The Diocese of Niagara is holding its annual Synod meeting next month, and Canadian Anglicans have been waiting with bated breath to see whether a motion will be presented requesting diocesan Bishop D. Ralph Spence to authorise same-sex blessings.  The Diocese’s website contain no information as yet regarding what specific items will be discussed.  Only the schedule is given:

Thursday, November 15, 2007
Synod Service, Eucharist and Bishop's Charge
Christ's Church Cathedral 7:30 p.m.

Friday, November 16 and Saturday, November 17, 2007
Hamilton Convention Centre

We have just received a report from delegate Jude Carriere of St George’s Lowville, whose Synod package arrived today.  There appears to be nothing regarding SSBs.

I haven't had a chance to read it cover to cover, but at first glance the only mention of SSB is in the agenda as "Same Gender Blessings Discussion" at 9:20 on Sat Nov 17. The next agenda item is "Other Business" at 11:00, so it looks like they are expecting some discussion. At 11:15 the bishop gets to assent to Synod actions and close and we're out by 11:40 (before they close the streets surrounding the conference centre for the Santa Claus parade).

In the list of motions there is nothing terribly exciting. Approval of minutes, adopt the agenda, receive reports, elect people to various councils, approve auditor and budget items – the usual business. There is a motion 'that the Synod encourage parishes to consider doing all they can to reduce the effect of Seasonal flu in our churches'. I imagine I'll support that one.

There is a Memorial from St. James, Dundas, declaring that they will be a blessing community whenever the diocese permits it, as resolved by special vestry on Sept 30, 2007.

Further detail on the memorial comes from St James’s September newsletter:

Consistent with our understanding of community, the corporation proposes a motion that would make St. James a blessing community so that if and when our diocesan bishop grants clergy and parishes to perform same sex blessings we would be in a position to offer such blessing.

I like that: “if and when our diocesan bishop grants clergy and parishes to perform same sex blessings”.  Just a little presumptuous.

We shall wait and see if any sneaky last-minute motions are pitched at the Synod meeting.

c/p: Anglican Essentials Canada Blog 

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