Thanks to a grant to the national church website from the diocese of Montreal, web surfers anywhere in the world will be able to see on their computer monitors exactly what synod delegates are seeing on the screen of the large plenary hall, the site for most of the business of synod.
The website feed will be live, for the duration of the week-long synod, from July 4-11, and will consist of raw footage, without editing. The website team hopes to later offer archived footage of some of the key events, debates and votes.
Accessing the feed will be simple. The home page of the General Synod website will have an icon (seen on the right of this web page), which when clicked, will take visitors right to the plenary floor. You will, however, need RealPlayer software, a free download available at the Real.com website. As resources are limited, so is access. If you are denied access the first time you try to log on, simply try again in a few minutes.
Archdeacon Gordon Guy explained in an interview that the diocese of Montreal was pleased to fund the national church’s first webcast, particularly considering the financial troubles of the national church.
“It’s the least we can do, considering what you’re going through,” said Mr. Guy, archdeacon of the region of St. Lawrence.
The diocese drew from its development fund to cover the entire cost of the webcast, about $2,000. The fund is typically used for new projects in the diocese, including congregational and clergy development, training of lay people and repairs to church buildings.
The funding itself comes from revenues generated by the Montreal cathedral property. Fifteen years ago, the diocese concluded a real estate deal which saw its cathedral put on stilts, and the building of an underground mall and a condominium and office tower. The developments provide a steady income for the diocese and cathedral.
Interested in keeping up-to-date on news, opinion, events and resources from the Anglican Church of Canada? Sign up for our email alerts .