Article reports on the discussion at the fall meeting of the Council of General Synod about funding for the Letting Down the Nets initiative, the closing of the book store and the mandate for the Anglican Journal.
"The 14th Anglican Consultative Council (ACC) has not 'given evidence of any belief' that Anglicans worldwide have no future together', said Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, even as he warned that it would be 'inevitable' that the Anglican Communion could turn into a 'much more dispersed association' or federation if not all member churches sign on to the proposed covenant'." "Apart from the thorny issue of human sexuality, the ACC spent considerable time discussing matters like mission, evangelism and theological education. It passed a total of 40 resolutions on topics ranging from the environment to peace-making. They engaged in 'mission encounters' with local parishes and saw the 'joys and challenges' in their ministries." "For the first time in the ACC's history, Anglican networks were given more time and space. The ACC is composed of lay, clergy and bishop delegates from 44 regional and national churches in over 160 countries".
"Bishop Sue Moxley, of the diocese of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, said her life changed in 1993 after listening to former residential school students talk about their experiences. It was then, said Bishop Moxley, that she realized 'The church I loved as this great big black blotch on its history'. In another forum, Archbishop Fred Hiltz, primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, offered an apology to students 'for the years of lost love' and for 'the aggressive efforts to remake you in our image'. 'I am sorry for the bruising of your bodies, the crushing of your spirits and the violation of your innocence', said Archbishop Hiltz. "I am deeply sorry for the terrible pain we inflicted, and for the terrible memories that many of you still carry today. I, and my church, must listen to your stories, your hurt, the humiliation and the burden of our sins on your lives'. The Anglican church first offered its apology to students in 1993". [Text of entire article.]
"The 14th Anglican Consultative Council (ACC) by a close vote on May 8 [2009] rejected a move to add a fourth moratorium on issues related to divisions over human sexuality that would have asked for a 'cessation of litigation' among member churches of the Anglican Communion involved in disputes over property." "By a secret ballot vote of 60 in favour, four against, and one abstention, the ACC also said it 'acknowledges the efforts that have been made to hold to the moratoria, gives thanks for the gracious restraint that has been observed in these area and recognizes the deep cost of such restraint'. Voting 33 against, 32 in favour, and 1 abstention, the ACC defeated an amendment introduced by Archbishop Mouneer Anis, primate of Jerusalem and the Middle East, to include a call for a moratorium on litigation, which he said had been requested by the primates' meeting in Dar es Salaam in 2007. The Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church, Katharine Jefferts Schori, urged delegates to vote against the amendment. 'The reality is that those who have sought to remove property from The Episcopal Church have done so without consultation, with an unwillingness to be in dialogue'. Leaders of the church have a 'moral and fiduciary responsibility' to see that its assets are preserved for the purpose for which they were given, she said".
"The Rt. Rev. Morse Robinson, known to many as a 'servant bishop' and strong advocate of mission and ministry, died on Dec. 7 [2012] after a brief illness. He was 92. Robinson was a 'creative visionary who served generously' according to Marilyn Malton, director of the Renison Institute of Ministry in Waterloo, Ont. Robinson founded the Renison Institute in 1987 in response to the need for skilled lay ministries, and served as its director until 2001. Robinson's priority was strengthening and equipping parish ministry teams through mentoring and 'pastoral and practical' courses/workshops. His mantra: 'Shepherds don't make sheep, sheep do'. At Robinson's request, a memorial service will take place at St. Mark's Church, Niagara-on-the-Lake, on May 25, 2013, at 2 p.m." [Text of entire article.]
"On Jan. 3 [2013], British Columbia Bishop James Cowan announced he has authorized the blessing of same-sex unions in response to a request made by diocesan synod in March 2010". "Blessings will be subject to guidelines -- among these, that they will be granted only in parishes 'where a majority decision of Vestry requests such a status from the bishop'. The parish must also make its request to the bishop in writing, and such a request must be renewed each time a new incumbent is appointed and takes office. In his guidelines, Cowan emphasized that a blessing should not be construed as a solemnization of matrimony in the church. 'The Anglican Church of Canada does not recognize as marriage civil contracts between persons of the same gender', he wrote. Only incumbents of parishes where permission for blessings is granted will be permitted to bless. Cowan has authorized the blessing rite of the diocese of New Westminster for use in his diocese. No member of the diocese, lay or ordained, shall be required to act against their conscience on the matter of same-sex blessings".
"The bishop of the Anglican diocese of British Columbia, James Cowan, has announced his resignation effective this Aug. 31 [2013] in order to retire. Cowan's resignation has been accepted by the House of Bishops and the metropolitan of the ecclesiastical province of British Columbia. Cowan has served as bishop of the Victoria-based diocese for the past nine years. Installed as the 12th bishop of British Columbia in 2004, Cowan worked to transform the structures of the diocese, saying change was necessary in order for the church to be relevant. He emphasized that the restructuring plan was not merely in response to declining membership but was focused on new ministries and evangelism that would engage with lapsed Anglicans and the 'un-churched'. Ordained a priest in 1977, Cowan has been involved in ministries at all levels of the church". [Text of entire article.]
"General Synod ended 2011 with a deficit of 65,000, due to a decline in expected revenue of $808,000 according to Treasurer Michele George". "The 2011 results show that budgeting revenue remains a challenge for General Synod. If necessary, other sources of funding may need to be identified or work deferred said George, who resigned in July [2012], citing health and family reasons. The resignation becomes effective Oct. 1 [2012]." "Vianney (Sam) Carriere, director of Resources for Mission, said that the Anglican Journal Appeal and the Gifts for Mission catalogue met their targets in 2011. In addition, efforts are underway to strengthen all three fundraising campaigns through the integration of campaign staff and resources".
"Suicide is 'not an easy tea and cookie conversation', Cynthia Patterson told a gathering of about 200 indigenous Anglicans at the Seventh Sacred Circle. However, she added, the pandemic among aboriginal people can no longer be ignored. In Nunavut, the suicide rate is 15 times the national average -- which is 15 per 100,000 people. In the Arctic, it is 11 times the national average. Families need to talk about suicide instead of sweeping it under the rug, said Patterson. 'We have kids, aunts and uncles who die and the pain is so great .. We don't talk about them .. It's as if they've disappeared'. For its part, the Anglican church has moved oversight of the suicide-prevention program to the indigenous ministry department, noted Patterson. The aim is to 'extend its reach into every nook and cranny', said National Indigenous Anglican Bishops Mark MacDonald. Suicide prevention will now be part of training for clergy, catechists and other church workers, he told the Journal". [Text of entire article.]
"The Council of General Synod (CoGS) has approved the appointment of Hanna Goschy as the new treasurer and chief financial officer of the Anglican Church of Canada's General Synod. Last October [2012], Goschy, then the General Synod controller, was appointed acting treasurer after the resignation of Michele George. A search committee recommended Goschy's name to the primate, Archbishop Fred Hiltz, who then submitted it to CoGS for approval. A certified management accountant, Goschy was previously chief financial officer for YMCA Canada. She has also worked as senior accountant for Transamerica Life Canada as senior control officer for Manulife Financial". [Text of entire article.]