New Brunswick Anglicans support DIMS and covenant study, will consider less frequent synods

by Ana Watts
The six resolutions presented to the 131st Synod of the Diocese of Fredericton held in Fredericton Oct. 28 and 29 called for the possibility of three years between synods, consequences for failure to provide parish data through DIMS (the Diocesan Information Management System), improved preparation for greater chapter meetings, study of the proposed Anglican Covenant, and the development of a protocol for church closing and deconsecrating. It also readdressed the issue of embryonic stem cell research raised at the 2009 diocesan synod in Saint John. They all passed easily and mostly unanimously with little or no discussion.

Concerned with the significant cost of a synod, Betty Kennett and Rod Langis of the Parish of Hampton gave notice that at Synod 2013 they will move the diocesan constitution be amended to allow, with the approval of the bishop, the time between synods to be extended to three years.

Ann Fairweather of Rothesay and the Rev. Chris Hayes of Quispamsis moved that the issue of incomplete data in DIMS be referred to Diocesan Council for review and corrective action. Canon law requires annual parish statistical returns to be filed with the diocese through DIMS. The information in these returns is essential to many administrative and planning tasks but some parishes do not file them at all and others make incomplete returns.

A motion from Professor David Bell and Lawrence Carpenter of the Parish of Richmond called for greater procedural accessibility in order to strengthen the role of Greater Chapter meetings. They moved that, as far as practicable, the notice of meeting for a greater chapter would include a call for suggested agenda items and that a draft agenda be circulated (or otherwise made available) at least seven days prior to the meeting. During discussion of the motion some concern was raised that last-minute items could not be accommodated, or that meetings could be declared invalid if the agenda were not circulated the seven days in advance. Diocesan Chancellor Clyde Spinney said “as practicable” indicated not every item had to be included on the agenda and the seven-day notice was “not essential or fatal to the legitimacy of the meeting.” The intent was to make the chapter meetings more accessible to lay input. The motion passed with a few nay votes.

A motion to encourage clergy, synod delegates and parishes to study the draft Anglican Covenant with the best aids and commentary that can be found in preparation for the next synod was brought to synod by the Rev. Chris VanBuskirk of Moncton (on behalf of the Rev. Dr. Ranall Ingalls of Saint John, the original mover, who was absent from synod) and Shara Golden of Fredericton Junction. They feel all Anglicans will have an impact on whether or not the document is ratified by the way they act or refrain from acting, so they should all be well informed on the issue. The document can be found here http://www.anglicancommunion.org/commission/covenant/final/text.cfm, a section of the Anglican Communion website http://www.anglicancommunion.org/.

Aging buildings and congregations have contributed to the rise in the number of church buildings deconsecrated in recent years. The Rev. Canon John Cathcart recently dealt with the issue in his parish of Marysville and found it a stressful, emotional and difficult time for everyone involved. He and his seconder, Archdeacon Pat Drummond, called for a team to produce a document to assist incumbents and churchwardens with the process of church building closure from the beginning of the process to its conclusion with guidelines to assist parishes in making the decision, references regarding canons, policies and guidelines already in place to deal with issue.

A resolution calling for a diocesan position on embryonic stem cell research was passed at Synod 2009. A committee was struck by Diocesan Council to study the issue and found it impossible to do the kind of research necessary with its limited resources and that no real difference would be made by further study by that body. As a result Archdeacons Vicars Hodge (instead of Archdeacon Geoffrey Hall who was absent from synod) and David Barrett noted the diocese is thankful that the important ethical issues surrounding the topic of embryonic stem cell research were brought to the attention of the Church in the Diocese of Fredericton, and at the same time were mindful of the depth of complexity of the topic. The existing position of the Anglican Church (echoing that of the Anglican Communion) is the sacred nature of all life.

 

Ana Watts is Diocesan Communications Officer

09 November 2011
Diocesan Communications