Who Asked for it?: General Synod, 1995

Action(s) Requested of FWM: Monitor the Joint Working Group and name members to it; consider recommendations and bring policy issues to the Council of General Synod; promote and evaluate programs; report progress to the 1998 General Synod and enable decisions in 2001.

FWM Member(s) Responsible: Jim Cowan Iain Luke

Other People Working on it: Anglicans on the Working Group: Jim Cowan (Co-Chair); Iain Luke; Richard Leggett; Heather Labrie; Mary Holmen; Bishop Fred Hiltz.

Other Committees/Groups Involved: House of Bishops; any groups with parallel agenda (e.g. Partners in Mission, Eco-justice); Chancellor; dioceses and parishes for study.

Staff: Alyson; Cindy Halmerson for the ELCIC

Timeline: To propose resolutions for General Synod and the ELCIC National Convention which will meet conjointly in 2001; members will normally serve until then.

Developments to March ‘98: The Joint Working Group has met 5 times and prepared the text of the Declaration. The ELCIC Church Council and CoGS have approved the Draft Declaration of Full Communion (The Waterloo Statement). A resource book "Called to Full Communion" has been published for both churches by ABC as a parish study document. The Commentary on the Draft Declaration is still being written; it will be published separately. Study days have taken place in several dioceses. Consultation has taken place with some Chancellors as to the appropriate canonical and constitutional steps to propose. The House of Bishops has met twice with Lutheran bishops, and will do so each fall through 2001.

Action Requested from this General Synod: In order to facilitate widespread discussion and debate, General Synod is being asked to approve the Draft Declaration of Full Communion (The Waterloo Statement) in principle, and request that dioceses and provinces respond by Advent 2000. It is also asked to give first reading to a canon on the reception and recognition of clergy from churches in full communion. see Resolutions

Documents Required: "Called to Full Communion", green booklet included in the Convening Circular mailing which contains The Waterloo Declaration and study material; text of proposed Canon IV regarding clergy from churches in full communion.

Next Steps: Widespread study and discussion in parishes, dioceses, and provinces. Consideration of amendments to the Draft Declaration and a decision in 2001. The ELCIC will also make a decision in 2001, at concurrent meeting of its National Convention with General Synod, in Waterloo. Second reading to Canon IV in 2001 (if first reading has passed).

Who Has Asked for it?: General Synod, 1995

Action(s) Requested of FWM:: to provide leadership for the process of learning, dialogue and the development of plans of action by parishes and dioceses called for in the recommendations of the Task Force and to report to General Synod 1998

FWM Member(s)(s) Responsible: Jim Cowan Victoria Matthews, Iain Luke

Other Committees/Groups Involved: House of Bishops; Eco-Justice

Staff: Eric

Timeline: Report to General Synod 1998

• A thorough review of all the responses and archival materials related to Hearing Diverse Voices was Undertaken including a diocese by diocese summary. As a result of that review several courses of action were proposed. Consideration was given to how to respond to criticisms of the study, especially with regard to the areas which attracted the most severe criticism, namely the section on the biblical materials and on the nature of ethical reflection.
• Six biblical scholars were approached to submit written comments on the biblical section with suggestions for what changes, if any, should be made. The responses were appreciative of the attempt to be even handed but most felt that that in the attempt to be even handed the diversity of voices was lost. It was decided to ask a small group of the scholars representing some of that diversity to contribute separate pieces that could be edited into a dialogue. This work continues.
• Recognizing the need for the dialogue to have a stronger grass roots base we have requested through CoGS that diocese set up inclusive diocesan commissions to discuss issues of sexuality. We have offered to provide support in facilitating these groups and have offered to coordinate the sharing of information from such commissions. 8 dioceses have responded to the request to establish commissions on sexuality; one has declined, while the others have named a contact person. Two more dioceses are in conversation with the staff about the process.
• Eric has been engaged in several clergy days and in Diocesan and Parish discussions on homosexuality.
• The House of Bishops has issued a new statement revising their 1979 Guidelines (Eric provided staff assistance to the task group). The facts that staff assistance was provided from FWM to the House’s task group and that the House decided to discuss these issues in open session have helped to improve communication between the House and this committee which we hope will be ongoing.

Action Requested from this General Synod: none from FWM

Next Steps:

• FWM to set up a task group consisting of a representative group of Canadian Anglican biblical scholars to prepare a report on the use of the scriptures in moral reflection, with particular reference to matters of sexuality and with reference to singleness, heterosexual marriage and same sex unions to be proposed for study in the Church, with such study materials as may seem appropriate.
• Materials from the sexuality commissions to be collected from the dioceses and shared with other dioceses.

Who Has Asked for it?: General Synod, 1995

Action(s) Requested of FWM: to propose liturgical texts for (a) through (e) to General Synod for authorization for use where permitted by the Ordinary

(d) John Gibaut (e) Victoria Matthews Iain Luke, Paul Hinton, Eileen Scully, Mark Loyal

Other People Working on it: Various people were invited to submit liturgical texts

Other Committees/Groups Involved: House of Bishops, Anglican Council of Indigenous Peoples

Staff: Paul Gibson, Alyson

Timeline: for the 1998 General Synod

Developments to March ‘98: (a)FWM sent 2 ‘inclusive language’ rites to CoGS and the House of Bishops in the fall, and revised them in light of comments. Revised texts were approved by CoGS in March to go to General Synod. (b) The Reformed rite has similarly been reviewed and revised. (c) Two members of FWM met with the Anglican Council of Indigenous Peoples and they are proposing that ACIP take the lead in this matter (d) A French translation of relevant portions of the BAS was offered to the Committee; initial testing revealed some dissatisfaction as it did not meet current norms for French idiom and practice in Canadian francophone communities; FWM proposes to hire a francophone translator. (e) Two proposed Services of the Word have been approved by CoGS to go to General Synod.

