The Highlights now have a new, more concise format, so readers can easily find and follow the Council of the General Synod’s (CoGS) decisions. Questions and feedback are welcome at [email protected].
CoGS members gathered at the Queen of Apostles Renewal Centre in Mississauga, Ont., for the second day of a three-day meeting.
At a glance
- The project to revitalize Church House, the national office, is entering its next phase, focused on preparing for renovations.
- CoGS approved publishing Behold What You Are, Become What You Receive as a paperback book.
- Terms of reference were adopted for a new task force on artificial intelligence.
- Following the previous day’s presentation, members shared feedback on the report on inclusion and diversity in decision-making.
- The chancellor gave an overview of the questions of church law the Governance Working Group is exploring ahead of General Synod 2028.
- The 2027 budget and a new policy on spending were approved.
Opening worship
The day began with prayer, including for CoGS member Bishop Susan Bell and the Diocese of Niagara, whose synod was meeting the same day.
Church House property plans
CoGS members heard a progress report on plans to renovate the building that houses Church House, the national office in Toronto. Mac Moreau of the Property Task Force and project architect Sheena Sharp of Coolearth Architecture said that once renovated, the building’s lower three floors would house Church House staff and partner organizations, with the upper two offered to a commercial tenant, helping the national office pay for itself.
Planning is nearly complete. Next steps include confirming costs and selecting a contractor, with a business case to come before CoGS for decision.
Book publishing: Behold What You Are, Become What You Receive
In June, CoGS asked communications staff to explore offering Behold What You Are, Become What You Receive, a resource on the principles of Anglican worship, as a printed book. Alicia Brown, communications manager, said the resource will be posted on anglican.ca once final copyright permissions are cleared. A paperback version could also be offered on the Anglican Church of Canada eStore through print-on-demand, with printing costs covered by purchases.
CoGS approved producing a print edition for purchase.
Motion: Communications Resource Production—Behold What You Are, Become What You Receive
That this Council of the General Synod directs the communication function of Church House to proceed with the production of Behold What You Are, Become What You Receive as a physical publication made available on the E-store for purchase, understanding that staffing, budget and marketing considerations for this project will be addressed by the Church House staff. CARRIED
Task force on artificial intelligence
In June, CoGS called for terms of reference for a new task force on artificial intelligence (AI). Its purpose is to develop guiding principles to help the church engage faithfully with AI as the technology changes. The terms of reference, which set out the task force’s mandate and membership, call for a wide range of voices to be represented.
Motion: Terms of Reference for the Council of the General Synod Task Force on Artificial Intelligence
That the Council of the General Synod adopt the Terms of Reference for the Council of the General Synod Task Force on Artificial Intelligence. CARRIED
Inclusion and diversity in decision-making (Pathway 3): table discussions
Following the previous day’s Pathway 3 presentation, CoGS members discussed the consultants’ report in table groups. Their feedback will help guide the Transformation Task Force, which oversees the six pathways for transformation, as it considers the report’s recommendations.
Members highlighted the need to develop and support new leaders, keep relationships at the centre of the church’s work, equip bishops to carry this work into their dioceses and focus on outcomes. The Transformation Task Force expects to report back to CoGS in the spring.
Bible study
Archdeacon Cheryl Palmer, chaplain to CoGS, led Bible study on Matthew 25:1-13.
Church law and governance
Chancellor George Cadman, who chairs the Governance Working Group, gave an update on the group’s work, much of it following up on General Synod 2025.
He said Canon XXII, the church law on Indigenous ministry, may well become a large focus for the group, including how it will reflect Our Way of Life, a guiding document of Sacred Circle, the self-determining Indigenous church. Whether the canon is changed, replaced or left in place is still to be decided, the chancellor said, and any changes would likely come before two consecutive meetings of the General Synod.
The group is also exploring whether people who join parish worship online should count toward the attendance figures that determine how many members each diocese elects to the General Synod. Building on the previous day’s discussion of the transition between Primates, the group is considering whether the General Synod’s canons, or church law, should give a newly elected Primate a formal role between election and installation. That decision will depend on plans for the transition period, which are expected to come to CoGS for approval.
He also said there are no current plans to convene the General Synod before 2028. The Creating Pathways report, approved by General Synod 2025, recommended a constitutional convention to redesign church structures. That proposal is unlikely to proceed before General Synod 2028.
Financial management
Beng Wee, treasurer of the General Synod, reported that from January to August, revenue was $5.9 million, below budget but $335,000 higher than the same period last year. He credited a strong year for development, the national church’s fundraising function, including $319,000 from the Giving with Grace campaign. Expenses were well below last year, as changes at Church House took effect.
For 2027, Wee said revenue is expected to remain steady while expenses continue to decline. With planned transfers from church funds, a modest surplus is expected. These projections do not include costs for renovating the Church House property.
Motion: 2027 Budget
That the Council of the General Synod approve the 2027 budget. CARRIED
In response to a General Synod 2025 resolution, CoGS also adopted a new policy on spending. It requires CoGS approval before any unbudgeted expense of 2% or more of the annual budget.
Motion: Expenditures Policy
That the Council of the General Synod adopt the attached expenditures policy [saying all expenditures of the General Synod shall be governed by principles for mission and budget alignment, stewardship, segregation of duties, independent approval, documentation and audit trail, and dealing with unbudgeted transactions or proposed expenditures] effective November 9, 2026. CARRIED
Navigating change together
At the request of CoGS, Canon Janet Marshall and Canon Andrew Stephens-Rennie, co-chairs of the Transformation Task Force, guided members in reflecting on change and transition. In small groups, members acted out the story of the Exodus. They noticed how the Israelites stayed together, encouraged one another and kept moving forward without knowing exactly where they were going, and that the journey belonged to the whole community.
Stephens-Rennie explained that change happens around us, while transition, the inner process of adjusting to it, takes time. Marshall said CoGS has a key role in building confidence and a strong foundation for change as the church moves toward General Synod 2028.
Evening prayer
The day’s agenda concluded with evening prayer in the chapel.
For more stories and detail from this meeting, watch for coverage from the Anglican Journal in the weeks ahead.