Clergy College: Day 1.5

A wonderful time is being had by all the attendees. Tony Pappas, the "Small Church Guy" as Chris Hayes likes to call him, made a series of very thought provoking lectures on Rural Churches and on revitalizing spirituality. Here are some pictures of our time:

Funny

The Motion to Give Diocesan Option

Lay in Favour: 78
Lay Opposed: 59

Clergy in Favour: 63
Clergy Opposed: 53

Bishops in Favour: 19
Bishops Opposed: 21

The motion passed in both houses of Laity and Clergy and failed in the house of Bishops.


So I have been wrong in my predictions; I wrongly assumed that if the motion effecting core doctrine passed, so would the above. In some way I guess I was correct, the house of clergy and lay passed it. It only failed by two bishops.

This is a difficult time for the so called "liberal" side of the church. They came very close and it has not passed, yet the General Synod has said that the blessings of same sex unions is "not in conflict with core doctrine". It's kind of a mixed message isn't it. It is going to be a weird 3 years. The Anglican Consultative Council and the Primates will say that we have done the right thing, yet it seems obvious that they will not be impressed by A186 (core doctrine).

So we are basically status quo: again, don't panic! But I do ask you to pray... I know I have been asking this much... but I wish you to pray for all hurt by this result. There are no winners nor losers, we just are, continuing to be led by the Spirit. The Word prevails and it informs us to listen. SO in your PRAYERS, LISTEN! Listen to Scripture, listen to theologians, listen to the people of God, listen to those who do not agree with you and most of all listen in order to forgive as Christ has forgiven you. Christ will speak to us, he is Emmanuel, God with Us... don't worry. He prayed, He listened, He forgave, so do likewise.

In Christ,
Douglas+

Consequences...

Yes there will be consequences to our recent decision. And we still have one more motion to deal with; I can not see it failing at this point.

We have gone against the advise of many in the House of Bishops and the Anglican Communion. We have, like the people of Israel at the time of Samuel, desired to get our way right away (they wanted a king... took them 800 years to see they were wrong... God still let them have their kings though). So the "me" generation that loves to have things immediately has won the day and many in the church will applaud this as a victory for human rights and justice.

Others, seemingly the minority, have a tough choice. Do they listen to the St. Micheal's Report and believe that this does not effect them and we can remain in Communion; you know its only "adiaphora"-inconsequential. Well that appears not to be the case (read some of these memorials to General Synod http://www.anglican.ca/gs2007/rr/memorials/index.htm). The fact is that the minority will walk apart because in their reading of Scripture a man is made for woman and woman for man: end of story (see Matt 19:5 & Eph 5:31). Thus with that said to join together in fellowship with the Anglican Church of Canada, which doesn't see a problem with Same Sex unions, is the same as disregarding Scripture... and that ain't gonna wash with a conservative Christian.

Some will split, the Anglican Communion (the Primates or the Anglican Consultative Council) will more than likely, politely, ask us to leave the "Communion." To be perfectly honest we have been bitching to have our way, now we have it, and our parents are saying fine, if you're going to act up go to your room. No diner for us! Sadly I wish it were all a bit of fun. It's not. I don't think we're going to be sent to our rooms without supper (as we were 3 years ago), I think we're going to be kicked out of the house.


What does it mean to be an Anglican? What does it mean to be a Catholic? What does it mean to be in Communion? And at this point, what does it mean to be out of Communion.

As I said above, "Don't Panic", be alarmed, yes. Leave your church and become a Baptist or Roman Catholic, not yet. As I've said pray. Yes it will be a bumpy ride. It's not going to be easy to be a Canadian Anglican, for people will be asking where you stand and why we have done this and that. For the liberal in the church this is a great day, for the conservative it is devastating. For the middle of the road, who sway slightly right or left, this may be much more difficult for them. To choose one way or the other is in many cases to embrace an extreme. Well we pray, it is God's church, He will do what is right and we must trust that this is the direction that the Anglican Church is to take.

Above all, let's not panic.

