In March 2015, 17 Anglican bishops from six continents met at a summit in Cape Town, South Africa to discuss how Anglicans could respond to climate change. Their talks eventually led to a written declaration, The World is Our Host: A Call to Urgent Action for Climate Justice. For the Rev. Canon Ken Gray—rector of … Continued
In an open letter, Archbishop Fred Hiltz, Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, Bishop Susan C. Johnson, National Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, and National Indigenous Anglican Bishop Mark MacDonald encourage Anglicans and Lutherans to write letters to the federal government expressing solidarity with the northern community of Pikangikum, Ont.
Download a PDF version of Highlights from the Council of General Synod: September 23, 2015. Council members gathered at 9 a.m. in Cody Hall at St. Paul’s Bloor Street Church in Toronto. Bible Study and Worship Sister Elizabeth Rolfe-Thomas led an opening Bible study and worship service to start the day. Members of the Council of … Continued
View a PDF version of Highlights from the Council of General Synod: September 22, 2015. Council members gathered at 1 p.m. in Cody Hall at St. Paul’s Bloor Street Church in Toronto. Welcome, Prayer, Remarks Archbishop Fred Hiltz, Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, thanked assembled members of the Council of General Synod (CoGS) … Continued
Members of the Council of General Synod (CoGS) will meet in Toronto this week to receive a report from the Commission on the Marriage Canon, paving the way for a resolution on the blessing of same-sex marriage to be made at General Synod 2016. The report—which will be presented to CoGS members on Tuesday, Sept. … Continued
The proposed Charter of Québec Values in 2013 was a watershed moment for interfaith dialogue in that province. Through their shared concern and opposition to the bill—which among other provisions would have banned the wearing of “conspicuous” religious symbols for public sector employees—members of different faiths found themselves united in a common struggle. In the … Continued
“Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” —Luke 9:58 Over his decade of work as a street outreach priest in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, the Rev. Matthew Johnson has seen firsthand the difference that affordable low-income housing can make in a person’s … Continued
In sharing their ideas and experiences, youth ministry leaders from across Canada are able to create a shared vision—a broad outlook that allows them to return to their communities and make their ministry more contextual, and more effective. Professional development is a major focus of “Stronger Together,” a grassroots initiative started five years ago by … Continued
On Sept. 9, Queen Elizabeth II will officially become the longest reigning British monarch, surpassing Queen Victoria who reigned for 63 years and 216 days. In the following open letter, Archbishop Fred Hiltz, Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, thanks the Queen for her years of service to the Commonwealth. August 27, 2015 Her … Continued
The following statement by Archbishop Fred Hiltz, Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, and Adele Finney, executive director of the Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund (PWRDF), in response to the Syrian refugee crisis was originally posted on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2015 at the PWRDF website. The Turkish policeman is us. Aylan Kurdi is our … Continued
The Christian duty to “welcome the stranger” hearkens back to the words of Jesus, himself a refugee, in Matthew 25:35—“For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home.” In that spirit, advocacy on behalf of refugees … Continued
The Anglican Church of Canada continues the journey of healing and reconciliation with Canada’s Indigenous peoples. This path away from the legacy of colonialism and racism including the Indian residential school system reflects the unfortunate universal experiences of human conflict and resilience against egregious acts. Prevailing over such historic divisions through sacred rites and a … Continued
Dear friends, People everywhere are becoming more and more urgently aware of the perilous state of much of creation, and our responsibility as stewards of the earth which we inhabit. Earlier this month Pope Francis called the 1.25-billion members of the Catholic Church to annually observe on September 1 a World Day of Prayer for … Continued
Just in time for the 2015 federal election, a new non-partisan resource offers support for Canadian Anglicans to engage with parties and candidates on a range of vital issues rooted in shared prosperity and protecting the most vulnerable members of society. Entitled Compassion, Justice and Reason: An Anglican Approach for Election 2015, the free downloadable … Continued
As the cool evening air settled, Sacred Circle participants congregated around a small evergreen tree ready to be planted as part of a tradition at the end of the gathering. Before the tree was planted, Bishop Lydia Mamakwa of the Indigenous Spiritual Ministry of Mishamikoweesh offered a few words. “Planting a tree is an occasion … Continued