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Sunday 4th July 2004

First Session

Opening worship was conducted by the Chaplain; Bible study was led by the Revd Dr. Janet Tollington.

Catch the Vision

 

The General Secretary presented the report of the Catch the Vision Steering Group. The Moderator greeted members of the Catch the Vision steering Group. It was noted that there would be opportunity for debate later in the Assembly.

The Revd Alasdair Pratt took the Chair.

Synod Resolutions

Mrs Rosalind Fearon, on behalf of Northern and North Western Synods, moved adoption of Resolution 2:

Resolution 2 Northern & North Western Synods

General Assembly agrees to transfer the Local Churches at Bewcastle; Brampton; Carlisle; Silloth; Wigton; Cockermouth; Harrington; Workington; Penrith & Penruddock and Whitehaven from the Northern Synod to the North Western Synod and authorises the two Synods to effect this transfer at a date convenient to both.

Seconded by Mrs Ruth Clark

Resolution 2 was carried.

The Revd Paul Breeze, on behalf of Yorkshire Synod, moved adoption of Resolution 3:

Resolution 3 Yorkshire Synod

General Assembly invites Local Churches and Church Members to adopt Sunday 3rd October, or such other date as may be more suitable, as a Day of Repentance and Rededication in which they may repent of their shortcomings and recommit themselves to Christ, the eternal Word of God made flesh.

Seconded by the Revd Ray Stanyon

After debate, the Revd John Marsh proposed that the Resolution be now put, seconded by the Revd Brian O’Neil. Assembly agreed, with the required two-thirds majority.

Resolution 3 fell.

Election of Moderator of General Assembly 2005/6

The Assembly Clerk explained the voting procedure. The Moderator led the Assembly in prayer and the vote was taken.

Youth and Children’s Work

 

The Report of the Youth and Children’s Work Committee was presented by the Revd Kathryn Price.

After responding to a number of questions, Ms Price, on the Committee’s behalf, moved adoption of Resolution 38:

Resolution 38 Youth & Children's Work Committee

General Assembly notes that after considerable research the Youth and Children’s Work Committee has been unable to comply with the instruction contained in resolution 12 of 2003 ‘to use the model of the Ginger Group teams and work with others in drawing up plans for the development of a team to become a resource to local churches.

General Assembly therefore calls upon the Youth and Children’s Work Committee:

  • to re-establish a network of District and Synod youth secretaries to complement the children’s work network;
  • to develop an Assembly-wide data base of youth and children’s groups and workers, with the aim of sharing resources and skills;
  • to have regular quality mailings, building on the success of Urchin and Bridge, which shall include opportunities for the participation of young people and children;
  • to develop a five year plan, focusing work under the headings of Belonging, Worship, Discipleship, Evangelism and Action. All are to be featured in every year, but with a particular emphasis on one in each;
  • to ensure that all those working within the United Reformed Church with children and young people are adequately trained for their role;
  • to monitor, in collaboration with Training Committee, training in work with children and young people offered at all levels, including ordination, Continuing Ministerial Education and Training and Learning for Service;
  • to support and advocate the Youth and Children’s Work Trainers’ programme;
  • to create a forum for theological reflection on youth and children’s ministry both within the United Reformed Church and ecumenically;
  • to offer opportunities for children and young people and those who work with them to explore faith development and spirituality;
  • to ensure good stewardship.

After debate, Resolution 38 was carried.

A film was shown of the Pilots’ visit to Legoland.

Mission Council

The Mission Council Report was presented by the Revd Alasdair Pratt.

The Revd Ray Adams and Mr John Ellis responded to a number of questions.

Assembly adjourned.

Second Session

 

The Assembly Clerk presented the minutes of Saturday 3rd July; the Assembly approved the minutes subject to minor corrections.

Synod Presentation

 

The Yorkshire Synod made its presentation.

