Note 32 (of 92) by MICHAEL INGHAM on June 3, 1995 at 08:27 Eastern (1771
characters).

Today, Friday, was taken up with procedural business in the morning
(greetings to the Queen, etc.) and an unchallenged decision to lower the
age of youth delegates to General Synod from 18 to 16.

In the afternoon there was no plenary session. Delegates attended
Information Dialogues at which the Standing Committees, elected at the last
General Synod, reported on their work for the triennium and answered
questions.

The evening session consisted of an impressive high-tech introduction of
the plan Preparing The Way, which will radically restructure the national
level of our church. It consisted of large screen video clips of comments
by Anglicans from across Canada, interspersed with illustrations and
explanations from many voices scattered throughout the Synod, indicating
the breadth and thoroughness of the work done to prepare this new vision.

Briefly stated, the new plan will focus the priorities of the national
church on mission partnerships outside Canada, clarifying Anglican identity
and worship, ecumenical relationships within Canada, social justice and
aboriginal concerns, support for work in the North of the country, and
providing information services to dioceses.

Work no longer to be done at the national level would include stewardship
education, congregational development, youth, women and childrens' work,
leadership training, evangelism, and multiculturalism. These would have to
be carried out at the diocesan level.

Delegates received the information with close attention, and sent in
written requests for clarification which are to be answered tomorrow.

+ Michael Ingham, Bishop of New Westminster
  Vancouver, BC
  Written on Fri, Jun  2, 1995 at  9:32 pm PDT at General Synod, Ottawa,
  Internet: MICHAEL_INGHAM.parti@ecunet.org