Relationships with partners, native peopleto be church priorities for the next 3 years

Waterloo, Ont.

GENERAL Synod approved a list of priorities for the next triennium and has urged its standing committees to plan their work accordingly.

Synod also directed the Council of General Synod (COGS) to “initiate and oversee a process of intentional listening to the church in the dioceses and parishes regarding the future life and work of the Anglican Church of Canada.” This is to be monitored throughout the triennium and recommendations for future planning will go before General Synod in 2004.

As adopted by General Synod 2001, the national priorities will be to:

• Strengthen mission and development partnerships outside Canada;
• Clarify Anglican identity, doctrine, liturgy, and worship;

Nurture ecumenical relationships;

• Advocate social justice and prophetic mission within Canada, especially in indigenous peoples concerns and social, economic, and environmental justice issues;
• Affirm healing and reconciliation with indigenous peoples with increased resources to work toward healing for those affected by the residential schools, their families, and their communities;
• Strengthen commitment of the whole church to domestic mission in partnership with the Council of the North, and work with the Council of the North to move toward self-sufficiency;
• Provide services to dioceses.