Members of the Compass Rose Society (CRS) met in London this week for their Annual General Meeting, held at One Whitehall Place (21-22 October). Founded in 1994, the Compass Rose Society exists to support the Anglican Communion Office (ACO) as it serves the life of the Anglican Communion, and its role in assisting the Archbishop of Canterbury as one of the instruments of communion.

Hosted by the Society’s President, the Rt Revd Daniel Gutiérrez, CRS members spent time in prayer, received reports from the CRS Board and Chapters, and listened to contributions from international guests, both in person and virtually. 

Hearing Global Perspectives 

On Wednesday morning, 21 October, members heard from the Rt Revd Vicentia Kgabe (Bishop of Lesotho, Southern Africa), the Rt Revd Rose Okeno (Bishop of Butere, in the Anglican Church of Kenya), the Ven Richard Jones (Anglican Church of Canada), the Revd Canon Chuck Robertson (Senior Adviser to the Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church), the Revd Jorge Pina Cabral (Bishop of Igreja Lusitana Católica Apostólica Evangélica) and the Rt Revd Mark Edington (Bishop of the Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe).

During the afternoon, financial and administrative reports were shared about the work of the Society in the past year. Members also welcomed the three new board members: Ms Nancy Bradley (Diocese of Texas), the Revd Dr Kurt Dunkle (Diocese of Florida) and the Revd Dr David Madison (National Association of Episcopal Schools). 

The programme’s commitment to hearing global perspectives continued on Thursday 22 October, with presentations from the Most Revd Andrew Chan (the Primate of the Anglican Church of Hong Kong) and the Rt Revd Robert Wright (Diocese of Atlanta, in The Episcopal Church). 

The Secretary General's Address

The Society was also addressed by the Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, the Rt Revd Anthony Poggo and staff from the Anglican Communnion Office. As the official Secretariat of the Anglican Communion, the team plays a vital role in supporting Anglican mission, advocacy and ecumenical dialogue around the world. 

Speakers included Canon Stephen Spencer, the Rt Revd Dr Jo Wells, Malachi St Jean and Martha Jarvis. They updated the Society on the ACO’s work in supporting Anglican Commissions and Networks, the instruments of the Anglican Communion and a diverse range of projects in mission, community health, episcopal ministry and advocacy. 

The Secretary General said: ‘I want to thank every member of the Compass Rose Society. You are valued partners with us in serving the life of our global family of churches.’ Concluding the ACO’s presentation, he continued: ‘At a time when the world feels increasingly polarised, it's vital we do all that we can to help Anglican churches build bridges… Let us pray that together, the Anglican Communion can be a voice of hope as we share the Good News of the Gospel in the communities we serve.’

Thanking Revd Doug Renegar

In the closing sessions of the AGM, official thanks were expressed for the years of dedicated service from Revd Doug Renegar, who will step down as Director of the Compass Rose Society from 31 December 2026. The CRS President, the Rt Revd Daniel Gutiérrez, invited him to share words of encouragement. Doug reflected on the origins of the Compass Rose Society and the significance of its role. Referencing inspiration from Deuteronomy, he said: ‘.. we drink water from wells we didn't dig, and we eat fruit from trees we never planted. But this group will never forget those early days when John Peterson and George Carey began to dig wells and plant trees that, in generations we haven't even seen or thought of yet, will continue to eat that fruit and drink that water. And the church will be profoundly changed by your vision and your ministry. This day and for generations yet to come... God bless you.’

A painting of the Compass Rose was also presented to the Secretary General during the meeting. It combines soil from different Anglican churches around the world and was presented to give thanks for the legacy of Canon John Peterson, a former Secretary General of the Anglican Communion. 

The Presidential Address

The official AGM concluded with a Presidential address by bishop Daniel. He urged the Compass Rose Society to continue its support and believe in the power of hope saying: ‘Hope encourages growth. Fear casts its eyes warily along the landscape. Hope looks forward toward those endless horizons. Fear divides, but hope unifies, and our future is contingent upon which element, that of hope or that of fear, emerges triumphant… I always believe that hope has a name, and that name is Jesus Christ. So let us build a communion of holy hope. Human being to human being, side by side, voice by voice, life to life, step by step by step. Heart being next to heart. Let our love run higher, wider, deeper than any of the world's differences.’ 

The CRS at Lambeth Palace

On Thursday evening, CRS members attended evening prayers and a dinner at Lambeth Palace, hosted by the Most Revd and Rt Hon Dame Sarah Mullally, the Archbishop of Canterbury. During the meal, the Archbishop thanked the CRS for their service to the Anglican Communion. It is the second CRS AGM that the Archbishop of Canterbury has attended, albeit the first since formerly taking up her ministry. Archbishop Sarah said:  ‘From my visits across the Anglican Communion just in the last six months, I have been encouraged and you should be encouraged that church communities continue to shine as a light in the world, with confidence in the gospel, and with deep compassion for their communities. So I want to begin this evening by thanking you... It is well over now, 30 years [that] the Compass Rose Society has faithfully supported unity and mission across the Anglican community. So thank you for your generosity.’

In 2027, members of the Compass Rose Society have been invited to join a pilgrimage to the Anglican Church in Central America, hosted by the Primate, the Most Revd Ramon Ovalle.

For more information

Learn more about the work of the Compass Rose Society.

Find out more about the work of the Anglican Communion Office