Ministries

 

Mr John Ellis, on behalf of the Ministries Committee, moved adoption of Resolution 27:

Resolution 27 Equipping the Saints

General Assembly:

a) welcomes the report Equipping the Saints;

b) challenges every congregation to respond locally to recommendations 1 and 2;

c) invites comments on recommendations 3 to 13 from churches, Area/District Councils and Synods to be sent to Ministries Committee by 31st December 2004; and

d) requests further work to be done by Ministries Committee in co-operation with the Catch the Vision Review Group and others so that formal proposals can be brought to the 2005 meeting of General Assembly.

Mr Ellis responded to a number of questions and comments.

Resolution 27 was carried.

The Assembly Clerk, on behalf of Mission Council, moved adoption of Resolution 12:

Resolution 12 New changes to Section O Part II

General Assembly agrees to make the following changes to Part II of the Section O Process for Ministerial Discipline:

Section A

Change the heading of Section A from ‘Introduction’ to ‘General’ to avoid confusion with the Introduction to the whole of Section O, which is being re-instated.

Paragraph B.6.2

Alter the wording in the brackets at the end of the paragraph to ‘(see also Paragraphs B.8.2 and B.11)’.

Paragraph B.8.1

At the end of the paragraph, add the following words: ‘(as to the contents of the written notice of suspension, see also Paragraph B.11)’.

Paragraph B.11

Add a new B.11 as follows:

‘The Notice of Suspension, whether issued under Paragraph B.6.2 or Paragraph B.8.1, shall inform the Minister that, in accordance with these Rules of Procedure, any conduct on his/her part which breaches or contravenes Paragraph 4 of Schedule E to the Basis of Union may be taken into account by the Assembly Commission in reaching its decision under Paragraph 10 of Part I.’

Paragraph B.12

The existing B.11 to become B.12

Paragraph C.1.6

Add a new Paragraph C.1.6 as follows:

‘On receipt of the Minister’s response under Paragraph C.1.2 and any documents which may accompany it, provide the Mandated Group with copies thereof.’

Paragraph C.1.7

Add a new Paragraph C.1.7 as follows:

‘In any case arising as a consequence of a Notice of Reference back, where comments are received from either of the parties as a result of the invitation contained in Paragraph C.1.3, provide the other party with copies thereof.’

Paragraph E.3.1

Replace the existing Paragraph E.3.1 with the following:

‘E.3.1

Unless the case is subject to compulsory adjournment under Paragraph E.7, the Secretary of the Assembly Commission shall as soon as practicable after the appointment of the Assembly Commission:

E.3.1.1 provide the Convener and the other members of the Assembly

Commission with (i) copies of the Referral Notice, (ii) the Minister’s response under Paragraph C.1.2 and (iii) any documents which may accompany it and

E.3.1.2

in the case of any Assembly Commission appointed as a consequence of a Notice of Reference back, provide the Convener and the other members thereof with copies of (i) the Notice of Reference back, (ii) the documents, statements and information delivered to the previous Assembly Commission in accordance with these Rules of Procedure and (iii) any comments received from the parties as a result of the invitation contained in Paragraph C.1.3 and

E.3.1.3

consult with the Convener and the other members of the Assembly Commission and, where possible, with the Parties as to a suitable venue, date and time for the Hearing and, having so consulted, decide thereupon.

 

‘Paragraph G.6

Delete the words ‘The Moderator of the General Assembly shall be the Convener of the Appeals Commission but s/he…’ and replace them with the words ‘The Convener of the Appeals Commission..’.’

Resolution 12 was carried

The General Secretary moved adoption of Resolution 14:

Resolution 14 Ratification of Westminster College Bursar

(Resolution 8 2003)

General Assembly agrees to ratify its decision of July 2003 to make the following changes to the Structure of the United Reformed Church about the role of the Bursar of Westminster College.

Delete 'and Bursar' from General Assembly function (vi) and replace 'Board of Studies' and with 'Board of Governors' in that same function so that it reads:

'… to make regulations respecting Theological Colleges belonging to the United Reformed Church, to appoint the principal, professors and other members of the teaching staff, and Board of Governors, and to superintend their work'.

Resolution 14 was carried.

The Moderator welcomed Lord Dafydd Ellis Thomas, Presiding Officer of the National Assembly of Wales, and invited him to address the Assembly.

