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Church House theologian travels "down under" to discuss liturgy
by Ali Symons
Anglican Church of Canada Web
July 31, 2009
Between August 1 and 18 Dr. Eileen Scully, General Synod's coordinator for ministry and worship, will travel to New Zealand and Australia for two international liturgical consultations. She will attend the International Anglican Liturgical Consultation (IALC) in Auckland from August 1 to 7, and the English Language Liturgical Consultation (ELLC) in Sydney from August 15 to 18. Both meetings bring together liturgists, clergy and lay, to discuss the public rites used in church services. They will describe their churches' current contexts and discuss areas where they can work cooperatively. Read the story.
Reflecting on the 35th anniversary of the ordination of women to the priesthood
Barriers to progress still exist in the church, female clergy say
By Nancy Davidge
Episcopal Life
July 30, 2009
Growing up in the 60s, I lived in a world with clearly defined roles for men and women. Most of my friends' fathers worked and their mothers stayed home and took care of the children and the house. The few women whom I knew worked were nurses, teachers, or secretaries. At church, there were similarly defined gender-based roles: the priest was a man as was the bishop who confirmed me. The organist, the church secretary, and the Sunday school teachers were all women. The warden was a man and my memory is that women organized the coffee hour and ran the Nearly New, the church's thrift shop.
In 1974, one of these roles changed. Read the story.
Zimbabwe's new Anglican leader urged to 'heal' Harare diocese
Ecumenical News International
July 29, 2009
Harare: Zimbabwean Anglicans are urging the new leader of the Anglican church in their country to move to reconcile the strife-riven diocese of Harare which has been locked in a battle with excommunicated former bishop Nolbert Kunonga, a close supporter of Robert Mugabe, the country’s president. The new bishop of the Anglican diocese of Harare, Chad Nicholas Gandiya, was consecrated on July 26 at a gathering of more than 10,000 people, Harare diocese information officer Precious Shumba told Ecumenical News International. Read the story.
Rowan Williams suggests secondary role for U.S. Episcopal church
by Daniel Burke
Ecumenical News International
July 28, 2009
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, has suggested that the U.S. Episcopal (Anglican) Church may have to accept a secondary role in the worldwide Anglican Communion after voting to allow gay bishops and blessings for same-sex unions. Archbishop Williams, the spiritual leader of the world’s 77 million Anglicans, said on July 27 that “very serious anxieties have already been expressed,” about the pro-gay resolutions approved in July by the Episcopal Church at its general convention in Anaheim, California. Read the story.
Expect Niagara’s nod to same-sex blessings to create some tension, says Archbishop Hiltz
by Marites N. Sison
Anglican Journal
July 27, 2009
The decision by the diocese of Niagara to offer same-sex blessings as of Sept. 1 is bound to create some tension among bishops, says Archbishop Fred Hiltz, primate of the Anglican Church of Canada. Michael Bird, the diocesan bishop of Niagara, informed the Canadian house of bishops of his plan to offer same-sex blessings when it met last October. Subsequently, the house released a statement affirming a continued commitment to the moratorium on same sex blessings while recognizing the moratorium would be difficult for other dioceses to implement. Read the story.
H1N1 virus puts brake on religious activities for Christians, Muslims
by Trevor Gundy
Ecumenical News International
July 27, 2009
Canterbury, England: Fears about the spread of the H1N1 virus, once known as swine flu, are curtailing religious activities of both Christians and Muslims as they worship and express their faith, especially in Britain. Health authorities believe that the H1N1 flu pandemic is having a greater impact on Britain than on other countries in Europe, with 31 deaths from the sickness reported the week of July 20. They attribute this to Britain's position as an international air communications and travel hub. Read the story.
Church of England to offer combined marriage and baptism
by Martin Revis
Ecumenical News International
July 27, 2009
London: Couples living together with children born out of wedlock will be able to get married and have their offspring baptized at a single ceremony, the (Anglican) Church of England has announced. “Baptism normally is celebrated in a Sunday act of worship, but patterns of relationship and marriage within society are presenting new opportunities for the Church,” said Bishop Stephen Platten, chairperson of an Anglican liturgical commission which drew up the guidelines. Read the story.
