Synod 2011’s minor flag flap ended Tuesday afternoon, thanks to timely intervention from the Canadian government.
“I was surprised that Calvin College did not have room in its budget for a Canadian flag,” said Rev. James Dekker, president of synod, motioning to the rafters of the Van Noord Arena, where only a giant U.S. flag was hanging.
“We received a gift from my Member of Parliament, Rick Dykstra, also a member of our congregation,” Dekker said.
Dekker unveiled the large Canadian flag—still dwarfed by the gigantic American flag—which had been couriered from Dykstra’s St. Catharines, Ontario, constituency office.
Rev. Bruce Adema, the CRC’s director of Canadian ministries, presented the flag to Henry De Vries, Calvin’s vice president of administration. Referring to the fact that Synod 2012 will be held in Canada, at Redeemer University College, De Vries quipped: “My comfort is that next year I expect the size of those two flags to be reversed.”
For more coverage while synod is in session, including webcasts, photos, a discussion forum, reports, and more, visit the Synod 2011 website.
About the Author
Dan Postma is an occasional reporter for The Banner.
