Ascension will join with Christians around the world to pray and work for the well-being of God's creation during the Season of Creation this September.
Season of Creation - The Anglican Church of Canada
Christians around the world are invited to give particular attention to praying and caring for God’s creation as part of the global Season of Creation.Coming to our neighbourhood this Tuesday!
A wonderful way to spend a summer evening!ICYMI: This Tuesday, August 6, A Company of Fools will bring their latest Shakespeare in the Park production to Brantwood Park. Come enjoy Romeo and Juliet! Admission is pay what you can, with a suggested $20 donation. Show starts at 7:00 pm.
Bishop John’s interview is well worth a listen!
Anglican Bishop on Same Sex Marriage | Ottawa Morning with Robyn Bresnahan | Live Radio | CBC Listen
The Bishop of Ottawa the Right Reverend John H. Chapman.Learn more here:
The Rt. Rev. Dr. Linda Carol Nicholls - General Synod 2019
Nominee information for the election of the 14th Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada.Bishop Linda Nicholls is the Primate-Elect of the Anglican Church of Canada!
May God give her the wisdom and strength she will need to answer this call.
The switches have been thrown! Our new website is alive at www.churchoftheascension.ca
A letter from Bishop John Chapman regarding the Marriage Canon XXI. Clergy are encouraged to read this in your parishes on Sunday morning.
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
You will be pleased to know that our delegates are representing the interests of our diocese ably and well. On behalf of our diocese, may I thank The Right Rev. Michael Bird, The Venerable David Selzer, The Rev. Canon Beth Bretzlaff, Kim Chadsey, The Rev. Mark Whittall, The Rev. Monique Stone, John McBride, Lizzy Jones and Ann Chaplin.
While the work of General Synod continues, including the election of a new Primate, I think it is safe to say that many of you have followed with interest the conversations, debate and vote concerning the proposed change to the Marriage Canon to allow same sex couples to be married in the church. What follows outlines my pastoral response to this long-standing struggle among the people of God and to the result of the vote on the resolution.
Yesterday the General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada voted on the proposal to amend the Marriage Canon XXI in our church. In order to be approved, this motion required a 2/3 majority in all three Orders – Bishops, Clergy, Laity. The proposal did not receive the necessary majorities required in all three Orders to approve the proposed amendment.
As many of you know, this decision will weigh very heavy upon many of our hearts and certainly mine as a bishop of the church and as bishop of the Diocese of Ottawa. Many of us are sharing a deep sense of disappointment today. Like many people, I have been engaged in seeking the full inclusion of ALL people seeking the sacraments and ministries of the church these last four decades. Many in the church and certainly in the Diocese of Ottawa have been seeking the same.
However, while the changes to Canon XXI did not achieve the required supermajority, a very significant step forward has been taken by our church which I celebrate. The General Synod adopted a document, with 85% support, called A Word to the Church. This document effectively allows dioceses (and bishops) to offer marriage to same sex couples. This is no small achievement. Previously, dioceses were obligated to function on their own in this matter. Now, the whole church affirms the right of each diocese to function, regarding same sex marriage, in a manner that best suits their theological understanding, practice, and tradition.
It is my intention, with the affirming support of the whole church with the passing of Motion A101-R1, A Word to the Church, to continue the practice of allowing same sex marriages in our diocese with the bishop’s permission and following our normal protocols.
My sisters and brothers, I continue to pray for our church and for our diocese as we strive to respond faithfully to the great work that we are called to do in the name of Jesus in these changing and challenging times. I remain,
Yours in Christ
The Rt. Rev. John H Chapman
Bishop of Ottawa
“An Apology for Spiritual Harm” - The Anglican Church of Canada
“An Apology for Spiritual Harm” - The Anglican Church of Canada
“An Apology for Spiritual Harm” offered by the Primate on behalf of the Anglican Church of Canada For a number of years, since the Indigenous Covenant of 1994, there has been a call for an apology for spiritual abuse endured by Indigenous Peoples through the era of colonial expansion across the ..."In place of resuscitating “the corpse of something that’s passed,” the national Indigenous Anglican bishop called on the church to “look for a resurrection in our midst…to understand and see and believe that God can do something great in the midst of us—and that Jesus can be someone who is alive and living and real for us in a way today that will not only be saving for us, but will be a message that has an important impact on the world that needs it so desperately.” National Indigenous Bishop in the his sermon at synod's opening Eucharist
For anyone who is curious about what is going on in Vancouver this week...
GS2019 Live Stream - General Synod 2019
Gavel-to-gavel live streaming of General Synod 2019 will be available on the General Synod 2019 website home page. Coverage starts on Wednesday July 10 at 7:30pm Vancouver Time with opening Worship from Christ Church Cathedral. View the GS2019 agenda to see more details of when Synod will be streame...