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THE UNITED REFORMED CHURCH

Minutes of the General Assembly of the United Reformed Church 2004

Sunday July 4 2004 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:

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 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.

Monday 5 July 2004 First Session