Action Requested from this General Synod: To commend the 3 eucharistic prayers the 2 Services of the Word to the Church for trial use, where authorized by the Ordinary, during a three-year period to conclude with the next General Synod; and that the Faith Worship and Ministry Committee be directed to report on the use and reception of the prayers to the next General Synod. see Resolutions

Documents Required: Texts of proposed liturgies are included in Section III of this FWM General Synod Report.

Next Steps: Publish, evaluate, and revise the prayers in the light of their use. Contract with a French translator.

To complete the preparation of a hymn book and to present the completed material to the Council of General Synod for permission to publish for use.

Who Has Asked for it?: General Synod, 1989, 1992, 1995

People who’ve been involved: Members of Task Force, George Black (Chair); Staff: Paul Gibson, Jo Abrams; members of Doctrine and Worship Committee, 1986-1995

Action(s) Requested of FWM:: to monitor the work of the Hymn Book Task Force, and to send a completed text of a new hymn book to the Council of General Synod; to work on publicity and development of educational/promotional material through focus groups

Other People Working on it: The Hymn Book Task Force, George Black (Chair)

Other Committees/Groups Involved: Information Resources (ABC)

Staff: Alyson, Jo, Robert Maclennan (ABC), Paul Gibson

Timeline: publication in late spring

Developments to March ‘98: 20 aboriginal texts added. Copyright virtually completed; some material has had to have been dropped, and other material added as copyright was not secured for all changes. Indices in production. Third proofs being checked. Intention to go to the printers by April, pending Officers’ decision to proceed. Introduction task force completed series of regional workshops; more are planned for the spring and fall.

Action Requested from this General Synod: None, other than to use selected material at the Synod.

Documents: Proofs to date available at the FWM Display at General Synod. Each diocesan office has a copy of the text and music as approved by CoGS in May, 1997.

Next Steps: Printing, publication, more introductory workshops, National Celebration planned for the launch of the book September 27.

Who Has Asked for it?: General Synod, 1995

People who’ve been involved: Members of the Committee on Ministry, Paul Robinson (Chair);

FWM Member(s)(s) Responsible: Lindley Roff, Kay Schmitt, Elizabeth Hutchinson

Other Committees/Groups Involved: Information Resources

Staff: Alyson, Kathy

Action Taken: As Information Resources decided not to produce the video and study guide, FWM contracted with a BC studio to produce a video based on footage taken at the Symposium on Ministry. Costs were kept to a minimum. The video presents the talks on ‘Equipping for Leadership’ given by the Primus of Scotland, the Most Rev’d Richard Holloway. The material was edited so that it could be used as a parish study, and a study guide was prepared to accompany it. The video and study guide are available from diocesan offices and from the national Resource Centre.

Background Documents: Video and study guide "Equipping for Leadership"

Who Has Asked for it?: General Synod has jurisdiction for "the basic standards of theological education, and the qualifications and training of candidates for the ministry of the Church" (Declaration of Principles). National standards and the coordination of work of ACPO were called for by the General Synod of 1969.

People who’ve been involved: Bishop Victoria Matthews; ACPO Secretaries; members of the Consultation on Discernment; 223 respondents from across the country.

Action(s) Requested of FWM:: At the request of FWM and the House of Bishops, the November, 1996 CoGS asked for a consultation on discernment for the ordained ministry in order to address issues arising from new and locally raised forms of ministry, indigenous leadership development, and the phenomenon of parallel processes of discernment to ACPO, and report back with recommendations.

Other People Working on it: ACPO Provincial Secretaries

Other Committees/Groups Involved: House of Bishops

Staff: Alyson

Timeline: ongoing, by the House of Bishops

Developments to March ‘98: CoGS adopted the resolutions from the Consultation on Discernment, together with most revisions from the House of Bishops . It agreed that ACPO would be the responsibility of the House of Bishops, and that it would be managed by a Coordinating Committee consisting of a bishop, the ACPO secretary, and an assessor from each of the Ecclesiastical Provinces.

Actions Requested by this General Synod: None.

Documents: Resolutions from the Council of General Synod and a summary of the Interim Report of the Consultation on Discernment are in Section III of this FWM General Synod Report. Copies of the full report are available at the FWM Display.

Who Has Asked for it?: The Strategic Plan calls for fostering and facilitating collaboration between colleges, and with the national church. Heads of Colleges are a largely self-financing network of theological educators. General Synod has jurisdiction for "the basic standards of theological education, and the qualifications and training of candidates for the ministry of the Church" (Declaration of Principles).

People who’ve been involved: Representatives of the Anglican colleges and theological schools. Members of the Consultation on Discernment for Ordained Ministry.

