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The Anglican Church of Canada has launched “A Changing Church”, a new strategic planning initiative that will explore the theme “A Changing Church, A Searching World and a Faithful God” and come up with concrete initiatives that will help to unify Canadian Anglicans in embracing the future with confidence and in faith. 

Vision 2019 is drawing to a close and it is time to refocus the work of the National Church over the next decade to better serve the needs of dioceses, parishes and individual Anglicans. As Anglicans we rely on each other to do our part. There are some things best done locally, others best done at the diocesan level and other things of a national or international level that are better done through the National Church.

As the world changes, so must we. The issues of 10 years ago are not necessarily today’s or tomorrow’s priorities. We need to become more agile to ensure our Church’s continued relevance to the spiritual, social and environmental preoccupations of Anglicans of today and those of tomorrow.

How can we offer our gifts to the world, boldly and clearly, in the years ahead? How can we make the most impact in the world with our collective Anglican voice?  How does Anglicanism transform in the midst of our communities, our dioceses and the nation? How can we harness the talent and energy of our youth and speak to their inner search for peace, love and justice? How can we ensure the future sustainability of a vibrant, Gospel-based Indigenous ministry serving Indigenous communities, situated at the heart of our Church?

Engagement & Consultation in your Diocese
In early 2020 the Strategic Planning Group will be announcing a consultation and engagement process that will aim to provide tools and suggestions to create conversations and solicit input on the plan. Please look out for opportunities for your voice to be heard.

 
This will be a significant and critical piece of work for the National Church as committed to us by two resolutions passed at General Synod 2019:

Resolution A103: “Be it resolved that this General Synod: Direct the Council of General Synod in partnership with the entire church, prayerfully to undertake a strategic planning process that will lead to the presentation of a proposal to the 2022 meeting of the General Synod for our ministry and mission with the General Synod. “

Resolution A102: “Be it resolved that this General Synod: Direct the Council of General Synod to develop and initiate a process to re-examine the mission of General Synod in relation to the dioceses and provinces, including the self-determining Indigenous Church, with a goal to allow the structures of General Synod to best enable and serve God’s mission.”

 
The work of the mandate will be led by the Strategic Planning Group assigned by the Primate. The membership includes:

  • Judith Moses, Chair
  • Rev. Monique Stone (Co-Chair of Planning & Agenda Team)
  • Rev. Deacon Cynthia Haines-Turner (Co-Chair of Planning & Agenda Team and Past Prolocutor)
  • Ian Alexander (former Chair of Journal Working Group)
  • Dale Drozda
  • Rev. Valerie Kerr (Officers of General Synod)
  • Rev. Michael Thompson (General Secretary)
  • Most Rev. Linda Nicholls (Primate)

Each ecclesiastical province also has an assigned ‘Link Bishop’ who will assist in the communicating of, and engagement in, the strategic planning process, ensuring that as many voices as possible contribute to the work. The Link Bishops are as follows:

  • Rt. Rev. Ron Cutler – Canada
  • Rt. Rev. Andrew Asbil – Ontario
  • Rt. Rev. Geoff Woodcroft – Rupert’s Land
  • Rt. Rev. David Lehmann – B.C. and Yukon
 
We want to hear from you! You can get involved in many ways;

  1. Complete our online survey
  2. Write to us at [email protected] and send us your ideas.