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THE UNITED REFORMED CHURCH Minutes of the General Assembly of the United Reformed Church 2006
Friday, 7th July 2006 Second SessionThe 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.
Under the guidance of the Moderator and the Convener of the Assembly Arrangements Committee, the General Assembly explored the principle of consensus decision making.
The Moderator made a statement relating to a number of events which had occurred in the past year and their relation to the Moratorium on the discussion of Human Sexuality.
The Chaplain led the Assembly in prayer.
Mission Council
The Revd Dr David Peel introduced the Mission Council report. He highlighted Mission Council’s work on Catch the Vision, issues of sexual abuse in the Church, and the URC’s ethical investment policy.
Nominations Committee
The report of the Nominations Committee was presented by the Convener, the Revd Principal Stephen Orchard.
Members Convener: Revd Dr Stephen Orchard [2006] Revd Malcolm Hanson #** [2010] Secretary: Revd Elizabeth J Brown [2009] Synod
Representatives: I
Revd Kevin Watson IV Mrs
Val Morrison VII Revd
Richard Church IX Mr Peter Pay X
Revd Martin Hazell XIII Dr Jim Merrilees with the Immediate Past Moderator and General Secretary
1. ASSEMBLY STAFF APPOINTMENTS
1.1.1 The Nominating Group, convened by the Revd Dr Susan Durber, recommended the appointment of the Revd Rowena Francis to serve as Moderator of the Northern Synod from 1 January 2007 for a period of seven years, subject to review before the end of that period.
1.1.2 The Nominating Group for Moderator Elect of the North Western Synod will be convened by Mrs Irene Wren.
1.1.3 The Nominating Group for Moderator Elect of the Yorkshire Synod will be convened by the Revd Cecil White.
1.1.4 The Nominating Group for Principal Elect of Westminster College will be convened by the Revd Sheila Maxey.
1.2.1 The Nominating Group convened by the Revd Deborah McVey recommended the appointment of Ms Jo Williams for the position of Children’s Work Development Officer at Church House from 24th July 2006 until 31st July 2007.
1.2.2 The Nominating Group for a Director of Communications at Church House will be convened by the Revd Dr Stephen Orchard.
1.2.3 The Review Group for the post of CRCW Development Worker at Church House will be convened by Ms Daphne Beale.
1.2.4 The Review Group for the post of Secretary for Training at Church House will be convened by Mrs Bridget Fosten.
1.2.5 The Review Group for the post of Pilots Development Officer at Church House will be convened by Mr Simon Rowntree.
1.3 The Group for the Role of Treasurer convened by the Revd John Waller completed its work and nominated Mr John Ellis to serve as Assistant Treasurer with immediate effect and as Hon. Treasurer of the United Reformed Church from Assembly 2007 until 2111.
2. RESPONSE
TO 2005 GENERAL ASSEMBLY RESOLUTIONS The Committee had set up a process for consultation with the Equal Opportunities and Racial Justice and Multicultural Ministries Committees. Records were being kept of those approached to serve on committees and monitoring of appointments to committees would take place in consultation with the Equal Opportunities Committee.
3. ASSEMBLY COMMITTEES and Sub-COMMITTEES
Notes: 1. The
Moderator, the Moderator-elect, the immediate past Moderator and the
General Secretary are members ex officio of every Standing Committee. 2. Officers and members appointed since Assembly 2005 are indicated by one asterisk (*), two asterisks (** ) denotes those whom Assembly 2006 is invited to appoint for the first time (#) indicates a Convener Elect who will become Convener in 2007.
4. Many
committees have cross-representation [e.g. the Ecumenical Committee has
representatives from Doctrine, Prayer & Worship, Church and Society,
Youth and Children’s Work etc.,] These are internal appointments and
are not listed here. 5. In accordance with the decision of General Assembly 2000 some nominations have been made by the National Synods of Wales and Scotland.
