Subject: Amendment to Public Witness for Social and Ecological Justice Coordinating Committee Terms of Reference

Moved By: The Rt. Rev. Jane Alexander
Seconded By: The Rev. Canon Bill Mous

Be it resolved that this General Synod:

Confirm the updated Terms of Reference for the Public Witness for Social and Ecological Justice Coordinating Committee, as adopted by the Council of General Synod at its June 2018 meeting.

Source: Public Witness for Social and Ecological Justice Coordinating Committee           

Submitted By: Public Witness for Social and Ecological Justice Coordinating Committee

Does this motion contain within it any financial implications?      Yes     No

If yes, has the General Synod Expenditures Committee considered the implications?   Yes    No

EXPLANATORY NOTE/BACKGROUND

Procedural resolution. 

PROCEDURE FOR ADOPTION (G)

In the normal course, an ordinary motion must be passed by a majority of the members of General Synod present and voting together. Six members of General Synod may, prior to the question being put, require a vote by Orders, with a majority of each Order being necessary to pass. 

If a question passes on a Vote by Orders, any six members (two from each of three different dioceses) may immediately before the next item of business require a vote to be taken by dioceses. A motion passes if a majority (or a tie) of dioceses vote in favour. 

Source: Sections 4 and 5 of the Declaration of Principles and sections 18, 19 and 20 of the Rules of Order and Procedure.

 

PUBLIC WITNESS FOR SOCIAL AND ECOLOGICAL JUSTICE COORDINATING COMMITTEE RESOLUTION
APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL OF GENERAL SYNOD DURING THE TRIENNIUM (2016 – 2019)

Resolution – Public Witness for Social and Ecological Justice Coordinating Committee Amended Terms of Reference

June 2018

Moved by: The Rev. Canon David Burrows
Seconded by: The Rev. Dr. Lynne McNaughton

Be it resolved:

That the Council of General Synod approve the updated Terms of Reference for the Public Witness for Social and Ecological Justice Coordinating Committee, as amended by the Coordinating Committee at their meeting of March 12, 2018.

ADOPTED CoGS #015-18-06

 

Public Witness for Social Justice Amended Terms of Reference (Approved by Coordinating Committee March 12, 2018):

We as the Church are mandated to be signs and instruments of God’s reconciling love in the world. We have a responsibility to incarnate our response to Jesus’ summary of the law, ‘to love God and our neighbour as self,’ to Jesus’ example of being in right relationships, and to the question posed by the prophet Micah (6.8): ‘And what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and love kindness, and walk humbly with your God?’

The work of the Public Witness for Social Justice Committee is to help the Anglican Church of Canada understand and participate in God’s mission in the world by:

• challenging attitudes and structures in church and society that cause injustice;
• building relationships among people and dioceses within the Anglican Church of Canada; with ecumenical and interfaith partners;
• fostering commitment to the integrity of God’s creation;
• ensuring that mission is handed on from generation to generation.

The Public Witness for Social Justice Committee shall:

a) Engage itself and the wider church in biblical, theological and ethical reflection, listening for the Spirit and discerning God’s mission for the church and the world

b) Equip Canadian Anglicans to live out their baptismal promise to “strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being”

c) Equip Canadian Anglicans to build and strengthen relationships and networks for public witness for social justice with Anglican, ecumenical and interfaith partners

d) Engage in teaching and learning about Indigenous peoples in Canada and globally, identify ways that Canadian Anglicans can move toward healing and reconciliation from the legacy of colonialism, and participate in advocacy and solidarity initiatives in the struggle of Indigenous peoples in Canada to protect their land and rights, including the right to self-determination

e) Monitor events, be familiar with established church policy, and recommend priorities for responding as the Anglican Church of Canada to issues of social and ecological justice.

f) Report to the Council of General Synod and recommend new policies and actions

g) Monitor and support the involvement of the Anglican Church of Canada in the World Council of Churches, the Anglican Consultative Council, the Canadian Council of Churches, in relevant networks of the Anglican Communion, and in partner organizations such as KAIROS, Project Ploughshares, the Church Council on Justice and Corrections, and Citizens for Public Justice.