Help! I’m a Synod Delegate This handbook has been prepared to help you to understand, as well as participate in, the discussion and debate.
The Anglican Communion is a world-wide family of autonomous, inter-related, and interdependent provinces and national churches, all of which are in communion with the Archbishop of Canterbury. There are more than 70 million Anglican Christians in 38 autonomous churches spread across 164 countries on every continent. Whereas at one time it could be said that the average Anglican was white and of British origin, the average Anglican of the 21st century does not speak English and she is black. The areas of greatest growth are in Africa and South America.
The Anglican Church is episcopally led, (i.e. by bishops) and synodically governed, (i.e. by elected Lay and Clerical members together with their Bishops).
The Lambeth Conference usually meets every ten years and is attended by Bishops from around the world. It is a forum for sharing and consultation rather than for legislation, and it is chaired by the Archbishop of Canterbury. The next Lambeth Conference is scheduled for 2021.
The Anglican Consultative Council (ACC) assembles every three years, with up to three representatives from each national church within the global Anglican Communion. It was formed after the 1968 Lambeth Conference as a means of carrying forward the concerns of Lambeth.
The Primates’ Meeting is a periodic assembly of the Primates for sharing and consultation, the first such meeting having taken place in 1978. The Diocese of Montreal
Geographically, our diocese is one of the smallest dioceses in Canada with an area of only 8,250 square miles. Our Synod was organized in June of 1859 under our first bishop, Francis Fulford. We have an Anglican membership of about 11,000 people to be found in 115 congregations organized in 69 parishes with 75 clergy serving in parochial and other specialized ministries. In addition, many retired clergy are still active in ministry.
1
The Structure of the Anglican Church
The Anglican Church of Canada
The 135th Archbishop of The Anglican Church of Canada comprises 29 dioceses Canterbury: The Most Rev’d and across Canada, each under the jurisdiction and pastoral Rt. Hon. Justin Welby care of a diocesan Bishop. The dioceses together comprise 2,896 congregations, organized into 1,793 parishes. The Anglican Church of Canada Primate: Dioceses are organized into districts called ecclesiastical The Most Rev’d Linda Nicholls provinces, to allow dioceses to gather and function regionally. The country is divided into four provinces – British Columbia and Yukon, Rupert's Land (the Prairie The Ecclesiastical Province of provinces and the Arctic), Ontario, and Canada (Montreal, Canada Quebec, the Maritimes and Newfoundland) – each headed Metropolitan: by a Metropolitan (the Archbishop). The Most Rev’d David Edwards
Prolocutor: The Primate is the presiding bishop of the Anglican The Reverend Trevor Lightfoot Church of Canada. The Diocese of Montreal Bishop: General Synod consists of elected lay and clerical The Rt Rev’d Mary Irwin-Gibson members and the bishops from across Canada who come together to discuss national and international concerns of Dean: the Church. General Synod meets every three years for The Very Rev’d Bertrand Olivier about a week and is the sovereign body of the National Church. The first General Synod met in Toronto in 1893. Executive Archdeacon: The Ven. Robert Camara It laid out specific areas of responsibility delegated by the provinces and dioceses to the National Church. These Chancellor: responsibilities include such matters as doctrine and Me David Eramian worship, our relationships within the Anglican Communion as well as with other denominations and Vice-Chancellor: other faiths - in other words, areas where it was deemed Me Michael Patry important to have a common national vision. Diocesan Advocate: (vacant) The Ecclesiastical Province of Canada was formed in 1860 and includes the Dioceses of Eastern Newfoundland and Diocesan Notary: Labrador, Central Newfoundland, Western Mr Timothy Leonard
Newfoundland, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, Diocesan Physician: Fredericton, Quebec and Montreal. Like General Synod, (Vacant) Provincial Synod meets every three years, usually one year before General Synod. It offers the opportunity for the Diocesan Treasurer: dioceses of Eastern Canada to share common concerns Mr Ron O’Connell having to do with our faith, witness, ministry and worship, together with matters of political, economic, Diocesan Archivist: educational and social concern. Dr Richard Virr
2
What Happens at Synod
What is Synod? Diocesan Council
It is, first of all, the annual legislative meeting of the Diocesan Council is charged Anglican community in The Diocese of Montreal. As such, with continuing the work of it considers changes to our Constitution and Canons. It is Synod between Synods, also concerned with vision, information and fellowship. something like your Parish or Advisory Council. It consists of about forty people, some of Who attends? whom are ex-officio and non- The Bishop, clergy (active and those who have retired in voting members. You will be the diocese), and lay delegates elected by parishes, electing 6 at Synod, 3 lay deaneries, Diocesan Council and Youth Synod. people and 3 clergy.
Standing Committees of How do I prepare for Synod? Council If you have not already done so, read the Convening Circular. You may also consult the Constitution and There are 3 standing Canons of the Diocese. committees of Diocesan Council. They coordinate the (www.montreal.anglican.ca/synod). work of Council within their areas of jurisdiction. The Read the agenda, the motions, the financial statements and standing committees are the reports of the various committees. Finance, Mission and Human Resources. A number of committees and units report to Make notes if you have questions or comments. them, each of which has a specialized task. Attend your Deanery pre-Synod Meeting. Provincial Synod
Pray for the Bishop and the other delegates. The Diocese of Montreal is represented by the Bishop, plus Registration on the day of the event 2 lay delegates, 2 clerical Since Synod is online this year again, the zoom room will delegates and a youth delegate. Provincial Synod meets every 3 open 30 minutes before synod starts (i.e. 8:30 am) on both years and will meet in 2021. days.
