Members worshipped in local parishes and returned in the afternoon for the 3rd in a series of forums designed to provide an opportunity for General Synod members to discuss critical themes that are shaping the life of the Anglican Church of Canada.

1. Forums

This afternoon forums were: Ecumenical Relationships and Social Justice.

The focus of the ecumenical forum, Many Voices - One Song, was Preparing the Way priority "to nurture ecumenical relationships" and the goal to provide members with an opportunity to discuss critical issues that emerge from living in ecumenical relationships.

Members heard short presentations on Ecumenical Councils, Dialogues, the Ecumenical Justice Coalitions; and Ecumenism That Isn't Happening. In table groups, topics discussed include: the Canadian Council of Churches, the World Council of Churches, The Ecumenical Justice Coalitions; Called to Full Communion with the Lutherans #1 and #2; Anglican-Roman Catholic Dialogue; Relations between the Anglican Church of Canada and the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada; Other Dialogues; Shared Ministries; Jubilee; and the Ecumenical Decade of Church in Solidarity with Women.

The focus of the social justice forum, Streams of Living Justice, was Preparing the Way priority "to advocate social justice and prophetic mission within Canada, especially in indigenous peoples' concerns and social economic and environmental justice issues. The goal was to provide an opportunity for General Synod members to discuss critical issues that are seeking and building just relationships among ourselves, with our neighbours and with the earth.

The forum began with a short conversation between members and visitors from diverse backgrounds on the theme of globalization and its effects on Canadian Life. Table group discussion topics included human rights principles; multilateral agreement on investments; toward sustainable community; gambling; making moral economic decisions; investing money ethically; food banks - here to stay(?); Royal Commission on Aboriginal People; Jubilee; and debt cancellation of the most impoverished nations.

2. Thanks

The Primate thanked the Diocese of Montreal for a "great evening, in all its many aspects".

3. Partners

The Suffragan Bishop of Nova Scotia, the Rt. Rev. Fred Hiltz, introduced the Rev. Dr. Wm. (Bill) Huras, Bishop of the Eastern Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada.

The three partners from Brazil, the Rev. Simea de Souza Meldrum, the Most Rev. Glauco Soares de Lima, the Rt. Rev. Jubal Pereira Neves addressed the Synod.

Brazil is a country of 8,500,000 sq. kilometres and 150 million people from a variety of backgrounds. Archbishop Soares de Lima is the Bishop of the Diocese of Sao Paulo, a large urban diocese and Archbishop and Primate of Brazil. Bishop Neves is Diocesan Bishop of Southwestern Brazil. Ms. Siméa de Souza Meldrum, is a priest of the Diocese of North Eastern Brazil and has worked extensively among the poor, young people and women. She is currently Coordinator for Planning and Supervision of Social Action throughout the diocese. Bishop Jubal Pereira Neves is a Diocesan Bishop of Southwestern Brazil.

Each partner spoke of the importance of the partnership of the Church in Brazil with the Canadian Anglican Church. "Partnership means to go, listen and share". "Our Church needs this relationship so that we won't be alone any more and so that people will prayer for us. I feel very encouraged being here and I don't feel alone anymore."

3. Resolutions

AGREED to approve in principle the declaration of full communion between the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada and the Anglican Church of Canada, namely "Called to Full Communion: The Waterloo Declaration"; and to request the Synods of each diocese and province of the Anglican Church of Canada to study and respond to "Called to Full Communion", reporting to the Council of General Synod by the first Sunday in Advent, 2000; and that the declaration be further considered at the General Synod of 2001 in light of responses received. (A95)

TABLED a motion to give first reading to a new Canon IV on the Reception and Recognition of Clergy from Churches in Full Communion with the Anglican Church of Canada. (A-63). The motion will be considered later in the Synod.

4. Youth Members of the Council of General Synod

Synod voted for Council of General Synod members-at-large (2 youth). The results of the voting will be announced at tomorrow's session.