Archdeacon Patricia Drummond, third from the right in the back row, asked a passer-by to take a photo of most of the people from the Diocese of Fredericton who were at General Synod. They are, left to right, front row: Archdeacon Geoffrey Hall, Archbishop Claude Miller’s executive assistant and a clergy member of synod; Sharon Miller, the Archbishop’s wife and a guest of synod; Archdeacons Vicars Hodge and David Edwards, clergy members of synod; and Shara Golden, a lay member of synod. Back row: Archbishop Miller, a House of Bishops member of synod; Ron Stevenson, chancellor of General Synod; Ted Quann, Rob Marsh and Emily Jacobs, lay members of synod; Archdeacon Drummond; Bob Brittain, lay member of synod; and Peter Irish, board member of the Anglican Foundation attending synod as a member of General Synod staff.
General Synod 2010 —
a positive experience
Comments from New Brunswick Anglicans
Bob Brittain, Lay member, Parish of Lancaster
For me the highlight of General Synod was being part of such a large group of people (350 delegates) who were all enthusiastic about our church. The spirit of the gathering was positive throughout; people were passionate about doing the business of the church. The mood was set by our Primate Archbishop Fred Hiltz whose compassion and grace was evident in the way he addressed us and in the way he welcomed and interacted with our guests. It was obvious that he was fond of them, and they of him. The sexuality discussion group exercises were difficult for me but the result left all, including me, feeling uplifted by what we accomplished. While not agreeing on the issue we did listen respectfully to each other and agreed to continue dialogue. In one sense General Synod is a nine-day endurance test. Twelve-hour days attempting to absorb piles of information in order to make informed decisions left me exhausted, and yet by day nine I was feeling nothing but optimism and even euphoria at what had been accomplished and the mission that lay ahead. I was blessed to share this experience with a group of delegates from our diocese including our Archbishop who were totally committed to doing the work and engaging in the process and who were deeply sensitive to my feelings when we disagreed on some issues. I am indebted to my parish and our Diocesan Synod for giving me this opportunity the memory of which will remain with me and have an influence on my life
Pat Drummond, Clergy Member, Archdeacon of Fredericton
This was my first General Synod so I can’t compare if first hand with others, but I have heard about them. In particular I have heard about the hurt and hatefulness, the antagonism and animosity experienced in the lengthy debates on same sex blessings. This General Synod was different. There was no discussion on these subjects on the floor of the house. The discussion was rather in groups of about twenty, led by a trained moderator, and with the points made being recorded on a laptop by an independent observer. Everyone was invited to express their point of view on certain topics connected with the subject, and the talk flowed around a circle. The initial topic was reactions to the House of Bishop’s October, 2008 statement on the subject. Discussion in my group was quiet and respectful, although people were heard and there were many different views expressed. After the groups had met the recorders passed in their work and the results were assembled and presented to the House the next day. There was a second discussion the day after that, and the result was the statement which was subsequently passed in plenary. A number of people had prepared additional resolutions around the same subject, but our own Archdeacon Vicars Hodge was the first to rise to move his motion and offered to withdraw it if the others would also withdraw theirs. The House agreed to allow those moving and seconding motions to meet for a few minutes and the result was a withdrawal of all additional motions. There was a standing ovation. The result, then, is a document, which affirms a passionate commitment to continuing to walk together while continuing ongoing discernment and dialogue and refusing to impose a decision or action on the church at this time.
Peter Irish, General Synod staff
This was the best General Synod I have ever attended, and I have attended more than a few. Our Primate in his closing remarks described this synod as "Grace filled and Spirit led.” And it showed in the general good mood of the synod, but mostly in the gentleness with an air of listening that I observed as delegates from all positions on the same-sex issue discussed human sexuality in small groups. Gone was the animosity and politics that I saw at previous sessions, as "Anglicans" sat down to discern, not legislate a way forward. I feel the statement that was produced at the end of the discussion accurately described where we were in the sexuality discernment process at this synod and the motions to distribute the statement and continue the discernment process will lead us gently forward. None of this was an accident but had much to do with the leadership provided by our Primate. He set the tone and expectations in his opening remarks, gently led us through the synod with grace, listening and a touch of humour and sent us on our way as he said in his closing remarks,” Feeling the winds of God, lifting our sails and charting a new course."
Emily Jacobs, Youth Member
I experienced the diversity of our Church throughout the country, something that I have had little opportunity to do before. This resulted in something like culture shock for me. However, there was certainly also great encouragement, learning and lots of fun. Through the discussions that took place between people of very different contexts, I left with a real appreciation for the National Church, a more open perspective, and many new friends.
With the adoption of Vision 2019 come many possibilities for our Church as we begin to focus once again on God’s mission. This long-needed perspective change was received with much enthusiasm. Personally I was also encouraged by youth initiatives at the national level. This includes the movement to view younger people not as a separate class requiring special attention, but as full and equal members of Christ’s Church right now. My hope is that we can follow through with the priorities outlined in the report and become even more relevant to the world around us.
Ron Stevenson, Chancellor of General Synod
It has been said that when one Anglican changes a light bulb three others form a Society to Preserve the Old Bulb. Not so at General Synod 2010. In the positive tone that prevailed many light bulbs were changed. A vision of our role in God's mission for the next nine years was adopted. The size of the synod's council was reduced by about one-third even though it means not all dioceses are represented on the council. The synod took the first step toward a new formula for determining how many lay and clergy members dioceses should elect to General Synod. The places of the National Indigenous Bishop, the Council of Indigenous Peoples and the Sacred Circles were enshrined in a Canon. And after three discussion group sessions on issues of human sexuality the synod affirmed a Sexual Discernment statement and asked that it be sent to all bishops for local distribution. Once again the synod requested all dioceses and others to engage in theological and scriptural study of human sexuality in the coming three years in conversation with gay and lesbian voices, and with the full range of theological opinion in the Canadian Church. That plea has been made before but has been largely ignored in this diocese. Perhaps this time we will respond.
Ron Stevenson retires as Chancellor of General Synod on Sept. 30, 2010.