General Synod Times - February 1998 We're not going to let some "ice storm of the millennium" get in the way of GS planning! The lives of many people involved with various aspects of General Synod '98 have been directly impacted by the recent ice storm that swept through eastern Canada. Despite that, cplanning committee members have shown tremendous resolve and determination by continuing the work of preparing for General Synod! Forum Update Forum Goal Statement: To provide an opportunity for General Synod members to engage critical themes that are shaping the life of the Anglican Church of Canada and to explore how these themes are being experienced locally, nationally and internationally. Desired Outcomes: 1. Awareness of the many voices in our church. 2. Clarity about the issues coming to General Synod. 3. Directions for the future. Youth Chaplain The membership of General Synod '98 will include some 25 Youth Members (aged 16 to 25 years.) The Rev. Linda Taylor, of the diocese of Montr�al, has been enlisted to serve as Youth Chaplain. Linda will be a resource to assist Youth Members "find their way around" General Synod. Youth Members can expect to receive a mailing from Linda in the next month or so. General Synod Trivia The Constitution provides for clerical and lay membership based on the number of licensed members of the clergy above a stated minimum. In 1924, Miss Inez Smith was elected and certified a lay delegate for the Diocese of Caledonia. The Prolocutor ruled that she was ineligible to sit by reason of her gender. Women were declared eligible for membership in 1934. In 1946, Mrs. Madeline Wodehouse, then National President of the Women's Auxiliary, was appointed to General Synod by the Bishop of Yukon, and served as the first woman member of the General Synod. Parish Visits General Synod members will be afforded a number of opportunities to experience life and ministry in the diocese of Montr�al. On Sunday May 24th, visiting diocesan delegations will be the guests of parishes across Montr�al and area. This will be a time of worship and fellowship. Profile... The position of General Secretary of the Anglican Church of Canada is somewhat comparable to the position of Chief Operating Officer of a corporation. Jim Boyles has been the General Secretary since 1993. During his tenure Jim has provided tremendous leadership to the "business" of the national church (and I'm not just saying that because he's the boss!). Jim loves General Synods! He attended Synod for the first time in Regina, 1973 (the last time we met in a hotel). He has served our church in a variety of ways - he staffed the Nominating Committee at 4 General Synods, Chaired the Nominating Committee in 1989, Chaired the Resolutions Committee in 1992. At the 1992 GS. Jim was elected Deputy Prolocutor. From 1975 until 1981, Jim was the Ecumenical Officer for the national church. Jim, a native of Toronto, studied at Yale and was ordained in the diocese of Ottawa. In his free time Jim enjoys pondering about General Synod. Here's one of Jim's recent ponderences: "Synods are too long and therefore difficult for many lay people to attend. The next Synod is in July, 2001, in Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario, and maybe we should be looking at 5 days." Sign Posts Positioned in various locations throughout the GS site, will be "sign posts". These kiosks will be places where you (on behalf of yourself, your parish or your diocese) can leave a message that you would like to share with other GS members and visitors. We will let you know, before you come to General Synod, the desired size and format of how your message should be presented. Lifting Every Voice In Song Patrick Wedd, the GS Musician, tells us that all of the music sung at General Synod will be selections from the new hymn book - Common Praise. Patrick advises us all to start getting into tune now, so that we will be ready to lift our voice in song! |
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