TEC clarifies resolutions on human sexuality
Anglican Journal
July 23, 2009
The presiding officers of The Episcopal Church’s General Convention have written two letters to the Archbishop of Canterbury clarifying two resolutions on human sexuality. The resolutions have been widely interpreted as being in defiance of calls for a moratoria on the election of homosexual persons to the episcopate and the blessing of same-sex unions. Read the story.
Deep divide over sexuality continues
by Marites N. Sison
Anglican Journal
July 22, 2009
The decision by the diocese of Niagara to offer same-sex blessings has drawn mixed reactions from Anglicans in Canada. Similarly, backlash over the recent decision by the Episcopal Church (TEC) to affirm the openness of “any ordained ministry” to gay and lesbian people and to develop more liturgical resources for same-sex blessings reflects the continuing deep divide over sexuality in the Anglican Communion. Read the story.
Plans ramping up for General Synod 2010
by Ali Symons
Anglican Church of Canada Web
July 22, 2009
In just less than a year, over 500 Canadian Anglicans and visitors will gather in Halifax, N.S., for General Synod—nine days of decisions, conversations, and worship. "We're expecting perfection," said the coordinator of General Synod planning, Margaret Shawyer, with a grin. General Synod 2010 will be held June 3 to 11, corresponding with a celebration of 300 years of continuous Anglican worship in the Diocese of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. Inspired by the Maritime setting, General Synod planners chose the theme "Feeling the winds of God—charting a new course." Read the story.
'I feel honoured and humbled to participate'
In conversation with Justice Murray Sinclair
Anglican Journal
July 21, 2009
The appointment of Justice Murray Sinclair as the new chair of the Indian Residential Schools Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) has been applauded by those familiar with his astute legal mind, his ability to handle sensitive public proceedings, and his credibility in both aboriginal and non-aboriginal circles. They say he’s up to the gargantuan task of making sure the final stage in the reconciliation process is both credible and lasting for aboriginal people caught in the 150-year legacy of forced assimilation through the Indian residential schools. Read the story.
New commissioners to Truth and Reconciliation Commission welcomed in Ottawa ceremony
Anglican Journal
July 17, 2009
Representatives of national churches (including the Anglican Church of Canada), aboriginal groups, and the federal government gathered at the Museum of Civilization in Gatineau, Que., July 16, for a welcoming ceremony for the new commissioners of the Indian Residential Schools Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). Justice Murray Sinclair, chair of the TRC, along with Commissioners Marie Wilson and Chief Wilton Littlechild, were covered with protective aboriginal blankets as they prepared for the consecration ceremony that included prayers, reflections, and smoking of the aboriginal ceremonial pipe. Read the story.
U.S. bishops call for 'resources' for same-gender blessings
by Pat McCaughan and Jerald Hyche
Episcopal News Service
July 17, 2009
Anaheim, Calif. The House of Bishops voted by a margin of 3 to 1 on July 15 “to acknowledge changing circumstances” that call forth a renewed pastoral response from the church for considering same-gender blessings. That response, at least for the time being, was a substitution for Resolution C056, to create an open process and invite church-wide participation in collecting and developing theological resources and liturgies. The resolution now heads to deputies for approval. Read the story.
U.S. bishops affirm openness of ordination process
by Jerald Hyche and Pat McCaughan
Episcopal News Service
July 15, 2009
Anaheim, Calif.: After more than two hours of discussion and with a standing-room-only crowd watching, the House of Bishops on July 13 adopted an amended version of Resolution D025, which affirms the openness of "any ordained ministry" to gay and lesbian people. Bishops voted 99-45, with two abstentions, for the revised resolution, which goes to the House of Deputies world mission legislative committee. The committee must make a recommendation to the full house about whether to concur in the amended resolution, amend it further, or defeat it, according to Deputy Sally Johnson (Minnesota). Read the story.
Basic Bible study anchors Indigenous Ministries
byAli Symons
General Synod Web Writer
July 15, 2009
For the past two years, Archdeacon Larry Beardy of Keewatin has been leading some exciting and difficult conversations about a new Area Mission serving communities in the dioceses of Brandon and Keewatin. What's been easing the way? Basic Bible study, in a method known to some as Gospel-Based Discipleship. "At first when we started our consultation we were bogged down in issues. It felt like we were spinning our tires because we were concentrating on finances," said Mr. Beardy. "Once we moved into the Gospel-Based Discipleship process to guide our consultation, the Spirit has been guiding it and making it easier." Read the story.
