Strengthening and deepening the partnership with the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem has become a priority for the Anglican Church of Canada. On the second full day of General Synod 2010, members heard first hand the challenges facing people in the Holy Land and how hope and witness has sustained them in their faith and ministry.
For over 50 years, the Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund (PWRDF) has been mobilizing and energizing people around the world. On the second full day of General Synod 2010, members heard highlights of this “instrument of faith” and how PWRDF “changes lives and changes communities.”
Five grand, brightly coloured sails in white, blue, green, red and yellow billowed through Cathedral Church of All Saints, Halifax, Nova Scotia as the Anglican Church of Canada’s (ACC) 39th General Synod commenced with Opening Worship Service on June 3.
On the first full business day for General Synod 2010, members received an update on the work of Vision 2019, a new strategic plan before the church that “invites the Holy Spirit to shape the life of [the] church more and more deeply in paths of discipleship and mission.”
“Have you heard the Bible so much that you have stained glass in your ears?” The Rev. Canon Bill Cliff, tall and broad-shouldered, addresses a room of youth leaders. He wears a purple polo shirt with “CHAPLAIN” on the back and slips off his shoes occasionally to pace barefoot. “The gospel is always astonishing,” he continues. “If it’s not, then you’re probably not reading it right.”
The latest issue of MinistryMatters, the online magazine for Canadian Anglican leaders, is hot off the (virtual) presses. The issue includes these stories of mission and ministry on the ground:
At General Synod next month, Canadian Anglicans will again consider issues of human sexuality. Learn about the conversation format in the latest General Synod web forum post, written by Janet Marshall, chair of the Faith, Worship and Ministry Committee.
Every week many worship planners spend hours on their computers, researching and formatting liturgical texts for bulletins and screens. To support and facilitate this work, the Anglican Church of Canada’s General Synod is now releasing its primary worship texts for free download.
“Opportunity is at our doorstep,” said the Rev. Canon Murray Still, speaking on the phone from Winnipeg, where he has been juggling emails, phone calls and meetings in preparation for the first public Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) event, set for June 16 to 19 at the Forks, Winnipeg.
From June 21 to 23, the Primate, Archbishop Fred Hiltz, will join about 80 international religious leaders in Winnipeg at the 2010 World Religions Summit: Interfaith Leaders in the G8 Nations.
Six young actors. A play about faith. A cross-Canada tour. It’s a crazy dream that Ask & Imagine, the Anglican-Lutheran leadership development program, will be bringing to life in May.
At the General Synod next month, members will consider a strategic plan for the national life of our church for the next nine years—”Vision 2019.” In an online introduction to the plan, Dean Peter Elliott of New Westminster identifies the Anglican Communion’s five “Marks of Mission” as a critical dimension of the “vision” in Vision 2019.
Amazing Together, a compilation video of Canadian Anglicans singing “Amazing Grace,” has been honoured with a special jury award at WorldFest Houston, an international film festival. The 10-minute documentary includes clips from 500 unique videos submitted after Amazing Grace Sunday in fall 2008. Thousands of Canadian Anglicans filmed themselves singing the hymn on beaches, in parking lots, in cathedrals and even from Kandahar.
From June 3 to 11, more than 500 people will gather in Halifax, N.S. for the national triennial meeting of the Anglican Church of Canada (ACC). Uniting under the nautical theme “Feeling the Winds of God—Charting a New Course,” General Synod members will make decisions about the national church in the context of worship and prayer.
The Anglican Church of Canada is pleased to announce that for the first time in its 117 year history, General Synod is offering religious based organizations and affiliates the opportunity to support its triennial national convention through a variety of unique sponsorship initiatives.