Partnerships

As faithful Christians, all of us are called to participate in God’s mission to the world. As Anglicans we respond to this call in partnership with others in Canada and around the world. These partner relationships are important in strengthening our faith and our self-understanding as church. Through our mission partnerships, we share our resources, expertise and experiences.

Partnerships Department

Equality, respect, mutual responsibility and interdependence infuse the work of the Partnerships department.

These elements are part of building relationships among Anglicans and other Christians, in Canada and internationally, in three program areas: Partners in Mission, Indigenous Ministries, Healing & Justice, and EcoJustice.

Building and strengthening International partnerships

Partners in Mission's core mandate is to nurture inter-Anglican relations as well as ecumenical partnerships in Africa, Asia, the South Pacific, the Middle East, Latin America and the Caribbean. The Partners in Mission committee oversees all of this work.

Mission coordinators travel widely in the regions, meeting with Anglican and ecumenical partners, helping partners in the regions connect with one another and administering our church's financial grants to support the mission priorities of Anglican Provinces around the world.

Through the Volunteers in Mission program, Canadian mission personnel are placed with partners overseas, where they share their skills and, in return, learn about other cultures and other parts of the Anglican Communion. While overseas, volunteers keep in touch with their parishes and dioceses through letters and photographs. Through the Theological Students’ International Intern Program, Canadian theological students do a three-month summer placement in another part of the Anglican Communion, thus acquiring valuable cross-cultural experience before ordination.

Staff communicate with a network of diocesan mission volunteers to inform them about what is happening in the worldwide Anglican Communion. They also assist dioceses to form international links through the Companion Diocese Program.

Strengthening partnerships in Canada

In Canada, the Partnership department, through its EcoJustice and Indigenous Ministries, Healing & Justice desks, works with dioceses to provide support for local communities in addressing issues of social justice, sharing of resources and expertise, by collaborating with other ecumenical bodies to foster relationships and conversations on issues of common concerns.

The Indigenous staff team supports Indigenous peoples within our church, and in the wider Canadian society, in their struggle for justice, self-determination, healing and spiritual renewal. This includes the healing of the legacy of the abuses experienced by many in church-operated Indian residential schools. This program area also addresses ministry needs and concerns, and facilitates the national Anglican Sacred Circles and the international partnerships through the Anglican Indigenous Network. The Anglican Council of Indigenous Peoples oversees all of this work, assisted by the Indigenous Covenant Implementation Commission, the Indigenous Justice Working Group and the Healing Response Committee.

EcoJustice coordinates the Anglican Church of Canada's work in social, economic and environmental justice and in peace-building, both within the church, and with ecumenical social justice organizations. Staff support justice and advocacy workers in dioceses and parishes across Canada. Staff also monitor social policy and work with the EcoJustice committee to develop and propose position papers on current issues so that the church’s voice can be heard within a broader context.