| Assembly Standing Committee
Meeting Brief - March 2002
The first ASC meeting for 2002 was held over the weekend
of 15-17 March. A new style was trialed, one in the style planned for
the 10th Assembly, which focused on discussion rather than decision making
in the first part of the meeting. The following gives a brief overview
of decisions made by the committee. For further information on any of
these decisions please contact the Assembly office.
Curtin Detention Centre to get chaplain.
Curtin Detention Centre will get a much-needed part-time chaplain, following
ASC's decision to partly fund the position. Curtin Detention Centre is
one of a number of remote places where centres have been set up by the
Federal Government to detain asylum seekers while their refugee status
is determined.
ASC supported a proposal to fund the half time position
to the value of $5000, from Wesley Uniting Employment money. The Assembly
will also underwrite up to a further $5000 to ensure the temporary placement.
It is hoped future donations will guarantee the placement past the initial
six-month period. The President and General Secretary have written to
the synods inviting their support, and stressing the importance of this
work. In addition there will be an appeal to members of the Church. See
future editions of Assembly Update for more details.
Adelaide calling Coolamon College
Coolamon College will move to Adelaide next year. Coolamon, an Assembly
agency specialising in theological studies through distance learning,
will relocate from their Brisbane based office to the joint church site
of the Adelaide Theological Colleges Campuses Inc. in Adelaide sometime
next year. The move will provide Coolamon with links to Adelaide College
of Divinity.
Students were surveyed last year and most were satisfied
that the move would not negatively affect them. ASC gave the initial support
last November, subject to a number of conditions based on financial forecasts,
which were worked out by a team including Acting Principal, Anita Monro.
Anita presented a 20-page report outlining the advantages the move would
have for Coolamon. The report indicates students will have better access
to resources including the ATCC library and the staff will get revamped
office space courtesy of a generous offer by SA Synod following a property
sale.
Coolamon currently offers students courses through the
Brisbane College of Theology and the Sydney College of Divinity. Under
the new arrangement Coolamon will become a constituted member of ACD with
local costs divided by ACD, Coolamon and Parkin-Wesley.
Details are still being finalised, with the move proposed
for sometime in 2003. For more detail on what the changes will mean for
students, please contact Coolamon College directly.
10th Assembly planning
Plans are in full swing for the 10th Assembly. The gathering, to be held
from 12-19 July 2003, in Melbourne, will take on a slightly different
approach to previous meetings with an emphasis on sharing rather than
decision making. The design team gave an informative presentation, following
two meetings earlier this year. Notable planned changes for this Assembly
are:
- Community groups, formerly known as working groups,
will meet more often than twice, including once on the first afternoon
- Sunday morning will see the Assembly worship together
with holy communion instead of dispersing to other congregations
- Written reports will be received on block and eight
minute speeches by agencies will be removed
- Conversations are taking place with ChYNC (Children
and Youth Network) to discuss the involvement of young people and children
in the life of the Assembly
- The supper following the installation of Rev Dr Dean
Drayton as President will be open to the whole Assembly rather than
being limited to few people.
New T&D National Director looking to the web site
and work of G&G
The new Theology and Discipleship National Director, Rev Dr Rob Bos, gave
his first report to ASC, since his induction earlier this year. In the
report Rob mentioned several items of interest.
- Earlier this year Rob met with Colleen Geyer, from
Gospel and Gender to discuss the ways in which T&D could resource
this important work of the church without a paid staff person.
- Following a year without a National Director, Rob
is putting more emphasis on the web site. It is to be revamped this
year to offer a wider range of resources, including a better archive
section, a more uniform feel and specialised areas such as the emerging
church.
- A brief report about each of the working groups
was given. Rob acknowledged the large workload the working groups are
able get through, particularly the Worship Working Group, using their
seven advisory groups across the country. The Worship Working Group
is currently working on resources for this year's 25th Anniversary and
next year's 10th Assembly.
The report also included a big thankyou to Elizabeth
Walker for her great work as Chairperson in the absence of a National
Director and appreciation to staff for a smooth transition into his new
office space (Rob works from home in Brisbane with administrative support
in Sydney).
Partnership agreement with the Presbyterian Church of
India
The Uniting Church in Australia will enter into a partnership agreement
with the Presbyterian Church of India. National Director of Unity and
International Mission, Rev Bill Fischer, put forward a proposal for an
agreement to be signed at the Presbyterian Church of India's April Assembly.
The UCA has a significant number of partnership relationships and the
ASC recognises the need to continue thinking about how they can best be
developed.
National Education Charter
John Emmett, National Director of Assembly agency Uniting Education, presented
the draft education charter in anticipation of its approval at July Standing
Committee. The charter, the result of widespread consultation with synods
and UCA schools, education commissions, 300 random UCA congregations,
synod secretaries and others is meant to "provide broad principles
and guidelines to members of the Uniting Church in Australia, regarding
education in Australian society." ASC members were invited to submit
written comments by 19 March. For further information on the charter contact
Uniting Education.
World Methodist Council (WMC) meeting 2006
ASC has indicated they will welcome the WMC in 2006, if Australia is the
chosen destination, but have stressed strongly that they do not want it
clashing with the 11th Assembly. Ex-President, Rev John Mavor, presented
information regarding the conference to ASC. The information put forward
indicates that the Uniting Church would not have to provide funding for
the event but would be requested to assist with some non-financial aspects
such as manning information booths. One of the major benefits of having
the conference here, indicated in the proposal, was that more Uniting
Church people would be able to attend the conference, due to reduced costs.
WMC is yet to decide and is also strongly considering Korea.
In Brief
Changes in reference committees (RC's):
- Gregor Henderson is new chair of Frontier Services
RC. Anne Amos, former Chair, has resigned and will fill the vacant position
left by Gregor.
- Co-option of Lurleen Blackman, Wayne Koivu and Mandy
Leveratt to the UnitingCare RC.
- Jane Aagaard has resigned from National Social Responsibility
and Justice RC following other commitments. Andrew Watts will take her
place.
- Due to a new placement, Myung Hwa Park is no longer
able to be part of the Deacon Review Group. The convenor has indicated
that it is too late in the process to replace Myung and so the group
will operate with five members.
John Rowland, General Secretary of the Northern Synod
has been appointed as ASC representative on the Joint Nominating Committee
to find a replacement for Associate National Director of Frontier Services,
jon Watson. jon will retire in September this year.
The synod boundaries of QLD and NSW are to be adjusted
to allow the Kingscliff Congregation to be part of the NSW Synod.
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