UNITING CHURCH IN AUSTRALIA NSW SYNOD SYNOD STANDING COMMITTEE

Transcription

1 UNITING CHURCH IN AUSTRALIA NSW SYNOD SYNOD STANDING COMMITTEE MINUTES for the meeting of Standing Committee held 15 October 2010 at the Centre for Ministry DECISIONS Decisions recorded in these Minutes were reached by consensus unless otherwise indicated by agreement or by formal process ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF ABORIGINAL PEOPLE The Moderator paid respect to the Aboriginal people of the Burramattagal Clan and Darug tribes who have cared for this part of the land from time immemorial. WORSHIP The Moderator led opening devotions. The reading was taken from Psalm 119 beginning at verse 97. Mrs Joan Moss led closing devotions on Friday evening. TIMES OF SESSIONS Friday pm 3.30pm pm 5.30pm pm 8.30pm AGENDA 188/10SC adopt the Order of Business as printed subject to changes suggested by the General Secretary and alterations made by the Standing Committee. 138

2 APOLOGIES Sessions Rev Ann Hogan 1 Rev Patty Lawrence Mr Murray McKay 1 & 2 Rev Clive Pearson 1 Rev Chris Udy Mrs Jacki Watts Mr Darren Wright 2 & 3 Ms Rads Sukumar Rev Harry Herbert 3 Mr Peter Andrews 3 Rev Gaby Kobrossi 3 Mr Gavin Pretorius 3 Rev Geoff Flynn Rev Amelia Koh-Butler Ms Dorothy Reid IN ATTENDANCE Ms Lynda Stanford Ms Sandra Wright ASSOCIATED MEMBERS Mr John Lewis 1 Mr Richard Hansford 2 Mr Ian Martin 1 Mr Bruce Coyte 1 Mr Kegan Kashian 2 Rev Greg Woolnough 3 MINUTES 189/10SC confirm the Minutes of the Synod Standing Committee held August 2010 EN BLOC 190/10SC determine that matters listed on the agenda be adopted en bloc unless the Synod Associate Secretary receives a request before the commencement of Session 3 that a matter be considered separately 139

3 MODERATOR SHARING Continuing to conduct Grace workshops and retreats; a total of 27 with almost 1000 people attending Moderatorial visits to Far North Coast, Mid North Coast, Macquarie-Darling, Riverina, New England North West, Sydney North Unofficial visits to Ku-ring-gai, Sydney, Canberra Region, Georges River and to a lesser extent Parramatta Nepean, the Hunter, Illawarra. Preparation underway for Korean Commission and the UAICC By the end of term as Moderator Grace workshops will have been conducted in every Presbytery Prophetic Ministry of Uniting Church within Christian Church Ethics trial Parliamentary Christian Fellowship Amanda Tattersall s Book Launch Central Tablelands iance Interfaith Prayer Better Services for a better State 2 weeks holidays Presidential Ruling Wollongong GENERAL SECRETARY SHARING Selling of the Chatswood manse and buying of a manse at Beecroft for the new General Secretary s family Shifting house next Tuesday Pastoral issues o Review of processes pertaining to the Rev Dr Ann Wansbrough o Immigration issues o ACOMP process Meetings o Constitution committee o NSW Ecumenical Council o Communications Committee o Preaching and worshiping in different congregations o Korean o St Ives o White Sunday Service at Lidcombe Church children s day o Visited the Gallipoli Mosque on open day recently o Review of the Korean Commission o Strategic thinking BOM BOE amalgamation/integration o Think tank day with three people involving a change management person and a previous General Secretary of another Synod strategic thinking about changing structures o Meeting with presbyteries Canberra, Sydney and Parramatta-Nepean o Relational meetings 140

4 o Time to reflect in different ways eg. executive directors retreat just recently the spiritual retreat with Jenny Tymms as spiritual leader reflecting on the book of Jonah Regular supervision Family reunion in South Australia UNITINGCARE BURNSIDE CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS 2011 Reference Working Paper No 4 191/10SC (i) note that UnitingCare Burnside will celebrate 100 years of care and advocacy for children, young people and families with Centenary celebrations occurring throughout 2011 (ii) note that UnitingCare Burnside s plans for this Centenary Year include: an opening event on the 17 th June 2011 which will be at a Sydney City venue of historical value with 200 guests an advocacy campaign focusing on children which will be forward looking a Centenary Book with chapter themes of Vision, History, Safety, Stability, Relationships, and Opportunities a reunion of all those who have been associated with Burnside open days at all current UnitingCare Burnside programs throughout NSW involvement with the wider Uniting Church (iii) approve, host and organise a service that will: give thanks for UnitingCare Burnside s 100 years of care and advocacy for children, young people and families celebrate the present innovative and transformative work and look to the future (iv) communicate with presbyteries and congregations as to other ideas of celebrating this Centenary which will continue to strengthen the bonds between UnitingCare Burnside, presbyteries and congregations (v) appoint the following small team Ms Judyth Roberts, Mrs Margaret Reeson, Rev Garry Derkenne with the Moderator as convenor to carry out all the organisation necessary for the proposed service and to facilitate the progressing of other ideas chosen from those submitted by congregations and presbyteries. (vi) note that UnitingCare Burnside members of staff are ready to assist in any way possible with the team appointed by the Standing Committee (vii) authorise the appointed team to meet with the Synod General Secretary to determine how the service is to be funded and the 141

