Name
Sara Whynot
Current Position
Music and Worship Committee (Chair); SJELC Redevelopment Committee (Member)
Previous Position(s)
Vice-Chair (most recent)
Council Member (2 terms)
Congregational Membership
St John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Mahone Bay NS
Education & Earned Degrees (with institutions and years, most recent first)
2014 – Dalhousie University; Halifax, Nova Scotia (Global Health Certificate)
2010 – Dalhousie University; Halifax, Nova Scotia (Health Services Administration, Diploma)
1980 – Sentara Norfolk General Hospital; Norfolk, Virginia (School of Allied Health Professions, Medical Laboratory Technology)
List up to three (3) current or past synod or churchwide experiences that would inform your service as vice-chairperson of this Synod.
National Convention Delegate (2022)
Service on Church Council (2 terms)
Chair, Music and Worship Committee (2011 – present)
List up to three (3) current or past community activities that would inform your service as vice chairperson of this Synod.
Global Health Volunteer – Medical Education (Dalhousie University): For the past 11 years it has been my privilege to be part of an international Global Heath Medical Education team. As part of this team I operationalize, facilitate, and assist in the delivery of simulation-based education to Anesthesia and multiprofessional critical care teams in resource-limited environments and countries around the world.
School Board Member (elected) 7 years (South Shore District School Board: served on HR committee as member and chair. Experience with employment hiring, agreements, performance reviews and most aspects of personnel management.
Personnel/Program Chair (Mahone Bay and Area Swimming Pool): implemented budget planning and human resource tools for a volunteer community board.
What gifts would you bring to the office of vice-chairperson of this Synod? (250 word maximum)
Organization/Attention to Detail: I feel that I am skilled in seeing the big picture and identifying an overarching goal, then, using my ability to operationalize a plan, I am able to break the steps down in a focused, step-wise way that are manageable, and most of all attainable.
The ability to have “hard” conversations: I am fair, straightforward in approach and value
accountability. I always try to proactively face challenges and difficult subjects.
Effective communicator: I am confident in my ability to articulate my thoughts and pose meaningful/relevant questions. I feel that I do have the ability to succinctly summarize a conversation and am proficient in critical thinking and analysis. I believe that I also make sure everyone is part of the discussion and at the end, we are all on the same page … maybe not all are in agreement, but everyone understands no one is left behind in confusion.
Describe your leadership style. (250 word maximum)
My leadership style is definitely hands on. I am not a directive/’do this’ type of person. I believe that I am most effective if I lead by example and in the hopes of inspiring others to follow suit. In short, I typically model the behaviour I want to see in the group of people I am working with. I have a strong work ethic and commitment to whatever the task is at hand.
What do you see as the principal challenge to this Synod in the next six (6) years, and how would you address it? (250 word maximum)
In brief? Change.
So much change. A new bishop, Vice-Chair, treasurer and secretary! Decreasing numbers of everything, churches in financial crisis, supporting parishes as they find new ways to minister and spread the Word, planning for the new national bishop in 2025, retirements, and the lack of ordained ministers … all of this appearing at the same time can destabilize and organization.
I would pray my contribution, i.e., ability regarding process, operations and organization, would be of value and hopefully offer some stability to Eastern Synod operations, and to the new bishop. Perhaps knowing they would be supported by a person with my skill set would allow that person to “dream big” as they say, without worry regarding the organizational/operation aspects of council.
What would be your top three (3) priorities for your first three (3) years of service? (250 word maximum)
Honestly, it is hard for me to identify priorities as, until I learn and experience Council, I would be sharing personal priorities. I believe my priorities should evolve based on:
Supporting the new Bishop in their role.
Listening/learning, then using my skills to support council.
Using the lens of consistent application of policy across parishes in the Eastern Synod.