9th Assembly proposals 87-92

87. AMENDMENT TO PROPOSAL 40.1 (Malcolm Gledhill and Sarah Mitchell)

That the Assembly amend the Statement on Unity and Diversity in Proposal 40.1 by

(a) deleting the second paragraph on page D-36 which reads

"We acknowledge
· that issues regarding committed same sex relationships and ordination were unresolved by the Eighth Assembly in 1997 and remain unresolved;
· that the diversity of viewpoints and the lack of resolution of these issues have resulted in tension within the life of the Church"; and

(b) Substituting

"We acknowledge
· that there is a diversity of viewpoints within the Church on issues relating to same sex relationships and ordination
· that this diversity results in tension within the Church".

Rationale:
We, the proposers, rejoiced that the Eighth Assembly made its decisions on sexuality by consensus.

While many people would have preferred that the Assembly go further in its decision making, the Assembly provided the Church with crucially important guidance in the decisions which it made - arguably, all the guidance which the Church needs.

We believe the emphasis in Proposal 40.1 on "unresolved" issues is unhelpful because

1. it appears to ignore, or minimise the importance of the decisions which the Eighth Assembly made

2. if the only way of "resolving" the "unresolved" issues is by making decisions by formal majority, the outcome of such decisions may be more destructive than living within the tension of the present position

3. although many people may prefer certainty - clearcut, decisions on all difficult issues relating to sexuality, we are often not "given" certainty in the Christian life - we may need to move ahead only with the guidance of the decisions made by the Eighth Assembly.

We remind members of the Ninth Assembly of the relevant decisions of the Eighth Assembly by which it resolved:-

(a) to reject judgmental attitudes in sexual ethics and witness to the renewing grace of God in this as in all areas of human behaviour (Resolution 97.31.06)

(b) to recognise the importance of responsible sexual behaviour and that all practices of sexuality which are exploitative and demeaning are unacceptable and contradict God's purposes for us (Resolution 97.31.07)

(d) to note a number of decisions of the Assembly Standing Committee including decisions 82.12 and 87.46 in which the Assembly Standing Committee resolved

(i) that the Standing Committee advise the Presbytery that in its view the sexual orientation of a candidate is not and has not been in itself a bar to ordination. A decision on the suitability of a candidate may of course depend among other things on the manner in which his or her sexuality is expressed (ASC minute 82.12)
(ii) affirms that all baptised Christians belong in Christ's Church and are to be welcomed at his table, regardless of their sexual orientation ….(extract from ASC minute 87.46)

88. GROWING A GENEROUS CHURCH (Murray Fysh and Carolyn Kitto)

That the Assembly determine to disperse all future offerings taken at all Assembly events, to predesignated areas of mission from all parts of the church's activity, thereby growing a culture of generous people for God.

Rationale:
To present an opportunity to merely cover costs creates a missed opportunity to educate the church of the relationship between giving and our visions of the church's mission.

By predesignating the area to receive our financial support we are not only educating ourselves about the purposes of our giving but also giving an opportunity for the church to participate in opportunities for mission that are local, national and international in nature.

89. FORMAL PROPOSAL (Business Committee)

That the Assembly approve the following proposals en bloc, without debate:

32 Synod of Tasmania submitted by Synod of Tasmania
33 Term of office of Synod Secretary Synod of NSW
36 Ex-officio membership of Presbytery Presbytery of Maroondah
49 Ministry of Lay Pastor Synod of Victoria
50 Deletion of Regulation 3.4.18 Synod of Victoria
61 Amendment of Regulation 3.1.10 Legal Reference Committee
62 Amendment of Regulation 3.6.27(c) Standing Committee
63 Amendment of Regulation 3.5.13(a) Legal Reference Committee
64 Amendment of Regulation 4.11.1(a) Legal Reference Committee
67 Amendments to Complaints Procedures Legal Reference Committee
68 Amendment of Regulations on Classification of Ministers
Legal Reference Committee

Rationale:
The Business Committee gives notice that it will move the above proposal in session 19 on Thursday. The intention is to approve a number of seemingly non-contentious proposals without discussion. The committee is of the view that these proposals are unlikely to be opposed, and the Assembly can save plenary time by this procedure.

