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.
That the Memorial re Standard of Giving be referred to the Department of Information and Stewardship, requesting them to implement the terms of same. CARRIED
That this National Executive Council approve recommendations (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), and (f) on page 7 of the Funding Strategy Unit response to the Continuity and Planning Study, which read:
a) That there be a Stewardship/Financial Development Committee of General Synod. This committee would replace the present Funding Strategy Unit.
b) That there be clear liaison through staff between the Stewardship/Financial Development Committee and the Long Range Planning, Administration and Finance, and Program Committees so that the financial development implications of national goals and objectives can be factored into their deliberations.
c) That there be a Stewardship/Financial Development office of the General Synod Program Division with a Director responsible to the Executive Director of Program and that this office's activity be given comparable status with the other Program offices.
d) That there be close liaison between the Stewardship/Financial Development office and other staff offices dealing with Evangelism, Mission, Christian Education, and Social Action.
e) That the Stewardship/Financial Development office be strengthened with additional staff. (In 1986 the approximate cost of this will be $63,000.) Further staff additions may be required as the program develops.
f) That the Stewardship/Financial Development office develop and test models of financial development programs to share with dioceses and parishes on request.
g) That the Church at the national level give leadership, training and resources to help dioceses and parishes implement specific programs of financial development. CARRIED
Notes
See also companion resolution [off 994] on p. 7 entitled "Funding Strategy Unit".
That the National Executive Council approve "that, until such time as giving to the National Church through diocesan apportionments is sufficient to meet the financial requirements of the Program (including grants for work in the North and Overseas), there be an annual Direct Appeal to Church members for support of that Program; and
that the joint task force pursue a program of fund-raising (stewardship emphasis) which will result in the goal of full support of the national program budget."
ALSO
"That General Synod be asked to approve a national Appeal in each of the years 1976 and 1977; and
that the Joint Task Force on Funding National Goals be asked to set overall financial targets after the Appeal purposes have been approved by National Executive Council." CARRIED
Members of the Anglican Church of Canada's General Synod have adopted a plan that focuses strongly on the development of new resources and church work at the local level.
The plan, entitled "Loving God's World, Strengthening the Church [sic i.e. Serving God's World, Strengthening the Church]", would maintain most of the work the church is now doing both nationally and internationally, and also add work giving the national church a stronger role in assisting parishes at the local level.
It would be phased in as resources for its implementation become available.
The plan is called a "framework" rather than a strategic plan to emphasize flexibility in its implementation.
The plan, which would be in effect until 2010, identifies seven major priorities in the next six years:
- Strengthening and developing Anglican identity;
- The development of local communities through networks and other programs;
- More effective communication of church stories;
- Building and strengthening relationships with indigenous peoples
- Developing and strengthening the church's financial capacity;
- Developing partnerships to better advocate for social justice, and
- Continued support for the church's international partners.
The General Synod is the national embodiment of the church's 30 dioceses and generally focuses on work that is best done or that can only be done at the national level.
Synod members also approved an accompanying document "Letting Down the Nets" that envisages a renewed emphasis on fostering planned giving initiatives and on assisting the local church with stewardship development.
The Anglican General Synod is the church's highest governing and legislative body. It is made up of lay people, deacons, priests and bishops elected from each of the church's 30 dioceses, and meets every three years. The synod has been meeting in this Southern Ontario city to conduct the church's business for the past eight days.
The General Synod gathering concludes today with the installation as Primate of Archbishop Andrew Hutchison of Montreal. He will be formally installed as Primate at a church service at Hamilton's Christ's Church Cathedral this afternoon.
The General Synod elected Archbishop Hutchison Primate on Monday [31 May 2004]. He succeeds Archbishop Michael Peers who served in the senior position for 18 years and who retired last February.