Staff: Alyson; in future, Barbara Liotscos

Action(s) Requested of FWM:: to receive reports and propose policy as necessary; to monitor developments and consider appropriate action for the national level. At the request of CoGS, in light of the Consultation on Discernment, to undertake a feasibility study on core curriculum for theological education.

Other Committees/Groups Involved: House of Bishops

Staff: Alyson; in future, Barbara Liotscos

Timeline: ongoing

Developments to March ‘98: CoGS has requested that a feasibility study as to whether General Synod should develop a core curriculum for all those being prepared for ordination to the priesthood. Details of the proposal are in the Consultation on Discernment Report and the resulting resolutions.

Documents: Interim Report of the Consultation on Discernment for Ordained Ministry; summary in Section III of this Report; complete text at the FWM Display.

Next Steps: Theological education will be part of the portfolio for the Consultant for Ministry and Worship. The next Heads of Colleges meeting is June 17-19 in Toronto, and conversation will begin with them about the issues and processes involved. The next FWM Committee will have responsibility for carrying out the study and making recommendations.

Who Has Asked for it?: ongoing commitment to work ecumenically on theological education

People who’ve been involved: Anglicans have been appointed for 4 year terms, one every year for continuity. David Woeller (1995) , Paul Gibson (1996) , and John Chapman (1997) are present members.

Action(s) Requested of FWM: to hear reports from Anglican members, review and propose policy, nominate members

Other People Working on it: Paul Gibson (96), John Chapman (97) , Alyson Barnett-Cowan (98) Boyd Morgan (99), Alan Hayes (00), Barbara Liotscos (01)

Other Committees/Groups Involved: CCTE is loosely associated with the Canadian Council of Churches; theological colleges

Staff: Alyson; Barbara

Timeline: ongoing

Developments to March ‘98: CCTE holds biennial gatherings of representatives from Canadian theological colleges and sponsors ecumenical events such as the Canadian Theological Students’ Conference. It is a meeting place for theological educators and has some grant money available for research projects and data collection relating to theological education.

Action Requested from this General Synod: None.

To recommend to the Primate criteria for his consideration as he appoints members of the Commission. To pay attention to the work of the Commission.

Who Has Asked for it?: The Primate, in preparing to act on a resolution of General Synod, 1995

People who’ve been involved: BAS Evaluation Commission members; Doctrine Sub-committee of Doctrine and Worship members

Action(s) Requested of FWM: to pay attention to the work of the Commission, but not to direct it, set its agenda, or propose policy on its behalf

FWM Member(s)(s) Responsible: Victoria Matthews, Alan Hayes

Other People Working on it: members of Commission

Other Committees/Groups Involved The Primate; Anglican Council of Indigenous Peoples

Staff: Alyson

Timeline: (1) Criteria to be proposed at first meeting; (2) ongoing. The first meeting of the Commission is proposed for November 14-17, 1996.

Developments to March ‘98: The Commission met in Montreal in November at Unitas House shared their responses to their first working topic, revelation: "How do we speak of and understand the role of revelation in that reflective activity that is the human attempt to approach God’s self-understanding?//What do we mean by revelation and what difference does it make?" The topic chosen for June in Walpole Island is "What is the relationship between Scripture and culture?"

Action Requested from this General Synod: The Commission will make its own report.

Who Has Asked for it?: The ARC dialogue began in Canada in 1971; ARCIC has been meeting since 1970. Several General Synods have reaffirmed the work of the dialogue. The final meeting of Inter-Church Inter-Faith Relations Committee named this dialogue, together with Anglican-Lutheran dialogue, as the first priority to be continued.

People who’ve been involved: John Baycroft (ARCIC II and Co-Chair ARC); Robert Black, John Hill, Linda Nicholls, John Gibaut, Patricia Kirkpatrick, John Simons, Don Thompson, (ARC).

Action(s) Requested of FWM: to receive reports from Canadian Anglican members of the dialogue; to review membership and nominate Canadian Anglican members; to make the results of the dialogue known; to propose policy arising from the dialogue.

FWM Member(s)(s) Responsible: John Gibaut, Iain Luke, Elizabeth Hutchinson

Other People Working on it: The Primate and 8 Canadian Anglican bishops (2 from each province) meet with 8 Roman Catholic bishops, once a year.

Other Committees/Groups Involved: House of Bishops, Diocesan Ecumenical Officers

Staff: Alyson

Timeline: ongoing

Developments to March ‘98: The theological dialogue assisted the Bishops’ Dialogue in reflecting on a response to the Pope’s invitation in Ut Unum Sint to offer advice as to how he might exercise his ministry of primacy in a new situation. A brochure and study guide have been prepared on persons and participation (a follow-up to the ARCIC agreed statement Life in Christ) "On the Way Together: a people created for the common good", which is presently being translated. Linda Nicholls and Don Thompson have resigned and replacements are being sought. Bishop Bruce Stavert has agreed to join the dialogue.

Action Requested from this General Synod: None.

.Task 11: The Coming of the Third Millennium

To consider various requests for marking the turn of the millennium.

Who Has Asked for it?: The Officers of General Synod, January 1996

People who’ve been involved: There have been requests from several quarters, both Anglican and ecumenical, to mark the turn of the millennium in an appropriate way.

