Letter from the Rev. Norman McDonald, New South Wales Synod General Secretary
We aware that many members of the Uniting Church throughout the NSW Synod to this date have received little information about the Eighth Assembly recently held in Perth and that much of the information available has come through the secular media. We are aware that media attention was focussed upon the discussion surrounding Uniting Sexuality and Faith, the report of the Assembly Task Group on Sexuality and that some of the reporting in the NSW print media carried inaccuracies.
The purpose of this letter is twofold — to provide information which may help people better understand the decisions made regarding the Sexuality Report, and to bring some information relating to other matters addressed at the Assembly.
The decisions taken by the Assembly arising from the Sexuality Report are enclosed, being an extract of the unconfirmed minutes of the Assembly. This record provides the text of the Assembly determinations but cannot adequately reflect the spirit of the Assembly. Assembly members were very aware of the prayers of members of the Church across all the presbyteries of the UCA.
There was much emphasis upon listening within the Assembly — to the personal stories, to the voice of the Church reflected through many submissions and the reports of the NCLS, the views of Assembly members reflecting in the working groups, through the voices of Aboriginal and migrant-ethnic people and persons reflecting specific view points and attitudes.
It was apparent that there were some statements which members of the Assembly could support with full consensus, such as affirming the joys and responsibilities of God's good gift of sexuality and a policy statement on marriage, including reference to separation, divorce and remarriage. It was also apparent that the Assembly would be unable to reach consensus on several other proposals, principally those relating to homosexuality; nor was it likely that a substantial majority would be achieved if the proposals were submitted to formal voting procedures. Thus the Assembly determined not to proceed with the remaining proposals relating to sexuality, but committed the Church to continuing dialogue on the unresolved matters and asked former Presidents of the Assembly, Ron Wilson, D'arcy Wood and Jill Tabart to provide guidance as to how the Church may continue this ongoing study and dialogue.
The Assembly also noted previous decisions of the Assembly Standing Committee in 1982, 1987, 1991, 1992 and 1994 and that the policies reflected in those resolutions remain in place. A summary statement outlining these policies is also enclosed.
Please note the letter from the Moderator. You are encouraged to read this letter to congregations at services on Sunday and to make copies of the letter and any other material that will be of help to congregations and members in understanding the decisions of the Assembly.
There were many other issues and themes beyond sexuality addressed at the recent Assembly meetings. An Assembly message, a copy of which is attached, was prepared shortly before the conclusion of the Assembly and this refers to some of the other significant issues and decisions. These will be further reported in later communications. Minutes of the Assembly will be available in due course. The next edition of Insights will carry further stories. The August newsletter will provide more information on several matters determined by the Assembly. From NSW Synod, there were twenty-eight persons present at the Assembly representing fourteen presbyteries and another twenty-eight elected by the Synod itself. Their names were listed in the June newsletter. Many of these people will be very willing to pass on further information and help people appreciate the breadth of the issues and the importance of the many decisions that were made by the Assembly. Members of the Assembly will also have copies of the daily news sheet prepared by the combined communications staff. These news sheets contain stories that may be copied into your own church magazines and news sheets.
Throughout the Assembly, members were very aware of the prayers of people throughout the Church. Members were very grateful for the knowledge of that mantle of prayer. Please continue in prayer and in openness to one another and to the Spirit as we seek now to communicate the Assembly's decisions and to follow through with the implications of these determinations.
In Christian fellowship.
Yours sincerely
Norman D. McDonald, Synod General Secretary