General Synod is over for another three years, but if you would like to read about some of the happenings in Melbourne over the last 6 days, I recommend the following articles:

 From Melbourne Anglican:

 In his presidential address, the Primate of the Anglican Church of Australia and Archbishop of Brisbane, Dr Philip Aspinall said, The Anglican Church’s mission in Australia and the world will be undermined unless there is an “overriding sense of belonging together and sharing in this one great mission.” Primate warns of the dangers of disunity .

 Australian Anglicans have committed themselves to three years of debate before a decision is taken on whether to embrace an international covenant designed to preserve the unity of their church. The Covenant proposal, which is endorsed by Archbishop Rowan Williams of Canterbury, arose out of divisions in the Church over human sexuality. Covenant to be debated for three years – Australia Anglicans.

 From Sydney Anglicans:

 The National Synod of the Anglican Church has voted to commend the study of the Jerusalem Declaration, formulated at GAFCON in 2008. Jerusalem Declaration to be sent to Churches.

 The General Synod has voted to back a motion which calls for Anglicans to be at the forefront of the battle to change the binge-drinking culture. Sydney delegate and Youthworks CEO Zac Veron moved the motion, warning of the growing impact of binge drinking in Australia. The Synod also urged action on gambling, saying governments should reduce their reliance on gambling taxes. Anglicans battle binge drinking, gambling.   General Synod reflection, Bishop Forsyth, The power of proximity.

 From Brisbane Anglican:

 The General Synod of the Anglican Church of Australia today celebrated the Church’s significant contribution to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ministry. During the gathering of the Church’s supreme decision making body in Melbourne, members backed a Bill welcoming the work done to date and allowing changes to the composition and operation of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Anglican Council (NATSIAC). Anglicans back Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ministry.

And finally from THE AGE, The debate about refugees is really a battle for the Australian soul – and the meanest part is winning…the very values Australians say their troops are defending in Afghanistan are at risk at home… (Our own) Tasmanian Registrar Russell Morton put a motion to synod that ‘while not minimising the complexity of the boat people issue, refugees should be treated with dignity and respect’. ‘Fibre of our soul’ at stake in treatment of refugees

See also Gen Synod: Schools/Indigenous education  and  General Synod 2010 is underway.