Action(s) Requested of FWM: to consider and report to the Council of General Synod

Other Committees/Groups Involved: Eco-justice; Anglican/Roman Catholic Dialogue; Canadian Council of Churches; Canadian Jubilee Initiative; Information Resources (ABC interested in resources).

Staff: Eric, Alyson

Timeline: to 2000, or 2001

Developments to March ‘98: Barry has been collecting a list of contact names in dioceses of people who are interested in coordinating efforts. The Canadian Jubilee Initiative is an ecumenical gathering which has concrete proposals, relating to themes of liberation for land and people. A staff group at Church House has been meeting across the system to collect resources for a possible common project. CoGS has asked the next FWM Committee to establish a joint task group with Ecojustice, Partners in Mission, PWRDF, and Information Resources to develop materials and coordinate plans for the marking of the Jubilee.

Action Requested from this General Synod: There has been a request for agenda time to launch the jubilee initiative at General Synod, with some education relating to the theme.

Documents: Material relating to the theme will be available in displays and in the reports of Ecojustice and PWRDF.

Who Has Asked for it?: Diocesan Ecumenical Officers at their last conference in the spring of 1993 (conferences used to be held every two years)

People who’ve been involved: Most dioceses have ecumenical officers, named by the bishop.

Action(s) Requested of FWM: to ensure funding, propose topics, and endorse the holding of a gathering which would be for information sharing and mutual education

Other Committees/Groups Involved: Centre for Ecumenism, Montreal

Staff: Alyson

Timeline: ongoing

Developments to March ‘98: A full meeting of the network took place in June, 1996 in Montreal in connection with the Summer Ecumenical Institute of the Canadian Centre for Ecumenism. Western members gathered at the SEI in Calgary in June, 1997. Some may attend a francophone Institute at Laval just prior to General Synod.

Action Requested from this General Synod: None.

Who Has Asked for it?: Inter-Church Inter-Faith Relations invited members of the Doctrine and Worship Committee to join its’ Inter-Faith Working Group in preparing guidelines for marriage and for worship involving persons of other faith traditions. The first task was completed and approved by NEC in March, 1995; the task force met in November, 1995 to draft the proposed text.

People who’ve been involved: Bishop Michael Ingham, Marks McAvity, Jagdutt Singh, Barbara Clay, Bill Crockett, Paul Gibson, Alyson Barnett-Cowan

Action(s) Requested of FWM: to complete the Guidelines and take them to CoGS for approval to publish

Other Committees/Groups Involved: House of Bishops, CoGS

Staff: Eric

Documents: Guidelines (published in "Occasional Celebrations")

Who Has Asked for it?: General Synod has repeatedly affirmed participation

People who’ve been involved: with Jews: Paul Jennings, Eric Beresford; with Muslims, Eric Beresford. As staff for the Faith and Witness Commission of the Canadian Council of Churches, Eileen Scully participates regularly in all the groups

Action(s) Requested of FWM: to monitor inter-faith dialogues, review membership, provide funding, promote principles and content of dialogue, propose policy

FWM Member(s) Responsible: Elizabeth Hutchinson, Eileen Scully

Other Committees/Groups Involved: Partners in Mission, Eco-justice

Staff: Eric

Timeline: ongoing

Developments to March ‘98: FWM has continued its involvement in two national dialogues; the National Christian Muslim Liaison Committee (NCMLC) and the (CCJC) Canadian Christian Jewish Consultation.

• With the Canadian Christian Jewish Consultation, and several other interfaith and ecumenical partners, we participated in a meeting with the then Justice Minister Alan Rock on the governments activity with regard to suspected war criminals. At that meeting a statement was released by the Primate.
• We have participated in the organization of several seminars with CCJC and most recently participated in a seminar which included CCJC and the NCMLC. This was the first time there would be a common event among these groups.
• The CCJC has provided a forum for the consideration of policies being developed by ourselves and our partner churches. Currently there is a discussion of the United Church of Canada Document, Bearing Faithful Witness.
• With the NCMLC we have participated in the organization of an annual dinner meeting to honour those who have made outstanding contributions to Muslim Christian Relations. The first dinner honoured the work of Wilfred Cantwell-Smith and Tahir Aziz.
• There has been some discussion with regard to how the NCMLC might be enabled to be more genuinely national in its representation. One of the difficulties relates to how appointments are made to the NCMLC and how the structures work in the various faith bodies.
• The Interfaith Commission of the Canadian Council of Churches has met several times and is seeking to redefine its role. It is an important forum for ecumenical planning for interfaith activity and a useful context in which to attempt to expand interfaith involvement ecumenically and at the national level.
• Several Anglicans have participated in the North American Interfaith Network Conferences. The most recent was in Columbia, SC. The next will be held in Edmonton in August. The committee has been exploring involvements with the WCRP and with the Parliament of the World’s Religions. Both bodies will have major international meetings in 1999.
• There is some concern about the need to engage interfaith issues at the grass roots level, and to maintain the lines of communication between national dialogues and local initiatives.

Action Requested from this General Synod: None

Next Steps: Eric is to write to dioceses and ask them to identify what is happening in the inter-faith area. In addition, he can remind them that they were requested by the 1992 General Synod to name inter-faith officers.

Who Has Asked for it?: The National Executive Council and General Synod have repeatedly affirmed membership in the CCC. The mandate of FWM includes relating to the CCC in areas of worship, doctrine, and theological education.

