Trinity Sunday, June 7, is a time to think big. All parishes are encouraged to think about the future of the Anglican Church of Canada by joining in on Vision 2019, a church-wide exercise to discern, dream, and decide where God wants the church to be by the year 2019.
Trinity Sunday is a great time to think about the future mission of the church, says Dr. Eileen Scully, General Synod’s coordinator for ministry and worship. “The church is invited to participate in the life of the Trinity,” she explained. “The unity of the Trinity isn’t for its own sake. The love binding the persons of the Trinity spills out into creation, and this is where the church’s mission comes from.”
Vision 2019 is unlike past plans for the church’s mission: it aims to get grassroots input from as many Canadian Anglicans as possible. Everyone is invited to answer the two-part question “Where is your church now, and where do you want the Anglican Church of Canada to be by 2019?”
The fun part is that people can pick how to answer the question. They can
- Make a toll-free call: 1-866-496-3057
- Post a video online
- Send an email
- Mail a letter: Vision 2019 / Anglican Church of Canada / 80 Hayden Street / Toronto, Ont. / M4Y 3G2
“To tell us your story is to tell us your walk of discipleship, as you’re living into the Trinity,” notes Ms. Scully. “Where is Jesus calling you? How is the Holy Spirit binding you together? How are you honouring the gifts of God the creator?”
All responses sent in by October 1 will be analyzed by the Vision 2019 committee and a professional analyst. The team will look at the range of responses and present their findings to the whole church at General Synod 2010.
If your parish is interested in adding a Vision 2019 focus to your June 7 service, many resources are available (all in PDF):
- Sunday school material, prepared by Fiona Brownlee, communications officer, Council of the North
- A bulletin insert (in black and white and colour) explaining the project and ideas for getting involved
- A summary sheet outlining what Vision 2019 is
- A list of ideas on how individuals and parishes can get involved with Vision 2019
If you want to dig deeper, the Vision 2019 committee has encouraged Canadian Anglicans to take a look at the Anglican Communion’s Five Marks of Mission-a good launching pad to think about the future of our church. There is a six-week Marks of Mission study available, as well as videos showing how General Synod’s work fits into the marks.
For more information, ideas, and inspiration email the Vision 2019 team at General Synod.
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