The Primate, Archbishop Fred Hiltz, has expressed his concern and care for people affected by forest fires in Alberta and flooding in Manitoba. In letters to the dioceses of Athabasca, Brandon, and Rupert’s Land, the Primate assured all those coping with fires and floods that the prayers of Canadian Anglicans are with them.
The Church of the Province of South East Asia and the Church of Ireland have affirmed the Anglican Covenant. On May 13 the Church of Ireland’s General Synod voted to “subscribe” to the covenant and on May 8, South East Asia issued a letter of accession.
From June 23 to 26, an international Anglican conference will convene in Victoria, B.C., to explore how churches can be safer environments for vulnerable youth and adults. “Partnering for Prevention: Addressing Abuse in our Communion and in our Communities” is the second conference convened by the Anglican Communion Safe Church Consultation.
General Synod has released six documentaries of national Indigenous Sacred Circles for general viewing online. Since 1988, six Sacred Circle meetings have brought together hundreds of Indigenous Anglicans from across Canada to share experiences, celebrate the work of the spirit, and take steps toward self-determination.
Gathered under a banner bearing Psalm 24’s reminder — “The Earth is God’s, and all that is in it” — about 150 people from all parts of the Earth considered the impact of Canadian mining companies on their communities and offered some signs of what must be done differently.
In the busy Guatemalan city of Santa Cruz del Quiché, a Canadian Anglican priest, the Rev. Emilie Smith, leads a ministry of reconciliation known as Peace House. It is, by turns, a place of worship, a guest house, a garden, and a community centre where people come to learn worm composting or how to prepare healthy snacks.
On May 2, Archbishop Fred Hiltz will send letters to 20 former staff of Anglican-run Indian residential schools, encouraging them to share their experiences with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). The Primate’s letter is the first stage in the Anglican Church of Canada’s focused effort to engage former staff with the TRC.
A new pastoral letter marks the 10th anniversary of full communion between Anglicans and Lutherans in both Canada and the United States. In 2001, the Anglican Church of Canada (ACC) and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) signed the Waterloo Declaration. In that same year The Episcopal Church (TEC) and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) signed a similar agreement, Called to Common Mission.
Archdeacon Michael F. Pollesel has resigned as General Secretary of the Anglican Church of Canada, effective Oct. 31, 2011. As General Secretary, Archdeacon Pollesel, 61, functioned as chief operations officer at the national office, where he coordinated communications and programs among departments and dioceses. He has served in this position since January 2006.
The House met at Mount Carmel Spiritual Centre in Niagara Falls from Monday, April 11 to Friday, April 15. Our most recent meeting in Montreal last fall was a “House and Spouse” gathering, so this was effectively our first regular meeting since last summer’s General Synod. We met under a new model that allows time for fellowship among ourselves, more time for prayer and Bible study, more quiet time.
A new online course offered in the Diocese of Moosonee marks the beginning of customized suicide prevention training for northern Anglicans. Twenty-two volunteers have signed up for River of Life, a course produced by the Centre for Suicide Prevention, a not-for-profit education centre, and administered in partnership with the Anglican Church of Canada’s Suicide Prevention Project.
Anglicans across Canada are encouraged to celebrate Anglican Foundation Sunday, either on May 1 or another Sunday in the Easter season. Founded in 1957, the Anglican Foundation is the community foundation for Anglicans in Canada and has distributed more than $26 million to support the life and ministry of the church.
A refocused Resources for Mission Department, formerly known as Philanthropy, will support stewardship throughout the whole church, Council of General Synod (COGS) members learned at their recent meeting in Mississauga, Ont. On April 2, COGS members approved the name change, pending official adoption at General Synod 2013.
Today was the third day of joint meetings between the executive councils of the Anglican Church of Canada (ACC) and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC). The Council of General Synod (COGS) is the ACC’s executive council and the National Church Council (NCC) is the ELCIC’s executive council.
Today was the second day of joint meetings between the executive councils of the Anglican Church of Canada (ACC) and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC). The Council of General Synod (COGS) is the ACC’s executive council and the National Church Council (NCC) is the ELCIC’s executive council.