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For more information, please contact: Vianney (Sam) Carriere, Director of Communications, OR Brian Sarjeant, Media Relations, at the General Synod Media Room: 905-984-4868. Mr. Carriere's cell phone is 416-540-3653; Mr. Sarjeant's cell phone is 613-558-5023
"With his background in economics, Archdeacon John M. Robertson is well schooled to help Anglicans plan their gifts in creative ways that reduce their tax burden and optimize benefits to themselves and the church. As national gift planning officer, Robertson has spent nearly two decades in gift planning and stewardship education. He's facilitated millions of dollars in donations to sustain the mission work of parishes and dioceses, as well as General Synod and its national partners. Most fulfilling for him is 'helping individual donors and their families in making gifts for the work of God through the church that makes a significant difference in the lives of others, both now and in the future'. He is also gratified by working with clergy and lay teams in developing effective stewardship education and gift-planning initiatives". [Text of entire article.]
Eight page insert (1-8) with May 2013 issue of Anglican Journal. Anglican Church of Canada Ministry Report. Insert produced by Resources for Mission Dept.
"The Anglican Church of Canada has an exciting initiative under way: a web-based network of education and support for people passionate about stewardship. Stewardship in this context is broadly construed, according to Suzanne Lawson, co-ordinator, Together in Mission. 'We're asking: how do we steward everything we've been given by God for God's mission ? Our time, our energy, our financial resources, the world ?" "[T]he church convened a consultation called Rethinking Stewardship. Some 30 Anglicans from across Canada -- all committed to raising the bar in this area -- met in Toronto in September 2012. 'The question was: how can we help at the national level at a time of restraint for everyone ?', says Lawson. Several proposals emerged. The first, launched this past February [2013], is a blog called Growing Good Stewards and posted on The Community at anglican.ca. '"Our purpose is to create a place for conversing, learning, sharing ideas, networking and imagining the future', says Glen Mitchell, blog director and also director of stewardship and planned giving for the diocese of New Westminster. 'Much of the content will be very practical, actionable information framed in the theology of abundance'."
Eight page insert (1-8) with May 2013 issue of Anglican Journal. Anglican Church of Canada Ministry Report. Insert produced by Resources for Mission Dept.
The Diocese of Quebec held a stewardship conference, with the theme "Living Stone", near North Hatley in October 2001. Among the keynote speakers was Canon John Erb, Executive Director of the Anglican Foundation. Since 1993,Anglican Foundation awards in the diocese have totaled approximately $315,000 in grants and low interest loans. A number of grants have also been given in support of theological students". Fiona Brownlee reported that: "Canon John Erb focused on our theme of 'Living Stones' and helped us to explore what it means to be a living stone in the church of God ... 'stones live through the changes from outside of them, being transformed into possible building stones, gem stones, marking stones, corner stones. No natural element remains the same, it may take centuries but they are transformed. Living stones are not only alive in themselves, but also alive to the forces around them, we must be helped to experience that liveliness .. we need to be open to the transformation God is calling us to experience'."
The present scale of giving in the Church of England in Canada is insufficient both to maintain the established work of the Church and to provide for the needed extension. Therefore it is urged that greater emphasis be laid upon the best spirit and the highest principles which should prompt the giving of our people. There is an abundance of literature available for distribution. On the subject of "Christian Stewardship," we suggest the publications of the "Association of Christian Stewards," 414 Manning Chambers, Toronto. On the subject of "Tithing" we highly recommend the booklet written by the Rev. Principal C.C. Waller, D.D., of Huron College, and published as the "Laymen's Series," "A," of the Diocese of Huron. We further call attention to the many leaflets issued by "The Laymen Company," 730 Rush Street, Chicago, Ill., U.S.A. But we are convinced that some definite organization should be established in each diocese for the careful and systematic distribution of what is felt to be the best and most suitable material to create and to awaken interest, and to produce the best results in each respective locality. And we desire to call attention to the work being carried on along these lines by the publications of "The Laymen's Association," of the Diocese of Huron. (Signed) G.F. Scovil, Chairman. CARRIED in both Houses.
That this National Executive Council authorizes the first phase of the Continuity and Planning Study proposed by the Community Charitable Counselling Services at a cost of $2,500, plus expenses, the cost to come from Anglicans in Mission funds. Further, that this be done in consultation with the Funding Strategy Unit and Anglicans in Mission National Steering Committee with a view to bringing a report to the National Executive Council in the Spring of 1984.