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An electronic daily update of events
from the Anglican Church of Canada's
General Synod 1995 in Ottawa Ontario
___________________________________

        S y n o d   N E W S l i n k

                      by tod maffin
             saturday, june 3, 1995


___________________________________
        t h e   f i r s t   w o r d

In yesterday's "first word" I reported of the 1,500 people
reading these daily updates.  I was remiss in not mentioning
the contribution of John Chapman of Infomatch Internet
in Burnaby B.C., who has graciously donated his company's
services in the setup and maintenance of the Synod NEWSlink
mailing list and Anglicans Online! website.  I owe you a
coffee when I get back, John.

I also messed up with the name of the national church staff
doing the daily reports you receive as "Synod NEWSreport"
-- it's Paul Gibson, not Bill Gibson as I reported
yesterday.  Sorry Paul... 

And while I'm eating humble pie, I need to recognize the
help from David Bewley from Ottawa, who is staffing the
Quest/Ecunet booth.  David is echoing this report to the
Ecunet system each evening for people on there.

Tonight's Synod NEWSextra takes an in-depth look at the
issue of homosexuality, as it will come up at this General
Synod.  You can review motions coming to the floor here,
take a look back at the history of the issue in the Anglican
Church, and read the current guidelines.  I hope it's
helpful ('cause it took me hours to type in!   )

Tonight's Synod NEWSreport will be delayed a day.  You'll
receive it in tomorrow's mailing.

___________________________________
              q u i c k   t a k e s

LIVE SATELLITE HOOK-UP TO GENERAL SYNOD ACROSS CANADA
    In a Synod NEWSlink a few issues back, I mentioned that
    I'd heard of a live satellite feed from General Synod to
    certain cities to give people a chance to watch live as
    General Synod discusses the report of the task force on
    homosexuality.  It's the first time the Anglican Church
    has used teleconfering technology to gather people in
    different communities so they may see a General Synod in
    action.  I've finally managed to track down the
    details, so here they are:
    When:     Monday, June 5, 7:30 p.m. (Eastern time)
    Where:    Montreal.....Diocesan Theological College
              Toronto......Ryerson Polytechnic University
              Vancouver....Four Seasons Hotel, downtown
    Details:  Montreal.....514/843-6577
              Toronto......416/364-7865
              Vancouver....604/682-3848
              
COUNCIL OF NATIVE MINISTRIES MAKE MOVING PRESENTATION
    The Council of Native Ministries made a very powerful
    presentation to Synod members today.  The three-part
    presentation began with a drama, echoing Christ's last
    words on the cross, describing the native struggle for
    self-determination and their feeling of being like a
    baby in a cradle bed -- unable to speak and move.  Then,
    a video presentation outlined the history of the
    indigineous peoples in the Anglican Church.  Finally,
    the Council members offered a gift of a strawberry for
    each member, representing the spirit of reconciliation.

SYNOD MEMBERS RESPOND TO RESTRUCTURING PROPOSAL
    Overall, it seems General Synod members appreciated the
    work done in the restructuring proposal and that most of
    it was sound.  Some concerns heard thusfar:
     - Not all dioceses have representation on the new Nat'l
       Executive Council (Council of General Synod)
     - How can the Anglican Journal be independant while
       reporting to the Information Resources Committee?
     - How can dioceses handle all the work being proposed
       to be offloaded?
     - Too broad a mandate of the new "Faith, Worship, and
       Minsitry" commiittee -- where is doctrine?
     - Synod members have not seen any staffing/budget
       implications of the proposal

YOUNG YOUTH MAKE CALL FOR YOUNG ANGLICAN TASK FORCE
    In addition to the diocesan youth members of Synod
    (18-25), a small caucus of younger youth are attending
    as observers. At today's Plenary, they presented these
    messages to the Anglican Church of Canada:
       "People are like smarties -- on the outside they look
        different; but on the inside they are the same.
        Please stop discussing whether or not to DISCUSS
        accepting people in the church; ACT on it.
        Establish a national youth task force.  Incorporate
        young people in your services: doing sermons,
        prayers, and helping with music.  We believe
        services should be directed toward the WHOLE
        congregations."

THE CAT WHICH KEEPS COMING BACK
    Skulking around the residences here onsite is a
    beautiful and playful black cat.  But it became somewhat
    disconcerting to more than a few delegates when the cat
    kept "crossing our path" each morning on the way to
    Plenary. Luckily, someone pointed out the colour of its
    collar: Episcopal Purple. Must be okay.

