November 1, 2006 Group calls for closure of bookstore

A committee analyzing the work and budget of the Anglican Church of Canada’s national office has recommended closing the Anglican Book Centre’s retail store in Toronto in July 2007 and moving to an Internet and telephone-based operation.

---

November 1, 2006 Archbishop weds lesbian couple

Archbishop Terence Finlay, the retired bishop of the diocese of Toronto and metropolitan (senior bishop) of Ontario, has been disciplined for officiating at a same-sex marriage in a United Church in Toronto. He expressed the hope that Anglicans would “reflect on this with understanding.”

---

November 1, 2006 Panel advises New West on dissidents

A London-based Anglican Communion panel recommended on Oct. 13 that dissenting parishes in the diocese of New Westminster be granted alternative episcopal oversight but should also resume contributing to the diocese and work toward reconciliation.

---

November 1, 2006 Fired priest Ferry asks for apology from church

After learning that Archbishop Terence Finlay, who fired him in 1991 for maintaining a homosexual relationship, had recently performed a same-sex wedding, Rev. James Ferry has said that the church owes him an apology and that it...

---

November 1, 2006 Open House

The World Association for Christian Communication (WACC) recently opened its new global headquarters in Toronto, having moved from London, England. Cutting the ribbon were Rev. Randy Naylor, WACC general secretary; Rev. Piet Halma, acting WACC board president, and Rev. Douglas duCharme, minister of Hope United Church, which shares its building with WACC. At a ceremony to launch the new offices, Mr. Naylor, who is Canadian, said, “In the next three to five years, we will be focusing on how journalists, advocates and spokespeople for community action groups can overcome cultural and religious stereotypes and build peaceful communities.”

---

November 1, 2006 Northern dioceses still face funding challenges

There was a “sense of relief” among Council of the North member dioceses that the Prioritized Operational Plan working group has proposed that the Council’s annual grant be maintained at the 2006 level of $2.37 million for the...

---

November 1, 2006 ELCIC overrules synod on blessings issue

The National Church Council (NCC) of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) has told its Eastern Synod that it cannot allow individual congregations to decide whether same-sex unions may be blessed in their parishes.

---

November 1, 2006 Primate’s dinner will aid military ministry

Archbishop Andrew Hutchison, the primate, was scheduled to host a $250-per-plate benefit dinner in Toronto on Oct. 24 entitled Breaking Bread with +Andrew: Dinner and Conversation with the Primate. Proceeds will benefit the...

---

November 1, 2006 450-year anniversary

The Prince of Wales shares a joke with Anthony Burton, Bishop of Saskatchewan (far right), at Oxford University, at a Sept. 15 gathering of the Prayer Book Society of England. Bishop Burton spoke at the conference, which marked...

---

November 1, 2006 Rural ministry requires ‘a strong spirituality;’ lay people are the cornerstone

Halfway through breakfast at Murdocks Family Restaurant on Main St. the waitress comes to refill Rev. Joanne Beacon’s coffee mug. It is her third cup.

---