Synods & bishops in the Anglican Church of Canada

Stuff about Anglican Synods ahead. 

The Anglican Diocese of Edmonton just concluded its Synod.  The Bishop's charge can be found here on the Diocesan website, along with some suggested discussion questions.

A few other dioceses have had synods over the last little while:  Brandon just concluded its synod, but the bishop's charge will probably not be up for a bit on their site.  (Snippets are floating around the ol' interwebs, but I'll try to wait for the whole official version).  And BC had a Synod in September, which had a few important items in Bishop Cowan's charge (in pdf at the BC Anglican site).

And the Anglican Parishes of the Central Interior (Bishop Gordon Light) have just wrapped up their Assembly.  Melissa gives us a snapshot of some of the business of the Assembly:

I seconded the motion asking for permission from our "Suffragan Bishop to allow clergy whose conscience permits, to bless same-sex couples following their duly solemnized and registered civil marriage, where at least one party is baptized, and to authorize an appropriate rite of blessing and guidelines for its use." I don't know if any of you have heard about this issue in the Anglican Church of Canada, but it is a major one, with two distinct sides, and even to the point of parishes leaving the Anglican Church of Canada. Even though I knew that I supported the motion fully, it took me a few days to say I would second it, just because I knew of the distinct sides and different feelings of the people. I didn't expect to change anyones opinion but to allow mine to be heard. I believe that it is time for the church to accept everyone, to really live out the commandment to love one another. I believe by not offering the blessing to those in same-sex unions we are not inviting everyone to be a part of our church. Everyone deserves to be blessed, and no one likes to feel not included. I was anxious to see where the conversation would go and what would happen. After one person spoke to the motion another person tried to table it, at vote it was only supported by five people or so. So discussion continued into Sunday. After everyone who wanted to speak spoke, which might I add it was emotional listening to the feelings and opinions of both sides, we took it to a vote! And 72% voted in favor of the motion, 20% against, and 8% abstained from vote. So by quite a percentage the resolution was carried, the Bishop concurs with the decision from the people but clergy can't go out and act upon the motion. The Bishop has some discussions to have with other Bishops, and also has some guidelines to authorize and make. And yet, it's great; it's great that the people of APCI have talked about it, and came to a conclusion, were respectful to one another, and our voices have been heard!!

Melissa had posted this a few days ago, but I thought I might wait for something more 'official' on the subject, since APCI didn't seem to have much in terms of website news.  Here's the article at the Anglican Journal.

Comments

[Andy]

Interesting times ... I wonder how many other dioceses will follow suit.

However, we see the following (bizarre) development in the Diocese of Ontario at its recent synod:

"The Bishop said that for this present Synod a Notice of Motion had been received, asking that the Bishop be authorized, under certain circumstances, to permit the blessing of same-sex marriages. On the advice of the Chancellor of the Diocese, based on positions adopted by the Anglican Communion and by the Canadian General Synod, the Bishop ruled this motion to be out of order.* However, the matter would be discussed at this Synod in Indaba Conversations. Following these conversations, the Bishop pledged himself to circulate within 7 days a Reflections Document which will summarize our position on this important matter."

What's going on in Kingston?

At some point, the Bishops are going to have to bite the bullet on this issue.

[joseph]

I'm not sure how much fellowshipping the bishops will be able to take at their upcoming meeting: Ottawa and Montreal are set to start developing liturgies for SSB almost immediately.

And ps, the Australians in Sydney are looking at lay people & deacons presiding at the eucharist...

[alex]

I guess my first thought is this comment: "Everyone deserves to be blessed".

What does that mean? What does it mean to be blessed? How are we to be blessed? Can I just walk into an Anglican church and just ask to be blessed? Can I ask for specific things to be blessed? Are there any restictions on this blessing?