New moniker for PWRDF part of strategy to increase awareness, support
by Marites N. Sison
Anglican Journal
July 14, 2009
What’s in a name? A lot, it turns out, if you’re Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund (PWRDF) and you want to improve the way you’re telling your story to Canadian-Anglicans. PWRDF, the relief and development arm of the Anglican Church of Canada is now embarking on a name change. This, after an “appreciative inquiry” conducted at the 2007 General Synod revealed that only 30 per cent of Canadian-Anglicans know what PWRDF is about. “That was a serious concern for us,” said Cheryl Curtis, PWRDF executive director, in an interview. Read the story.
Episcopal Church deputies support fully inclusive ordination process
by Melodie Woerman
Episcopal News Service
July 13, 2009
The House of Deputies by more than a 2-1 margin adopted a resolution July 12 that declares the ordination process of the Episcopal Church open to all individuals while expressing its ongoing commitment to the Anglican Communion. The vote was 77-31 in the lay order and 74-25 in the clergy order. It now goes to the House of Bishops, where it must be passed to be enacted. Read the story.
Diocese of Niagara to offer same-sex blessings
by Marites N. Sison
Anglican Journal
July 10, 2009
As of Sept. 1, the diocese of Niagara will allow its priests to bless same-gender couples who have been civilly married. Niagara becomes the second diocese in the Anglican Church of Canada, after the Vancouver-based New Westminster, to offer a sacrament for same-sex blessings. (The diocese of New Westminster, which allowed same-sex blessings in 2002, currently limits the rite to eight parishes.) The issue of same-sex blessings continues to deeply divide Anglicans in Canada as well as worldwide. Read the story.
Canadian prime minister criticized for taking communion
by Leanne Larmondin
Ecumenical News International
July 10, 2009
Just days before a scheduled audience with Pope Benedict XVI, the Canadian prime minister, an evangelical Protestant, was in hot water after taking communion at a Roman Catholic funeral, contrary to church protocol. When the incident was initially reported, it was suggested that Prime Minister Stephen Harper slipped the consecrated host into his pocket or service leaflet, but his spokesperson and another attendee said he did consume it. Read the story.
Let's discuss full communion, Lutherans urge primate
by Leigh Anne Williams
Anglican Journal
July 9, 2009
Archbishop Fred Hiltz, primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, presides at a Eucharist during the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada's National Convention held June 25 to 28 in Vancouver. The primate of the Anglican Church of Canada returned from the national convention of the Evangelican Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) with “signs of hope” that most delegates want to discuss how full communion between the two churches can be lived out. The convention took place in Vancouver, June 25–28. Read the story.
Global economic meltdown a 'crisis of truthfulness,' says Archbishop of Canterbury
by Matthew Davies
Episcopal News Service
July 9, 2009
Anaheim, Calif.: Describing the global economic downturn as a “crisis of truthfulness,” Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams addressed more than 2,000 people attending a July 8 forum in Anaheim, California, as part of the Episcopal Church’s General Convention. Read the story.
Archbishop hears from cross-section of Episcopal Church
by Mary Frances Schjonberg
Episcopal News Service
July 9, 2009
Anaheim, California
Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams spent the afternoon of July 8 hearing the stories of a cross-section of participants in the 76th General Convention. In addition to observing the work of the House of Bishops, Williams met with members of the convention’s official youth presence, the House of Deputies president’s council of advice and a small group of lesbian and gay deputies. He also met with provisional and assisting bishops in the four dioceses that are reorganizing after the majority of their members and leadership left the church. Read the story.
Canadian-Anglican priest appointed to international commission
Anglican Journal
July 8, 2009
Canon Alyson Barnett-Cowan, director of the Anglican Church of Canada’s faith, worship, and ministry department, has been appointed to a new international body that will oversee the ecumenical life of the 77-million strong Anglican Communion. The Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams announced Ms. Barnett-Cowan’s appointment to the Inter-Anglican Standing Commission for Unity, Faith and Order (IASCUFO) on July 1. Read the story.
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