SSB-Consistent with "Core Doctrine"

Winnipeg, June 24, 2007 -- Members of the Anglican Church of Canada's General Synod in Winnipeg agreed Sunday that the blessing of same-sex unions is not in conflict with the church's core doctrine, in the sense of being credal. Debate resumed Sunday morning after being suspended late Saturday.

The motion carried reads: "That this General Synod resolves that the blessing of same-sex unions is not in conflict with the core doctrine (in the sense of being credal) of the Anglican Church of Canada.

The motion was carried by a vote of 152 for, 97 against in the house of clergy and laity and by a vote of 21 for and 19 against in the house of bishops.

GS07: Where we stand so far...

Bryan Sarjeant, from General Synod Communications writes:

.... A motion from the floor to alter the agenda and continue debate was defeated. The discussion will continue Sunday.

General Synod defeated a motion that would have required resolutions sent to it by the Council of General Synod on same-sex blessings to carry only if they received 60 per cent of the vote. This means that approval now defaults to a 50 per cent vote requirement.

The motion under discussion at the time of adjournment last night was "that General Synod resolves that the blessing of same-sex unions is not in conflict with the core doctrine of the Anglican Church of Canada."...

As I have said, keep praying for our Church. Though the St. Michael's Report states that this issue is doctrinal and it should not be a cause to fracture our relationships within the Canadian Anglican Church, we do seem destined to be reshaped: very disturbing.

With the vote now at 50%+1, though I and many members on the floor of General Synod seemed confused over this, I can not see this vote being defeated except maybe in the House of Bishops. Many wish for more time, many express expedience, we seem equally split. Emotions are being kept in check and I am proud of the members for both their candour and their reasoned statements. Nevertheless the prevailing movement is toward "inclusion" and the ultimate acceptance of Gay and Lesbian marriage within the church. This for myself has always been the real dividing line. Our Lord's statements on marriage seem to be little more than societal fluff from a bygone age and in no way a definition of what marriage "is".

I'm unsure if I feel ill this morning because of a very bad headache and sore throat caused by some bug or by what is taking place at Synod.

Some of Our General Synod Members

Capt. Rob Marsh


Canon Bill MacMullin


Shara Golden


Archdeacon Vicars Hodge


The Very Rev'd Keith Joyce


The Rev'd David Edwards


Above are some of our delegates from the floor of GS07... please continue to pray for them, all our Diocesan Members and all at General Synod.

Chancellor Ron Stephenson

+Fred Hiltz our new Primate

Here is the story on the National Site:

Winnipeg, June 22, 2007 -- The Anglican Church of Canada has chosen Bishop Fred Hitz of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island as its 13th Primate or national leader.

Bishop Hiltz was elected by the church's General Synod, meeting in Winnipeg, on the 5th ballot, from among four bishops nominated last April by a gathering of all Canadian bishops.

Bishop Hiltz, 53, will succeed Archbishop Andrew Hutchison, elected three years ago, who announced earlier that he would retire at the end of the General Synod gathering now underway.

Bishop Hiltz was elected assistant bishop of the diocese of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island in 1995 and elected diocesan bishop in 2002. He was a member of the Council of General Synod from 2001 to 2004 and, since, 2006, has served as the Anglican Co-Chair of the Anglican-Lutheran International Commission.

In a statement after his nomination for the primacy, Bishop Hiltz described the Primate as "a servant of the people of God (whose) ministry is the gather the Church, to unite its members in a holy fellowship of truth and love, and to inspire them in the service of Christ's mission in the world."

He is married to Lynne Samways and they have one son.

Join me in praying for our new Primate and the task before him and our communion. It will be a bumpy ride, but with our Lord's Grace, it will result in a bearing forth of the Gospel.

Primatial Election: 4th Ballot

Bishop Fred Hiltz: Clergy:56 Lay:75

Bishop Victoria Matthews: Clergy:60 Lay:62

Analysis: basically from the numbers the clergy wish to have +Victoria, while the laity wish to have +Fred. There is some movement to +Fred, but really it is a stalemate at this point. I have a feeling that +Fred will be the next Primate. Let's see though.

