The Anglican Church of Canada’s chief governing council has received a new “framework” to guide the Church’s work and mission for the next six years.
The Council of General Synod (CoGS), which governs the Church in years when General Synod does not meet, considered the framework and made several suggestions for revisions. A revised draft will be circulated to dioceses, church committees and boards by the end of the year.
The framework, which sets out several priorities for the church, would, if approved by General Synod next spring [28 May-4 June 2004], replaces a 10-year strategic plan which was approved in 1995.
The priorities listed in the plan are:
- Deepening Anglican identity for mission and servanthood
- Nurturing and strengthening Christian communities for local witness
- Improving communications and story-telling
- Envisioning ‘The New Agape’
- Building Stewardship and financial capacity
- Strengthening partnerships in Canada
- Sustaining international partnerships
In other business, CoGS approved a balanced budget for 2004. The budget is a “hold-the-line” budget similar to last year’s, but also takes into account that 2004 will be a year during which General Synod meets and during which a new Primate will be elected.
CoGS also passed a motion welcoming an Alternative Dispute Resolution process announced by the federal government last week, to handle claims by former students of native residential schools. The motion expressed appreciation for changes the government made to a release that claimants would be required to sign. The release proposed by the government will be forwarded to the Officers of General Synod for decision by the end of the year.
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For more information, please contact: Vianney (Sam) Carriere, Director of Communications, 416-924-9199 ext. 306; 416-540-3653 (Cell); [email protected]