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Diocese of the Arctic synod supports ANiC
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From the Diocese's 13th constituted synod, May 27 - June 3, 2008
From: Diocese of the Arctic website, found under “Current Events” - “Synod”
From May 27 to June 3, bishops, clergy and lay delegates from communities across the Diocese met in Iqaluit for the 13th constituted synod. During this time the diocese celebrated its 75th anniversary.
The theme of the synod was “The Word of God is Alive and Active” the Archbishop of Rupert's Land, the Most Rev. John Clarke, was the theme speaker.
The Rev. Canon Alyson Barnett-Cowan presented “Thinking as Christians about our Intimate Personal Relationships”; retired bishop the Rt. Rev. Christopher Williams gave a presentation on the history of translation work in the diocese. Rev. Dawn McDonald presented information on the Zacchaeus Ministries. Canadian President, Mrs. Kathleen Snow, gave a presentation on the Mother's Union. Bishop Andrew Atagotaaluk commissioned several of the delegates into the Mother's Union.
Bishop Larry Robertson talked about the biblical basis for marriage. Rev. Dr. Steven Andrews, President of Thorneloe University and Prolocutor of General Synod, gave a presentation on the principles for interpreting the Bible. Rev. Canon Dr. Martin Brokenleg of the Vancouver School of Theology gave a workshop on “Taking Back our Youth”. After each presentation delegates were able to meet in their deanery groups to discuss the relevance of the presentation to their areas.
After 24 years, a draft of the new English/Inuktitut hymnbook “Voices of Worship” was distributed to delegates and was used for the duration of synod and at the synod service. The synod service was held on Sunday, June 1, at which time the Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, Archbishop Fred Hiltz, gave the sermon. This was the first time that Archbishop Hiltz has been to the Arctic.
The National Indigenous Anglican Bishop, Rt. Rev. Mark MacDonald, was able to join us for several days and talked about his work and that of the Anglican Council of Indigenous Peoples.
Synod expressed great disappointment as some diocesan synods have decided to move forward with approving the blessing of same sex civil marriages after General Synod 2007 making it clear that this would not be allowed until the Lambeth conference had time to discuss the issues this summer. This then indicates that Canadians are not serious about unity elements that hold the church together.
There was strong support shown for those in the Southern Cone dioceses recognizing them as members of the Anglican Communion. There was also support shown for the Zacchaeus Ministries and a suggestion was made that they be recognized as a resource for the church.
The committee responding to the Bishop's Charge stressed the important issue of becoming more self reliant and attaining self-sufficiency status. Several things impede our ministry including housing issues, financial restraints and the continuation of our training program that is essential to the ordained and lay ministry.
A new Executive Committee was elected to do the work of synod until the next synod in 2011; their first meeting will be in Yellowknife, NT, October 7 to 11.
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