Daily Report from the 41st General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada: Thursday, July 7, 2016

The first day of General Synod commenced on July 7, 2016 at the Sheraton Parkway North Toronto Hotel and Suites in Richmond Hill, Ontario. General Synod members, guests, partners, staff and observers registered throughout the day. Orientation Members of General Synod assembled in the Grand York Ballroom in mid-afternoon for an orientation session. The Very … Continued

Archbishop Fred Hiltz: Sermon from the Opening Eucharist of the 41st Session of The General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada

Imagine with me for just a few minutes that tiny little community that was the infant Church—Peter and John and James and Andrew and Philip and Thomas and Bartholomew and Matthew and James son of Alphaeus and Simon the zealot, and Judas son of James together with certain women including Mary the mother of Jesus, … Continued

APCI enters new territory with name change

Inclusivity is at the forefront of the Anglican Parishes of the Central Interior (APCI) as the territory rebrands itself with a new moniker—one better reflecting the diversity and shared sense of community championed by its members.

Congregational development: ‘An opportunity for a reformation’

The following is part of an ongoing monthly series on congregational development, which features reflections from Anglicans on how they are responding to the challenges facing churches today. What is the end goal of congregational development? Some view it as preserving the institution or the business of the church, which often involves bringing in more … Continued

On the National Aboriginal Day of Prayer 2016

June 21 marks the annual commemoration of the National Aboriginal Day of Prayer, established by the General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada. In response to Call to Action #48 from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Archbishop and Primate Fred Hiltz has called for a public reading of the United Nations Declaration on the … Continued

Mutual learning thrives at Vital and Healthy Parishes consultation

The third annual Vital and Healthy Parishes consultation saw a record turnout, as 79 Anglican and Lutheran church leaders gathered at the Canadian Mennonite University in Winnipeg from June 6-8 for discussion on how to build strong missional congregations. The Rev. Dr. Eileen Scully, director of Faith, Worship, and Ministry and a key organizer, described … Continued

‘Let us be gentle and then let us be bold’

As I have been travelling over the last number of days, I have watched – horrified – as once again the people of the United States of America are plunged into national mourning in the wake of yet another mass shooting. This time in the early morning hours of Sunday, the 12th of June, a … Continued

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Resource offers pastoral approaches to physician assisted dying

Eighteen years after the release of Care in Dying, a document produced by the Anglican Church of Canada which sought to provide a theological perspective on physician assisted dying, and 16 months after the Supreme Court of Canada struck down its previous ban on the practice, the church has released a new resource reflecting the … Continued

General Synod greener, more accessible with new app

The 41st General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada will be the most accessible and environmentally friendly yet, thanks to a specially designed web and mobile app that will connect delegates to each other while offering a window into the proceedings for Anglicans across Canada and the general public. All delegates will be provided … Continued

Church calendar shifts to missional focus

The Canadian Church Calendar published annually by the Anglican Church of Canada will take a new direction in 2017, bringing aboard a full communion partner in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) and changing focus from church buildings to church ministry and engagement in God’s mission. Praising the legacy of the buildings bequeathed to … Continued

Congregational development: ‘Being the people God calls us to be’

The following is part of an ongoing monthly series on congregational development, which features reflections from Anglicans on how they are responding to the challenges facing churches today. For Anglicans concerned about how to develop and grow their congregations, the Rev. Christopher Page has a simple suggestion on where to begin. “I think the first … Continued