Spring Meeting Held May 31st to June 1st

The Council of General Synod (CoGS) serves as the governing and executive body of the Anglican Church of Canada, between national meetings of General Synod.  The Spring 2024 meeting of CoGs took place at the Queen of Apostles Renewal Centre in Mississauga, Ontario from May 31st to June 2nd.  Highlights are now available online.

May 31, 2024

Archbishop Linda Nicholls, primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, shares reflections on her primacy with Canon (lay) Ian Alexander at Council of General Synod. Photo: Matthew Puddister

View a PDF version of the May 31st highlights here.

The day began with opening worship and celebration of the Eucharist.  Reports came from the Primate, the Diaconate Writing Group, the Liturgical Advisory Committee, the Primate’s Commission, the Financial Management Committee, and the Pension Committee.  The day included a Bible study, reflections from the Primate on her Primacy from 2019-2024, and evening prayer.

June 1, 2024

Archbishop Linda Nicholls, primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, receives a canoe paddle as a gift during a farewell from Council of General Synod, as General Secretary Alan Perry looks on. Nicholls will retire as primate in September. Photo: Sean Frankling

View a PDF version of the June 1st highlights here.

The day began with a time of gospel-based discipleship.  Reports came from the Anglican Council of Indigenous Peoples; Anglican Healing Fund; Archbishop Anne Germond, metropolitan of Ontario and bishop of the dioceses of Algoma and Moosonee, who spoke about her plans as acting primate following the retirement of Archbishop Linda Nicholls in September; Anglican Foundation of Canada; and Liza Anderson, representative to CoGS from The Episcopal Church, who offered a partner reflection.  During the day, Irene Moore-Davis, an educator and member of the church’s Dismantling Racism Task Force, led a workshop on how to address microaggressions in faith communities.  The Rev. Canon Dr. Scott Sharman, animator of ecumenical and interfaith relations for the Anglican Church of Canada, spoke about proposed new guidelines for confirmation in shared ministries of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) and Anglican Church of Canada, who are full communion partners.  In a resolution, CoGS approved the guidelines for Anglican and Lutheran bishops, priests and pastors regarding confirmations in shared ministry congregations for use where permitted by the ordinary.  The evening included a programme celebrating the work of the Primate that included music and tributes.

June 2, 2024

Council of General Synod members lay their hands on Archbishop Linda Nicholls, primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, for a closing blessing and prayer. Photo: Matthew Puddister

View a PDF version of the June 2nd highlights here.

During this day, the Council of the General Synod approved the terms of reference for the National Advisory Council of Dismantling Racism; heard an update on the church’s efforts to seek peace with justice for all in Palestine and Israel; received partner reflections from The Rev. Canon Dr. Murray Still, CoGS representative to the Executive Council of The Episcopal Church, and Dorothy Patterson, CoGS partner to the ELCIC; received further information from the Liturgical Advisory Committee; formed a working group of CoGS members and Financial Management Committee members to develop a multi-year financial plan for the Office of the General Synod; received a report from the General Secretary; and concluded with closing remarks and prayer from the Primate.