law naturally. He was introduced to the Anglican Church in 1991 by his late wife and faithfully attends the 8 a.m. service at Christ Church Cathedral. He is also a member of Bishop and Chapter there.
“I was flattered to be asked to serve as vice-chancellor,” says Mr. Dickson. “I have some time to commit to this office. It comes with a steep learning curve on which I am just embarking. If I ever gain the knowledge of Canon Law of Charles Ferris on Cyde Spinney, I will be most satisfied and gratified.”
Mr. Dickson likes to cook and entertain, and he loves his English springer spaniel Elizabeth (Betsy).
Archdeacon Edwards is also a captain in the Church Army and was principal at Taylor College of Evangelism, the Church Army’s college in Saint John.
Archdeacon Hall was rector in what is now the Parish of the Nerepis and St. John in the lower St. John River valley and Archdeacon of St. Andrews before his appointment as the bishop’s executive assistant.
Diocesan Communications
28 October 2008
