1. Opening

Members began the day with worship and Bible reflections. This was followed "Acronymania" - a humourous video about the use of acronynms.

Courtesies of the House were extended to Ms. Betty. Livingston, Prolocutor of the Diocese of Ontario; the Ven. Peter Zimmer, Prolocutor, Diocese of British Columbia; the Ven. David Ashdown, Financial Management and Development Committee; and the Rev. Dr. Alan Hayes and the Rev. Dr. John Gibaut, members of the Liturgy Taskforce of the Faith Worship and Ministry Committee

2. Resolutions

The Synod made the following decisions:

AGREED that the Nominating Committee will be responsible for arranging balloting and appointing scrutineers in any election where such is required.

(A-5)

AGREED to amend the Nominating and Election Procedures (Handbook, Appendix G, p. 137) by deleting in paragraph a) the words When a diocese has been represented by an Order for the two previous terms, it shall not nominate a member of that Order and substituting the words A diocese shall not nominate a person who has been a member of the Council for the two previous terms; and by replacing paragraph k) with the words If the first selection from the Orders of Bishops and Clergy is a bishop, the next selection from those Orders shall be made from the Order of Clergy; if the first selection from those Orders is a priest or a deacon, the next selection from those Orders shall be made from the Order of Bishops; and by deleting paragraph (m) in its entirety and relettering the present sections (k) and (l) to be (l) and (m). (A-80)

2. Election of Prolocutor and Deputy Prolocutor

The Venerable Rodney Andrews, Diocese of Algoma, was elected as the Prolocutor of General Synod, 1998-2001.

Mrs. Diane Brookes, Diocese of the Arctic, was elected Deputy Prolocutor.

3. Proportional Giving

Members heard a presentation from Financial Management and Development Taskforce on Proportional Giving. The proposal for the reallocation of funding amongst the dioceses is based on diocesan revenue and consolidates Apportionment and Assessment as requested by General Synod.

5. Resolutions cont.

AGREED to amend section 41 d) of the Constitution to increase the membership of the Primate's World Relief and Development Fund from 15 members to 18 members. (A23)

AGREED to amend Section 41 g) of the Constitution to change the membership of the Information Resources Committee from from 9 members (and 15 Advisory Board members) to 17 members in total.

(A-25)

AGREED that Canon V - Archives be amended to reflect the amendment to the Constitution agreed to in resolution A-25. (A-71)

6. New Liturgies

Synod moved to a committee of the whole for a discussion of resolutions A-92 and A93 from the Faith, Worship and Ministriy Committee. The resolutions on eucharistic prayers and Services of the Word, will be voted on later in the Synod.

5. Reception of Children and Eucharist

Children from the Dioceses of Montreal joined the Synod for an outdoor Eucharist and planting of the tree that was presented to the diocese on Thursday evening.

6. Forums

In the afternoon delegates attended one of two forums:

In Full Harmony and New Ways of Working.

The focus of In Full Harmony was Preparing the Way priority "to clarify Anglican identity, doctrine, liturgy and worship;" the goal: to explore our comprehensiveness and diversity: how our many Anglican voices blend in harmony."

In table groups members discussed topics which included: common prayer in Canada; common prayer in the Communion; inculturation; authority, revelation and discernment; scripture and culture; tradition; authority of personal experience; postmodernism: blessing or curse; formation for ministry; shape of future ministry; convenant; ecumenical relations; scriptural basis for ethical decision-making; sexuality; euthanasia; and biotechnology.

New Ways of Working focused on Preparing the Way priority "to provide services to dioceses - information, financial, and administrative." The goal was to allow members of General Synod to explore the effect of changes in communication, provision of services and relationships between the National Office and Dioceses. Topics for discussion included: care for church employees; information to serve your needs; sharing fairly and the Fair Share; website development; Anglican Journal editorial balance; Planned Giving; interim and part-time employees; Anglican Book Centre mandate and ministry; Anglican Appeal; and three year planning cycle.

Following the forums members met in provincial caucuses to elect Council of General Synod members for the 1998-2001 triennium.

No evening session was scheduled and members attended a reception and dinner hosted by the diocese of Montreal

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