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THE UNITED REFORMED CHURCH

Minutes of the General Assembly of the United Reformed Church 2003

Saturday, 5 July 2003 Second Session

The Moderator welcomed the Lord Mayor of Portsmouth, Councillor Tom Blair, and invited him to address the Assembly.

The Moderator welcomed those who were attending the Assembly for the first time and introduced the people on the platform.

The Convener of the Assembly Arrangements Committee, Mr William McVey, presented the Order of Business, drawing attention to the list of errors and omissions in the Book of Reports, and to the additional items of business which had been included in the Order Paper.

‘The Agenda Before Us’

The General Secretary addressed the Assembly. He reported on the progress of the ‘General Secretary’s Review’, related some of the initiatives being taken in various synods, and spoke of ‘a divine restlessness in our midst’ evidenced in work going on throughout the church. He noted the changing international situation, and a number of important issues to be addressed by the Assembly.

Church and Society

The Revd Martin Camroux, Convener of the Church and Society Committee, presented the committee’s report.

In response to a question by the Revd Nicholas Adlem, Mr Camroux undertook on the committee’s behalf to address the issue of a non-collusion policy towards nations (such as Zimbabwe and Myanmar) where the population is suffering through government action.

The Revd David Legge moved adoption of Resolution 31:

Resolution 31 Faith Stance on the global crisis of life

General Assembly draws the attention of the councils and appropriate committees of the church to ‘Faith Stance on the Global Crisis of Life’, invites them (as a matter of priority) to find space to discuss and reflect on it, and instructs the Church and Society and Ecumenical Committees to collate responses to the document for report to the 2004 General Assembly.

Seconded by the Revd Jacqui Gavin.

After discussion, Resolution 31 was carried.

A brief audio-visual presentation on Commitment for Life was given by the Church and Society Convener.

The Assembly was addressed by Ms Rula Nesnas, from the Palestinian Agricultural Relief Committee.

After worship led by the Chaplain, the Assembly adjourned.

Sunday 6 July 2002 First Session