Highlights from the Council of General Synod: March 7-9, 2025
These are the unofficial notes from meetings of the Council of General Synod (CoGS), the church’s governing body between national meetings of General Synod.
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Highlights from the Council of General Synod: March 9, 2025
Members of Council of General Synod (CoGS) gathered at the Queen of Apostles Renewal Centre in Mississauga, Ont. at 9 a.m. EST. Messages to Next CoGS The Very Rev. Tim Dobbin and the Rev. Lucia Lloyd, co-chairs of the Planning and Agenda Team, invited council to present messages to the next CoGS. Members discussed what … Continued
Highlights from the Council of General Synod: March 8, 2025
Members of Council of General Synod (CoGS) gathered at the Queen of Apostles Renewal Centre in Mississauga, Ont. at 9 a.m. EST. Gospel-Based Discipleship CoGS began the day with gospel-based discipleship, reflecting upon Luke 5:27-32, in which the tax collector Levi holds a banquet for Jesus. When the Pharisees and their scribes complain to the … Continued
Highlights from the Council of General Synod: March 7, 2025
Members of Council of General Synod (CoGS) gathered at the Queen of Apostles Renewal Centre in Mississauga, Ont. at 9 a.m. EST. Opening Eucharist National Indigenous Anglican Archbishop Chris Harper presided at the opening Eucharist. Archbishop Anne Germond, Acting Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, delivered the homily. Members took a break from 10:05 … Continued
Ecumenical statement in solidarity with Palestinian and Israeli partners
“Words are not enough. We call on church members to continue to pray and act for peace. We urge church members to share their concerns for human rights, international law, and a just peace in the Middle East with their elected leaders and with those seeking public office. We call on member churches, church constituents and all Canadians to amplify the calls of churches, faith leaders, civil society organizations and partners in the region for just peace, human dignity and international law, with strength and with urgency.”
Lent, our ‘God-given time of disruption’
Disruptions can be the bane of our existence. Sometimes they affect us momentarily and are a mere inconvenience; other times they are life-altering.
A prayer for those called to be our leaders
Remember that we are all called to leadership, to give our level best and be all that to which we were called and for which we were created—to serve, forgive, love, lift up and enable the other before us.
Key dates for the Primatial election process: from the General Secretary
The General Synod will meet June 23-29, 2025, in London, Ontario. A major item of business will be the election on June 26 of a new Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada. This statement sets out the timelines so that the whole church may be well informed as to what will be communicated and when. A summary of key dates can be found at the end.
Statement on the death of Prince Karim Al-Hussaini, Aga Khan IV
As we join with many in mourning the death of Prince Karim Aga Khan, I extend on behalf of the Anglican Church of Canada our deepest condolences to his family and to our Ismaili Muslim neighbours here in Canada and all over the world.
Praying for the humility to change, and accept change
The landscape of ministry is being re-shaped. Are we ready?
Church leaders call for permanent ceasefire
We welcome the January 19, 2025, temporary ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. This is a first step and potentially a meaningful one toward a permanent ceasefire and peace in this fractured land.
Black History Month celebrates heritage, gifts
In last month’s column I reflected on the Magi’s journey—both to and from the manger—emphasizing the significance of the paths we take after encountering the Christ child.
Digitization of Anglican Video archives a ‘gift to historians’
Video footage of all General Synods going back to 1988 and documentaries of all 11 Sacred Circles has now been digitized—converted from videotape into a format that can be processed by computers—and will soon be fully indexed in a free online archive that a leading scholar calls useful not just for church historians, but for all interested Anglicans.
Canada Post strike delays donations to church, other charities
Churches and other charitable organizations across Canada are awaiting confirmation on a proposed extension to the Canada Revenue Agency’s annual deadline for charitable donation from Dec. 31, 2024 to Feb. 28, 2025.