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Sunday, July 8, 2001
An unofficial digest of the proceedings of
the 36th General Synod of
the Anglican Church of Canada
_________________________________________
1. Anglican-Lutheran Worship Service
The day began with the joyful celebration of the joining together in full communion of the Anglican Church of Canada and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada. Some 3,400 people attended the joint service.
2. Secretary General of the Anglican Communion Addresses General Synod
The Primate introduced the Rev. Canon John Peterson, Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, who addressed General Synod.Canon Peterson praised the Anglican Church of Canada for its courage in facing its current crisis over residential schools openly.
"You remind us that our faith journey is often difficult," he said. He praised the Primate's 1993 apology as a rare example in the world wide church of a national body being "ready to admit its failures before God and the World." He also noted that the Anglican Church of Canada is renowned around the world for caring about other Christians, for its openness and for the people it contributes to the Anglican Communion.
The text of Canon Peterson's address is available on the General Synod Web site.
3. Guests welcomed
The Primate welcomed Marion Pardy, Moderator of the United Church of Canada, and two of her staff members, as guests of General Synod.4. Committee of the Whole
General Synod voted to move to Committee of the Whole to facilitate a general discussion of issues raised by the possibility of the National Church going bankrupt because of legal costs associated with residential schools litigation.Delegates considered the following list of questions that they had developed the day before to stimulate discussion:
- Do we need to have a national structure to have a national presence?
- How do we visualize the role of the Primate evolving in any new entity?
- What are the essential "national" ministries that need to be continued?
- How do we continue to feel part of an "empowering body?"
- How do we make it plain that the Anglican Church is not on its last legs, merely moving into a new version of itself, reshaping the paradigm?
- National House of Bishops: its existence and role in the event of General Synod bankruptcy.
- How will priorities be set? By whom?
- How can dioceses/provinces pick up or support ongoing programs of General Synod is General Synod is dissolved?
- How can continue to communicate with the Canadian Church (folks in the pew) if General Synod is dissolved?
- Where are the ministries of women best supported/promoted?
Some delegates addressed questions to a panel featuring:
The Ven. Jim Boyles
Mr. Jim Cullen
The Very Rev. Peter Elliott
Chancellor Robert Falby
Cheryl Kristolaitis
Chancellor Ronald Stevenson
Delegates expressed fears about the fate of the National Church, hopes that it would continue in some form at the national level and concerns about staff morale.
5. Conversations
Delegates held conversations during the afternoon on the following topics:- Globalisation: Naming issues, Seeking Solutions
- Confronting the Biotech Revolution
- The Future of the Anglican Communion
- Future Directions of theological Education
- Recovering a Vital Ministry: the Renewed Diaconate
- One Book, Two Books, Three Books, None: the Future of Liturgy
- Money Matters (Financing the Future)
- The Meaning of Partnership
- Listening Process
- Congregational DevelopmentYouth Ministry
- Stewardship Education
- Evangelism
- Benefits
6. Resumption of Committee of the Whole
Delegates resumed discussions as Committee of the Whole after dinner. A motion at 8 p.m. to move out of Committee of the Whole was defeated.A number of indigenous members and partners shared their stories with General Synod and offered their ideas, hopes and prayers for healing and reconciliation. These included more opportunities for residents and staff to share their stories and some means to record them.
Some members expressed concern that financial cutbacks would make it harder for the Church to fulfill its mssion.
A motion at 9 p.m. to move out of Committee of the Whole was carried.
7. Report of the Nominating Committee
The Ven. Colin Johnson, Chair, presented the Report of the Nominating Committee that resulted from voting that took place during Provincial caucuses on Saturday:The Council Of General Synod
Elected In 2001
Prolocutor: Ms. Dorothy Davies Flindall
Deputy Prolocutor: The Ven. James Cowan
Chancellor: The Hon. Mr. Ronald Stevenson
General Secretary: The Ven. Jim Boyles (non-voting)
Province of Canada
Bishop: The Rt. Rev. Donald HarveyThe Rt. Rev. Fred Hiltz
Clergy: The Rev. Alan T. Perry
The Rev. Canon Glenn Small
Lay: Mr. James Sweeney
Ms. Cynthia Haines Turner
Mr. Winston Walters
Mr. David Watts
Youth: Ms. Tanya White
Province of Ontario
Bishop: The Rt. Rev. Peter MasonThe Rt. Rev. Ralph Spence
The Rt. Rev. Ann Tottenham
Clergy: The Rev. Canon Dr. Bill Prentice
Lay: Mr. Robert Falby
Dr. David Gould
Mrs. Betty Livingston
Ms. Eliza Webb
Youth: Mr. Matthew Kett
Province of Rupert's Land
Bishop: The Rt. Rev. Barry HollowellThe Rt. Rev. Victoria Matthews
The Most Rev. Tom Morgan
Clergy: The Ven. Helena-Rose Houldcroft
The Rev. Dr. Iain Luke
Lay: Mr. Alfred Archambault
Mr. Peter Clarke
Mr. John Hareuther
Canon Grant Hyslop
Mr. David Simailak
Youth: Ms. Yolanda Bird
Province of British Columbia and Yukon
Bishop: The Most Rev. David CrawleyClergy: The Very Rev. Peter Elliott
The Very Rev. Nick Parker
Lay: Ms. Dawn Ragan
Ms. Sally Tuckey
Ms. Sarah Usher
Youth: Ms. Alison Bent
Canadian Ordinariate
Major the Rev. John Fletcher
8. Second No Debate List
The following resolutions will be introduced in General Synod at a later time when their movers will speak to them and they will be voted on without further debate unless someone asks that they be removed from the No Debate List by noon, Monday.A120 ACIP governance
A133 Process of Intentional Listening
A152 Jubilee
A153 Anti-racism
A154 Restorative Justice
A155 Socially responsible Investment
A203 Re: RCAP recommendations
A266 Mexico
A273 Support for a New Agape
A274(a) Dissolution of PWRDF National Committee
A280 Cuba
C005 First Nations and Environment
C006 Prayer Vigil at General Synod
C007 25th Anniversary of the Ordination of Women to the Priesthood
C008 Re: Canon XXI
C009 Re: Staff of General Synod