Moderator 2005-2006

Mr Donald Swift, Convener of Tellers for the election of the Moderator of the General Assembly, reported that the Revd Dr David Peel had been duly elected as Moderator of General Assembly 2005-2006.

On behalf of Mission Council, Mr John Ellis moved adoption of Resolution 6:

Resolution 6 Non –stipendiary Church Related Community Workers

General Assembly agrees to extend the principles of Non-Stipendiary Ministry to CRCW ministry. The Assembly resolves that:

a) non-stipendiary CRCW candidates would be expected to follow the same training path as stipendiary CRCWs;

b) the minimum age for commencement for training for non-stipendiary CRCW candidates shall be 21 years of age.

After discussion, Resolution 6 was carried.

On behalf of Mission Council, Mr Ellis moved adoption of Resolution 7:

Resolution 7 Basis of Union

General Assembly resolves to amend the Basis of Union and Structure of The United Reformed Church as follows:

a) Add to the end of paragraph 22 of the Basis of Union (as agreed by General Assembly in 2003):

b) Amend paragraph B2(3)(A)(iii) on page B6 (July 2000 edition of the Manual) to read:

“to appoint, or to concur in the appointment of, non-stipendiary ministers to their particular service and to review this service at stated intervals;”

Resolution 7 was carried.

The General Secretary proposed that:

‘In accordance with paragraph 3(1) of the Structure, Resolution 7 be referred to synods with the 31st March 2005 as the final date for responses to the General Secretary as to whether or not this constitutional amendment be proceeded with.’

The Assembly agreed.

Assembly Worship including Holy Communion

The Moderator, assisted by the Chaplain, presided as the Assembly celebrated the Sacrament of Holy Communion.

Commemoration of Ministers and Missionaries

The act of worship included the commemoration of the following ministers and missionaries of the United Reformed Church who had died since the previous General Assembly.

Ministers who had served at home and as missionaries overseas and had died since Assembly 2003:

Raymond William ARNOLD

William Frederick AUSTIN

Percy Noble BROWNE

Cedric William CARR

Charles Henry COUPLAND

Derek Pitt CHURCHWARD

Elizabeth DAVIES

John Graham FARMER

Leslie FIDGEN

Basil FILBY

Douglas MacKenzie GORDON

David Robert HANNEN

Brian Oliver JOHANSON

John JOHANSON

John Hugh MORRIS

Vernon NEWMAN

Donald Stuart PARBURY

William Robert PATTON

Kathleen Mary PAYNE

Nigel George PORTER

John Selwyn ROBERTS

Marjorie ROWLANDS

Joseph Ian Young SHARPE

Dorothy STEVENSON

Anna Barbara Mary WILLIAMS

John Howard WILLIAMS

Ronald Ernest WRIGHT

Brian Arthur Frederick WROE

Missionaries

Norman CLARKE

Margaret CRAGG

Margaret EDWARDS

Molly FLETCHER

Peggy HAWKINGS

Daphne HENDERSON

Lillian LEGG

Andrew MIDIAN (serving in the UK 94-97)

Betty POOLE

Violet PORRITT

Jean THOMAS

 

The Assembly adjourned.

 

Third Session

The Revd Elizabeth Welch took the Chair.

Synod Resolution

 

The Revd Eileen Sambrooks, on behalf of the North Western Synod, moved adoption of Resolution 1:

Resolution 1 North Western Synod

General Assembly expresses concern about the shortage of places in residential care and domiciliary support for the elderly and other vulnerable people, following legislation regulating provision of such care, and instructs the Church and Society Committee to consider the matter and take appropriate action.

Seconded by Dr Roger John

The General Secretary proposed the following amendment:

‘ ... provision of such care, and invites the Church and Society committee to consider the policy issue, and each local church to pursue their concerns about care of the elderly with their Member of Parliament.’

Seconded by the Rev Michael Davies

The amendment being accepted by the Proposer and Seconder, the amended Resolution 1 became the substantive resolution.

The Revd Geoffrey Roper proposed a further amendment:

‘...with their member of Parliament, and their local authority.’

