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WATCH GENERAL SYNOD LIVE
Does the church need to 'regroup?'
Discussions about church structure will continue until 2013
by Marites N. Sison
Anglican Journal
June 8, 2010
After a long and heated debate on Monday evening (Jun. 7), members of General Synod approved a resolution to continue discussions about “whether and how” the church’s diocesan, provincial and national structures need to be modified to support and enhance its mission. The resolution also asks the church’s four ecclesiastical provinces to conduct discussions on “the appropriate number of dioceses and the appropriate boundaries within the provinces” and to inform the 2013 General Synod of the result of these conversations. Read the story.
The Green Team
General Synod to set up database of eco-friendly parishes
by Harvey Shepherd
Anglican Journal
June 8, 2010
The Anglican Church of Canada is setting up a national database of parishes trying to set and meet targets for reducing the “carbon footprint” of their church buildings. In a “Ports of Call” seminar today at General Synod 2010, the Rev. Deacon Maylanne Maybee, eco-justice networks co-ordinator for General Synod, told delegates that the national church program will identify 300 parish “green teams” by next October. These teams must be striving to make their parishes more environmentally friendly through means such as more efficient furnaces and better insulation. Read the story.
Out of Amazing Grace, a Silent Night
Anglican Church of Canada News
June 08, 2010
Christmas came early to General Synod today, as members raised their voices to sing the carol "Silent Night." Their heart-felt performance launches the Silent Night Project: Anglicans promote peace in the spirit of Amazing Grace. Just like the 2008 Amazing Grace Project, all are invited to record themselves singing "Silent Night" and send it to the Anglican Church of Canada national office by December 14. All videos will be included in a documentary, which will be posted online by Christmas 2010. Read the story.
Canadian Anglicans commended for contribution to Anglican Communion
by Trina Gallop
General Synod Communications
June 8, 2010
The Anglican Communion brings together a worldwide family of national and regional Anglican churches. It is not, "an organization or body ‘out there' which you join or not join," said Rev. Canon Kenneth Kearon, General Secretary of the Anglican Communion, in an address to members of General Synod on Monday, June 7. "The Anglican Communion is this place," he said, referring to the Anglican Church of Canada. Kearon recognized the contributions of Canadian Anglicans to the Communion, naming many individuals from the church who have shared their gifts by, "giving very freely of their time." Read the story.
Springtime Silent Night
Sequel to Amazing Grace video project to raise funds for military chaplaincy
by Neale Adams
Anglican Journal
JUune 7, 2010
It was Christmas in June when 300 delegates at the General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada sang Silent Night. This is the first step in a followup to the incredibly successful Amazing Together video project that asked Anglicans across Canada to videotape themselves singing Amazing Grace and send in the video to Anglican Video at the national office in Toronto. In all, 500 videos were submitted, and the project raised $100,000. Each individual participant was asked to donate a loonie towards a Council of the North suicide prevention program. Read the story.
Welcome home
Parishes step up to sponsor 50 new refugee families
by Harvey Shepherd
Anglican Journal
June 7, 2010
The Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund (PWRDF) is well on its way to meeting a significant 50th anniversary celebration goal: to persuade parishes across the country to sponsor at least 50 refugee families to come to Canada by the end of this year. So far, parishes have committed to sponsoring 34 families, Carolyn Vanderlip, 50th anniversary coordinator for PWRDF, told delegates to General Synod in Halifax. And more sponsorships are in the works, thanks to a federal government program that partially matches funds raised by parishes to bring displaced persons to Canada from refugee camps and cities around the world. Read the story.
Facing the consequences
Anglican Communion takes action against The Episcopal Church
by Leigh Anne Williams
Anglican Journal
June 7, 2010
See video interview
The secretary general of the Anglican Communion, the Rev. Canon Kenneth Kearon, announced today at General Synod 2010 that he has informed members of The Episcopal Church that their memberships in ecumenical dialogues have been withdrawn. In addition, a member of the Inter-Anglican Standing Commission on Unity, Faith and Order (IASCUFO) has been notified that participation will now be on a consultative basis only. Read the story.
