April 1, 2007 in other news, CoGS:

Approved a 4.5 per cent increase in pensions to retired and active General Synod pension plan members. The pension committee reported that the market value of the fund as of Dec. 31, 2006 was $651 million and return on investment was 15.7 per cent. The 2006 figure included the transfer of $23 million from the diocese of Montreal’s pension plan and compared with a market value of $565 million as of Dec. 31, 2005.

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April 1, 2007 Church maps could be redrawn

The Council of General Synod (CoGS) voted to bring to General Synod motions that would change the Anglican Church of Canada’s governance and structure, including the way it deals with amendments to its canons (church laws) and the way its provinces and dioceses are organized.

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April 1, 2007 Pin-up

Susan Winn, deputy prolocutor of General Synod, paid tribute to Archbishop Andrew Hutchison (pictured on poster) at a farewell dinner during the March meeting of the Council of General Synod.

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April 1, 2007 Council paves way for election of special bishops

The Council of General Synod (CoGS) will recommend that the coming General Synod amend the church’s regulations to pave the way for the election “by an appropriate electoral body” of a national indigenous bishop and the bishop ordinary to the Canadian Forces.

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April 1, 2007 New direction set for stewardship

The process of fundraising at the national office is expected to change as the Letting Down the Nets stewardship initiative becomes a new office of financial development. In its report to the Council of General Synod (CoGS), the financial management and development committee noted that a recent consultant’s report recommended the creation of an office that would co-ordinate and enhance financial development activities at the national church office.

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April 1, 2007 Synod to use ‘conversations’ for complex issues

Two blocks of time for “conversations” will be incorporated in the agenda of General Synod this June in Winnipeg, to enable delegates to “experience, learn and discuss” issues affecting their church in “gentle and participatory ways.”

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April 1, 2007 Schools accord given nod

All nine provincial and territorial courts approved on March 8 the revised Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement (IRSSA), a move that could mean that the agreement may be implemented by fall.

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April 1, 2007 Canadian response asserts autonomy

The Council of General Synod (CoGS) endorsed a response to the Windsor Report that stated Canadians will make decisions around the blessing of same-sex unions at its General Synod “mindful of the common life of the Communion and in response to the leading of the Spirit, as we see it in our own context.”

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April 1, 2007 Closer ties

Canon Petero Sabune, the new Episcopal Church partner to the Council of General Synod, talks about the growing partnership between Canadian Anglicans and Episcopalians in the United States, including the U.S. initiative of...

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April 1, 2007 Blessings vote to be decided by resolution

Sexuality issues, including whether dioceses may decide for themselves whether to allow the blessing of same-sex unions, will be decided by General Synod through resolutions requiring the approval of a 60 per cent majority of the members of the order of bishops, laity and clergy or 60 per cent of dioceses if a vote by diocese is requested, the Council of General Synod (CoGS) has decided.

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