The Primate, Archbishop Fred Hiltz, is throwing the doors open to all Canadian Anglicans to join in on Vision 2019, a church-wide exercise to discern, dream, and decide where they think God wants the church to be in 2019. This is a great chance for the church to think big. As the Primate puts it, “there’s a fresh wind blowing through our church!”
There are two parts to Vision 2019: a mission study and an invitation to “tell us your story.” Over the next few months, Canadian Anglicans are encouraged to feel and catch this fresh wind and share their hopes, ideas, and dreams. Results will be shared and discussed at General Synod 2010.
Part One: Mission Study (available on the Vision 2019 website Feb. 4)
Called “Engaging God’s Mission” this six-session study will focus on what scripture says about church, mission and the world. It is organized according to the five Marks of Mission, mission priorities used widely throughout the Anglican Communion. As the Primate says, “the five Marks of Mission hold us together as Anglicans around the world and we hope across the country.” They are:
-To proclaim the good news of the kingdom
-To teach, baptize, and nurture new believers
-To respond to human need by loving service
-To seek to transform unjust structures of society
-To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth
Each mission study session includes scripture, a theological reflection, discussion questions, and a story from an Anglican partner.
Part Two: Tell us your story (launching on the Vision 2019 websiteFeb. 18)
Once everyone is buzzing with ideas on mission, all Canadian Anglicans are encouraged to chime in on the “Tell us your story” portion, where they can answer these questions, “Where is your church now, and where do you think the Anglican Church of Canada should be in 2019?”
This is a time to get creative: parishes and individuals can send in their responses in many kinds of media, including video, voice messages, and letters.
The Vision 2019 team at General Synod is excited to hear what Canadian Anglicans think. They will organize and analyze all responses, to present them at General Synod 2010 in Halifax.
“My own hope is that Vision 2019 will be viewed by all of us as an opportunity,” said the Primate, “[it’s] an opportunity to say ‘here’s what I think our church needs to be about.'”