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What about General Synod and COGS? 

 

Council of General Synod

Delegates to the Diocesan Synod may get voted to be members of the General Synod (which typically meets the 2nd year following the diocesan synod. The upcoming General Synod is planned for St. John’s Newfoundland, May 7 – 14, 2028).  General Synod is much like our Diocesan Synod but involving people from across the country (a General Synod report will be included in the convening circular for our Diocesan Synod delegates).  At General Synod, delegates will be asked if they are willing to let their names stand for the Council of General Synod (COGS – further information: https://www.anglican.ca/governance/cogs/), which acts like our DEC, but at a national level.  COGS typically meets in Toronto over a few days in both spring and fall.




General Synod may, at its discretion, have sub-committees to focus on specific tasks and initiatives.  Representatives from COGS may be asked to be part of these sub-committees.  Currently General Synod has:

-              Standing Committees:

o   Financial Management Committee

o   Pension Committee

-              Coordinating Committees:

o   Communications Committee.  Strategic and advisory responsibility for the communications portfolio of the Anglican Church of Canada.

o   Faith, Worship, & Ministry Committee.  Develop resources for worship, liturgy, ministry, leadership, and theological education; inter-church and inter-faith dialogues.

o   Partners in Mission Committee. Relationships with the world-wide Anglican Communion at the national and diocesan level, the World Council of Churches, and ecumenical and inter-faith partnerships.

o   Public Witness for Social & Ecological Justice Committee.  Fostering commitment to justice, the integrity of God’s creation, and ensuring mission is handed on from generation to generation

o   Resources for Mission Committee.  Foster leadership and support for dioceses in their efforts to increase generous giving across the Anglican Church of Canada; and to raise funds for the General Synod.

 

In addition, the below committees already have their membership established:

 

-              Transformational Task Force.  Instituted at the last General Synod, this task force is charged with bringing about change at the national church level through six pathways:

  1. Governance structure.  Creating a smaller, simpler governance structure that supports the church in proclaiming the Gospel more effectively in local communities.
  2. Management overview and restructuring.  Designing a clear, transparent and manageable structure and system (policies, procedures, processes) for the ministries and work of the church at the national level.
  3. Inclusion and diversity in decision making.  Shaping our governance to invite, reflect and represent our diversity in participation and decision-making.
  4. Communications.  Telling the story of the Gospel, sharing stories of our ministries and participating in national and international conversations
  5. Walking together in partnership.  Developing our partnership as Indigenous and non-Indigenous church in ways that live our commitment to the truth and reconciliation efforts of the Anglican Church of Canada.
  6. Ministry in northern communities.  Updating and clarifying the identity of the Council of the North and building capacity towards financial self-sufficiency.
  • The Council of the North exists to respond to God’s call to mission and ministry in Canada’s northern and remote regions. Its work includes:
  • providing pastoral and sacramental care in remote communities
  • sharing resources, learning and prayer across dioceses
  • supporting ministry through General Synod grants
  • encouraging Indigenous leadership and ministry

-              Anglican Council of Indigenous Peoples (ACIP).  The “General Synod” for Sacred Circle, led by the Presiding Elder, the National Indigenous Anglican Archbishop.

 

If you are a diocesan Synod delegate, prayerfully consider if you should let your name stand as one of our diocesan representatives for General Synod.  Our diocese is allowed two clergy, two lay, and one youth delegate to General Synod, plus the bishop.

+David