Receive and Utilize the Final Report and Recommendations of the Anglican United Church of Canada Dialogue

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A129

THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA
GENERAL SYNOD 2023
RESOLUTION

Resolution Number: A129

Subject: Receive and Utilize the Final Report and Recommendations of the Anglican United Church of Canada Dialogue

Moved By: The Most Rev. Lynne McNaughton

Seconded By: Finn Keesmaat-Walsh

Be it resolved that this General Synod:

receive the Final Report (2017-2020) of the Anglican-United Dialogue of Canada, including the appendices Sharing Ministry Ecumenically and A Ministry of Unity,
commend these materials to the church for wider study,
direct the Faith, Worship, and Ministry Committee to continue research and work on the dialogue’s recommendations for encouraging and supporting Ecumenical Shared Ministry (ESM) partnerships between Anglican and United Church of Canada congregations and non-congregational ministries at the local level,
continue to pursue with the United Church of Canada the recommendation first affirmed Resolution #A141 of General Synod 2016 to “establish a national coordinating committee for unity and mission between at least our two churches.

Source: Faith, Worship, and Ministry Coordinating Committee

Submitted By: Faith, Worship, and Ministry Coordinating Committee

Does this motion contain within it any financial implications?

If yes, has the General Synod Expenditures Committee considered the implications?

Yes No

EXPLANATORY NOTE/BACKGROUND

The Anglican-United Dialogue of Canada completed its most recent 3-year mandate (2017-2020). A Final Report has been produced, which includes a summary of the work undertaken during these years, three main documents which were produced by the dialogue pursuant of its mandate, and two letters issued in the name of the dialogue on matters relevant to the work of the dialogue. This Report represents a major piece of ecumenical work, and one which uncovers several important new insights and possibilities for greater unity and sharing in ministry with our United Church of Canada siblings at local, regional, and national levels. Key highlights from the Report include the following:

A declarative Statement of Mutual Affirmations and Commitments which collates the things which the Anglican and United churches have been able to recognize and affirm about one another’s doctrine, polity, ministry, sacraments, etc. through the course of their ecumenical dialogues from the late 1970s to present. (Received and approved by General Synod 2019).
A collection of stories narrating creative examples of Anglican-United Ecumenical Shared Ministry, along with brief commentary on the judicatory principles and best practices which have made these possible.
A theological study text on the ministry of episkope (oversight) in recent ecumenical discussion, and a projection of potential steps towards greater mutual recognition of this office in the Anglican and United Churches.
A recommendation for the Anglican Church of Canada to pursue a provision similar to Church of England Canon B43 which would enable local bishops to licence ordained ministers from other churches for word, sacrament, and pastoral ministry in Anglican parish contexts according to the capacities given to them by their own church.

PROCEDURE FOR ADOPTION

(G)

In the normal course, an ordinary motion must be passed by a majority of the members of General Synod present and voting together.

Six members of General Synod may, prior to the question being put, require a vote by Orders, with a majority of each Order being necessary to pass.

If a question passes on a Vote by Orders, any six members (two from each of three different dioceses) may immediately before the next item of business require a vote to be taken by dioceses. A motion passes if a majority (or a tie) of dioceses vote in favour.

Source: Sections 4 and 5 of the Declaration of Principles and sections 18, 19 and 20 of the Rules of Order and Procedure.

Resolution A129