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A summary of the business from
Sunday's sessions of Assembly appears below. For a summary of Saturday's
business, please click here. For a summary of Friday's business,
please click here.
Sunday, July 9th
Evening session
Ministries Committee
 John
Ellis, Convener of the Ministries Committee, on the night of the World Cup
Final, said that football was one of the few subjects outside the remit of
the committee!
He said that the church was facing a sharp drop in the number of paid
ministers. The opportunities for mission would be greater if we had more.
The church needed to wrestle with what God is saying to it about those
figures. The best estimates were that the number of ministers retiring would
outnumber those starting by four to one. Is this God’s will, or are we
failing to listen, Mr Ellis asked.
The committee asked for extra funding, through giving, for retired
ministers’ housing, to honour the promises made to provide housing for those
that needed it at General Assembly in 1979. It was a double whammy, it was
explained, as both house prices and the number of retired and retiring
ministers had gone up.
Faith Paulding congratulated the committee for its
(very funny) presentation and asked other committees to take note. Rob
Weston wondered whether God was saying to the URC that it didn’t need more
than 300 paid ministers.
Gordon Smith lamented the fact that the URC was
sometimes unable to accept ministers from other churches and looked forward
to a time when this would not be the case. John Hardaker gave a passionate
please for the church not to accept the 3% decline in membership and asked
it to pray for a reversal.
John Ellis replied that it was the role of local
churches to be encouraging members and ministers.
The first resolution from the committee concerned the
Lay Preaching Sub-Committee being renamed the Leadership of Worship
Committee. It also suggested that the remit of the committee should be
expanded and that its membership was sourced from the Nominations Committee.
The resolution was carried.
Leaving and moving
Resolution 25 concerned the reasons behind ministers
and Church Related Community Workers who were moving jobs or resigning,
giving a written statement to their Moderator, to help the church, which
spends a lot of time at the beginning of a pastorate, at the end of it. This
would also help in case there was a problem with a particular pastorate, Mr
Ellis said.
The resolution also includes Ministers and CRCWs who
leave service to move to another non-URC job, but who wish to remain on the
Roll of Ministers. It also covered those who resign but might at a later
date want to be reinstated. After a few points of clarification from
Assembly members, most of whom fully supported the resolution, it was
carried.
Extension of service
Resolution 26 revised the terms and conditions of
employment concerning ministers close to retirement applying for an
extension of service until their 68th birthday. This is not the complete
answer to changes in legislation, Mr Ellis said, and more work will be done
on the subject. The resolution was carried.
Returning to work after ill-health
Resolution 27 was a procedural matter concerning those
who retire early from ministerial service on the grounds of ill-health, but
who later asked to return to service. The resolution would act as a guide to
local churches and Synods about what to do in case they face this issue. The
resolution was carried.
Amendments to The Plan for Partnership
This was a matter of tidying the plan up, and was
carried.
Pension Fund changes and Civil Partnerships
The resolution covered changes to the law regarding
pensions and partners after the passing of the Civil Partnerships Act. There
was a difference in what surviving partners would receive, depending on
whether they were in a marriage or a civil partnership. What surviving
partners would receive after the death of the pension holder was what
Assembly had to decide.
John Ellis reminded Assembly about the moratorium on
human sexuality, and that this was potentially not an easy resolution to
debate. He told Assembly about the work of a large number of committees in
preparing the resolution. The majority of the committee’s members believed
that this was the right resolution for now. The choice was to either accept
this resolution or to break the law, Mr Ellis said – but the latter was
something that the tradition had done before.
Norman Vivien also challenged the Church about civil
disobedience, and its right to call the church non-conformist.
Tim Jackson from Cheshire District thanked the
convener for the introduction to the resolution, and this was backed with
warm applause. He then said that the resolution should be carried as it was,
because ‘it is the law of the land that surrounds us’, and save the debate
on human sexuality for after the moratorium.
After a plea from John Ellis not to put the Pension
Trustees into a potentially very difficult situation, the resolution was
carried.