A substitute, once registered, becomes the Parish's delegate for General Synod the duration of Synod, including any special session of synod The Diocese of Montreal is which may be called before the next annual synod. represented by the Bishop, 2 lay delegates, 2 clerical delegates and a youth delegate. General Synod meets every three years and is meeting in the Diocese of New Westminster in 2022.
3 The Head Table The Head Table will be on a raised platform in the hall. The Bishop will be the Chair, assisted by a legal adviser, the Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor or Church Advocate, and one of the Archdeacons. Visitors The on-line business session of the event is meant for Delegates only, but Visitors are invited to follow the event live on the diocesan YouTube Channel.
Questions about Procedure
May I nominate someone whose name is not already listed to a committee or delegation? As announced, nominations will not be received from the floor this year.
Is it possible to introduce a motion not on the agenda? Yes, if the motion is seconded and presented in writing to the Chairman who will read it to the house. If a two-thirds majority approves putting the motion on the agenda, it may be debated after a lapse of three hours.
Can motions be amended? Yes, they can. Sometimes if the amendment is minor, the mover and seconder may agree to the amendment and it won't require a vote. Usually the amendment will have to be discussed by the house. Every amendment requires a mover and seconder. If debate gets bogged down, someone may move to have the whole motion, with its amendments, tabled so that it can be worked on by the Motions Committee and reflected upon until it is re-introduced.
How do I go about discussing a motion or asking a question? Raise your hand to be recognized by the Chairman, and go to the nearest microphone. If a number of people wish to speak you may have to line up. When it is your turn, speak to the Chair, introduce yourself by saying, "Bishop Irwin-Gibson" or "My Lord" or ". Chairman" - Jane Doe, the Parish of Eastwood.
How long may I speak? The mover of a motion has ten minutes to introduce the topic, the seconder, five minutes, and each speaker thereafter, three minutes. The mover may speak for another five minutes in closing the debate. Motions to adjourn or to table are not debated and go straight to a vote.
4
Do I have to vote? Every member present when a vote is called for is required to vote. On non-constitutional or canonical matters, the Bishop has the right to abstain. Out of respect for other people's opinions, expressions of approval or dissent during debate or after the vote are not allowed.
How do I vote? As my Vestry thinks or according to my own decision? Listen to the debate, keeping in mind the general feeling of your parish. Be open to new evidence for and against. Be mindful of what is best for the whole Church, then vote as you feel you should. But, if you vote against the wishes of your Vestry, let them know that their opinion was expressed during the debate, either by you or another delegate.
How can I vote intelligently for people I scarcely know? Read the biographies in your Synod information material, if available. Talk to other delegates. Try to meet the people for whom you are voting. Note: You must vote within the period of balloting listed on your agenda. These will be announced by the Chairman.
Is Synod all business? Since this year is an online event the business session of May 15 will be mainly business. The conference session of May 14, will be an opportunity to hear about the work of the Church within and outside our own diocese. You will also have the chance to participate to two (2) workshops sessions to discuss eight (8) different topics linked to this year theme: " The Challenges of Evangelism: How Do We Invite People?". There will be time during breaks and between sessions to talk/chat with people from other parishes.
Don't be shy. If you have a question, or don't understand a procedure, ask the Chairman. The chances are you are not alone.
5 Glossary of Terms
Canons Rules that govern the organization, administration and government of the Church. Chancellor A judge or barrister who is appointed to advise the diocesan bishop. Church Temporalities Act An act of the Parliament of the Province of Canada (pre- Confederation), adopted December 18, 1852, creating parochial corporations and providing for the management of the affairs of parishes in the Diocese of Montreal. The Constitution The description of the government of the diocese. It sets out all the rules and regulations of the Synod together with a description of the Diocesan Council. Convening Circular A publication containing reports, notices of motions, memorials, and motions relating to the business of the annual Diocesan Synod, and circulated to its members a month before the convening of the Synod. En Bloc For efficiency, reports are often received "En Bloc" to avoid the time of moving and seconding each one. However, they are still open for questions and discussion. Ex-Officio Members Membership on a committee that is granted to an individual by virtue of that person's office and special connection with the committee. They have a right to vote unless designated non-voting. Memorial A formal written statement describing a position taken by an individual, parish, deanery or diocese. Metropolitan The Archbishop, having jurisdiction and pastoral oversight of an ecclesiastical province, usually elected at a meeting of Provincial Council. Notice of Motion A formal written notice by a member that he or she intends to present a resolution which is then published in the Convening Circular. Primate (pronounced Prymat) The President of the General Synod, Chairman of the House of Bishops, and Senior Metropolitan of the Church; with the title of Archbishop. Prolocutor An officer of the General or Provincial Synod elected by the members of that body from the orders of clergy and laity at each session. The Prolocutor is, next to the President, the senior officer of General or Provincial Synod. Quorum Synod may not legally be convened unless a simple majority of both the licensed clergy of the diocese and of the lay delegates is present. Session The term used for the entire time the Synod meets.
6
Sitting The period of time during a session of the Synod when business is conducted. Solemn Declaration The statement made at the General Synod of 1893 declaring the fundamental faith and doctrine of the Church as constituting the foundation of the Synod structure. It is to be found on page viii of the Book of Common Prayer.
EMERGENCY TELEPHONE NUMBER
SYNOD OFFICE
(514) 843-6577
Updated – May 2019
7