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A |
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E |
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C |
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ATLANTIC ECUMENICAL COUNCIL |
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Welcome to the AEC |
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Constitution |
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Role of representatives |
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The President's Page |
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Orientation to AEC |
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Heads of Churches |
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FAQ |
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Beginnings |
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Officers - 2009-2010 |
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Executive Minutes |
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Annual - 2008 |
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Conferences |
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Member Councils |
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Member Denominations |
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Prayer Calendar |
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AST events |
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AN ORIENTATION TO THE AEC AGM (The Atlantic Ecumenical Council)
In the last fifty or sixty years, churches all over the world who have responded to calls for a more united voice have formed Councils of Churches to provide such a voice and to encourage and sometimes organize cooperation in ministries to society and to engage in study of doctrinal differences and commonalities. Early assumptions interpreted the existence of councils as a step toward formal union or federation. In the last twenty-five years, there has been more of an effort to appreciate our differences and yet celebrate our unity as a gift to be enjoyed amidst diversity. The Canadian Council of Churches (CCC ) and the World Council of Churches (WCC) are two of the prime examples of this conciliar ecumenical movement. The Atlantic Ecumenical Council is the regional manifestation of such a council, attempting to be an expression of the unity of churches in Atlantic Canada. It is unique in Canada; there are no other regional councils in other parts of Canada, and there have been almost no provincial councils of churches. Where we do find many councils of churches is in individual cities and areas of many provinces. You may be a representative of such a local council. The membership of the AEC is inclusive of representatives of local councils, denominational bodies, theological colleges (Atlantic School of Theology or AST and Acadia Divinity College or ADC), and other ecumenical organizations within Atlantic Canada who may wish to have membership. Active membership is determined by the payment of modest dues to the AEC, which is the primary source of revenue to the AEC. Numbers of delegates per member are determined by the constitution of the AEC or by the number of delegates chosen by the member body (provided dues are paid for each representative).
RESPONSIBILITIES OF REPRESENTATIVES: TWO-WAY REPORTING. The representative of the member body (local council, denominational body, or theological college) is invited on the opening night of the AGM to present a report of activities or ecumenical relations during the past year. This could be in the form of highlighting the written report that the AEC asks of each body, or in the absence of such a report, giving an oral report. The secretary prefers to have a text if possible. The representative is also asked to give a report about the meeting of the AEC to the member body upon your return. ECUMENICAL VISION. To appreciate the value of expressing the unity of the Christian Church in regional, national, and global ways. RESOLUTIONS. Each member has an opportunity to bring a resolution to the full body at the annual meeting. Any resolutions can be discussed, edited (if there is time), referred, or adopted. However, the AEC speaks for itself, and such resolutions are not binding on the member institutions. SERVING ON THE EXECUTIVE. The work of the AEC between annual meetings is carried out and organized by the executive. It is important for representatives to make themselves available for nomination to the executive so that the AEC is tied more closely to its members.
TERMS OF OFFICE: President: serves for two years and then becomes Past President Vice-President: normally serves for two years in preparation to becoming president. Secretary: serves annually, eligible for re-election. Treasurer: serves annually, eligible for re-election. Both the Secretary and the Treasurer are eligible for any number of re-elections, and continuity in these positions is a value to the AEC. Members at Large: up to 6 elected annually and eligible for re-election; normally chosen to be representative geographically or denominationally.
UPON ARRIVAL: The executive of the AEC of the “Heads of Denominations” meeting may still be going on when you arrive, either at the site of the registration or at another site. You may not see many other delegates until the dinner Friday evening. This dinner may be at an extra cost from your registration fee, depending upon the arrangements of the host member. Expenses to the AEC AGM are born by the member body and are not provided out of the treasury of the AEC. Only executive meetings that are not held in conjunction with the AGM cover expenses. Please contact your member body for reimbursement of your expenses You should receive an agenda for the AGM either at registration or at the beginning of the Friday evening session. The local council or host will provide a workshop Saturday morning for our information and inspiration. We will also worship with leadership provided by our host on Friday evening and by the executive on Saturday morning. Our gathering is not a large one, since we have a small membership, but we will enjoy sharing with each other and witnessing to our common membership in Christ through the AEC and our solidarity with other ecumenical bodies.
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