The funding strategy for Sydney's Connect 09 campaign has divided Sydney's synod, with an alternative means-based charging system narrowly defeated at Wednesday night's session.

As Connect 09 was approved in principle, an amendment proposing that the amount payable by each parish be worked out through a determined percentage according to each parish's income received considerable support from the house.

A show of hands revealed a spectacularly close result, which saw the existing flat-charge-for-all-parishes strategy kept by 187 votes to 185. (NOTE CORRECTION TO VOTE IN FACT BOX)

Those in support of the amendment have asserted that a percentage-related funding strategy would still yield the same amount of money and flexibility, while ensuring the cost was distributed on a fair and equitable basis.

Arguments to keep the flat charge centred on the expression of partnership that all parishes chipping in an equal amount would bring, as well as providing the opportunity for parishes to help one another.

Further debate on the funding ordinance for Connect 09 will continue on Monday.

The Synod has also decided to maintain its position of having no formal links with the Bible Society's "Jesus All About Life' campaign after some debate.

This morning, Archbishop Peter Jensen has moved to clarify a media release from the Bible Society regarding his support for the "Jesus All About Life' campaign.

"I am pleased to see the Bible Society's campaign is happening and I hope it feeds into the Connect 09 program," he says.

Synod has also ruled that all parishes commit to funding Connect 09 at Synod, without further consultation from parish councils or similar authorities.

"I am extremely grateful that the House has agreed at this point to go forward with this mission," Archbishop Jensen says.

"I feel this is of the Lord and it's a great opportunity and a great moment."

However he has also acknowledged the significant task ahead in prayer, planning and implementation and the need for ownership among parishioners.

Anglicare promotes parish partnerships

Anglicare Sydney has asserted to the Synod that its current partnerships with Sydney Anglican parishes are already bearing fruit with the launch of Care Together, its new parish partnership initiative on Wednesday night.

Anglicare has given Synod examples of partnerships already underway, including initiatives such as a new store at Miller, a food drive in Dural, playgroups, a café and other community services at Bondi and a food relief and gospel ministry at Wilberforce.

"Through Care Together, we hope that churches will be able to draw on the assistance of Anglicare in setting up their own caring ministries; feel better informed about the work and needs identified through Anglicare, and will engage and support Anglicare services in their area," says Anglicare's CEO, Peter Kell.

Mr Kell laments that "partnerships between Anglicare and churches are a powerful yet underutilised way of reaching out into our communities with the love of Jesus".

Coordinator of Care Together, Wendy Morris, says the program will focus on improving and nurturing Anglicare's relationships with parishes, continuing caring ministries and awareness of local community needs and providing training programs to support parishes in caring for their communities.

Parishes have been invited to contact Anglicare to explore options for partnership which is part of Anglicare's Strategic Plan for 2007 to 2009

Mr Kell has added that partnership with parishes formed "a key plank" of Anglicare's three-pronged strategy aimed at fulfilling its mission: "Lives changing and communities growing by care through Jesus Christ."

Archbishop Jensen welcomes the initiative as a "revolution of thought that is the fruit of mission thinking".

Sydney speaks on climate change

Synod has also given its approval to a statement by Darren Mitchell and Dr Karin Sowada on climate change, accepting "the emerging scientific consensus that climate change is occurring".

Synod has agreed that Christians need to respond to the potential problems of climate change by being godly stewards in their personal and communal lives, giving children a biblical understanding of creation and stewardship and encouraging all levels of government to "take climate change seriously and make wise policy decisions to deal with its effects".

The statement has also put forward the need for environmental policies within each parish and Diocesan organisation with "principles of good environmental stewardship and care".

However the statement has also called on Christians to take advantage of the opportunities climate change presents in praying for the world, explaining the lordship of Jesus Christ and ministering to "those most vulnerable to the effects of climate change such as farmers, rural communities, the homeless and refugees".