Primatial Election: 3rd Ballot

Bishop Fred Hiltz: Clergy:53 Lay:73

Bishop Victoria Matthews: Clergy:64 Lay:62

Primatial Election: 2nd Ballot

Bishop Fred Hiltz: Clergy: 49 Lay: 69

Bishop Victoria Matthews: Clergy: 64 Lay:60

Continue in prayer my friends

Primatial Election: 1st Ballot

On the first ballot two front runners have emerged:

Bishop Fred Hiltz: Clergy: 40 Lay: 57

Bishop Victoria Matthews: Clergy: 56 Lay: 54

+Fred Hiltz: Lay votes 41% / Clergy votes 35%

+Victoria Matthews: Lay votes 39% / Clergy votes 49%

Please pray for all candidates at this time.

Pray & Watch ...

General Synod! Please pray. And if you can (highspeed), watch GS07.

Not a Bad List

39 Ways to lead a better life? Well this list isn't that bad. I might reword 26, but the author understands that God is trying to reach us, so embrace the embrace. Read it, and make some changes.

http://www.dumblittleman.com/2007/06/39-ways-to-live-and-not-merely-exist.html

It should also say eat more oatmeal... LOL I hate oatmeal, but I also hate the 23 extra pounds I'm carrying around.

3rd Sunday After Pentecost

Happy Father's day; here is the bulletin:

Pr%2011CJune172007.pdf

Andrew is Getting Taller...

... and I'm getting wider.

Pippa is Popular

In spite of original thoughts by friends and family, Pippa (Philippa) is in fact quite a popular name, especially in the Commonwealth. I think what follows is proof of it's popularity, and if still skeptical it will still mean much to our Pie.

Margot found this and immediately picked it up:

Daddy at Pippa's Party

Pippa's day care, Lil'Spuds, had a Father's Day party this past Friday; here are some pictures.

Darth Squirrel

Synod in Pictures

Fredericton & Our Cathedral from UNB where Synod met for three days.


Bishop Matthias from our new Companion Diocese: Ho, Volta Region in Ghana (What a wonderful man of God).


Two of my three delegates, Marjorie & Wilma


Neville Cheeseman+ addressing the Members of Synod


Chris VanBuskirk+ making a motion.


Deacon Fran Bedell presenting on the Permanent Diaconate.



The Presentation from the Parish of Nerepis & St. John


Rebels: What is said in Paul's+ car stays in Paul's+ car... lol


Liz asks for Picture ID or a Passport


Some buses arriving at Medley


Rob+ questions George's+ list.


A tour begins... George+ questions his own list.



The New Building from outside.


The large hall.


My Archdeacon, Walter+, shares a joke with Canon Lownds


Inside the new Medley Hall


A wonderful gift to the Camps Capital Campaign.


An old friend, Fiona Bramley, formerly from the Diocese of Quebec, now in Diocese of Keewatin with her husband, Dean Hugh Mattheson, presenting on behalf of The Council of the North.


Worship Team!


Morning Worship


The Creed at Morning Worship


The Presenters of Gifts to the Bishop


The Bishop receives his gifts; a Mitre, Crosier and Ring.

ho Ho HO!

No, not jolly Saint Nick, but the name of our new companion diocese in the Volta region of Ghana. I can not express my joy and humility at meeting Bishop Matthias. I will put up pictures shortly as i unpack my stuff from Synod, but here is some information on Ho:

Google Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&om=1&ll=6.226569,0.623474&spn=0.784977,1.505127&t=h&z=10

Map of where it it: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=6.52273,-0.527344&spn=3.137719,6.020508&z=8&om=1

Tourism in the Region: http://www.ghanatourism.gov.gh/regions/region_detail.asp?id=5#

The Region: http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/geography/volta_region.php

The Diocese: http://www.dioceseofho.org/

The Clergy: http://www.dioceseofho.org/photo_gallery.htm

The Cathedral of St. George the Martyr

Awesome Picture!

You might need high-speed... not sure. Use your mouse to move in or out!

http://www.games4work.com/games/swf/supercoolpic.swf

Trinity Sunday

Bulletin:
Trinity%20C%20June%203%202007.pdf

Two slightly different Sermons:
TrinityC2007C.MP3

TrinityC2007F.MP3

Cool Clock

http://blog.pixelbreaker.com/upload/polarclock/polarclock.html