Bridge over troubled water
Bishop of Jerusalem urges friendship with both Palestine and Israel
by Neale Adams
Anglican Journal
June 7, 2010
Bishop Suheil Dawani of the diocese of Jerusalem urged Anglicans to be friendly to both Palestine and Israel and to serve, along with other Christians, as a bridge between Muslims and Jews. The bishop, a General Synod partner at the 2010 triennial meeting of the Anglican Church of Canada in Halifax, was called a “radical moderate” by Archbishop John Privett during an informal lunchtime question and answer session on Mon. Jun. 7. Read the story.
Primacy ‘through the lens of mission’
Changes to Canon III expand role of the Primate
by Marites N. Sison
Anglican Journal
June 7, 2010
Members of General Synod today approved canonical changes that define more clearly the sacramental and pastoral ministry of the primate (national archbishop) of the Anglican Church of Canada. These changes reflect a leadership more attuned to today’s world. “In our consultations we have learned that models of leadership cannot remain static. They need to be constantly refreshed and renewed as changing times demand,” said task force member suffragan bishop Linda Nicholls of the diocese of Toronto. “The old models of hierarchy and top down authority no longer work or command respect.” What works is a leadership that is “collaborative and visionary, risk-taking and innovative,” she said. Read the story.
Voice and Vote
ACIP nominees become full voting members of CoGS
by Marites N. Sison
Anglican Journal
June 7, 2010
The Anglican Church of Canada’s governing body, General Synod, today agreed to add two nominees from the Anglican Council of Indigenous Peoples (ACIP) as full voting members of the Council of General Synod (CoGS). The move constitutes “one more step in bringing our indigenous members into full partnership,” said General Synod chancellor (legal adviser) Ron Stevenson of the diocese of Fredericton and author of the resolution that introduced the proposal and amended a section of the church’s constitution. Read the story.
Historic St. Paul’s is full of life
Service on June 8 will feature an exciting mix of old and new
by Leigh Anne Williams
Anglican Journal
June 7, 2010
See related video www.youtube.com/watch
St. Paul’s in the Grand Parade is the oldest Anglican church in Canada. It is also the oldest surviving Protestant church in the country and the oldest building in Halifax. But General Synod members will see more than the historic building that thousands of tourists see every summer. They will see “an ancient building brought alive,” says its rector, the Rev. Dr. Paul Friesen. Read the story.
A breath of fresh air
Fresh Expressions not an either/or proposition, says Canadian team leader
Anglican Journal
June 7, 2010
There’s nothing stale about the Rev. Canon Nick Brotherwood, team leader of Fresh Expressions Canada www.freshexpressions.ca. A professional rock drummer in the 1970s, Brotherwood is marching to a different beat these days. But it is no less radical. It’s called “fresh expressions” of church and it’s a “both/and” addition to traditional expressions of church, insists Brotherwood, who was introduced to General Synod Mon. Jun. 7 by Bishop Colin Johnson of the diocese of Toronto. Bishop Johnson, one of a growing number of Canadian bishops who actively support missional expressions of church, is also metropolitan (senior bishop) of the ecclesiastical province of Ontario. Read the story.
'A beautiful, beautiful sight'
Celebration of diocese’s 300th anniversary draws thousands to Exhibition Park
by Neale Adams
Anglican Journal
June 7, 2010
The diocese of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island marked the 300th anniversary of continuous Anglican presence and worship Sunday afternoon, June 6, with a large celebration that welcomed about 300 members of the General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada as special guests. The three-hour spectacle featured a choir of 200 voices drawn from diocesan parishes, an orchestra, an historic pageant and liturgical dancers. It took place in a large building that often is the venue for trade shows and similar events. Read the story.
A Journey Just Begun
Contributions from the Diocese of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island celebrated
by Trina Gallop
General Synod Communications
June 7, 2010
In celebration of 300 years of continuous Anglican presence and worship in the Diocese of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, members of General Synod 2010 were treated to a magnificent worship service at Exhibition Grounds in Halifax, Nova Scotia on June 6. Titled, “A Journey Just Begin”, the service of thanksgiving and celebration featured highlights of the events that have shaped and formed the diocese. A drama team presented a series of vignettes depicting the struggles of Nova Scotia’s first Bishop Charles Inglis, how the Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund was born in the region following the 1959 Springhill Mine Disaster, and the challenges to those seeking the ordination of women within the diocese. Read the story.
