AGM 2026
Meeting Photo by Sincerely Media on Unsplash
Minister’s letter – 14 May 2026
Dear Friends, The Annual General Meeting of Cathedral Congregations is scheduled for Sunday 24 May from 2:00pm, in the Bishop Barker Hall (Upper Chapter House). All are welcome to come.
The Archbishop (who is in the Chair) and I consider this is be a really important meeting for the direction and good order of church life at the Cathedral. It’s just two Sundays away, so please mark your diaries!
For those newer to Cathedral life, what happens at the AGM?
At this very important meeting, reports are presented from the Dean (i.e. Minister in Charge) and others concerning the work of our Cathedral. The audited annual financial statements for the prior year and budget approved for this year are tabled and explained.
Our rules mean we also make the annual financial statement available at least one Sunday in advance. So feel free to pick up a copy this Sunday.
We also elect people to various offices for the coming years. These include Cathedral Chapter representatives, and this year, Synod Representatives. These people are generally elected for a three year term.
There is also an opportunity for members to ask questions about Cathedral affairs and to make recommendations to the Chapter.
Who is Eligible to Participate?
EVERY VOTER must sign a declaration at the beginning of the Meeting to affirm he/she:
is a member of the Anglican Church of Australia (abbreviated to “ACA”),
has been baptised,
is not less than 18 years,
has usually during at least 3 months within the past 12 months attended services of public worship at St Andrew’s Cathedral (on Sundays or midweek),
does not claim to be a member of any other church of the ACA,
has not voted, nor intends to vote at a general meeting of parishioners of any other church or parish of the ACA within the three months of the date of the AGM.
Only those entitled to vote may make nominations. Those making nominations should be in attendance at the AGM. It is not a requirement that those being nominated be present (though this is encouraged).
What are the elected Positions and Responsibilities?
Lay Canons are members of the 'Chapter'. The Chapter is the governing body of the Cathedral (which has both local and diocesan representatives). It has a role overseeing Cathedral finances and property and advising the Dean, who reports to the Chapter on ministry.
The Chapter generally meets 4:30-6:30pm on the second Tuesday of most months. A lay canon is normally elected for a 3 year term. Please see “The Chapter and its Canons” for more information. There is an election for one Lay Canon in 2026. Mr Graeme Watson (10:30am) has just completed his third term and is eligible for a fourth and final term. All other eligible nominations are welcome.
Synod Representatives attend the annual Synod of the Anglican Diocese of Sydney, where important legislation is produced and matters of principle debated. They are normally only elected every third year for a term of 3 years. The Synod normally sits for about 5 afternoons and evenings over two weeks in September. Those elected in 2026 will serve until the end of 2028.
Those nominated must be at least 18 years of age and communicant members of the ACA. A ‘communicant member’ is someone who has been baptised and takes part in the Lord’s Supper (Holy Communion).
Those elected to Chapter must have also completed Safe Ministry Training within the last three years, since they may make policy decisions with implications for safe ministry to children, youth and other vulnerable people.
They must not be bankrupt or mentally incapacitated (as defined in the Parish Administration Ordinance 2008) and they must not have been convicted of a disqualifying offence listed in Schedule 2 of the Child Protection (Working with Children) Act 2012.
Those nominated to the Chapter as canons must also be able willing to sign the Cathedral’s Statement of Personal Faith, which reads as follows:
1. I believe and hold to the truth of the Christian faith as set forth in the Nicene Creed, as well as the Apostle’s Creed, below
I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth;
and in Jesus Christ, his only Son our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
crucified, dead and buried.
He descended into hell.
The third day he rose again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty;
from there he shall come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit;
the holy universal church;
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins;
the resurrection of the body;
and the life everlasting.
2. In particular, I believe
that God’s word written, the canonical Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, is the supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct;
that there is only one way to be reconciled to God, which is through his Son, , who died for our sins and was raised for our justification;
that we are justified before God by faith only;
that this faith produces obedience in accordance with God’s word, including sexual faithfulness in marriage between a man and a woman, and abstinence in all other circumstances.
Although nominations can be received on the day, Chapter prefers that members submit any notice of nominations on the form available in the Cathedral in advance of the meeting. Those nominated in advance are invited to supply a CV of no more than 50 words, which will circulated via e-newsletter to congregation members on the Thursday prior to meeting. At the meeting, all those nominated are simply invited to stand, state their name, occupation, and congregation they attend.
Warmly in Christ,
Sandy Grant
Dean of Sydney