Resolution 62 - Pension Funds
The Revd Elizabeth Nash moved a resolution asking the
URC to re-examine its rules regarding pension funds and Civil Partnerships.
It called for partners and spouses be treated equally with regards to
pensions. This is not about sexuality, but treating all ministers equally,
she said. There were many views questioning the appropriateness of the
resolution at this time, and the resolution was not put.
Resolution 30 – Pensions and ill-health
This was carried.
Resolution 31 – Pension fund rule changes
This was brought to comply with changes to the law
embodied in the Pensions Act 2004. It was carried.
Resolution 32 – Pension fund rule changes part two
More of the same. It was also carried.
The Moderator thanked John Ellis for is work as
Ministries Committee Convener.
Communion collection
£3470 was raised at the collection for Christian Aid.
Housing non-stipendiary ministers
Resolution 2 asked Mission Council to investigate the
possibility of providing housing for non-stipendiary ministers, possibly
similar to the house for duty scheme run by the Church of England. The
resolution was carried.
Catch the Vision –
Changes to the Basis and Structure
In light of resolutions passed at the Assembly, The
Clerk of the Assembly, the Revd James Breslin, took the Assembly through
changes to the Basis of Union and the Structure of the URC. A lot of the
changes replaced District Council with Synod, but there were others that
needed to be highlighted, which the Clerk did, with clarifications about a
few. Resolution 47 was carried.
Afternoon session
West Midlands Synod presentation
‘Treasures in Clay Jars’ is both the title of the
presentation to Assembly and of an ongoing project in the West Midlands
Synod. The Revd Elizabeth Welch, its Moderator, introduced the Assembly to
the Synod’s ‘treasures’, the members of the local churches. After a song
from a choir of representatives from the Synod, Assembly was shown a series
of images about the life and work of the churches within the Synod.
The Revd Bernard Thorogood
The Moderator greeted the former General Secretary of
the URC, the Revd Bernard Thorogood, who is visiting family in the UK
including his son the Revd Neil Thorogood, the 2006 Assembly Chaplain.
The Revd Kathleen Hendry
The Moderator greeted the Revd Kathleen Hendry, who
recently celebrated her 100th birthday and 75th anniversary of Ordination.
She received a standing ovation when presented to the Assembly. In her
address to Assembly, the Revd Hendry said: ‘Friends who are at the URC
Assembly – I know a few! I feel at home. Thank you for what you have done
for my life and I hope you’re as glad to be as I am to be here.’
Resolution 37 – College based training
This is a ‘get real’ resolution, said the Revd John
Humphreys, Convener of the Training Committee. There is a spread of lower
numbers of candidates across 13 places of training. The church is draining
its resources by supporting these 13 places. This decision is long overdue,
the Revd Humphreys said. This will enable a small part of the whole church
to live. And we need to be realistic. The resolution supports students in
these places of learning.
The Revd Elizabeth Welch, as Chair of the Governing
Body of Queen’s College, spoke for an amendment in favour of the continued
use of Queen’s College as a resource centre for the denomination. She
questioned the review’s interpretation of what it is to be reformed.
The Revd Adrian Bulley spoke in favour of an amendment
about the continued use of STETS, the Southern Theological Education and
Training Scheme. He was worried that due to geographical constraints, the
church would lose candidates, especially those interested in non-stipendiary
ministry.
Stuart Scott, West Midlands Synod, said that 20 years
ago he trained at Queen’s. ‘It’s important to get the listening right,’ he
said that he was unsure that it was right with this resolution. He also
wondered whether the impact of ecumenical partners had been considered.
Philip Osborne, also a graduate of STETS, lives in the
Channel Islands, and argued for STETS to be retained on geographical
grounds.
Zam Walker, from the Scottish College, wondered
whether the delivery of training could include STETS? John Humphreys said
that it was too early for that to be answered. There needs to be a
discussion with STETS. The Moderator asked for clarification about this and
the Revd Humphreys explained the differences between different courses and
options for candidates.
