Once again I declare:
If you are not interested in the (possibly-esoteric) internal workings of Anglicanism in these islands in the South Pacific, come back here tomorrow, and read about something of more general interest in tomorrow’s post…
I have received, in comments and offsite, requests for updates on the recent meeting of General Synod Te Hinota Whanui (GSTHW).
I will follow the same headings as the pre-meeting post:
A) Blessing Committed Same-Sex Couples
GSTHW tabled the ‘A Way Forward ’ report on blessings of same-sex couples until General Synod 2018.
I contend, however, that the change to the Constitution, at this meeting of GSTHW, removes the restrictions under which the A Way Forward group was working, and means that local communities can now seek episcopal permission to bless committed same-sex couples.
Since the decisions at GSTHW, I have written an open letter sent to members of General Synod Standing Committee, seeking clarification whether, with such energy devoted to debating blessing committed same-sex couples, our church has followed our own agreed process when clergy bless heterosexual unions with one or both being divorced. We look forward to receiving response(s).
B) Changing the Constitution
The change to the Constitution passed, and, as I mentioned, I understand this means that local communities can now seek episcopal permission to bless committed same-sex couples.
C) Ending Confirmation
The discussion about confirmation has also been tabled.
D) Anglican-Methodist Interchangeability
Motion 21 on Anglican-Methodist Interchangeability was withdrawn because it had not been considered in full by the Council for Ecumenism.
E) Other Liturgical Stuff
Sunday Titles passed.
According to Liturgical Precedence (updated 2014), Ordinary Time in the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia
Ordinary time is the period after the Feast of the Presentation of Christ until Shrove Tuesday, and from the day after the Feast of Pentecost until the day before the First
Sunday of Advent.
So, for us,
Sunday, 7 February 2016, was The First Sunday in Ordinary Time (for the rest of the church world-wide that was the 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time). After that Shrove Tuesday followed.
So, last Sunday, Trinity Sunday, for us was the 2nd Sunday in our Ordinary Time. Next Sunday, 29 May, 2016, is the 3rd Ordinary Sunday for us (for the rest of the church world-wide, and the way of counting that I prefer, it will be the 9th Sunday in Ordinary Time).
F) Other websites discussing General Synod Te Hinota Whanui
Anglican Taonga
Bishop Jim White (who was present) here and here.
Bishop Kelvin Wright (who was present) here and here
Ven Dr. Peter Carrell – many posts going back several pages.
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