Morning

Great moments at General Synod - the Macarena in the Morning. Thanks to the Youth members who got Synod moving !!

1. www.anglican.ca/synod98

Allan Perry, Diocese of Montreal, introduced and thanked Tod Maffin, Diocese of New Westminster, who is responsible for the General Synod website. He noted Tod's many accomplishments and said that on Monday, by the time Bishop Hutchison had finished speaking, both the English and French versions of his text, along with his picture was on-line. "The world is watching us now in 6 continents on-line."

2. Proportional Giving

AGREED to a) adopt the Proportional Giving Proposal for Diocesan Funding of National and International Mission and Ministries of the Anglican Church of Canada; b) request the Financial Management and Development Committee to implement this proposal for 2000: c) require that prior to implementation the Financial Management and Development Committee in collaboration with the dioceses undertake a study to determine the elements to be included in diocesan revenue for the purpose of Proportional Giving and that a standardized form be developed for reporting of diocesan revenue to General Synod. Furthermore, that the results of the study and the standardized reporting form be submitted to the Council of General Synod for approval prior to implementation and d) accept the principles that 1) this revenue based proportional giving system be phased in over a five year period; 2) those dioceses who are giving beyond what the proportional giving formula requests are asked to continue giving at their current levels during the phase in period; 3) transparency in all aspects of the proportional giving activities of the General Synod be maintained so that all parts of the Church are aware of the needs of others and be able to respond generously; 4) there will be regular evaluations of the proportional giving system to ensure the needs of the wider Church are being met and that the gift requests are within the means of the dioceses. (A-230)

AGREED that Section 30, sub-sections b) to f) of the Constitution be deleted and the following substituted therefor: a) Except as provided for by other revenues, the financial requirements of the General Synod shall be met from the proportional gifts made by the dioceses; b) in preparing the annual budget for approval by the Council of General Synod, the Financial Management and Development Committee shall develop and, as appropriate, review and amend a fair and equitable formula for determining suggested proportional gifts to be made by each of the dioceses and shall, based on such formula, calculate and recommend to the Council of the General Synod, annually, suggested proportional gifts to be made by each of the dioceses: c) upon the Council of the General Synod approving the proportional gifts suggested to be made by each diocese, the Financial Management and Development Committee shall advise each Diocese of the proportional gift request and seek its acceptance. It shall consult with any diocese that is not able to meet the request; d) the expenses of the meeting of the General Synod, including travel costs, meeting and administrative costs, as determined from time to time by the Financial Management and Development Committee but not including costs for members' accommodation and meals, shall be paid by the General Synod. income derived from the General Synod Endowment Fund shall be used to support the General Synod budget, as approved by the Council of the General Synod. (A24)

AGREED to amend Section 6 (Accounts) of Canon VI, Financial Management.. (A70)

3. Resolutions

AGREED to urge the Government of Canada to support the recommendations of the United Nations Human Rights Commission which calls for the Colombian government to adopt immediate measures to disband immediately paramilitary groups and to rescind the legalization of the Rural Security Cooperatives, the CONVIVIR; and to do all it can to support the efforts of the Colombian people to bring a just end to the internal armed conflict; and to call on the Government of Canada to adopt a coherent policy with respect to Colombia, placing demonstrated improvements in the human rights situation at the centre of all its bilateral relations.

(A 161)

AGREED to commend the Canadian Government for its opposition to the Helms Burton Act and its continuing resistance to pressure to join the USA embargo directed at Cuba; and to urge the Canadian Government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to mediate between Cuba and the United States with a view to normalizing the relationships and to intensify efforts to promote the entry of Cuba into the Organization of American States.

(A-162)

AGREED to assure the churches and other non-governmental organizations of Kenya of our prayers and support as they continue to seek genuine reforms and changes in the constitutional review process; and urge the Government of Canada, using the means at its disposal, to press the government of Kenya for genuine reform, specifically: that the proposed Reform Commission be supplanted by a Constituent Assembly. Failing that, the Reform Commission be set up to be a forum representing the broad spectrum of Kenyan society, be independent both financially and in its membership from President Moi and the ruling party; and, the reform process must include the pressing issues of the executive powers of the president, the independence of the judicial system, the use and accountability of security forces to Kenyan citizens, guarantees of normal democratic practice in matters of free speech, freedom of assembly and equality before the law; and respect for human rights and security of person.