5 progressing of other ideas chosen from those submitted by congregations and presbyteries SYNOD IT STRATEGY Reference Working Paper No 2 192/10SC (ii) on the recommendation of the Board of Uniting Resources adopt the Synod IT Strategy and attach it to the minutes as Appendix A INCORPORATION IN SYNOD OF NSW & ACT Reference Minute 170/10SC and Working Paper No 3 193/10SC (ii) approve the Model Constitution that is to be used as a guide for bodies within the bounds of the Synod applying to be incorporated in accordance with the approved Guiding Principles and Approval Process and attach it to the minutes as Appendix B SYNOD PROPERTY BOARD DELEGATIONS Reference Working Paper No 5 194/10SC (ii) on the recommendation of the Board of Uniting Resources approve the delegations for the Synod Property Board in accordance with Regulation and attach it to the minutes as Appendix C SYNOD AUDIT AND RISK COMMITTEE CHARTER Reference Working Paper No 6 195/10SC (ii) adopt the Synod Audit and Risk Committee Charter and attach it to the minutes as Appendix D 142

6 RETIREMENT 196/10SC Rev Betty Stroud note the retirement of Rev Betty Stroud in accordance with Regulation (a)(i), effective 31 December 2010 REALIGNMENT/ INTEGRATION OF THE BOARDS OF MISSION AND EDUCATION Reference Working Paper No 8 197/10SC (ii) request the Moderator and/or General Secretary to write to the Chairpersons of the Boards of Education and Mission expressing the support of the Synod Standing Committee to the staff of the Boards. SYNOD /10SC Reference Minute No 178/10SC (i) note that a meeting date suitable for parties could not be arranged for the inspection of venues in Newcastle (ii) defer consideration until the November 2010 Synod Standing Committee PRESBYTERY REPORTS TO SYNOD STANDING COMMITTEE (a) Ku-ring-gai Presbytery 199/10SC receive the verbal report from Rev Ann Hogan and Rev Greg Woolnough (b) Korean Commission Reference Working Paper No /10SC receive the report 143

7 ASSEMBLY OF CONFESSING CONGREGATIONS Reference Minute No 149/10SC 201/10SC (i) note that the General Secretary met with the ACC NSW Chair Rev Ian Weeks and gave a verbal report to the Synod Standing Committee. At this time meetings between the ACC and the Synod will be called as and when they are needed. (ii) receive the report PRESBYTERY REPORTS TO SYNOD STANDING COMMITTEE 202/10SC Reference Minute 179/10SC (i) approve the following schedule of Presbytery Reports to the Synod Standing Committee until the 2011 Synod: Date Presbytery November 2010 Mid North Coast Georges River February 2011 Macquarie Darling Parramatta-Nepean UAICC 8-9 April 2011 Illawarra Sydney Canberra Region 3-4 June 2011 New England North West Sydney North July 2011 Riverina The Hunter Far North Coast (ii) note that the Ku-ring-gai Presbytery and the Korean Commission reported to this Synod Standing Committee meeting FAR NORTH COAST PRESBYTERY Reference Letter received 1 October /10SC (i) request the General Secretary to clarify and confirm with the Presbytery that there has been adherence with the Regulations and in the event that this is not the case, to provide advice and guidance to the Presbytery Executive 144

8 (ii) advise ACOMP of the circumstances of this enquiry and indicate that until confirmation of adherence with the Regulations has been received that it would be inappropriate to action on the Presbytery Pastoral Relations Committee s recommendation CONSTITUTIONS (a) With Love to the World Reference Minute CC18/10 204/10SC on the recommendation of the Constitution Committee approve the revised constitution of With Love to the World (b) UnitingCare St Matthews Preschool Reference Minute CC19/10 205/10SC on the recommendation of the Constitution Committee approve the constitution of UnitingCare St Matthews Preschool, an activity of the Baulkham Hills Congregation BOARD OF MISSION REPORT 206/10SC receive the verbal report from the Executive Director RESPONSE TO THE UNITINGCARE NSW.ACT REPORT TO SYNOD 2008 TASK GROUP REPORT Reference Working Paper No 9 207/10SC (ii) note the discussion and conclusions in the report and encourage their use as a basis for continuing the relationship building begun in response to resolution 199/08S (iii) encourage the continuation the process of Theological Reflection involving UnitingCare/Ageing, the Theological College and the broader Church at some appropriate level (iv) note that the Meetings facilitated by the Moderator between Executives of UnitingCare Ageing, their Chairs of Boards, the Chairs of Regional Boards and the Chairs of Presbytery have been helpful in building relationships, opening constructive dialogue and in identifying issues 145

