Synod 2009 resolutions published in
Convening Circular
Notices of motion printed in the Convening Circular for Diocesan Synod 2009 in Saint John this Thursday through Saturday (June 4-6) included canon amendments, a clarification of clergy synod membership for quorum purposes, support for the budget and struggling parishes task forces recommendations, and issues relating to marriage and the blessing of same-sex unions. Here is the list.
• Amend and re-number some sections of Canon Five regarding Parish Documents to synod.
• Amend the wording of Canon Three to be more accurate and inclusive.
• Define members of clergy counted for the purposes of determining a quorum.
• Affirm that marriage is the lifelong union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others and that no clergy person may bless any union or marriage of persons of the same sex.
• Send to each Canadian diocese, bishop, and synod lay chair instructions to refrain from the blessing of same-sex unions with or without the consent of General Synod, or according to the Bishops' Pastoral Statement of May 2007 because these attempts to force a resolution of theological questions by political means will have serious and far-reaching consequences.
• Affirm and refer the report and recommendations of the Task Force on Rural and/or Struggling Parishes to the bishop and Diocesan Council for implementation.
• Affirm, and refer the report and recommendations of the Task Force on Budget Support, including its values and principles, to the bishop and Diocesan Council for implementation.
• Affirm the need for a parish-based stewardship education initiative across the diocese, and refer this initiative to the bishop and Diocesan Council for implementation.
• Send a memorial to General Synod requesting that the national church investigate the adoption of the 10-10-10 giving and sharing model as the standard for the Anglican Church of Canada.
• Request that the bishop and Diocesan Council establish a task group to assess the value and the effectiveness of current diocesan governance structures and processes, with a view to improving administrative efficiency and reducing costs.
• Direct Diocesan Council to roll back expenditures and/or transfers of income in order to develop, over the next three years, a $100,000 fund for the stabilization, maintenance, and expansion of resident clerical ministry in rural and struggling parishes in our diocese. Funds sent to Anglicans in the Canadian North will be exempt from these roll-backs.
• Recognize the pastoral ministry of Integrity Fredericton, that it is the work of Anglicans within our diocese, and encourage Integrity Fredericton to continue this ministry.
Diocesan Communications
02 June 2009