Glyn Millington said that the URC has for a long time
refused the bite the bullet. He spoke against both of the amendments saying
that the committee had spent three years compiling the report, that Assembly
asked it to do it and that Assembly should therefore accept it.
Michael Hopkins, a prospective tutor on STETS, said it
was shameful that the review had not thanked the institutions. John
Humphreys said that it would be inappropriate at present as relationships
with those institutions were ongoing.
After a question from the floor of Assembly, John
Humphreys said that all major denominations are going through this process.
David Hewlett thanked the Training Committee for its
work and said that its solutions would be unpopular for some. Queen’s
College receives one or two ordinands per year, he said, asking that the
foundation continue to receive two candidates a year. He then questioned the
relationship that would exist if the URC withdrew ordination training from
the foundation.
Lawrence Moore, North Western Synod, said that the
Assembly didn’t do tough decisions well, and that the committee should be
trusted with its proposals.
David Peel, former Moderator, commended the committee
for trying to find the right balance. He said they had tried to bite the
bullet on the matter of over provision of theological education. We do not
have enough students for more than three centres, he said. He reminded
Assembly about the clause in the report which said that training would be
‘provided by and arranged through’ those three centres.
Amendments to resolution 37 were then discussed.
The proposer of the first amendment, stating that the
Queen’s Foundation should be included in the list of colleges where training
takes place, the Revd Elizabeth Welch, said that it is a lively dynamic
place with many new initiatives. The amendment, however, was lost.
The seconder of the second amendment, asking that
STETS should continue to be used, the Revd David Grosch-Miller, said that
residential colleges were expensive and that a well established relationship
which is still evolving should remain. The amendment was lost.
The resolution was overwhelmingly carried. The
committee was warmly thanked for its work over the last three years with the
review.
Mansfield College
The Revd Dr Walter Houston said that Mansfield College
had served the URC and its former denominations at Oxford University for 120
years. The resolution thanked the college for its work and called for the
URC to engage in a discussion about a continued contribution its educational
work. The resolution was carried.
Assembly Arrangements Committee
Assembly agreed that the 2008 Assembly would be held
in Edinburgh at the Heriot-Watt University. The General Secretary, the Revd
David Cornick, explained that in light of the resolution yesterday about the
frequency of Assemblies, that from 2008 it would on even years.
Decision making at Assembly
The Revd Elizabeth Nash, Training Officer of East
Midlands Synod, presented a composite of three synod resolutions which asked
for a step towards consensus decision making. It asked for an exploration
into ways of putting before local churches information about key resolutions
so that all views can inform the decision making process. The resolution was
carried.
Resolution 51 – Decision making
This resolution, said the Revd William McVey, Convener
of the Assembly Arrangements Committee, is a device to move to a different
style of Assembly and different style of decision making.
Morag McIntosh wondered whether it was legal for young
people at Assembly under the age of 18 not to have a vote, as suggested in
the resolution. Dick Wolf, Reading and Oxford District, wondered whether
observers would still be able to attend, as this may impact on the size of
venue used.
James Wickens said that the child friendly church
scheme said that young people should be involved in the decision making
process of the church. This should be continued at Assembly. Andrew Prasad
said that there was a deep concern from the multi-cultural committee and
racial justice committees that a smaller sized Assembly could have no
representation from black and multi-ethnic groups.
David Thompson, former Moderator, asked for
clarification about the role of former moderators at the new style
Assemblies. Michael Hopkins, Guildford District, said that if under-18s were
unable to vote at Assembly, there could be implications at local church and
Synod levels.
William McVey replied that the committee will be
asking for legal guidance about the age issue of those able to vote. In a
new type of Assembly, those going would be much better prepared, he
continued. He also said that he would be in favour of sending the Book of
Reports to every minister again.
Three amendments were added to the resolution to
reflect the wishes of Assembly, and after a protracted debate, the
resolution was carried.