Any proposal in the above list shall be withdrawn at the request of any member of the Assembly, but members are asked to follow this procedure first:

1. If you need clarification about any of the listed proposals or need to ask a question about any listed proposal, then please approach the proposers first before deciding you need to have it withdrawn from this formal proposal.

2. If you are not satisfied by your conversation with the proposers, and you wish to oppose one of the listed proposals, ask a question in the Assembly of the proposers, or speak in the Assembly on one of the listed proposals, then the proposal will be withdrawn from the above list.

3. Notify Jan Trengove, chairperson of the Business Committee, of your withdrawal of any of the listed proposals in writing, by 5.30pm Wednesday. Please hand-deliver your note to her.

90. APPRECIATION OF THE REV DJINIYINI GONDARRA (Sealin Garlett and Shayne Blackman)

That the Assembly acknowledges the contribution of Djiniyini Gondarra in the leadership of the UAICC, especially in the last three years as its Chairperson.

Djiniyini has demonstrated commitment over many years to the growth of the church and development of communities, particularly in his home region of Eastern Arnhemland.

More recently, as a member of the national Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation, he has advocated strongly for Aboriginal people particularly in the recognition of customary law.

We give thanks to God for his faith and leadership.

91. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE UNITING ABORIGINAL AND ISLANDER CHRISTIAN CONGRESS (Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress)

That the Assembly request the Standing Committee to consult with the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress with a view to:
§ clarifying the meaning of Regulation 3.6.40, particularly the use of the term "oversight", to ensure that the Congress has real management and administrative control of the Church's ministry with and for Indigenous people;
§ amending Regulation 3.6.40 as determined by Standing Committee (with any other consequential amendments), following the advice of the Legal Reference Committee, to express more clearly the Congress' responsibility for management and administrative control of the Church's ministry with Indigenous people and to clarify the relationships between the Congress and councils, agencies and congregations of the Church;
§ ensuring that where councils, agencies and congregations of the Church initiate or undertake ministry with Indigenous people it is done in partnership with the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress;
§ negotiating written protocols on how Regulation 3.6.40 is to be followed, particularly in relation to partnerships in ministry with Indigenous people between the Congress and councils, agencies and congregations of the Church.

Rationale:
In more than one situation in recent years, the Congress has been frustrated in its desire to exercise responsibility for the Uniting Church's ministry with and for Indigenous people. Regulation 3.6.40 gives responsibility for this ministry to the Congress, adding the requirement that the Congress seek to work with the Assembly, Synods and Presbyteries. But there are at least three weaknesses in the current wording and understanding of the regulation:
§ the term "oversight" is ambiguous and vague and does not give real management and administrative control of ministry to the Congress;
§ there is no corresponding requirement on the Assembly, Synods and Presbyteries to seek to work with the Congress, although in most situations we are happy to report that working relationships are very good;
§ no reference is made to the many congregations which are ministering with Indigenous people, among others, yet which have no direct relationship with the Congress.

The proposal seeks to have the Standing Committee work with the Congress on these matters, and gives authority for the amendment of Regulation 3.6.40.

92. COVENANTING (Peter Lewis and Shayne Blackman)

Minute of Appreciation of the Rev Dr John Brown

That the Assembly place on record its appreciation of the contribution that the Rev Dr John Brown has made to the life of the church in his foundational work on Covenanting and Reconciliation.

He was the first Covenanting Coordinator and later National Director for Covenanting for the Assembly and was, and continues to be, one of the nation's key leaders in the area of reconciliation. John continues his work in covenanting and reconciliation as a volunteer. He is currently the Co-Chair of the National Sorry Day Committee and assisted in the organisation of the Myall Creek Massacre memorial.
John's contribution to reconciliation is an example of how the church can engage, challenge and provide a national vision.

We give thanks for the work of Rev Dr John Brown.