SYNOD NEWSLINK HITS THE FLOOR OF PLENARY
    I hinted yesterday about a motion I hoped to be able to
    move on the floor of Synod, about the use of electronic
    computer networks to help communication within the
    church. Here is the proposed wording of that resolution:
       "Be it resolved THAT the Information Resources
        Committee be directed to study the potential use of
        electronic networking in the overall communications
        strategy of the national church, and in the sharing
        of resources between dioceses; and,
        THAT the committee report its findings, with any
        specific implementation recommendations which arise
        from that study, to the Council of General Synod."
    I'll keep you posted on the motion's progress through
    Synod.  So far, the Resolutions Committee has received
    it to give members notice, but has not reviewed its
    form.

CLEARLY THE SYMPTOM OF FAR TOO MUCH COFFEE...
    Last night, after mailing out the update, I caught a
    typo in the short snippet about the Niagra diocese.  I
    had intended to title it: "Rebels without a clause" --
    actually, I was really quite proud of myself for the pun
    -- but it came out in its proper form of without a
    "cause." 

OR PERHAPS NOT ENOUGH COFFEE?
    This morning's e-mail brought a humourous note from some
    poor person in Russia who had received a Synod NEWSextra
    accidentally -- some weird hiccup on the Internet I
    guess. But the last three letters of the message header
    was cut off, rendering the subject: "Synod Newsex."  He
    wanted to know what a Synod was, and what it had to do
    with sex, in particular "new" sex.  Whoops...

BISHOP EGG-HEADS
    During discussion this afternoon of the restructuring
    proposal, one member noted that the flowchart of the
    proposed new structure illustrated the House of Bishops
    as being "separate and egg-shaped."  (Oh, and yes Lyn,
    I believe Dana Sibley was there.   Thanks for the
    note, and sending these to Pleen!)

EARLY TO BED, EARLY TO RISE
    Tonight's edition is going out a bit early, as all of us
    members are being sent to stay with host parishes
    throughout Ottawa this evening.  Then we worship in
    various parishes in the national capital region
    tomorrow.

"YOUR TURN" SECTION
    I just wanted to express my thanks for all the wonderful
    comments which people are sending, many more than I have
    space for in the daily report.  Your comments are
    helping me get those bursts of energy when sleeping
    seems more logical than plugging in.

NEW SECTION: "did you know?"
    As we go through the General Synod, many of us are
    learning a lot about the church that we didn't know --
    some very surprising information.  I thought I'd share a
    tidbit or two with you each night in a new section,
    called "did you know?"

___________________________________
          d i d   y o u   k n o w ?

The Anglican Journal, the national newspaper of the Anglican
Church of Canada, has more than a quarter of a million
subscribers?  And each month, its circulation staff process
literally thousands of address changes.

   (Tomorrow: Why Bishops and Clergy/Laity vote
              separately at General Synods.)

___________________________________
              r e f l e c t i o n s

In tonight's "reflections," I thought I'd dip back into
a few incoherent ramblings about the church as I see it.
(Hey, what do you expect for a FREE newsletter?  )
Since this evening's Synod NEWSextra covers more fully the
issue of homosexuality, I thought I'd type in a speech I
delivered at the 1992 General Synod in Toronto on the
subject.
                           -----

"Your Grace, members of the General Synod, honoured guests.

This evening, we stand at a very vital part of what will
form our collective history -- indeed our identity -- as
Anglicans in the worldwide communion.  It will come as no
surprise to anyone in this room that the eyes of the country
are focussed on the Synod tonight.

Our country is looking to the Anglican Church of Canada for
direction.  For vision.  For action.

"For You and For Many" is the theme underlying our
deliberations over these two weeks in Toronto.  Indeed, we
have taken concrete steps toward applying that challenge.
We have finally recognized the indiginous right to
self-determination.  We have been willing to admit mistakes
and work toward revitilizing our structure.  We have
committed ourselves to reflect the multicultural nature of
the society around us.

So why can't our congregations reflect the sexuality of our
society as well?

It's selective inclusiveness.

And it's wrong.

Let's be clear.  The presence of homosexuality in our church
is not a new presence.  It is only a new issue.  The
distinction is important.

