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A hope-filled and Spirit-led tone graced the closing Eucharist service of General Synod 2010 as members were sent on their way, Feeling the Winds of God — Charting a New Course, and the 39th session came to a close on Friday, June 11. For nine days at St. Mary’s University in Halifax, Nova Scotia members worshiped, prayed, deliberated, and discerned where God was calling the Anglican Church of Canada.
Canadian Anglicans took a step forward in considering the Anglican Covenant with the passing of resolution A137: Anglican Communion Covenant at General Synod 2010 on Thursday, June 10.
On June 11, the second anniversary of the apology to survivors of residential schools made by the Prime Minister in the House of Commons, members of the General Synod 2010 unanimously passed Resolution A179-R2 which calls for greater participation of the church in the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) of Canada.
Through conversations, “marked by grace, honesty and generosity towards one another,” members of General Synod 2010 affirmed on Thursday, June 10 a resolution (A115: Affirmation of Sexuality Discernment) encapsulating discussions that took place through the work of various commissions and committees over the last triennium and at General Synod 2010 on human sexuality.
On Thursday, June 10, members of General Synod 2010 passed resolution A115 — Affirmation of Sexuality Discernment. The resolution affirms a statement on the discussions that took place at General Synod on human sexuality and, “requests the General Secretary to forward it to the Diocesan Bishops with the request that it will be distributed within each diocese.”
The church has a new strategic plan. Vision 2019, which “invites the Holy Spirit to shape the life of [the] church more and more deeply in paths of discipleship and mission”, was approved during the morning session of General Synod 2010 on June 9.
On Tuesday, June 8, members of General Synod 2010 received a summary of the feedback generated in discernment groups they attended the previous day. The groups, made up of approximately 19 members, met following a “faithful reporting” presentation on June 6 by representatives from committees and commissions regarding their discussions, actions and statements on this topic that has taken place since General Synod 2007.
“We aren’t the same churches that we were 30 years ago,” says the Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori, 26th Presiding Bishop and Primate of The Episcopal Church (TEC), “and for that we give thanks.”
The landscape of the church is changing and we are faced with a culture that has, “less knowledge of the faith,” with each successive generation. Through a dynamic presentation full of startling statistics to General Synod 2010 on Monday, June 7, members were encouraged to consider new approaches to the environments they minister in.
The Anglican Communion brings together a worldwide family of national and regional Anglican churches. It is not, “an organization or body ‘out there’ which you join or not join,” said Rev. Canon Kenneth Kearon, General Secretary of the Anglican Communion, in an address to members of General Synod on Monday, June 7. “The Anglican Communion is this place,” he said, referring to the Anglican Church of Canada.
Christmas came early to General Synod today, as members raised their voices to sing the carol “Silent Night.” Their heart-felt performance launches the Silent Night Project: Anglicans promote peace in the spirit of Amazing Grace.
In celebration of 300 years of continuous Anglican presence and worship in the Diocese of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, members of General Synod 2010 were treated to a magnificent worship service at Exhibition Grounds in Halifax, Nova Scotia on June 6.
Discussions on human sexuality have been at the forefront of church deliberations for many years. On the third full day of General Synod 2010, representatives from committees and commissions that have done considerable work in this area, along with Archbishop Fred Hiltz, shared with the members of General Synod an overview of discussions, actions and statements on this topic which have taken place since General Synod 2007.
Strengthening and deepening the partnership with the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem has become a priority for the Anglican Church of Canada. On the second full day of General Synod 2010, members heard first hand the challenges facing people in the Holy Land and how hope and witness has sustained them in their faith and ministry.
For over 50 years, the Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund (PWRDF) has been mobilizing and energizing people around the world. On the second full day of General Synod 2010, members heard highlights of this “instrument of faith” and how PWRDF “changes lives and changes communities.”