Seconded by Mr Colin Ferguson.

The amendment being accepted by the Proposers, the amended Resolution 1 became the substantive resolution.

After discussion, and on the advice of the Assembly Clerk, Assembly agreed that the phrase ‘care of the elderly’ should read ‘this care’.

This final version of Resolution 1 was put to the Assembly:

General Assembly expresses concern about the shortage of places in residential care and domiciliary support for the elderly and other vulnerable people, following legislation regulating provision of such care, and invites the Church and Society committee to consider the policy issue, and each local church to pursue their concerns about this care with their Member of Parliament, and their local authority.

Resolution 1 was carried.

The Moderator resumed the Chair.

Mission Council

The Assembly Clerk, on behalf of Mission Council, moved adoption of Resolution 13:

Resolution 13 Changes to Structure regarding Resignation of Ministers

General Assembly agrees to the following changes to the Structure of the United Reformed Church:

Paragraph 2(3)A(viii)

Insert the words ‘not currently the subject of any case within the Section O Process for Ministerial Discipline referred to in Function (xviii) below)’ after the word ‘ministers’.

Paragraphs 2(3)A(xviii), 2(4)A(xiv) and 2(5)A(xxiii)

In all these paragraphs, delete the words ‘following initial enquiry’ on the first line and add the words ‘at the appropriate time as specified in that Process’ at the end of the Paragraph.

Paragraph 2(3)(B)

Delete the existing Paragraph 2(3)(B) and replace it with the following:

B.1 ‘As soon as any minister becomes the subject of a case under the Section O Process for Ministerial Discipline, the District Council shall not exercise any of its functions in respect of that minister in such a manner as to affect, compromise or interfere with the due process of that case, provided that the provision of such pastoral care as shall be deemed appropriate shall not regarded as a breach of this Paragraph.’

B.2 ‘The responsibility for calling in the District Council’s Mandated Group to conduct an Initial Enquiry which marks the beginning of the Disciplinary Process rests with the Synod Moderator acting in consultation with such officers of the District Council as s/he considers appropriate.’

Paragraph 2(4)(B)

Delete the existing Paragraph 2(4)(B) and replace it with the following:

‘As soon as any minister becomes the subject of a case under the Section O Process for Ministerial Discipline, the Synod shall not exercise any of its functions in respect of that minister in such a manner as to affect, compromise or interfere with the due process of that case, provided that the provision of such pastoral care as shall be deemed appropriate shall not regarded as a breach of this Paragraph.’

Final unlettered paragraph immediately after Paragraph 2(5)A(xxiv)

Delete this paragraph and replace it with the following:

2(5)(B) ‘As soon as any minister becomes the subject of a case against a minister under the Section O Process for Ministerial Discipline, neither General Assembly nor Mission Council on its behalf shall exercise any of General Assembly’s functions in respect of that minister in such a manner as to affect, compromise or interfere with the due process of that case, provided that the provision of such pastoral care as shall be deemed appropriate shall not regarded as a breach of this Paragraph.’

Paragraph 2(4)(A)(viii)

Amend the reference in this paragraph from Function (xv) to (xiv).

Resolution 13 was carried

The General Secretary proposed that: ‘In accordance with paragraph 3(1) of the Structure, Resolution 13 be referred to Synods with the 31st March 2005 as the final date for responses to the General Secretary as to whether or not this constitutional amendment be proceeded with.’ The Assembly agreed.

On behalf of Mission Council, the Revd Ray Adams moved adoption of Resolution 8:

Resolution 8 Racial Justice & Multicultural Ministry

General Assembly agrees that:

a) the Racial Justice Committee be renamed the Racial Justice and Multicultural Ministry Committee;

b) there should be cross representation between the Racial Justice and Multicultural Ministry Committee and other Assembly committees, together with the opportunity for an occasional inter-committee forum, to ensure its work is effectively integrated with the whole work of the United Reformed Church, and in particular with its work in developing relations with new migrant churches.

Resolution 8 was carried.

Thames North Synod

The Thames North Synod made its presentation.

After worship led by the Chaplain, the Assembly adjourned.

  

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