People who’ve been involved: Don Thompson (recently resigned), Wendy Fletcher-Marsh, Alyson Barnett-Cowan

Action(s) Requested of FWM: to receive reports from Anglican members, review documents, make recommendations on policy arising, disseminate any material relevant to the wider church, propose names for membership in relevant bodies through the Partners in Mission Committee. To monitor and participate in groups under the umbrella of the Commission (inter-faith dialogues, Week of Prayer Committee).

FWM Member(s) Responsible: Paul Hinton Eileen Scully

Other Committees/Groups Involved: most churches belonging to the CCC; Partners in Mission Committee

Staff: Alyson, Eric (Ellie Johnson, for budget)

Timeline: ongoing

Developments to March ‘98: The Commission will be publishing a book on marriage, which collects the perspectives of each of the member churches, to assist couples who are from different church backgrounds. They produced a joint statement on euthanasia, which informed the Anglican statement being brought to General Synod. They are presently discussing the nature of Christ.

Action Requested from this General Synod: None.

Who Has Asked for it?: The National Executive Council and General Synod have repeatedly affirmed membership in the WCC. The Strategic Plan’s mandate for FWM includes relating to the WCC in the areas of worship, doctrine, and theological education.

People who’ve been involved: Alyson Barnett-Cowan is the Canadian representative on the Unit I Commission, and a Canadian Anglican representative on the Plenary Commission of Faith and Order (a 7-year term which concludes with the WCC Assembly in 1998) Wendy Fletcher-Marsh, A.J. Finlay, Gail Cuthbert-Brandt, Arthur Anderson and Paul Hinton will attend the Harare Assembly.

Action(s) Requested of FWM: to receive reports from Anglican members, review documents, make recommendations on policy arising, disseminate any material relevant to the wider church, propose names for membership on relevant bodies through the Partners in Mission Committee. To monitor and participate in groups under the umbrella of the Unit I Commission and in the office of inter-religious dialogue.

FWM Member(s) Responsible: Eileen Scully John Gibaut, Elizabeth Hutchinson

Other People Working on it: Michael Peers represents the Anglican Church of Canada on the Central Committee of the WCC. Adam deVille is on the Youth Working Group. These appointments end with the Harare Assembly in December, 1998.

Other Committees/Groups Involved: Partners in Mission

Staff: Alyson

Timeline: ongoing

Developments to March ‘98: Faith and Order produced a major proposal for a Common Date for Easter, beginning in 2001. Negotiations are taking place among Christian World Communions on this issue. Further work is being undertaken on ecclesiology, and ecumenical hermeneutics. Unit I, along with other program units of the WCC, will be restructured, so that the work on theology, worship, and theological education will no longer be coordinated. Faith and Order will likely continue to be a major part of the WCC’s work, as the visible unity of the Church has been reaffirmed in the Common Understanding and Vision statement coming to the Harare Assembly.

Action Requested from this General Synod: none

Who Has Asked for it?: The Strategic Plan

People who’ve been involved: Canadian Canon David Hamid is Ecumenical Officer for the ACC. Paul Gibson continues as the Co-ordinator for Liturgy for the Anglican Consultative Council (1/3 of his time). Patricia Kirkpatrick is the Canadian representative on the IATC; Alyson Barnett-Cowan is a member of the Ecumenical Advisory Group. (Canadian Anglicans on the Anglican Consultative Council are Diane Maybee (lay), Barbara Clay (clergy) and Archbishop Stuart Payne (bishop). The Primate is a member of the Standing Committee. The Primate and Victoria Matthews are on the Lambeth Conference Planning Committee).

Action(s) Requested of FWM: to receive reports from Canadian participants, review documents, make recommendations on policy arising, disseminate any material relevant to the wider church, propose names for membership on relevant bodies (sometimes through the Partners in Mission Committee).

Other Committees/Groups Involved: Partners in Mission Committee, CoGS

Staff: Alyson, Ellie Johnson

Timeline: ongoing

Developments to March ‘98: Standing Committees meet in early March. Lambeth meets in July. The Virginia Report on Anglican identity and authority will form a major part of the Lambeth agenda.

Action Requested from this General Synod: none

Documents: "Being Anglican", which contains the reports of ACC-10 in Panama, and the Virginia Report. Bishops all have Lambeth Conference preparatory documents.

Who Has Asked for it?: The Strategic Plan calls for FWM to monitor work of the Anglican Communion in the area of liturgy.

People who’ve been involved: Bill Crockett, Kevin Flynn, John Gibaut, Paul Gibson, John Hill, David Holeton, Barbara Liotscos, Gordon Maitland, Boyd Morgan, Andrew Murray, David Smart, Charles Wallace attended the Consultation

Action(s) Requested of FWM: to consider and respond to the recommendations of the Consultation

Other Committees/Groups Involved: Diocesan Liturgical Officers

Staff: Barbara

Timeline: Reception of the Principles and Recommendations is ongoing. Work will begin toward the 1999 Consultation in Kerala, India, which will focus on ordination.

