Assembly '97 News Home page Documents next story		Secret Assembly Business blocks bridge to homosexuals Part the third The first debate (reported earlier) provided an idea of the range of viewpoints at the Assembly. The Assembly then met in working groups assigned to consider various aspects of proposals submitted. When the "Facilitation Group" reported back, the Assembly agreed: 97.27.01 to determine that: (a) any decision which this Assembly makes by formal majority on any matter relating to sexuality shall initially be only provisional; (b) before this meeting of the Assembly concludes, the Assembly shall determine whether any or all of the provisional decisions shall be referred to Synods and Presbyteries for concurrence by a majority of synods and a majority of presbyteries before they take effect; (c) the provisional decisions which the Assembly does not decide to refer to Synods and Presbyteries shall cease to be provisional and shall take effect at the conclusion of this meeting of the Assembly; (C) 97.27.02 affirm the joys and responsibilities of God's good gift of sexuality; (c) 97.27.03 reject judgmental attitudes in sexual ethics and witness to the renewing grace of God in this as in all areas of human behaviour; ******************************************** After hearing the report from the Commission on Women and Men the Assembly agreed: 97.41.03 Statement of Affirmation on behalf of the Uniting Church in Australia, to affirm that male and female are created in the image of God. Inherent in this affirmation is the acknowledgment that: each one of us has dignity and is of value; each one of us has a right to be welcomed and to participate within the community of God; we can celebrate the uniqueness of each individual and be encouraged to respect our differences; we allow opportunities for each individual to use their gifts within the community of faith; we use and hear language that helps us to feel included within the Church; we express our sexuality as the embodiment of God's creation in ways that honour God and honour each other, through right and just relationships. (C) ******************************************** After more meetings in working groups the Facilitation Group gave its second report and the Assembly agreed: 119.1 to not proceed with proposals 50.1 and 110; (c/a) 119.2 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; (C) 119.3.1. to establish the policy that Uniting Church marriage celebrants help couples seeking marriage to understand marriage as expressed in the statement 119. ???, including discussion of expressing their sexuality as a positive and joyous celebration, and encourage them to undertake marriage preparation programs where available; 119.3.2. to request congregations to encourage Uniting Church couples to take advantage of appropriate relationship enrichment and education programs; 119.3.3. to encourage synods, presbyteries, and congregations to identify suitable resources for individuals couples and families for professional counselling and support, recognising the special needs of those who have experienced divorce or abuse; (C) 119.4 to approve the following policy Statement on Marriage: The Assembly of the Uniting Church in Australia declares that 1. Marriage Marriage for Christians is the freely given consent and commitment in public and before God of a man and a woman to live together for life. It is intended to be the mutually faithful lifelong union of a woman and man expressed in every part of their life together. In marriage the man and the woman seek to encourage and enrich each other through love and companionship. In the marriage service the woman and man make a public covenant with each other and with God, in the company of family and friends; the couple affirm their trust in each other and in God; the church affirms the sanctity of marriage and nurtures those who pledge themselves to each other in marriage and calls upon all people to support, uphold and nurture those who pledge themselves to each other in marriage; where sexual union takes place the partners seek to express mutual delight, pleasure and tenderness, thus strengthening the union of their lives together; in marriage, children may be born and are to be brought up in love and security, thus providing a firm foundation for society. (C) 2. Separation, Divorce and Re-marriage: An inability to sustain the marriage relationship breaks the commitment to be together for life and may be painful for the couple, the children in their care, as well as for parents, friends and the Church community. In cases of the irretrievable breakdown of marriage, the Church acknowledges that divorce may be the only creative and life giving direction to take. The Church has a responsibility to: (a) care for people, including children, through the trauma of the ending of a marriage; (b) help people where appropriate to grieve, repent, grow in self-understanding, receive affirmation, grace and forgiveness; (c) support them as they hear God's call for new life. The grace and healing of God are available to people who are divorced, which may freeing them to marry again. (C) 119.5 to request the Commission on Liturgy to facilitate the development of pastoral liturgical resources both to recognise the end of a marriage and assist in the process of affirmation, grief, repentance and moving on in God's grace. (C) 119.6 to request the Standing Committee, following consultation with the Commission on Doctrine, to appoint a group representative of the different perspectives in the Uniting Church in Australia, to prepare and make available material on ways in which the Church understands and uses the Bible in seeking to live in faithfulness to the Gospel; (C) ******************************************** In case you are wondering, 50.1 says: Recognise that the Biblical teaching on sexuality affirms and protects the centrality of marriage and family life. 110 dropped the "the" before "Biblical. ********************************************

"The Uniting Church affirms that it belongs to the people of GOD on the way to the promised end." Basis of Union, Revised edition published 1992