Our
Convention Guests
Ms.
Edwina Thomas
National
Director of Sharing of Ministries Abroad, USA, Inc. (SOMA USA)
Edwina
Thomas is national director of Sharing of Ministries Abroad, USA, Inc. (SOMA
USA) As defined by their mission statement, “SOMA is a mission agency called
by God to serve the Anglican Communion and the worldwide Church: by building
up and equipping the Body of Jesus Christ through the renewing power of the
Holy Spirit for the transformation of individuals, churches and communities
principally through short-term, cross-cultural missions.” Short-term mission
teams from SOMA’s are usually composed of lay and clergy (of 2-9 people),
to work in Anglican dioceses for periods from 1-3 weeks. These short-term
mission teams serve at the invitation of the local bishop. Renewal conferences
for church leaders are conducted by SOMA worldwide, These gatherings are also
ecumenical in scope where this is possible and appropriate. The ministry’s
focus is on the diocesan, national or provincial church leadership who are
encouraged, and equipped so that they are able to work with congregations
on the local level. SOMA’s area of work includes East and West Africa, Southern
Africa, the Middle East and North Africa, South Asia, East Asia, South America,
North America, Central America, the Caribbean, Europe, Australia and the Pacific.
Ms. Thomas will address Convention during the
morning of Saturday, October 11.
The Rev'd Canon Gregory K. Cameron
Deputy Secretary General of the Anglican Consultative Council
The
Rev’d Canon Gregory K. Cameron is the Deputy Secretary General of the Anglican
Consultative Council. He has held that post since October 2004. Canon Cameron
was heavily involved in the drafting of the Anglican Covenant, and in the
revisions of that document which are underway. Prior to his appointment to
his current post, Canon Cameron was the Director of Ecumenical Affairs and
Studies at the Anglican Communion Office, and Secretary of the Lambeth Commission
on Communion, in addition to staffing all international ecumenical dialogues
of the Anglican Consultative Council. Before taking that post, he worked in
the Church in Wales, and in educational ministry. Canon Cameron was Archbishop
of Canterbury Rowan Williams’ chaplain when he was a bishop in his homeland
of Wales. According to Ruth Gledhill, religion correspondent of the London
Times, Cameron is a “top canon lawyer who helps run the headquarters of the
worldwide Anglican Communion.” He also advises Rowan Williams and, as Gledhill
says, “although his name is not widely known outside the church, he is arguably
the most influential clergyman behind the scenes within it.” Canon
Cameron will address Convention Saturday afternoon, October 11.
