See, I am Making All Things New V ol. 49, No. 10 ● June/July 2004 CANADACANADA COMESCOMES TOTO NIAGARANIAGARA Photo by Diana Hutton DOZENS OF BISHOPS from across Canada greet Bishop Ralph Spence as they make the Anglican Church of Canada. The celebration marked the end of General Synod their way into Christ’s Church Cathedral, Hamilton. A special ceremony was held June 2004 in St. Catharines May 28-June 4. Complete coverage can be found in this month’s 4 for the installation of Archbishop Andrew Hutchison as the newly elected primate of Anglican Journal. Local coverage can be found on pages 10-11 and 16. General Synod affirms ‘integrity, Empowering the people By DIANA HUTTON sanctity’ of same-sex unions Editor Dear Friends: Primate’s Theological Commission consider whether n less than six months, a year-long consultation process about the the blessing of such is a matter of doctrine. The Iface of the diocese in the future has ignited the passions of thousands eneral Synod gathered at Brock University in report is to be prepared for study by Provinces, of Niagara Anglicans. GSt. Catharines (May 28-June 4). Dioceses and the House of Bishops by 2006. What was a leap of faith just six months ago has become a catalyst for Archbishop Andrew Hutchison was elected and Second, we affirmed the continued need to study hope, change, and movement, says New Niagara’s spokesperson, Christyn installed as primate of Canada. We the subject through respectful dialogue Perkons, a tireless volunteer who has devoted hundreds of hours to the assure him of our prayers and support. Bishop Spence examining the biblical, theological, process. Inspired by the worship, and stirred liturgical, pastoral, scientific, psycho- “People feel incredible ownership, they feel empowered (by the by Stephen Lewis’ call to address the speaks to faithful logical and social aspects of human process),” Christyn said. “They believed the bishop when he said they HIV/AIDS pandemic in our world, we in Pastoral letter sexuality. We recognized that indige- could determine their future and the future of the diocese.” accomplished much. nous and other communities will need At diocesan synod in Nov. 2003, Bishop Ralph Spence announced he I want to share with you my under- to consider this matter in culturally was undertaking the largest, most extensive consultation process in the standing of some of the decisions that were made appropriate ways. history of the diocese. He wanted to know where Anglicans hoped to take regarding the issue of committed same-sex unions. We affirmed that, in spite of the variety of convic- the church in order to build a “New Niagara”. First, General Synod deferred consideration of the tions held, we are members one of another in Christ Bishop Spence asked for as much input and participation as possible, blessing of committed same-sex unions until General Jesus through our baptism, and committed ourselves saying he wanted “every voice in the diocese” to be heard. Synod 2007, and requested that our Canadian See GENERAL SYNOD / page 2 See NEW NIAGARA / page 8 Youth Synod is about faith, fellowship By JOSH MORRISON debates about equally boring sub- Then I met a new guy who told June-July 2004 jects followed by boring votes. me Youth Synod wasn’t the boring Cycle of Prayer. .17-19 People In the News . .20 ou know, when most peo- As the son of a priest, that’s debate I’d heard about and I fig- Deadlines . .4 Synod Photo Pages . 10-11 Yple think of the word what I always thought. ured I’d give it a go. synod – assuming they even know So when I heard about Youth When I spent the weekend of Editorials . .4 V iewpoint s . .5 what it is or what it means – they Synod, I really didn’t think of it as April 30–May 2 at St. Faith Journey . .14 Youth Page . .12-13 tend to think of long, boring something I’d want to go to. See YOUTH SYNOD / page 2 Getting to Know You . .15 2 NIAGARA ANGLICAN June/July 2004 Youth Synod is more than just debates Continued from page 1 Christopher’s in Burlington, I discovered my friend was so very right. Coming from a small rural town, I never knew so many cool kids my age thought the same about issues involving my faith, and that they loved the Church, God and Christianity as much as I did. Just finding that out and having fun with the many friends I met there would have made it all worthwhile, but there was more than that. While at Youth Synod, there was time to do some really heavy reflecting, praying and soul searching that I don’t think I could have done in my regular environment, since it’s not really in my routine. Being around so many like me who shared my faith and