Developments to March ‘98: CoGS agreed in March, 1996 that the Principles and Recommendations on the Eucharist be commended to dioceses, but little comment has been received. While Paul Gibson has retired from General Synod, he will continue to act as the Consultant for Liturgy for the Anglican Communion. In this capacity he will be at Lambeth and will plan the next consultation of the IALC in India in August, 1999.

Action Requested from this General Synod: none

Documents: The Principles and Recommendations from Dublin are included in Section III of this FWM General Synod Report.

Who Has Asked for it?: Doctrine and Worship Committee

People who’ve been involved: Paul Gibson, David Holeton, Kevin Flynn

Action(s) Requested of FWM: continued representation, hearing reports from members and recommending policy when appropriate, naming members (a vacancy presently exists, as David Holeton has completed his term)

Other People Working on it: Kevin Flynn, Barbara Liotscos; Paul Gibson will continue ‘grandfathered’ by CCT.

Staff: Barbara Liotscos

Timeline: ongoing

Developments to March ‘98: The Consultation met in December. They are working on a Collects project and a daily lectionary cycle that complements the Revised Common Lectionary for Sundays.

Action Requested from this General Synod: None.

Who Has Asked for it?: Chris Carr, rector of the Communauté chrétienne S. Bernard de Clairvaux, Diocese of Ottawa

People who’ve been involved: Jim Boyles, Doug Tindal

Action(s) Requested of FWM: endorsement of the project and providing money

Other People Working on it: Jim Cowan, Iain Luke, Victoria Matthews

Staff: Eric

Timeline: none

Developments to March ‘98: Consultation with francophone congregations which had used the study revealed that there was insufficient interest in the project. "Dubbing" the English video would not prove satisfactory, and it was felt that the time had passed to proceed with developing an entirely new video. FWM decided against continuing this task.

Action Requested from this General Synod: None.

Who Has Asked for it?: This national work of co-ordinating ministry used to report to the Committee on Ministry

People who’ve been involved: Sally Boyles, Tom James (resigned), John Lee

Action(s) Requested of FWM: To hear reports from Anglican representatives, consider and propose policy.

Other People Working on it: Victoria Matthews

Other Committees/Groups Involved: House of Bishops

Staff: Barbara

Timeline: ongoing

Developments to March ‘98: Nothing to report. It was decided to recommend that this task not continue on the task list for the new committee, unless specific issues arise.

Action Requested from this General Synod: none

Who Has Asked for it?: Canadian Anglicans have had official representation on the National Coalition since 1980.

People who’ve been involved: Linda Katsuno is the Anglican representative on the national coalition.

Action(s) Requested of FWM: to monitor work; hear proposals for new Festivals; promote Festivals; nominate members to national coalition; advise on disbursement of funds if project ceases

Other People Working on it: Lynda Katsuno

Other Committees/Groups Involved: other major churches; local Anglicans in host city; CCC has representation

Staff: Alyson

Timeline: members serve for a term between festivals

Developments to March ‘98: The National Coalition has asked the Potentials group to undertake a feasibility study of holding a festival in the Ottawa area, examining, among other things, questions of date, style and cost. The current proposal for time is Pentecost, 2001.

Action Requested from this General Synod: None.

Who Has Asked for it?: The Anglican Consultative Council

People who’ve been involved: John Gibaut is the Canadian representative on the International Anglican Orthodox Dialogue

Action(s) Requested of FWM: to receive reports from Anglican members, review documents, make recommendations on policy arising, disseminate any material relevant to the wider church, propose names for participants

Other Committees/Groups Involved: Local dialogue occurs in the Canadian Council of Churches. Orthodox include (among others) Greek, Russian, Ukrainian, Serbian, Romanian, Bulgarian, Orthodox Church in America

Staff: Alyson

Timeline: ongoing

Developments to March ‘98: The Dialogue had a successful meeting in Istanbul in June, 1997. The dialogue will send its two papers on ecclesiology and the Spirit to Lambeth, together with an outline of the direction of the dialogue. All of the work centres around ecclesiology and trinitarian theology, the theology of communion. It is moving on to:

Action Requested from this General Synod: A resolution affirming support for the Ecumenical Patriarch see Resolutions

Who Has Asked for it?: The Anglican Consultative Council

People who’ve been involved: Harold Nahabedian is the Canadian representative on the International Anglican Oriental Orthodox Dialogue

Action(s) Requested of FWM:: to receive reports from Anglican members, review documents, make recommendations on policy arising, disseminate any material relevant to the wider church, propose names for participants

Other People Working on it: Canadian Anglicans involved in local dialogue include Harold Nahabedian, Henry Hill, Philip Hodgson, Tom Little, John Gibaut. Local dialogues take place informally in Toronto and Ottawa.

Other Committees/Groups Involved: Canadian Council of Churches (contact frequently takes place here). Oriental Orthodox: Armenians, Assyrians, Copts, Ethiopians and Mar Thoma, "Indian Orthodox"

Staff: Alyson

Timeline: ongoing; international meets infrequently (every 3 or 4 years).

Developments to March ‘98: The Armenian Catholicos of Cilicia visited the House of Bishops in November. The Anglican Foundation administers a "St. Basil’s Scholarship Fund", which allows Anglicans to study in Oriental Orthodox contexts, and vice versa. An Armenian student is presently studying at Trinity College, and Toronto Anglican priest Philip Hobson is intending to study in Armenia in the fall.

