Grand Chief Stan Beardy brings ideas, proposal to Church House

When Grand Chief Stan Beardy of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) visited the General Synod offices on Jan. 21, he had two main messages for the Anglican Church of Canada: help advocate for Aboriginal rights, and allow Aboriginals to take greater responsibility for their own leadership within the church.

Launch of Lambeth Conference 2008

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, today launched the official programme for Lambeth Conference 2008 Equipping Bishops for Mission at Lambeth Palace. Joining Dr Williams on the panel were Archbishop Ellison Pogo (Archbishop of Melanesia and Chairman of the Design Group) and Archbishop Ian Ernest (Archbishop of the Province of the Indian Ocean). Mrs Jane Williams outlined the plans for the Spouses’ Conference which is being held alongside the bishops’ conference. Jane Williams was joined by Margaret Sentamu. 30 bishops from 17 provinces around the Anglican Communion also joined the press conference.

Primate preaches on Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

What follow is the text of a sermon preached by Archbishop Fred Hiltz, Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Archbishop Hiltz delivered the sermon at St. Paul’s Basilica in Toronto on Jan 20.

Christian conference calls for reconciliation

An interdisciplinary conference, to be held Jan. 21 and 22 at the King’s University College in Edmonton, Alta., will reiterate Canadian churches’ call for truth and reconciliation between Aboriginals and non-Aboriginals. The conference, titled “Truth and Reconciliation: Healing the Legacy of Residential Schools” will include smudging ceremonies, speakers, small-group discussions, and interactive exercises.

Pension Office to move Jan. 24

On Jan. 24, the Pension Office Corp. of the Anglican Church of Canada will move from the national office at 80 Hayden Street, Toronto, to a new site one block away. Originally the move was scheduled for Nov. 1, 2008.

Donor complaint reveals telephone scam

At least two donors to The Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund have reported a telemarketing scam soliciting donations on behalf of the “Primate’s Fund” or some related name. The donors are from Eastern Ontario and from Newfoundland.

Large donation from Huron supports stewardship program

For the past three years, Canon Geoff Jackson, senior development officer at the national office, has worked with a team of experts to cultivate good stewardship practices at the parish, diocesan, and national levels. The program was called Letting Down the Nets, and in December 2007 it received a boost with a $200,000 donation from the Diocese of Huron.

The new bishop's to-do list

“How high do you want your mitre?” This was not a question that Canon Linda Nicholls, the newly elected suffragan bishop of Toronto, had thought of when she set out to find an episcopal outfit. But now she was in a vestment store facing a selection of traditional, pointed bishops’ hats. “Which mitre best represents my ministry?” she wondered.

Global Christian consultation tackles biotechnology

Designer babies, nanotechnology, and genetically modified crops were a few of the topics covered at a Dec. 2-5 consultation in Johannesburg, South Africa. The Global Consultation for Genetics, New Biotechnologies, and the Ministry of the Church gathered 45 church representatives, scientists, young people, indigenous people, disabled people, and theologians to talk about biotechnology, defined as the industrial use of microorganisms or biological substances.

A Joint Christmas Greeting from Anglican Primate Archbishop Fred Hiltz and ELCIC National Bishop Susan Johnson

Grace to you and peace in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

It gives us great pleasure to write to you together as the Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada and the National Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada in order to send you our best wishes for a blessed Advent and a joyous celebration of Christmas.