(A164)

AGREED to 1) communicate to our partners in the Sudan (the Episcopal Church of the Sudan, the Sudan Council of Churches, and the New Sudan Council of Churches including the Ethiiopian Orthodox Church in the Sudan) our ongoing compassion and solidarity in their suffering; 2) condemn Human Rights abuses by all parties to the conflict in Sudan, but particularly by the Government of Sudan, in view of overwhelming evidence of indiscriminate violence against civilians (particularly the aerial bombardment of civilians in southern and northeastern Sudan and in the Nuba Mountains), the denial of humanitarian assistance to civilian populations, incidents of chattel slavery, and the oppression of women, and 3) to request the General Secretary to call upon the Canadian government and the United Nations to support actively efforts that will bring a just peace for all peoples of the Sudan. (A165)

AGREED to amend the Constitution as follows: Section 12, Part III reconstituting the Officers of the General Synod; deleted Section 19 and 20 and renumbered subsequent sections; amended Section 35 a) iv) adding the words after `Chancellor' provided that, in the absence of the Chancellor at meetings of the Council of General Synod, the Vice-Chancellor may attend such meeting and deleted Section 35 c)ii) and renumbered subsequent sections accordingly; deleted Section 36 d) v) regarding the Executive Director of Program; deleted Section 1 of Canon VI and replaced it with a description of the Role of the Treasurer. (A22)

4. Partners Reflections

In their reflections to Synod the partners expressed the importance of having Canadian partners and of being here to share the Synod with them. It is an opportunity to see others at work and to learn from them. The Bible study groups have been particularly appreciated as a time to share the good news of the Gospel. Speaking about the diverse voices in the discussion on Human Rights one of partners encouraged the Synod to "err on the side of love."

Afternoon

This afternoon members attended the final forum of the General Synod - Diocese to Diocese. The focus of the forum was Preparing the Way priority that called for the elimination of program and resource production by the national office, except when required to support the priorities of the Preparing the Way strategic plan. The goal was to give members the opportunity to learn from each other's strengths and struggles on those issues that affect dioceses and parishes.

Because of the nature of this forum, table groups were formed by diocesan caucus. Topics for discussion included youth ministry; stewardship, education and development; communication; adult education; fostering evangelism; congregational development; fostering local outreach; supporting clergy; multiculturalism; from maintenance to mission.

5. Daily Report

Capt. Baxter Park, Military Ordinariate, rose on a point of personal privilege to speak to an account of the panel discussion on Monday evening that appeared in the Daily Report. No mention was made of the remarks made the the Ven. Rod Gillis of Cape Breton. Archdeacon Jim Boyles, General Secretary, apologized on behalf of the Anglican News Service for the oversight.

Evening

6. No Debate Resolutions

AGREED to instruct the Faith, Worship and Ministry Committee to prepare music resources appropriate for the needs of smaller parishes and parishes with llimited musical resources. (C-19)

AGREED to request the Faith, Worship and Ministry Committee , on behalf of the Angican Church of Canada to initiate contact with the Evangelican Fellowship of Canada with a view to estabishing ecumenical dialogue and partner relationships wih them, and to consider inviting the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada to name a partner to our next General Synod. (C-21)

AGREED to encourage participation in "Daring Hope" (August 27-30, 1998 - Guelph, Ontario), the concluding celebration of the World Council of Churches Decade in Solidarity with Women, 1988-1998 and urge the Church to reflect in the learnings of this decade and to praycontinued initiatives. (C-24)

DEFEATED a resolution to have the "no debate" resolutions presented to the house in a block, without discussion, and voted on in a single, ominibus motion, subject to the rights of members to remove any resolution from the "no debate" list.

