Anglican Church of Canada
Aim
Proclaim and celebrate the gospel of Jesus Christ in worship and action; value the heritage of biblical faith, reason, liturgy, tradition, bishops and synods, and the rich variety of life in the community; acknowledge that God is calling us to greater diversity of membership, wider participation in ministry and leadership, better stewardship in God's creation and a stronger resolve in challenging attitudes and structures that cause injustice; commit to respond to the call in love and service and so more fully live the life of Christ.
History
Anglicanism travelled abroad with British colonial expansion. In 1578, near present-day Iqaluit, NU, a chaplain celebrated the Eucharist as a member of Martin Frobisher's Arctic expedition. This was the first Anglican Eucharist in what is now Canada, but it wasn't until the 18th and 19th centuries that Anglicanism truly took hold, as military chaplains, Loyalists, and British immigrants fanned out and settled across the growing colony. Gradually the Canadian church carved out its own identity. In 1787, Charles Inglis of Nova Scotia became the first bishop in British North America. More dioceses cohered as the population grew, and in 1893, the dioceses created the national body of General Synod.
IRD Activities
- Faith, Worship, and Ministry
Faith, Worship, and Ministry nurtures the common life and identity of Canadian Anglicans. This work includes the areas of ecumenism, Anglican identity, ethics, interfaith relationships, worship, theological education and ministry. Ecumenism is at the very heart of Anglicanism, and one of our tradition's distinctive marks has been our willingness and capacity to speak with other Christians from a diverse variety of backgrounds, and to seek reconciliation with them. Anglican churches have formed a part of the modern ecumenical movement from its very beginnings. The Anglican Church of Canada seeks to help make visible the church's unity at the local, national, and global levels. For Christians, there is also a growing need not just for dialogue with people of other faiths, but for genuine relationships with them. Increased awareness of religious plurality, the potential role of religion in conflict, and the growing place of religion in public life all present urgent challenges that require greater understanding and cooperation among people of diverse faiths. The Anglican Church of Canada pursues formal dialogue with people of other faiths together with the other member churches of the Canadian Council of Churches
- Mission and Justice Relationships
Canadian Anglicans participate in God's mission in the world. The Anglican Church works with ecumenical, interfaith, and Anglican partners in Canada and internationally. ACC addresses issues of climate change, healing and reconciliation, theological education, Indigenous justice, housing and homelessness, and more. The Partners in Mission and Public Witness for Social and Ecological Justice coordinating committee oversee and help to facilitate this work.
Main Focus Countries of Activities
Canada - World - Canada - Cuba - Jerusalem, Israel - Solomon Islands - Vanuatu - Philippines