Action Requested from this General Synod: none

Who Has Asked for it?: The Strategic Plan

People who’ve been involved: Doctrine and Worship and the Council for Native Ministries had a joint task force which looked at issues of inculturation.

Action(s) Requested of FWM:: consultation

Other People Working on it: Mark Loyal, Eileen Scully

Other Committees/Groups Involved: Anglican Council of Indigenous People, Council of the North

Staff: Barbara

Timeline: ongoing

Developments to March ‘98: FWM members Mark Loyal and Eileen Scully attended part of a meeting with the Anglican Council of Indigenous People in January. In the light of their conversation it was agreed that the prime responsibility for this area should rest with ACIP, but that the issues involved will continue to be part of FWM’s work.

Action Requested from this General Synod: ACIP will be bringing resolutions relating to this area.

Who Has Asked for it?: The Strategic Plan

People who’ve been involved: Committee on Ministry, Doctrine and Worship, Theological Colleges, House of Bishops, parishes and dioceses. The Shared Ministries Consultation (Winnipeg, 1993) and the Symposium on Ministry (Winnipeg, 1994) both raised questions requiring some national attention within the mandate of FWM.

Action(s) Requested of FWM: CoGS requested that a consultation be held on the future of ACPO, which involved issues of the future shape of ordained ministry and preparation for it.

FWM Member(s) Responsible: Kay Schmitt; for the consultation: Barry Hollowell, Victoria Matthews, Elizabeth Hutchinson, Lindley Roff

Other People Working on it: Members of the Consultation: Dariel Bateman, Dorothy Barker, June Maffin, Jenny Wong Nam, Arthur Anderson, Michael Wright, Larry Mitchell, Stewart Payne, Madeline Critchell, Ron Stevenson, Beth Marie Murphy, Walter Deller (Consultant)

Other Committees/Groups Involved: House of Bishops, CoGS, ACPO Secretaries, dioceses

Staff: Alyson, Barbara

Timeline: interim report to CoGS November 1997; future developments as identified

Developments to March ‘98: See Tasks 6 and 7. A Conference on Locally Raised Ministry was sponsored by the Diocese of Qu’Appelle in January, 1997. Don Phillips has attended a meeting of people around the Anglican Communion interested in locally raised ministry; an international gathering is planned for 1999.

Action Requested from this General Synod: none

Additional Documents: Consultation Report; resolutions from CoGS.

Who Has Asked for it?: The Strategic Plan

People who’ve been involved: Primate’s Evangelism Commission. Nancy Gibbons is a volunteer who is doing work related to the Commission.

Action(s) Requested of FWM:: monitor developments

Other Committees/Groups Involved: Many Anglicans are involved in mission and evangelism. Partners in Mission Committee, Eco-justice Committee, Primate’s Fund Committee, Anglican Council of Indigenous Peoples.

Staff: Kathy is working with Nancy Gibbons and the Primate on the Evangelism Commission

Timeline: ongoing

Developments to March ‘98: There will be a gathering of the Evangelism network in April in Winnipeg.

Action Requested from this General Synod: none by FWM

Who Has Asked for it?: The Strategic Plan

People who’ve been involved: The Doctrine Sub-committee dealt with a number of ethical issues, most recently the disposition of frozen embryos.

Action(s) Requested: meet as subcommittee; review and revise draft statement on Euthanasia; monitor other developments

FWM Member(s) Responsible: Arthur Kristofferson

Other People Working on it: Victoria Matthews, Alison Williams, Mary Rowell, Linda Kealy.

Other Committees/Groups Involved: Ethical issues emerge in most areas of the Church’s life. Eco-justice, Partners in Mission, House of Bishops, Anglican Council of Indigenous Peoples, Primate’s Fund, Pensions, Financial Management and Development

Staff: Eric

Timeline: ongoing

• Euthanasia: The task force met several times during the triennium. We gathered data from our ecumenical partners and from other parts of the Anglican Communion. A draft statement was prepared with the recommendation that the statement be adopted as a policy statement of the Anglican Church of Canada. A more substantial report entitled, "Care in Dying" was produced providing background to the task group’s research and conclusions. Both the draft statement and the report were forwarded to CoGS with the request that they be commended to General Synod.
• Biotechnologies Following requests for information from the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries the FWM Committee concluded that significant ethical issues are raised by the increased prominence of biotechnologies in agriculture and pharmaceuticals, which are likely to be ongoing for the foreseeable future. FWM supported by Ecojustice requested CoGS to establish a joint task group to reflect on these issues.
• Requests for information have been received relating to changes in procedures for the procurement of organs for transplantation, and in the area of New Reproductive and Genetic Technologies. Discussion of these issues suggested the need both for some immediate response and for long term strategy.
• One issue for immediate response was the issue of the cloning of human persons. The FWM committee noted that despite the widespread agreement that there should be a moratorium on human cloning at this time, there were some in the scientific community who had expressed their intention to proceed. While this does not represent the position of the mainstream scientific community, the suggestion that free trade areas may provide a means to bypass any moratorium raises real concerns about whether such moratoria can create the needed space for public debate and consultation before any developments in this area. These concerns also point to the international dimensions of this problem and the need to engage these issues at the level of the Communion. In view of this, and the speed with which new developments could emerge, a motion is proposed to General Synod.
• For long term response FWM has suggested that a task group be set up within the Anglican Church of Canada on NRGTs and also that we seek to work with our ecumenical and interfaith partners as this is likely to lead to a more coordinated and productive response to Government requests for responses from the faith communities.

