NEWS/MEDIA at the 10th National Assembly 2003

NEWS/MEDIA at the 10th Assembly

Statement by President of the Uniting Church on passing of Proposal on Ministry and Membership (Sexuality)

Rev Dr Dean Drayton - President The Uniting Church’s 10th National Assembly today voted to accept recommendations that will allow individual presbyteries to accept people for ordination, candidature for ministry or placement in ministry on a case-by-case basis.

The recommendation reaffirms a presbyteries right to make its own decision on matters of ordination and placement of ministers. It is a clear statement reflecting previous decisions made by the Assembly on the unity and diversity of the Uniting Church. More >>

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Launch of UnitingJustice Australia at the 10th Assembly

Here is the text of a speech by Rev Dr Murray Muirhead at the launch of UnitingJustice Australia today:

Over the past couple of years NSR&J has been conscious of the need for a more recognisable name that reflects its deep roots in the Uniting Church in Australia and the nation wide collaboration that informs many of our responses to significant social and ecological issues. In March 2003, the Assembly Standing Committee approved a change in the name of the agency to “UnitingJustice Australia”, and today we are officially launching that name. More >>

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Members of Assembly passing the peace at the close of the session at which the proposal on ministry and membership in the Uniting Church was passed

Extract from unconfirmed Minutes of the UCA Tenth Assembly, Melbourne, 17th July, 2003

84. MINISTRY AND MEMBERSHIP IN THE UNITING CHURCH (Facilitation Group)

The Assembly resolved:

1. To note the following extracts from Assembly minute 00.25.03:

(a) 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; More >>

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History of the Uniting Church launched

The book Uniting Church in Australia – The first twenty five years was launched last night. Written by 11 authors, this book discusses and celebrates the movement of each synod’s history.

Rev Pro James Haire with chapter authors Rev Dr Ian Breward and Julia Pitman at the book launch tonight

Editor Rev Dr Bill Emilsen said the book aimed to preserve our history to help people with ‘amnesia’ in the church - those who read will be proud of what the church has achieved in such a short period of time - and to give the present and future generation a greater understanding of the Uniting Church. More >>

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UIW2: Rich imagery, but not too flowery

The new Uniting Church liturgical resource Uniting in Worship 2, described in detail but not launched at the 10th Assembly, will be cheaper and more diverse than the original.

Rev Dr Paul Walton from Theology and Discipleship said the new publication would take multiple forms – it will be a book, a CD-ROM and a website. The book will be smaller, around the size of the present UIW People’s Book. More >>

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