Highlights of
Bishop John Chapman's Charge
Delivered October 22, 2009

Ottawa and Mombasa dioceses in dialogue

The Diocese of Ottawa, in partnership with three other Canadian dioceses, has been selected by the Archbishop of Canterbury for a pilot project to enable a continuation of the ongoing dialogue between dioceses that are in disagreement on critical issues. Ottawa has been paired with the Diocese of Mombasa, Kenya, to discuss human sexuality. The two dioceses have already shared papers. The bishops will meet in London in February to share ideas and continue the dialogue.

Small church coaches

Bishop John is hoping to begin the process of offering parishes the benefit of a coach to help them move forward in response to their unique mission. Priorities and the fabric of parishes will need to change in response to new or different work.

Fresh Expressions

The Diocese is now fully engaged in a new and creative program called Fresh Expressions, developed by the Church of England, to take Church into the marketplace and community. A vision day will be held on Nov. 21.

Governance

The Bishop urged Synod to make any necessary final changes to a proposed new Governance process and to put into effect a new way of doing our work. It is a process that is clear, responsible to the mission of this diocese, accurately solicits the proper skills required for the task involved, and appropriately represents the diversity of our diocese.

Partnership with the Diocese of Jerusalem

After 10 years, the Diocese's partnership with the Diocese of Pelotas has come to an end. Ottawa has now been asked by the Primate to partner with the Diocese of Jerusalem. The Primate thought that our Diocese, centred in the nation's capital, might serve their needs well while also presenting the Diocese with an exciting possibility.

Financial Development Panel

A Financial Development Panel, formed in April 2009 and chaired by the Bishop, has proposed that we begin to put in place a Financial Development Initiative. So far it has proposed a significant fund-raising campaign to address ongoing annual need as well as securing bequests and long-term capital. The panel has recommended partnering with the National Church with direction from the Department of Philanthropy's Executive Director.

Resources from this initiative will allow us to meet the demands of our current Strategic Plan, as well as participate meaningfully in fulfilling the mission of the Anglican Church of Canada's national and global programs.

Same-sex blessing

The Bishop has given his permission for St. John the Evangelist to begin offering a rite of blessing for same-sex couples who have been civilly married and where at least one party is baptized. The church will use the rite of blessing for civil marriages found in the Book of Occasional Celebrations, published by the Anglican Church of Canada.

The Bishop said he chose not to create an entirely new rite, as offered by at least two dioceses in Canada, but to embrace a liturgical process that will not discriminate between members of the Church on the basis of sexual orientation. This will be Ottawa's offering to the ongoing discernment that is happening throughout the Anglican Church of Canada.

Guidelines will be carefully articulated to the clergy of the diocese in a pastoral letters later this fall.