9 (v) (vi) thank the Moderator for his skilful and caring approach to this important relationship building task and the members of this broader reference group for their contribution on behalf of the Church thank and discharge the members of the Task Group, recognising their contribution to this task over the period since the 2008 on behalf of the Church APPOINTMENT 208/10SC Synod Committee For Counselling appoint Intern Ann Perrin to be appointed to the Synod Committee for Counselling effective immediately RECEPTION OF MINISTERS (a) Rev Ockert Meyer Reference Minute ROM/08/10 209/10SC (i) note that the Rev Ockert Meyer holds provisional recognition as a Minister of the Word of the Uniting Church in Australia; (ii) note that Rev Ockert Meyer has affirmed a willingness to accept the polity and discipline of the Uniting Church and the oversight of the Presbytery (iii) note that the Rev Ockert Meyer (a) has satisfactorily completed: Polity and Ethos Sexual Misconduct Awareness and Prevention Training Phase I and II (b) has completed a reading course on the theological history of the Uniting Church with the Rev Gregor Henderson and (c) is in a recognised placement. (iv) recognise the Rev Ockert Meyer as a Minister of the Word of the Uniting Church in Australia, recognition to become effective at a date to be advised by the Canberra Region Presbytery (b) Rev Kyung Sik (Barnabas) Joo Reference Minute ROM/09/10 210/10SC (i) note that the Kyung Sik (Barnabas) Joo is eligible for recognition as a Minister of the Word of the Uniting Church in Australia (ii) note the Recommendation of the Assembly Committee (iii) provisionally recognise the Kyung Sik (Barnabas) Joo as a Minister of the Word of the Uniting Church; full recognition being subject to successful completion of (a) Ordination Studies and (b) Cross Cultural Orientation. (c) being in a recognised placement 146

10 (c) Rev Krikor Youmshajekian Reference Minute ROM/10/10 Rev Krikor Youmshajekian has had wide ministry experience, He has been the General Secretary of the Armenian Evangelical Church, and has served as the congregational minister of the UCA Armenian Congregation, Sydney North Presbytery. He has been part of Assembly Committees with cross cultural emphasis and more recently with Communitas. 211/10SC (i) note that the Rev Krikor Youmshajekian is eligible for recognition as a Minister of the Word of the Uniting Church in Australia (ii) note the Recommendation of the Assembly Committee (iii) provisionally recognise the Rev Krikor Youmshajekian as a Minister of the Word of the Uniting Church; full recognition being subject to successful completion of (a) Uniting Church Studies (b) Polity and Ethos (c) Sexual Misconduct Awareness and Prevention Training Phase I and II (d) being in a recognised placement (d) Rev Naomi Cooke Reference Minute ROM/11/10 Rev Naomi Cooke comes from the Anglican Diocese of North Queensland where she was ordained a Deacon and is in placement at MLC as a Chaplain. 212/10SC (i) note that the Rev Naomi Cooke is eligible for recognition as a Deacon of the Uniting Church in Australia (ii) note the Recommendation of the Assembly Committee with additional requirements should she wish to pursue ordination as a Minister of the Word. (iii) provisionally recognise the Rev Naomi Cooke as a Deacon of the Uniting Church; full recognition being subject to successful completion of (a) Uniting Church Studies (b) Ordination Studies (c) A Reading Course with a faculty adviser covering selected documents that highlight the distinctive nature and understanding of faith in the Uniting Church in Australia (iv) note that she meet with the Dean of Candidates who will mentor her 147

11 PASTORAL (a) Obituaries Rev Inoke Nabulivou died 6 September 2010 Mrs Marion MacFarlane, mother of Rev Robert MacFarlane, died 13 September Ms Kaye Keck, sister of Mr John Oldmeadow, Executive Director Board of Education, died 14 September Rev Dr W Scott McPheat died 29 September 2010 Rev Brian Nicholls died 1 October 2010 Mrs Fran Cummins, wife of Rev Dr Geoff Cummins, died 8 October 2010 Former Lay Pastor Alan Flottman died 12 October 2010 Rev Harry Graves died 14 October 2010 (b) Births a daughter, Rosalie Summer Grace Earl, to Rev Michael and Mrs Lucy Earl (c) Illnesses Mrs Rae Mavor Rev Dr Ann Wansbrough (d) Awards a Certificate of Recognition awarded to Mr John Mace for 50 years service to the Northern Region Rural Fire Service an Australian Affinity Award to Mr John Oldmeadow, Executive Director Board of Education, for the Education Category, for his significant contribution to educational philosophy, practices or resources in order to facilitate students understanding, interaction and communication with the other and preparing them for a cohesive and harmonious society an Australian Affinity Award to Professor Rosemary Johnston, which acknowledges significant contribution made in involving academia in the study of religion, interfaith and intercultural dialogue; facilitating her academic institution in engaging various communities in our diverse society. Rosemary chairs the Synod s Schools Education Reference Group which advises the Synod Director: Schools Ministry... Chairperson... Date 148