Resolution 52
A resolution about the number of regional
representatives at Assembly from 2010 was discussed. An amendment raised the
number from 200 to 250. The resolution was carried.
Listed Buildings
Resolution 14 about
Listed Buildings was carried.
Morning session
Mersey Synod presentation
We believe in a life transforming and life giving
Gospel, said the Revd Howard Sharp, Mersey Synod Moderator.
The presentation started by showing images of
dilapidated buildings and surrounding areas. ‘Take some of our buildings –
please,’ was the opening call.
Some buildings are like an albatross around the necks
of some congregations. But where churches have had the energy, the buildings
have become a tool for new life, he said. Congleton URC, which replaced its
wooden doors with glass ones, has increased its community activities and
church life.
At Tunley URC, the oldest Presbyterian Chapel in the
UK, there is now a community focus. Liverpool City Centre, with no buildings
at all, is where the Revd John Bradbury, City Centre minister, works. He
described the variety of groups that he works with including bread making,
poetry and philosophy groups. He does not work in a traditional model of the
church at all.
Many churches took part in the Back to Church Sunday
initiative, where former worshippers are invited back and given a goody bag
when they arrive. Several URCs took part and one has another 20 families
worshipping with it as a result.
The final image was of a candle – a candle of hope.
Church and Society report
It seems that what we do at denominational level does
not make a difference at all, said Church and Society Convener, the Revd
Martin Camroux. But, he said, if 30 church members contact a Secretary of
State rather than a single letter from the Secretary of Church and Society,
it makes a difference. Look at Make Poverty History as an example of the
amazing way that churches can campaign for, and get, change.
Martin Camroux also hoped that this would be the last
time that the recommendations would come just from the URC, hoping that in
future they could come to Assembly ecumenically.
The Revd Graham Cook, a former Assembly Moderator,
drew attention to the new report 'Faithful Cities – a call for celebration,
vision and justice', and asked for someone to take responsibility for the
recommendations contained in the report to be addressed.
Gerald Moule, Wimbledon District, expressed anger at
the way the committee had provided information about breast milk feeding and
breast milk substitutes.
He highlighted the work of the Interagency
Group on Breastfeeding Monitoring (IGBM), and said that
no organisation is whiter than white. At the Methodist Conference a
fortnight earlier, he continued, the Methodist Investment Agency decided
after much investigation to reinvest in Nestle on financial and ethical
grounds, and asked for Church and Society to do its homework. Martin Camroux
said that the URC stood by the Assembly resolution about the company until
another debate took place.
John Johansen-Berg, former Moderator, then moved
resolution 17, commending ‘Peacemaking: A Christian Vocation’. He said that
the issue of war regularly divided the Church because of the differences of
opinion on the use of force. Outstanding events of violence, both in the UK
and abroad, were the background on which the report was presented.
The resolution was carried. The Moderator, the Revd
Elizabeth Caswell, then thanked the Revd Martin Camroux for his work as
Church and Society Convener, and welcomed Stuart Dew as the new Church and
Society Secretary.
Jubilee ministers
The Moderator then greeted ministers who have
celebrated their 50th, 60th and 70th anniversaries of Ordination.
New ministers
The Moderator greeted ministers who had been ordained
since the last Assembly along with a new Church Related Community Worker.
The Moderator welcomed them, saying that the URC
needed a whole variety of ministries and gifts.
She said that they are probably the generation of
ministers who will help this church allow God to renew and reshape it. But
this will be no easy task.
Change is exhausting and you may feel overwhelmed, she
said, but you are Christ’s and He is never far away. He will encourage you
with the strength you need when you pray. We’re all in this together.
You will sometimes think like Jeremiah or Ezekiel, but
there will also be days when you lights sparks with those you work with, and
you'll feel like Nehemiah, building for the future.
The Assembly warmly greeted the new ministers and Church Related
Community Worker.
Resolution 39
The motion about a
Lewis & Gibson Scholarship Rule change
was carried.
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