I stand before you as a proud member of our church.  I am a
young member, and, by extension, will help form part of our
common future.  I believe it is that future to which we need
to cast our eyes this evening:

   o  I look forward to a future in which the church
      recognizes, accepts, and celebrates the individuality
      of the whole person;

   o  I look forward to a future where people are judged on
      merit, not on sexual orientation;

   o  And I pray for a future in which the church no longer
      places pre-requisites on being part of the body of
      Christ.

Thank you."

___________________________________
              s n i c k e r i n g s

An Anglican Bishop died and was met at the Pearly Gates by
St. Peter, who told him to take off his mitre, lay down his
staff, remove his gold-laced cloak, and put on a plain white
cassock. The Bishop argued heatedly (but to no avail) about
the importance of the symbols of his office, and his own
humility in wearing them, but finally he relented.

As he was donning the plain cassock, he noticed a man
striding regally through heaven, in full Bishop's regalia.
He called St. Peter over and complained bitterly, "Who is
that Bishop, and why does he get to dress up like that?"

"Oh," replied St. Peter, "that's God. He only THINKS he's an
Anglican Bishop."
                              -- Submitter anonymous
                                 by request

___________________________________
          g l a n c e s   a h e a d

SUNDAY, JUNE 4, 1995 (all times Eastern)
Morning     Pentecost worship and lunch with local parishes
4:30 PM     Pentecost Evensong at the Cathedral
            Preacher: Bishop Dinis Sengulane of Lebombo,
                      Mozambique)
5:00 PM     Dinner
7:15 PM     PLENARY: Preparing the Way/Feedback and Discussion
9:15 PM     Night prayers
9:30 PM     "Tomorrow's Anglicans" broadcast replayed
Evening     Reception

___________________________________
                 y o u r    t u r n

"Tod, I appreciate your reporting. I look forward to hearing
 news of the resolution and discussion regarding the `new
 hymn book'. What has the youth view on this project been?"
                                   -- Barbara Liotscos
                                      (through Ecunet)
  [Ed: The youth caucus doesn't meet regularly to discuss
       resolutions, so no formal consensus has emerged to
       date.  But I would guess that the INFORMAL consensus
       is that the young people believe the new hymn book
       overall represents a good balance between old and new
       tunes -- you may be surprised to know that young
       people are some of the most staunchest supporters
       for keeping a sense of our shared Anglican heritage
       in music and liturgy.]

"Thanks for the service. Much appreciated. Well written.
 Now, if only you'll read our posts to General Synod!  Or
 better yet patch your laptop into the big screen!!"
                                   -- The Rev. Bill Morton
                                      Richmond Corner NB, Canada

"Thanks for providing the wonderful window into the Anglican
 happenings in Ottawa. You give us a flavour option
 unavailable through 'official' church channels. I'm very
 appreciative of your willingness to share your observations.
 Think of it as a ministry. Besides, it's fun to read because
 the quality of your writing is superb!"
                                   -- The Rev. Richard L. Husfloen
                                      Waterloo Lutheran Seminary
                                      Waterloo ON, Canada

"I think your Net connection is a great one. I wish we
 Lutherans could have one too for our upcoming convention in
 July! I don't know how your plans will continue, but it
 would be great to have it as a potential forum for sharing
 between Anglicans and Lutherans." -- Wendell Grahlman
                                      Cambridge ON, Canada

"You're doing a fantastic job! I am sorry I am not actually
 there but with your reports, I guess I am virtually there. I
 am looking forward to seeing the rest of General Synod
 through your eyes. God bless."    -- Jim Dugan
                                      Woodstock ON, Canada
                                      (through Ecunet)

"Anglican Church of Canada, Welcome to the 90's! I am very
 interested in the restructuring of the Anglican Church of
 Canada and the outcomes of the studies on the Human Rights
 Principles, and am disapointed that I am unable to
 participate in the discussions at General Synod. Through the
 wonder of technology and your hard work I feel like I am
 right there participating in the process. I only hope that
 the rest of the church recognizes the powerful tool that
 communication technology is and how it could be used to
 support networks of commited people and parishes across the
 country and the world."
                                   -- Lyn Sibley
                                      Victoria BC, Canada
                                      '92 General Synod member

 (Like to add your own thoughts?  Just e-mail tod@direct.ca
  with the words "your turn" in the subject header.  Please
  put your name and city in the message body.)

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