Morning

Members viewed the video - Close Up at General Synod.

1. Resolutions

AGREED to commend the House of Bishops for their statement Human Sexuality, issued October 1997, that affirmed the original intent of the 1979 Guidelines, and acknowledged the need for continued study and dialogue. (C-15)

DEFEATED a resolution to direct the Council of the General Synod to consult with dioceses and provinces and to prepare for presentation at the 36th General Synod, a new proposal for membership in the General Synod which may include the principle of representation by Anglican population in each diocese. (C-18)

AGREED to direct the Council of General Synod, to consider changing the membership of the Council of the General Synod to include one youth member from each Ecclesiastical Province, nominated by Provincial Caucuses and requested the Council to report on the matter to the 36th General Synod. (C27)

AGREED to request the Council of General Synod, in consultation with the Faith Worship and Ministry Committee, to create a task force to review the Marriage Canon with particular reference to a) the difference between civil marriage and a religious marriage; b) alternatives to the current matrimonial commissions; c) revision of the forms of application for permission to remarry; d) the provision requiring marriages to be held in church buildings; e) the relationship of the Table of Kindred and Affinity to the Marriage (Prohibited Degrees Act); f) common law relationships; and that this task force report before the next General Synod. (C-23).

AGREED to request the General Secretary, in, Consultation with the Diocese of Huron, to investigate the feasibility of reducing the duration of the 36th session of the General Synod to 6-7 days and to locate it in a hotel/convention centre. After consultation with the dioceses, requested the General Secretary to report to the Council of General Synod. (C-28)

AGREED to direct the Partners in Mission Committee to consult with the China Christian Council to determine the most appropriate means to influence the Government of China to take steps to alleviate the often tragic results of their "one child" policy. (C29)

2. General Secretary

The General Secretary spoke about the continuance of Preparing the Way, the strategic plan and about the diocesan consultations that had taken place prior to Synod. He encouraged members to engage others in their diocese in the programs and projects of the national church.

3. Youth Members

Youth members of Synod expressed appreciation to the Diocese of Montreal and its Youth Council for their assistance during Synod.

4. Resolutions cont.

AGREED to express deep appreciation and gratitude:

to all those who were responsible for the local arrangements of this synod and in particular:

* Brian Hammond chair of the Local Arrangements Committee

* Cynthia Hawkins, Vice Chair and Secretary

* David Blunt, Treasurer

* Gordon Guy, for transportation

* Gwen Kearns, registration

* Carolyn Roper, hospitality

* Joan Shanks, communications/media

* Bev Tidman, Companion's Program

* Virginia Hasse, Volunteer co-ordinator

* Alan Davidson, Events co-ordinator at McGill University

* All the parishes for their Sunday hospitality

for those who helped to lift our voices in prayer and praise

* The worship committee and particularly Elizabeth Hutchinson, Barbara Malloch, Peter Wall, Peter Hannen, Gordon Light, Gwenda Wells, Barbara Liotscos, Paul Gibson and Elizabeth Frew

* Patrick Wedd, who taught us the joy of worship, together with the volunteer choir

* Dean Michael Pitts, members of Christ Church Cathedral, the choirs and all others who were involved in the glorious opening Eucharist for Synod

* the daily meditation and bible study group leaders

* to the presiders at the daily Eucharist

* to those who upheld the synod in prayer throughout this session

* the rector and members of St. John the Evangelist Church for the beautiful liturgy on Tuesday evening.

for those who led us through the wilderness of process

* Members of the Agenda Committee and chair Allen Box

* members of the Nominations Committee and the chair Rod Andrews

* to the members of the Resolutions Committee and the chair David Crawley

* to the secretaries of the Synod

* to the assessors and the chancellor, David Wright

* the national office staff for their behind the scenes support and for the set up and contribution to Synod of all the displays

* for the Anglican Video Crew directed by Lisa Barry

for those who enriched our gathering

* for the donation from Anglican Worship Resources to the production of the Worship booklets

* for the presence of those who brought displays and provided information and resources

* for the gift of fans from Integrity

* for hospitality services from the wine region of Niagara

* for hospitality of the Essentials Group

* for the presence of the members of the religious communities and their hospitality

* for our Synod Partners - The Rt. Rev. French Chang-Him; The Rev. Randall Chase,

* The Rev. Simea de Souza Meldrum, The Rev. Dr. Bill Huras, The Rev. Emmanuel Lapierre, Mr. Richard Parkins, The Most Rev. Glauco Soares de Lima, The Rt. Rev. Jubal Pereira Neves, The Rev. Telmor Sartison, Dr. Janet Somerville and The Rev. Andrew S'Zaw Lwin

and finally for those who made it possible for us to come together to Lift Our Voices

* Jim Boyles, the General Secretary for the preparation of synod materials and keeping all things in order

* Jamie Tomlinson, co-ordinator of General Synod, whose many months of preparation

and weeks of final attention to all the details and setting up the synod made it all happen

* Andrew Hutchison, the Bishop of Montreal, for inviting us to this city of Montreal and his generous hospitality - for the excellent dinner and entertainment on Saturday evening, for his address to synod on Nation and Identity and for bringing to us the contribution of the members of the panel

* the bishops, clergy, lay and youth members for their patience and good humour in the midst of all the heat of the plenary; lifting their voices in song and debate to make this a rich and memorable synod for us all; and to acknowledge the voluntary contribution of time and talents particularly from those who donated vacation time or who have lost pay to be present

* Rendina Hamilton, the Prolocutor, for her expert chairing of the sessions and her wisdom

* to our Primate, Michael Peers, for his gentle but firm leadership, experience and wisdom, in guiding this synod and the whole church in the past, present and future, with confidence, hope and vision

and for the guidance of the Holy Spirit who brought us here and is with us now and always.

5. Appreciation

On behalf of the Synod and Rod Andrews, the in-coming Prolocutor, Diane Brookes, the in-coming Deputy Prolocutor thanked the out-going Prolocutor and Deputy Prolocutor, Rendina Hamilton and Ben Arreak for their work in the past triennium and presented them with gifts. The Primate also expressed his appreciation.

6. Closing Address - The Primate

In his closing reflections the Primate distinguished between dividing on an issue, and being divided. In the parliamentary system, taking a vote is called "dividing". We divide on every vote, including the vote on human rights, but being divided is very different and we are not so. We are not so. Statements that we are so are not substantiated by this synod.

"My dear friends, I am so proud of you. I can go anywhere in the world and hold up this flawed, imperfect church with enormous pride."

Archbishop Peers said this synod represented much work in progress. The synod that meets in Kitchener Waterloo in 2001 will pick up on work done here related to issues of worship, closer relations with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, and further work on evangelism and matters of revisions of the Book of Common Prayer and Book of Alternative Services. "I have seen this Synod as a time to pick up Paul's image writing to the church in Corinth. We plant, we water, but it is God who brings the increase. We have done our work well and we want to see those things blossom and flourish. The extent that there is increase in this synod from now on is in the hands of God."

The Primate declared that the 35th Session of the General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada closed.