CoGS gets funds for May meeting

The spring meeting of Council of General Synod (CoGS), which was nearly cancelled due to a lack of funds, will take place as planned May 8 to 10, dealing with a wide range of issues as it prepares for General Synod in June 2010.

Last fall, CoGS asked dioceses to contribute at least $2,000 each to cover the cost of the meeting, but by the end of January only about $20,000 of estimated cost of more than $70,000 had been raised. Archdeacon Michael Pollesel, general secretary of the Anglican Church of Canada, suggested that the meeting take place by teleconference.

CoGS members argued that they needed to have face-to-face meetings in order to govern properly and asked Mr. Pollesel to repeat the request for funds for the spring meeting. This second request yielded more funds from the dioceses and others, he said.

The cost of the meeting was also reduced to about $55,000, primarily by cancelling the planning and agenda team meeting.

Officers of General Synod, the church’s governing body, said this meeting was especially important because CoGS has a lot of work to do to prepare for General Synod in June 2010. It needs to look at proposed changes in church governance and structure, the church’s strategic plan for the next triennium, and the report of the primatial task force.

CoGS also needs to discuss the faith, worship and ministry committee’s review of the church’s marriage canon (church law) to see what changes might be required to allow priests to marry all legally qualified persons.

General Synod 2007 also asked CoGS to consult the church on the Christian perspective of sexuality and to report to General Synod in 2010.