Time does not move at the same pace in all circumstances: 3 days of Synod are the equivalent of 3 weeks of ordinary time. Part of the problem is that Anglicans love to talk, especially when they have nothing to say.

So I was very glad for a break: this afternoon we drove down the coast to Peggy’s Cove. What I didn’t know was that the Anglican Synod had moved to Exhibition Park  – not far from Peggy’s Cove – for their afternoon shindig. Consequently, the closer we got to Peggy’s Cove, the denser the fog became until, by the time we arrived, we could barely see anything. Then the rain started.

The theme for Synod is nautical “Feeling the Winds of God: Charting a New Course”, so each day begins with the sound of a ship’s horn; at least, I thought that’s what it was. Now I realise it’s a foghorn.

Even in the fog, which would you rather look at, this:

Or this:

Notes from the Underground.

Holy Post has published a variation on this article. Also Eternity Magazine.

I am in Halifax, Nova Scotia attending the 2010 General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada.

Every 3 years clergy and lay people from all over the country meet to discuss and set church policy; one of most pressing items on the agenda is the decline in church membership.

In 1961, 1.3 million people attended an Anglican Church; in 2001, 658,000 attended and in 2009 325,000. A simple 3 point graph shows that, if nothing changes, by around 2040 there will be 1 person left. A 3 point graph may not yield the most accurate predictions, but one thing is abundantly clear: in Canada the Anglican Church is in rapid decline.

That is why the Church has begun a program to revitalise itself: Vision 2019 – Where do you want the church to be by 2019. A consulting company was employed to poll the faithful; the number of people who responded (around 1000) was disappointing and the results vague. But, then, perhaps the only consistent answer that could realistically be expected from such a poll is “in 2019, we want the church to be still in existence”. The cynical might think that too ambitious.

Another recurrent – obsessive even – theme will be the blessing of same-sex unions. In this synod, a valiant attempt is being made to circumvent the heated arguments normally generated by this topic. Rather than the free-for-all debates that few look forward to, delegates will be meeting in small groups to shape (or manipulate, depending on your perspective) resolutions which will then be passed to the floor.

The Church is trying to maintain a delicate balance: on the one hand it has been apparent for well over a decade that the intent of the Anglican leadership is to convince Canadian Anglicans that same-sex attraction is God-given and, therefore, active same-sex partnerships are holy and entirely consistent with Christian principles. On the other hand, there are over 60 million Anglicans that don’t agree and want Anglican provinces like Canada and the US booted out of the Anglican club. It looks as if the finesse that will be attempted at this synod is to squash motions that would publically commit the whole Canadian church to the blessing of same sex unions. Instead, synod will push for the local option: dioceses and churches that want to proceed can do so – the decision will be delegated down. Even the most naive will be able to see through this ruse, of course: get those who work for you to make the tough decisions so you can’t be held accountable.

The third important item on the agenda is whether to sign the Anglican Covenant, a document that commits signatories to consulting the worldwide Anglican Communion before making major decision.

The synod is taking place between June 3^rd and June 11^th. I am writing a live blog of the goings–on the AEC blog and also posting my impressions of the continuing discussions here.

Normally wild horses could not drag me to spend a week witnessing the meanderings of 400 Anglicans ruminating on the state of the church. However, as a conservative Anglican blogger, when I first applied to attend Synod, I detected subtle intimations that my presence would not be a cause for rejoicing; what greater incentive to come could I have asked for?

Stay tuned for more news as the week unfolds.

David Jenkins blogs at anglicansamizdat.com

The Anglican General Synod is tweeting here.

There are 21 followers so far: such a lot of interest.

You can see all GS2010 tweets by following the #GS2010 hashtag here.

Where I will be live blogging for the AEC blog.

You never know, I may even make some comments on GS2010 shenanigans here, too.

Is here:

A181: Toward a World Free of Nuclear Weapons
Subject: Toward a World Free of Nuclear Weapons

Moved by: The Rev. Canon Dr. William E. Prentice, Diocese of Ottawa

Seconded by: The Rev. Dr. Linda Privitera, Diocese of Ottawa

Be it resolved that this General Synod:

Expresses its support for a world free of nuclear weapons, and asks the General Secretary to convey our position to the Government of Canada, requesting:

1. from the Government information about Canadian activities in the last three years to support nuclear disarmament, and
2. from the Prime Minister a public affirmation of Canada’s commitment to a world free of nuclear weapons.

Source Partners in Mission and Ecojustice Committee

BREAKING NEWS: world leaders are hailing the call by Canadian Anglicans to get rid of nuclear weapons as an innovative and thoroughly brilliant way to avert the possibility of nuclear holocaust.

Vladimir Putin, slapping himself on the forehead, said, “How could we have missed this? Of course, we will start disarming right away”. Barack Obama didn’t even have to read from the teleprompter as he exclaimed, “After this, I myself am thinking of becoming an Anglican; we have already started shipping our nuclear arsenal to Canada for safe disposal.”