beliefs let me open myself up to the Lord and discover much about myself and my faith. It also allowed me the chance to discern where God wants me to go in the future, both in terms of a career and in terms of where I should be setting my emotional and spiritual compass (to use a somewhat cliché, yet accurate, metaphor). That inner sanctity mixed with a healthy dose of what might have been divine intervention gave me the inspiration for a song I have been trying to compose for quite a time now, a work still in progress. This showed me that, as well as my gifts in music and so many other things, my inspiration and guidance really did come from the “Man Upstairs”, not some quasi-mystical muse buried deep in my psyche. It was just one more positive revelation to come out of an amazing two-and-a-half days in Burlington. And of course, there was the whole synod thing too. The synod prop- er sessions and workshops surrounding them taught me a lot about issues involving the Church and its youth. As well, all the information and discussion helped me form my own opinions about issues that affect DELEGATES WERE HARD at work at Saturday’s motion-writing workshop during Youth us today. Synod, which was held April 30–May 2 at St. Christopher’s Church, Burlington. Overall, it was a very well-run, academic and informative event. It seems to me the real point of Youth Synod is not just about debat- ing issues but it’s about friendship, fellowship, prayer, reflection, inspi- ration, guidance and, last but most definitely not least, fun! General Synod members vote Josh Morrison is a member of Holy Trinity, Hamilton. He lives in Caledonia. on continued study, talks Youth Synod motions Continued from page 1 relationships. tions concerning these issues, but to strive for that communion into As you know, the Canadian we are committed to continuing anada’s two Houses of Parliament will not receive a letter from which Christ continually calls us. bishops embody much of the this process as we move towards CNiagara Diocese’s Youth Synod asking for the decriminalization We also requested the House of diversity of opinion on these mat- our Diocesan Synod in November. or legalization of marijuana. Bishops to continue to do its work ters that is found in the Canadian I commit myself as a Bishop of A motion supporting the legalization of cannabis was defeated at on the provision of adequate epis- Church as a whole. None of us the Church to provide Episcopal Youth Synod in a vote of more than two to one. copal oversight and pastoral care takes these questions lightly. care to all members of our dio- “It is a sad day when the government receives a letter from the for all. General Synod was painfully con- cese, not least to those who are Anglican Church wanting legalized drugs,” one delegate said. Third, while deferring consid- scious of the different voices from distressed by the individual posi- Other resolutions included: eration of blessings, General within Canada, and outside of it, tions taken on this matter. ■ Youth Synod 2004 delegates will encourage their boards of educa- Synod affirmed “the integrity and calling for diverse and incompati- If we are faithful to our Lord’s tion to establish a harassment policy that will specifically include sexu- sanctity of committed adult same- ble responses. Yet our loyalties in call to the costly love that alone al orientation, train teachers and staff to intervene when they hear neg- sex relationships”. Christ remain common – to scrip- can sustain us in our common life, ative comments based on sexual orientation; support the establishment It was clear that this was a pas- ture; to our sisters and brothers then the world, whatever else it of a Gay-Straight Alliance or similar student club; ensure students know toral, not doctrinal, response to throughout the Communion, both sees, will see the love of Jesus at where to go for information and support; and introduce curriculum that our faithful gay and lesbian now and across time; and to our work in our frailty and imperfec- includes information about sexual orientation and gender identity. church members. ecumenical partners, and particu- tion and find hope for its own Delegates will also encourage the diocese and its churches to create a While all of these issues passed larly to the people of our diocese future. harassment policy that includes sexual orientation. Church leaders are with clear majorities, there were committed to our charge. Peace. also asked to use language that is respectful, supportive and inclusive nine bishops who expressly dis- It is clear that, in the Diocese of The Right Rev.