Faithful Reporting Provides Foundation for General Synod 2010 Sexuality Discernment Process
by Trina Gallop
General Synod Communications
June 7, 2010
Discussions on human sexuality have been at the forefront of church deliberations for many years. On the third full day of General Synod 2010, representatives from committees and commissions that have done considerable work in this area, along with Archbishop Fred Hiltz, shared with the members of General Synod an overview of discussions, actions and statements on this topic which have taken place since General Synod 2007. Read the story.
No more winners and losers
New style of respectful listening and dialogue presented in same-sex blessings debate
by Marites N. Sison
Anglican Journal
June 6, 2010
How General Synod delegates may discuss the place of gays and lesbians in the Anglican Church of Canada could more closely resemble the Zulu concept of “indaba” than the wild and wooly debating style found in the House of Commons. The process was introduced in a 90-minute session at General Synod 2010 in Halifax, and emphasized respectful listening and dialogue rather than what synod has known in the past: long, heated debates with winners and losers. Read the story.
Birds and Bees
Faith, worship and ministry committee conducts a new kind of sex education
by Leigh Anne Williams
Anglican Journal
June 6, 2010
General Synod 2007 asked the faith, worship and ministry committee to develop a process to engage dioceses and parishes in the study of the Christian perspective on human sexuality. “We were to create an opportunity for all of us to step away from the hotly debated issues surrounding…the blessing of same-sex unions [and] to engage in dialogue and study of the more general topic of human sexuality,” explained Leila Zimmer. The primate appointed Zimmer the anchor person for the sexuality task group, and she reported the results of its work to General Synod 2010. Read the story.
Constant comment
Vision 2019 getting lots of feedback from GS delegates
by Neale Adams
Anglican Journal
June 6, 2010
Vision 2019, the strategic plan proposed at General Synod 2010 to set the direction of the Anglican Church of Canada over the next decade, arose out of the input from than a 1,000 Anglicans—and it’s still getting lots more. On Sat. Jun. 5, delegates at the triennial meeting in Halifax lined up to comment. After participating in discussion groups, 23 delegates spoke. Most speakers endorsed the plan but felt that their area of interest had been left out or not emphasized sufficiently. One area several delegates wanted reworked was more mention of evangelism. “It is lacking in evangelism,” commented Ed Norman of the diocese of BC. “I think we should say it and we should do it.” Read the story.
Budget blowout
Big cuts to national programs, staff in 2011
by Neale Adams
Anglican Journal
June 6, 2010
Declining revenue from dioceses and decisions made by the Council of General Synod (CoGS), will result in a cut of about $1.1 million in 2011 from the Church’s current $10 million budget. This message was delivered to General Synod delegates on Sat. Jun. 5 by Michele George, treasurer of the Anglican Church of Canada. Monica Patten, chair of the financial management and development committee (FMDC), and George briefed General Synod delegates on the current state of planning for the 2011 budget. Read the story.
Lose the attitude
Sporadic commitment to youth ministry damaging, says Steers
by Leigh Anne Williams
Anglican Journal
June 6, 2010
“Why are you wasting your PhD doing youth ministry? You should be out there doing real ministry.” This view, encountered by one of her youth ministry colleagues, is all too common throughout the church, said Judy Steers, the co-ordinator for youth initiatives for the Anglican Church of Canada. “It is up to you to get rid of that attitude anywhere you see it,” Steers told delegates to General Synod 2010. “I am sending you out as 350-odd prophets advocating for youth ministry. Read the story.
PWRDF – An Instrument of Faith
by Trina Gallop
General Synod Communications
June 06, 2010
For over 50 years, the Primate's World Relief and Development Fund (PWRDF) has been mobilizing and energizing people around the world. On the second full day of General Synod 2010, members heard highlights of this "instrument of faith" and how PWRDF "changes lives and changes communities." Adele Finney, PWRDF Interim Executive Director, expressed gratitude for the, "incredible support of Anglicans across Canada." As of the end of 2009, over $94 million had been donated in support of PWRDF work, along with prayers and, "countless hours of time and energy." Read the story.
‘We are a people of hope’
Bishop from diocese of Jerusalem tells Synod delegation to keep up the good work
by Marites N. Sison
Anglican Journal
June 5, 2010
Halifax: The bishop of the Episcopal diocese of Jerusalem, Suheil Dawani, today urged members of General Synod to continue the Anglican Church of Canada’s support for the peace process in the Middle East. He said that continuing violence and the “rise of extremism” is forcing more Christians to leave the Holy Land. “You have the opportunity to provide hope,” said Bishop Dawani, addressing members of General Synod gathered here for their triennial meeting. “…Challenges to Christian ministry throughout the five regions (Palestine, Jordan, Lebanon, Israel and Syria) are ongoing. The rise of extremism borne of increasing frustration…about the stagnation of the peace process continues.” Read the story.