7. Resolutions

AGREED, that subject to further editing, to commend the statement, , on Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide and its supporting documentation for use as a study paper throughout the Anglican Church of Canada; and to request the Faith, Worship and Ministry Committee to gather responses and report to the Council of General Synod by March, 1999. (A-90)

AGREED to direct the General Secretary 1) to write to the Prime Minister of Canada and the Federal Minister of Health to encourage the Government to prohibit the cloning of whole human beings; 2) to write to the Prime Minister of Canada and the Federal Minister of External Affairs to ask that they use all means possible to ensure that international trade agreements do not become a means of the dissemination of the cloning of human beings; 3) to draw the attention of the Anglican Communion's United Nations Office to these initiatives, and to request the House of Bishops to bring these concerns regarding the cloning of human beings to the Lambeth Conference and ask that body to establish an international coalition to examine the implications of the potential international spread of cloning and other human reproductive and genetic technologies. (A-91)

AGREED to urge the Government of Canada, when it negotiates any trade and investment agreement such as (MAI) Multilateral Agreement on Investment, a) to undertake full, fair and public hearings which involve discussions with those most affected by the proposed changes; b) to consult broadly with provincial, regional and municipal governments, indigenous peoples and representatives of non-governmental organizations; c) to ensure that any new agreements conform to already existing international agreements to which Canada is a signator, such as Conventions on Civil , Political, Economic, Cultural and Social Rights and subsequent agreements relating to the environment; d) to ensure that any negative impacts are clearly outlined, discussed and agreed to by the people of Canada through the Parliament of Canada; e) to ensure that any foreign investment code would foster rather than jeopardize sustainable communities, based in guiding principles such as:regulation of foreign investment to ensure just, equitable and sustainable development;participatory processes for the development of regulations, where citizen's groups are consulted by a range of relevant government ministries and agencies; multilaterally-agreed regulations to prevent unfair competition;.internationally recognized labour, environmental and other human rights taking precedence over investor's interests; recognition of the asymmetries among countries at different levels of development and respect for the jurisdiction of provinces, municipalities and First Nations. (A131)

That the Anglican Church of Canada endorse the Canadian Ecumenical Report, "Toward Sustainable Community: Five Years Since the Earth Summit", and that it review its own policies in light of the recommendations included therein; and that it commend it to the dioceses and parishes for study and action. (A 132)

AGREED to replace Section 4 (b) of Canon XII, the Continuing Education Plan Administrative Unit, to provide for a Unit that consists of the staff member responsible for the administration of the plan, the Director of Deputy Director of Pensions, and five members of the plan appointed by the Pension Committee at its first meeting following each regular session of the General Synod and as vacancies occur. (A-65)

AGREED to amend Section 6 (b) of Canon XII to read "The Continuing Educatin Funds shall be invested in the Consolidated Trust Fund of the Anglican Church of Canada or in such other fund as the Pension Committee considers appropriate." (A66)

AGREED to approve the amendments to the Regulations of Canon XII as approved by the Council of General Synod. (A226)

AGREED to repeal Canon VIII, The General Synod Pension Plan and replace it with the new Canon VIII, The General Synod Pension and Income Continuance Plans, as approved by the Council of General Synod. (A-64)

AGREED to approve the amendments to the Regulations of Canon VIII (The General Synod Pension Plan) as approved by the Council of General Synod. (A224)

AGREED to approve the amendments to the Regulations of Canon IX (The Lay Retirement Plan) as approved by the Council of General Synod. (A225)

AGREED to approve the 1997 Audited Financial Statements of the General Synod Pension Plan, the Lay Retirement Plan and the Long Term Disability Plan of the Anglican Church of Canada. (A227)

AGREED 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. (A63)

8. Correction

The following is a correction to the summary of the panel discussion that appeared in the Daily Report, Tuesday, May 26, 1998.

On the subject of diversity and identity, Anglican Archdeacon Rod Gillis of Cape Breton in the diocese of Nova Scotia, said that as a spokesman from Atlantic Canada, he could relate to the sense of fragility that people in many part of Canada feel. This feeling is particularly acute in the Maritimes, he noted, a part of the country where important sectors of society such as resources, industry and the media tend to be under the control of firms based in other parts of Canada.

9. Closing Worship

Evening worship was led by General Synod Youth mebers.