Action Requested from this General Synod: General Synod is being asked to commend a policy statement and study material on euthanasia and assisted suicide to the Church for study and report back to CoGS by March, 1999. General Synod is also being requested to support the moratorium on human cloning and pass this matter on to the Bishops for consideration at Lambeth. See resolutions.

Next Steps: Establish task groups in the areas of biotechnology and NRGTs and explore the possibility of setting up an interfaith network on health and human values.

Additional Documents: Euthanasia proposed statement and study guide

Who Has Asked for it?: Canadian Gospel and Cultures Committee (ad hoc network endorsed by the Faith and Witness Commission, Canadian Council of Churches)

People who’ve been involved: the Gospel and Cultures project brought together people from the ecumenical community interested in the subject, including Anglicans Paul MacLean, Laverne Jacobs, Lynda Katsuno, and people from the multicultural parishes network. John Gibaut and Don Thompson of the Faith and Witness Commission have been involved in discussion of the topic.

Action(s) Requested of FWM: Contribute to funding the video.

FWM Member(s) Responsible: not necessary

Other Committees/Groups Involved: Partners in Mission and the Anglican Council of Indigenous People are also considering participation. CCC

Staff: Alyson

Developments to March ‘98: FWM contributed $2000 to this project. The video was used at the CWME conference and is available from the Resource Centre.

Action Requested from this General Synod: None.

Who Has Asked for it?: The House of Bishops; biblical publishers

Action(s) Requested of FWM: to name a group of people who can be requested to review new translations as necessary, and to consider their comments before proposing a recommendation to the House of Bishops

Staff: Barbara

Timeline: group works as requested

Developments to March ‘98: Some 15 Anglican biblical scholars were invited to evaluate the Contemporary English Version as a translation and for public reading in worship. Responses range from reserved to highly critical. Some believed that the intention of achieving simplicity has sometimes led the translators to obscure the text or to remove nuances and references. One identified many inaccuracies, especially in highly theological passages. The concept of translating by ‘dynamic equivalence’ has been followed, but it deprives the reader of being able to deal with the ambivalence of the original terms. A summary of the responses was sent to the House of Bishops; the Committee proposed that the CEV not be recommended for public worship and that caution should be exercised with engaging in private study of it.

Action Requested from this General Synod: none

Who Has Asked for it?: The Strategic Plan

People who’ve been involved: Partners in Mission, Primates’ Fund

Action(s) Requested of FWM:: promote theological reflection on the area, monitor developments, connect with interested people and networks as appropriate

Other Committees/Groups Involved: Many Anglicans are involved in mission and evangelism. Partners in Mission Committee, Eco-justice Committee, Primate’s Fund Committee, Anglican Council of Indigenous Peoples.

Timeline: ongoing

Eric has been involved in some parish and one deanery event facilitating reflection on mission.

Action Requested from this General Synod: none

Who Has Asked for it?: The Episcopal Church. Provinces of the Anglican Communion regularly consult each other about issues they are facing, especially when issues of Anglican identity are involved.

Action(s) Requested of FWM:: answer questions about the report and process given by ECUSA

Other People Working on it: Victoria Matthews, Eileen Scully Iain Luke

Staff: Alyson

Timeline: was to have been by July, 1997, but ECUSA has delayed decision until 2000

Developments to March ‘98 Barry attended a preliminary meeting in England at which critical comments were offered by the Church of England. He is still working at a response to ECUSA.

Action Requested from this General Synod: none

Who Has Asked for it?: The Liturgical Officer, responding to comments received

People who’ve been involved: Liturgy task group, Lindley Roff

Action(s) Requested of FWM: Some individuals have been identified who could be asked to participate in a process of revising the collects in the BAS in relationship to the Revised Common Lectionary.

Other People Working on it: There have been some volunteers (William Jordan, others to be named). ABC has approached Stephen Reynolds about writing Collects (not being aware of this project). The Consultation on Common Texts is working at a similar process

Other Committees/Groups Involved: Information Resources

Staff: Barbara

Timeline: an ongoing project until completion

Developments to March ‘98: FWM has recommended that the next committee take up this work.

Action Requested from this General Synod: A request that it direct the Faith Worship and Ministry Committee to prepare collects appropriate for use with the three-fold cycle of the Revised Common Lectionary, consulting ecumenically. see Resolutions

Who Has Asked for it?: A professor from the diocese of Calgary, through their diocesan office.

Background Documents: Correspondence from the diocese of Calgary.

People who’ve been involved: Canon Dr. Cyril Challice, Rt. Rev. Jack Peck.

Action(s) Requested of FWM:: To gather some names of people and begin some conversations.

Staff: Eric

Timeline: an ongoing project until completion

Developments to March ‘98: We have begun to gather names of people who have are involved in the scientific community or who have a background in science and an interest in this area. Three people have been involved in the Ecumenical Roundtable Discussions on Faith and Science that began in the US out of the NCC project, "The Church and the University Consultation on Faith, Science and Technology. We will participate in the next consultation in Boston in April.

Action Requested from this General Synod: None