PWRDF gives thanks for 50 years of support
‘Money isn’t half the story,’ says interim director
by Marites N. Sison
Anglican Journal
June 5, 2010
From a video that offered a visual summary of 50 years’ worth of advocacy for the world’s poor and dispossessed, to short narratives of the impact that various projects have made on the lives of many people, The Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund (PWRDF) tonight gave thanks to Canadian Anglicans who have been supporting its work since 1959. “How do we say thank you for 50 years of support?” asked Adele Finney, interim director of PWRDF, the Anglican Church of Canada’s relief and development arm. Addressing members of General Synod who have gathered here for their triennial meeting, Finney said that since its creation on Sept. 7, 1959, Canadian Anglicans have donated $94 million to support the work of PWRDF in 25 countries, including Canada. But, she added, “money isn’t even half of the story; there’s much more than financial impact…” Read the story.
Peace and reconciliation
Bishop Suheil Dawani reveals the roots of his ministry in the diocese of Jerusalem
by Leigh Anne Williams
Anglican Journal
June 5
After visiting the Holy Land last summer, Archbishop Fred Hiltz wanted to strengthen ties with the Episcopal diocese of Jerusalem. So the primate of the Anglican Church of Canada invited Bishop Suheil Dawani to attend General Synod 2010 in Halifax. Since his installation in 2007, Bishop Dawani has focused his attention on a ministry of peace and reconciliation. He sat down with Leigh Anne Williams shortly before he addressed synod members. Read their conversation.
Falby gets another kick at the can as Prolocutor
Election of Deputy Prolocutor to take place later this week
by Neale Adams
Anglican Journal
June 5, 2010
Robert (“Bob”) Falby, a lay canon in the diocese of Toronto where he is Chancellor (chief legal officer), was elected Deputy Prolocutor at the last meeting of the General Synod in 2007. The next year, Stephen Andrews, who had been elected bishop of the Diocese of Algoma, and Canon Falby, took over the Prolocutor’s job. The Prolocutor–a Latin word meaning the “speaker” of a convocation–is the second highest elected official in the church after Archbishop Fred Hiltz and a member of the Council of General Synod (COGs). He is an alternative chair to the Synod and COGs. Read the story and watch a video.
Chillin’ with Fred
‘Claim your place on the floor of synod,’ primate tells youth
by Harvey Shepherd
Anglican Journal
June 5, 2010
Halifax: They are youth delegates to General Synod 2010 and 22 of them achieved quick rapport with their primate, Archbishop Fred Hiltz, at an informal lunch Saturday. “This is a great conversation,” the enthusiastic primate commented about midway through the gathering. “I wish it were something the whole synod could have.” Read the story.
How do we determine CoGS representation?
Resolution ‘not perfect but a lot better than what we have now,’ says Archbishop
by Marites N. Sison
Anglican Journal
June 5, 2010
General Synod wrestled with key issues around the way the church governs itself and approved, after considerable debate, a resolution reducing the size of the Council of General Synod (CoGS) from 42 to 28 members. The governing body of the Anglican Church of Canada also agreed to reconsider an earlier decision to reject a resolution that changes the basis for determining the number of lay and clergy members representatives to CoGS from each diocese. The resolution was defeated when it did not receive the required two-thirds majority vote from laity, clergy and bishops. Later, however, Archbishop David Ashdown, metropolitan of the ecclesiastical province of Rupert’s Land, and Archbishop Claude Miller, metropolitan of the ecclesiastical province of Canada, put forward a motion to reconsider the quashed resolution noting that it had received at least a 60 per cent vote from each order. Eighty lay members had voted in favour of the resolution and 50 were against it. In the order of bishops, 24 voted yes, and 15, no; Sixty clergy voted yes and 42 voted no. Read the story.
