Anglican Church of Canada
Annual Report 2023
Faith in action
A reflection by Dion Lewis, Diocese of Montreal
I volunteer because my faith calls me to it. The gathered community can only gain when all its parts are involved in its support. I truly enjoy sharing my gifts as it encourages and strengthens those with whom I volunteer. I hope that the work I do gives hope to all those it affects. I have learned so much and I am so grateful for the opportunities it has given me. The few times I get to see the results of the work, I am encouraged to give back even more. Seeing others act out their faith helps me continue to act out my faith. Love abounds.
Primate’s Office
Representing the Church
With travel possible again in 2023, Primate Linda Nicholls was able to journey across Canada and around the world as a representative of the Anglican Church of Canada. In February, she travelled to PWRDF projects in Kenya, to a conference on human trafficking in Tanzania and to the Anglican Consultative Council meeting in Ghana. In May, she joined the young adult pilgrimage to the Holy Land, delighting in the gifts and leadership of these amazing Anglicans. In November, she visited the diocese of Amazonia, as our partnership with the Anglican Episcopal Church of Brazil deepens. She also travelled to more remote areas in the dioceses of Yukon and Caledonia during Holy Week and made a fall visit to Labrador, including Rigolet, the southernmost Inuit community in the world.
The Primate gives voice to General Synod commitments and advocates for those who need our assistance. In April, she joined other mainline church leaders in Ottawa to speak to MPs and others about our grave concerns for Palestinians, and especially Palestinian Christians, in the Holy Land. Little did we anticipate what would unfold later in the year. We continued to speak up against violence—the horrific violence of Hamas on October 7 and the unrelenting violence in Gaza in response. Our advocacy in partnership with the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem continues.
The Primate also met with and supported the other Metropolitans and the House of Bishops and worked with the General Synod staff and Council of General Synod to carry on the daily work of the national church. It was a rich and fulfilling year.
Indigenous Ministries
Building a self-determining church
For Indigenous Ministries, 2023 was a historic year. Sacred Circle, the self-determining Indigenous church within the Anglican Church of Canada, ratified the Covenant and Our Way of Life—founding documents similar to a constitution and canons, respectively—at its gathering in May and June in Ramara, Ontario. The signing of the documents was a joyous occasion for members of Sacred Circle, who wore orange shirts to honour the memory of children who did not return home from residential schools.
Sacred Circle saw the installation of Chris Harper as the new national Indigenous Anglican archbishop. Archbishop Harper called on Sacred Circle to be “peace bringers,” adding that members had “a glorious opportunity to build up the church and to show the unity of the church in our Indigenous ministries, as we find our own voice in our own communities.” Sacred Circle also elected new members to the Anglican Council of Indigenous Peoples (ACIP).
A major milestone in 2023 was the first meeting of Sacred Beginnings, a gathering for young Indigenous Anglicans in Beausejour, Manitoba, that aimed to help them learn about their spiritual heritage. The event included the building of two sweat lodges and a trip to Winnipeg. Many of the young people in attendance had travelled from home communities that face challenges such as gangs and suicide. Sacred Beginnings sought to create a sense that young Indigenous Anglicans are part of a larger family that includes Sacred Circle, ACIP and non-Indigenous Anglicans. Sacred Beginnings’ goal is to serve as a kind of Sacred Circle for young adults, with its own youth council, to promote healing.
General Secretary’s Office
Planning Assembly
In 2023, the General Secretary’s office planned and managed the meeting of General Synod at the Assembly, a joint gathering in Calgary with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC). In addition to celebrating our full communion relationship with the ELCIC, we welcomed guests representing the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the Episcopal Church. We added another full communion partner by entering into a new agreement with the Moravian Church. General Synod also approved the five transformational commitments that had emerged from the work of the Strategic Planning Working Group.
With the election of new officers and committee members, we are now engaged in the tasks determined by General Synod. We are also planning for the next General Synod meeting in London, Ontario, in 2025.
We are very grateful for the many generous donors who provide faithful support for the work of General Synod.
Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations
Drawing the circle wider
The Anglican Church of Canada has been in full communion with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada for nearly 23 years—a source of immeasurable blessings. A wonderful celebration at Assembly 2023 saw us expand the circle further by establishing a full communion relationship with the Moravian Church in North America (Northern Province).
Full communion offers opportunities to learn and grow in our understanding of the great diversity of the Body of Christ, by drawing upon the uniqueness and gifts among other followers of the Jesus Way. In a changing church, full communion at the national, regional, and local levels also offers exciting potential for spiritual and institutional revitalization, and a path to greater sustainability in ministry. God willing, the full communion circle will continue to be drawn wider in the coming years, “that all may be one” (John 17).
Global Relations
Inspiring Partnerships
Global Relations, along with other General Synod ministries and in partnership with the Canadian Companions of Jerusalem and the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, hosted a journey of pilgrimage and discovery in the Holy Land for 20 young adult Canadian Anglicans during the 2023 Easter season. This remarkable experience continues to resonate through the pilgrims’ ongoing relationships with Palestinian Anglican young adults and in the formation of their faith for discipleship.
Another highlight in 2023 was the renewal of partnership with the Anglican Episcopal Church of Brazil, in support of the Primatial ministry of Archbishop Marinez Bassotto and companionship between the dioceses of Amazonia and Huron. Travels within the northeast Amazon basin and meetings with Indigenous women’s groups, local parishes, clergy, lay leaders and young adults will inform and inspire deepening partnership for years to come in areas of mutual importance.
Youth Ministries
Supporting young people
Energy and excitement were palpable at the 2023 Canadian Lutheran Anglican Youth (CLAY) gathering in Waterloo, Ontario. Built around the theme Ashes and Embers, it was the first in-person CLAY event since 2018 due to the COVID-19 pandemic—a chance to be together once again and create community.
The pandemic was a difficult time for most people and especially for youth and youth leaders. Young people struggled with isolation through lockdowns while youth leaders worked hard to support them.
CLAY brought together more than 300 youth, leaders, volunteers, and clergy. Keynote speakers encouraged each person to celebrate his or her uniqueness as a creation of God. Sometimes it is hard to be faithful to who we are in a world that tells us to be someone different. The young people gathered at CLAY found a place where they are loved and accepted within a community of faith. Everyone left the gathering excited to be able to meet again in 2025.
Public Witness for Social and Ecological Justice
Advocating for justice
The Public Witness for Social and Ecological Justice (PWSEJ) ministry of General Synod gives national expression to the work of the whole Church to build the world of justice God calls us to. PWSEJ has developed resources and tools for parish and diocesan use, led ongoing advocacy with the federal government, and developed collaborations with ecumenical, interfaith, and civil society partners around shared areas of concern and action. The ministry continues to support local capacity to advocate for social and environmental justice through learning opportunities, regional gatherings, and volunteer involvement with national networks and partners. PWSEJ works closely with other General Synod ministries using a holistic approach that integrates shared priorities across ministry areas.
Financial snapshot
For more information, see General Synod’s audited financial statements.
Thank you
for building a strong Anglican Church of Canada!
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
—Romans 8:28
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