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General Synod Update – Thursday June 21, 2007
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What happened today…
Today was a quiet day… until the evening.
The Anglican and Lutheran Churches worshipped and celebrated together during the day. Late in the afternoon, the traditionalist wing of the Lutheran’s, known as Solid Ground, joined AEC delegates and volunteers for dinner, fellowship and mutual encouragement.
In the evening, the General Synod voted overwhelmingly against an amendment to a motion which would have had them “receive” the “Windsor Report Response Report” rather than “endorse” it as the official Canadian response to the Windsor Report. We are very grateful for the many delegates who went to the microphones to point out the inadequacies of the motion without the amendment.
The defeated amendment also included: “and we commit ourselves to uphold the principles and provisions of the Windsor Report, and urge all dioceses to do so, including:
a.upholding Lambeth Resolution 1.10 as the current standard of Anglican teaching on the matter” and
b.upholding a moratorium on the blessing of same sex unions”
And further added: “shall require all dioceses, notwithstanding the previous practice of any diocese, to comply with the moratorium.”
While some delegates and observers felt that the overwhelming vote could indicate the direction the Synod is leaning, others felt quite strongly it was only an indication that the delegates just wanted to get on with the debate on same sex blessings. There was a concern expressed at the microphones that to vote for the above amendment would pre-empt the discussion on same sex blessings.
Synod strongly affirmed the importance of the church’s continuing support of Northern Dioceses and stop the shrinkage in funding.
Finally, the Rev Dr Stephen Andrews, president of Thorneloe College School of Theology was elected to the important position of prolocutor. The prolocutor is an ex-officio member of all committees, councils, boards and commissions. It is generally considered the second highest position in the ACC, next to the Primate.
Other highlights of the day:
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The national office of the Anglican Church of Canada reported a deficit for the fourth straight year in 2006 – a shortfall of about $486,000. |
What’s coming up Friday…
The election of a new Primate for the Anglican Church of Canada will take place on Friday, June 22, at Holy Trinity Anglican Church on Smith Street in Winnipeg. Nominees for the primacy are Bishop Bruce Howe of Huron diocese, Bishop George Bruce of Ontario diocese, Bishop Fred Hiltz of the Diocese of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island diocese and Bishop Victoria Matthews of Edmonton diocese.
Please pray
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For health and strength for AEC-friendly delegates who are physically getting run down and under spiritual attack. |
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For our delegates to be sensitive and responsive to the leading of the Holy Spirit. |
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That many will come to the AEC event Friday evening that features the Zacchaeus Fellowship speakers. This will be the only opportunity for delegates to hear from Zacchaeus who have so much to contribute to the same-sex debate. |
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For godly wisdom for our leaders and motions team who must react quickly and decisively as events unfold. They need to know the mind of Christ as they plan and prepare for the future. |
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For those engaged in the spiritual warfare. |
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That the AEC, Prayer Book Society, Barnabas Fellowship, Zacchaeus Fellowship and Anglican Renewal Ministries booths… that many delegates will stop by, pick up literature and engage in conversations. Pray for openness to truth. |
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That God will bring people into a new relationship with Himself during General Synod. |
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For ongoing interest by and favour with the media. |
Please give thanks
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For the good fellowship and high turnout at our evening dessert/meeting times. |
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For the election of the Rev Dr Stephen Andrews as prolocutor. |
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For the many across Canada upholding General Synod in prayer and praising God for His faithfulness and majesty. |
The Battle is the Lord’s
After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the LORD and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: "Give thanks to the LORD, for his love endures forever."
As they began to sing and praise, the LORD set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated…. When the men of Judah came to the place that overlooks the desert and looked toward the vast army, they saw only dead bodies lying on the ground; no one had escaped… Then, led by Jehoshaphat, all the men of Judah and Jerusalem returned joyfully to Jerusalem, for the LORD had given them cause to rejoice over their enemies.
2Chron 20: 21-27 NIV
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