General Synod
The Reformed Church in America moves toward restructuring, prepares for departures
By Kathryn Post — October 17, 2021
(RNS) — The decisions follow decades of debate over LGBTQ ordination and same-sex marriage.
Looking for radical solutions to decline, Church of England debates lay-led house churches
By Catherine Pepinster — July 9, 2021
LONDON (RNS) — A proposal published on the eve of the Church of England's General Synod shows the growing influence of evangelicalism.
UCC General Synod endorses Green New Deal
By Emily McFarlan Miller — July 2, 2019
(RNS) — By the denomination’s reckoning, that makes it the first Christian body to endorse the environmental protection legislation sponsored in the U.S. House of Representatives by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
Church of England’s synod takes on Brexit divisions as zero hour approaches
By Catherine Pepinster — February 21, 2019
LONDON (RNS) — In a special motion at the Church of England's upcoming General Synod, weeks before the Brexit deadline, the archbishops of Canterbury and York will urge politicians to do more to heal divisions in society.
United Church of Christ resolution decries Israel’s treatment of underage prisoners
By Lauren Markoe — July 3, 2017
(RNS) The resolution, which passed Sunday at the church's general synod in Baltimore, also calls on the U.S. to withhold military assistance.
Canada’s Anglican Church provisionally approves same-sex marriage ceremonies
By Ron Csillag — July 13, 2016
TORONTO (RNS) If it passes a second reading, the Canadian church will join the Episcopal Church, which formally approved marriage ceremonies regardless of gender in 2015.
Scottish Episcopal Church takes first step towards gay marriage
By Yonat Shimron — June 10, 2016
CANTERBURY, England (RNS) The first gay weddings could take place in or soon after June 2017, if a second reading passes at next year's General Synod.
United Church of Christ votes to divest from Israeli companies in occupied territories
By Lauren Markoe — June 30, 2015
(RNS) The vote marks a victory for a broad international movement which aims to pressure Israel into extracting itself from Palestinian lands by a strategy known as BDS -- Boycotts, Divestment, Sanctions.
Church of England formally approves women bishops
By Trevor Grundy — November 17, 2014
CANTERBURY, England (RNS) On Monday (Nov. 17), the church’s two most senior leaders, Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby and Archbishop of York John Sentamu, signed the change into church, or canon, law.
Church of England kicks the devil out of baptism rite
By Trevor Grundy — July 15, 2014
(RNS) The new wording, approved on Sunday (July 13), only asks whether parents and godparents will "turn away from sin" and "reject evil."
Church of England approves women bishops in historic vote
By Trevor Grundy — July 14, 2014
CANTERBURY, England (RNS) The first woman bishop could be named by the end of the year with the appointment of at least three additional women sometime in 2015. In parts of Africa, it may take longer.
Church of England set to vote on women bishops
By Trevor Grundy — July 10, 2014
(RNS) Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby will preside over a historic General Synod meeting at the University of York when a make-or-break vote on the subject is expected Monday (July 14).
Church of England to consider optional clerical robes
By Trevor Grundy — December 23, 2013
(RNS) The General Synod, the Church of England’s governing body, is prepared to debate a controversial motion that would make clerical vestments optional.
Church of England paves the way for women bishops
By Trevor Grundy — November 20, 2013
CANTERBURY, England (RNS) The agreement to allow women bishops would end nearly two decades of bitter conflict, and represents a victory for the new Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, who was appointed last year just as a similar measure was defeated by just six votes.
Church of England to draft new legislation on women bishops
By Trevor Grundy — July 8, 2013
(RNS) The Church of England's governing body agreed to consider new draft legislation consecrating women bishops by November this year, with the goal of passing new legislation no later than November 2015.
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