General Synod sets goal of zero budget deficit by 2012
No more than 10% of funds should come from bequests
by Neale Adams
Anglican Journal
June 4, 2010
Video interview with expenditures committee chair Rob Dickson
A motion that three officials–the Primate, the General Secretary, and the Prolocutor–be given the power to decide whether expenditures authorized by General Synod should go ahead–was approved by the General Synod Friday. However, synod members were unwilling to pass the motion without an appeal provision, and amended it to say decisions made by these three people could be “reconsidered” by the Council of General Synod (COGs), currently a 42-member body that makes decisions for the church between the triennial General Synod. Read the story.
Canadian Church allies with Episcopal Church
Archbishop Hiltz echoes objections to proposed sanctions
by Neale Adams
Anglican Journal
June 4, 2010
Archbishop Fred Hiltz, primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, has allied himself with the U.S. Episcopal Church in a dispute with the Archbishop of Canterbury. Archbishop Hiltz repeated some of the objections made by the Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori, Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church, to the Pentecost Letter that Archbishop Rowan Williams sent to the Communion May 28. Archbishop Williams’ four-page missive concerned the ordination of openly homosexual bishops and the blessing of same-sex unions. In 2004, a majority of the Communion’s Primates (Chief Bishops) decreed that a moratorium was to be placed on these acts, along with cross-border Anglican interventions. Read the story.
Why adopt Vision 2019?
Task Force presents top 10 reasons
by Neale Adams
Anglican Journal
June 4, 2010
Confessing that “I’ve always wanted to be on the Letterman Show,” the Very Rev. Peter Elliott gave the "top 10 reasons" why General Synod delegates should adopt Vision 2019. Dean Elliott’s presentation was the synod’s introduction to what promises to be the strategic plan for the Anglican Church of Canada over the next decade. The top 10 reasons came up on the General Synod’s giant video screen in reverse order as they do on the late night television show. Read the story.
The laws of attraction
Freshly-baked bannock lures many
by Marites N. Sison
Anglican Journal
June 4, 2010
There’s an art to attracting people to gather and linger at your display and Fiona Brownlee, communications co-ordinator of the Council of the North, has it figured out. Brownlee is a veteran of quite a few General Synods, the triennial gathering of the Anglican Church of Canada’s governing body, and she knows that the best way to a member’s heart is through his or her stomach. And so, what better way to introduce the Council–a grouping of the church’s dioceses that minister to isolated communities in the North–than through freshly-baked bannock, a type of hearty bread prepared by many indigenous North Americans? Read the story.
‘Train is on the track’ for Vision 2019, says Dean Elliot
by Neale Adams
Anglican Journal
For a video interview of Dean Peter Elliot, chair of the Vision 2019 Task Force, please go to: www.youtube.com/watch. Getting any large organization to work together with a common mission isn’t easy. But, once again, General Synod will be asked to try. Beginning on Fri. Jun. 4, and continuing for several days, members will be asked to consider, possibly amend, and finally, to adopt the report of the Vision 2019 Task Group chaired by the Very Rev. Peter Elliott, dean of the diocese of New Westminster. Read the story.
Colour and joy mark opening service
by Marites N. Sison
Anglican Journal
June 3, 2010
In spite of cold temperatures, fog and light rain, delegates and visitors to General Synod 2010 here in Halifax officially began their triennial meeting tonight with a warm and highly symbolic opening service at the historic Cathedral Church of All Saints. Reflecting the meeting’s theme, Feeling the Winds of God – Charting a New Course, bishops, General Synod members, church partners and visitors processed behind sails of yellow, blue, red and green–the colours of the four ecclesiastical provinces of the Anglican Church of Canada. Bearers of the sail wore sashes made of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island tartan, representing the diocese hosting the assembly of the church’s governing body. Read the story.
‘Show more love and appreciation for each other’
Bishop Tamayo delivers message of hope
by Marites N. Sison
Anglican Journal
June 3, 2010
Archbishop Fred Hiltz, primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, has often described Miguel Tamayo, the bishop of Uruguay and Cuba, as an “electrifying” speaker who can energize a crowd with a combination of passion and humour.Delegates to the 2010 General Synod will have a chance to experience this when Bishop Tamayo’s preaches at tonight’s opening service at the Cathedral Church of All Saints in Halifax. Bishop Tamayo, who will retire in November as bishop of Cuba after a seven-year term, and his wife, the Rev. Martha Lopez, have also been invited as partners to the triennial gathering of the Anglican Church of Canada’s governing body. Read the story.
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