00.25 STANDING COMMITTEE RE "MOVING AHEAD WITH DIVERSITY"

The report was presented by Robert Johnson, John Mavor, Judy Caldwell, Leonie Walker, Inoke Nabulivou, Rachel Kronberger and Don Catford.

The Assembly resolved:

00.25.01 to receive the report;

00.25.02 to determine not to consider any proposals relating to sexuality at this Assembly except for Proposal 40.1 (see minute 00.25.03);

00.25.03 to adopt the following Statement on Unity and Diversity and commend it to all Synods, Presbyteries and Congregations:

" STATEMENT ON UNITY AND DIVERSITY"

We celebrate

• that the church's faith is in the triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and that the church's work and unity are built upon the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ;
• that in the Uniting Church we have already agreed on and affirmed important matters regarding marriage, marriage preparation, marriage counseling, divorce, re-marriage, sexuality and sexual ethics (Assembly minutes 97.31.5-97.31.13);

We affirm

• the authority of the Scriptures as defined in the Basis of Union, acknowledging that within the church there is a range of views on questions of Biblical interpretation on various matters of Christian faith and practice;
• we are bound together by Christ, and because we love the Uniting Church as part of the one holy catholic and apostolic church we will continue to work together in our diversity as servants of the living God;

We acknowledge

• that issues regarding committed same sex relationships and ordination were unresolved by the Eighth Assembly in 1997 and the Ninth Assembly in 2000 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;

We regret

• that some people have felt hurt or offended because of the church's acceptance of diversity;
• that some people feel excluded from exercising their gifts of faith and ministry in their local Congregations;

We reject

• all forms of vilification and harassment within the life of the church;

We pray

• that God will continue to bless and use the diverse gifts of all church members as we seek to work together to make known God's love and salvation."

00.25.04 (a) to request all councils of the church to take steps to ensure that any instance of vilification and harassment is dealt with effectively and consistently;

(b) to request the Standing Committee to issue guidelines to assist councils to fulfil this request.