Welcome from the Acting Primate

Dear Delegates, Partners, and Guests,

I am pleased to welcome you to the 44^th General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada which will be held in London, Ontario from June 23^rd to June 30^th this year under the inspiring theme, “They will soar on wings like eagles” (Isaiah 40.31). This verse offers words of hope and promises of strength and resilience for those who trust in God. 

My prayer is that our time together at General Synod, even in a time of immense challenge in the church and in the world, will be a time of spiritual renewal. We will be formed by our common prayer and worship, as well as opportunities for fellowship and the study of God’s word. Praying for one another and all who will lead us, we bring our best selves into the meeting, asking for God’s hand of guidance to cover our discussions and bless all the decisions that are made.

To the delegates I offer a word of thanks for your willingness to be elected for this important gathering of our church, and for your commitment to preparing well so that you may be well informed for General Synod. I urge you to attend the pre-Synod webinars and view the videos which have been prepared as a helpful guide. Meet with your diocesan bishop and fellow delegates to discuss resolutions and ask any questions that need clarification. Study the Convening Circular carefully. At first glance it can seem overwhelming, but being well prepared will make General Synod a rewarding experience for you. Please consider nominating yourself or a colleague for further work in the 2025-2028 triennium on a Standing or Coordinating Committee. 

Every General Synod is important, and this one is no different. We are in a time of spiritual discernment as a church as we prepare for the election of the 15^th Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada. Clergy and Lay members of General Synod will be electing the new primate on Thursday, June 26^th.  The Order of Bishops presented a slate of nominees to the General Secretary following their spring meeting in Niagara Falls, Ontario. Biographical information for the nominees as well as answers to questions posed on the Primacy and other matters were posted on the General Synod 2025 website (www.anglican.ca/gs2025) in mid-April. 

We will be invited to respond to the offering from the Primate’s Commission on ‘Proclaiming the Gospel in the 21^stCentury’ in their thoughtful report entitled, Creating Pathways. We will hear from the Strategic Plan Implementation Group as it undertakes the work of implementing the five Transformational Commitments of our church in the triennium. And we will continue the vital work of embracing mutual interdependence with the Indigenous Church. 

We will be welcoming several ecumenical guests and faith leaders from around the Anglican Communion including Bishop Susan Johnson, the National Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada; Bishop Michael Curry from The Episcopal Church; Bishop Marinez Bassotto, Bishop of Amazonia and Primate of Brazil; and Bishop Anthony Poggo, Secretary General of the Anglican Communion. They will preach at celebrations of Holy Eucharist or offer words of greeting during General Synod.

There will be feasting and celebrations too, as we bid farewell to Archbishop Linda Nicholls and welcome a new Primate. 

I look forward to welcoming you in person. I am immensely grateful for the hard work of the General Synod Planning Committee and the Local Arrangements Committee in the Diocese of Huron. An enormous amount of work is going into making this a memorable and blessed time. May God bless you in your preparations and grant you travelling mercies. 

I remain yours in the joy and hope of Christ,

The Most Rev. Anne Germond
Archbishop and Acting Primate