3.1 ASSEMBLY ARRANGEMENTS Convener: Mr William McVey [2008] Secretary: Mrs Ann Barton Synod Representative for forthcoming Assembly Synod Representative for previous Assembly who is then replaced after ‘review’ meeting by Synod Representative for Assembly two years hence. Moderator, Moderator-elect, General Secretary, Clerk to Assembly
3.1.1 Tellers for Election of Moderator for 2008 Mr Peter Pay [Convener], Dr Graham Campling, Dr Jim Merrilees**
3.2 CHURCH and SOCIETY Convener: Mr Simon Loveitt [2010] Secretary: Secretary for Church and Society Revd Tjarda Murray [2007] Miss Emma Pugh [2007] Revd David Pickering [2009] Revd Margaret Tait [2009] Mrs Susan Clarke** [2010] Revd Michael Jagessar** [2010] Mr Themba Moyo** [2010]
3.2.1 COMMITMENT FOR LIFE sub committee Convener: Mrs Melanie Frew
3.3 COMMUNICATIONS and EDITORIAL Convener: Revd Martin Hazell [2007] Secretary: Secretary for Communications Revd Kirsty Thorpe#** [2011] Revd Martin Whiffen [2007] Revd Paul Snell [2008] Revd Janet Sutton [2008] Ms Julia Wills [2008] Mrs Valerie Jenkins [2009] Ms Catherine Lewis-Smith [2009] Mr Ron Sweeney [2009] Mr Richard Lathaen [2009] Mr Jerome Whittingham** [2010]
3.4 DOCTRINE, PRAYER and WORSHIP Convener: Revd Dr Susan Durber [2009] Secretary:
Secretary for Ecumenical Relations and Faith & Order
3.5 ECUMENICAL Convener: Revd Elizabeth Nash [2009] Secretary: Secretary for Ecumenical Relations and Faith & Order Mrs Ann Shillaker[2007] Mrs Pat Gurr [2008] Revd Graham Maskery [2009] Revd Anthony Howells [2009] Revd Sarah Moore** [2010] Mr David Barber** [2010] Revd Stuart Jackson representing the National Synod of Wales Revd Mary Buchanan representing National Synod of Scotland
3.5.1 ECUMENICAL - INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE Sub-Committee Convener: Revd Chris Baillie [2007] Secretary: Secretary for International Relations Revd Linda
Elliott#** [2011] Mrs Eileen McIlveen [2007]
3.6 EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES Convener: Ms Morag McLintock [2010] Secretary: Revd Derek Hopkins [2008] Revd Sue MacBeth [2007] Dr Ruth Shepherd [2008] Revd Kate Gartside [2009] Revd John Macaulay** [2010] Revd Pam Ward** [2010]Mr Jim Hurst** [2010]
3.7 FINANCE Convener: The Treasurer Secretary: to be advised Revd David Dones [2007] Mrs Marie Whitman[2007] Mr Errol Martin [2008] Mr Graham Law [2008] Revd Dick Gray [2009] Mr Graham Morris [2009] Mr John Kidd [2009] Revd Kathryn Taylor** [2010] Convener of the URC Trust Financial Secretary
3.8 INTER-FAITH RELATIONS Convener: Revd Dr John Parry [2007] Secretary: Mrs Jean Potter [2008] Revd Peter Colwell#** [2011] Dr Iain Frew [2008] Revd Helen Pollard [2008] Mr David Jonathon [2009] Revd Tim Clarke** [2010]
3.9 LIFE and WITNESS Convener: Revd Peter Ball [2010] Secretary: Secretary for Life and Witness Mrs Sheila Brain [2007] Mr Colin Ferguson [2007] Revd Ian Fosten [2007] Revd Michael Hodgson [2007] Revd Kate Gray [2008] Mr Emmanuel Nkusi [2008] Revd Simon Walkling [2009] Mr Patrick Smyth [2009] Revd Patricia Davis** [2010]
3.9.1 LIFE and WITNESS - STEWARDSHIP Sub-Committee Convener: Mr Ray McHugh[2008] Secretary: Secretary for Life and Witness Mrs Jackie Haws[2007] Mrs Susan Wilkinson [2007] Revd John Durrell [2008] Mr Gareth Curl [2009] Revd Sarah Simpson** [2010]
3.9.2 WINDERMERE ADVISORY GROUP Convener: Revd Bernard Collins [2009] Secretary: The Director of Windermere Mrs Irene Wren [2008] Revd Carole Allison [2009] Revd Jan Berry [2009] Convener of Windermere Management Committee Convener of Life and Witness Committee Representative of Carver URC
3.10 MINISTRIES Convener: Revd Peter Poulter [2010] Secretary: Secretary for Ministries Mrs Joan Trippier [2007] Revd Paul Whittle [2007] Revd Terry Oakley [2008] Revd Alan Evans [2009] Mrs Joanna Morling [2009] Dr Roger Allen** [2010] Convener of Assessment Board
3.10.1 MINISTRIES - ACCREDITATION Sub-Committee Convener: Revd Gwen Collins [2009] Secretary: Secretary for Ministries Revd Tony Wilkinson [2007] Revd Howard Sharp [2009] Mr Simon Rowntree [2009] Mr Rod Morrison [2009] Mrs Pat Evans** [2010]
3.10.2 MINISTRIES - CRCW Programme Sub-Committee Convener: Revd Bob Day [2008] Secretary: The CRCW Development Workers Mr Peter Twilley [2007] Revd Tracey Lewis [2008] Mrs Maureen Thompson [2009] Mrs Shirley Rawnsley** [2010] Revd Daphne Lloyd** [2010]
3.10.3 MINISTRIES - LAY PREACHING Support Sub Committee Assembly Lay Preaching Advocate: Dr Philip Theaker [2007] And four members elected by the Lay Preaching Commissioners Consultation
3.10.4 MINISTRIES - MAINTENANCE OF MINISTRY Sub-Committee Convener: Revd Geoffrey Roper [2009] Secretary: Mr David Taylor [2010] Mrs Lyn Alford [2008] Mr David Hayden [2008] Mr Brian Knight** [2010] Revd Ken Summers** [2010] The Treasurer Convener of Pensions Executive Financial Secretary
3.10.5 MINISTRIES - RETIRED MINISTERS HOUSING - Sub-Committee Convener: Revd David Bedford [2010] Secretary: Secretary Retired Ministers’ Housing Society Ltd Mrs Liz Tadd [2009] Revd Elizabeth Caswell [2008] Revd Michael Spencer* [2011] Revd Nanette Lewis-Head** [2012] The Treasurer Note: Properties are managed by a Company viz: RETIRED MINISTERS HOUSING SOCIETY LTD Details of the Members of the Board etc may be obtained from the Secretary: Mr Tony Bayley at Church House
3.10.6 ASSESSMENT BOARD Convener: Prof David Cutler [2009]
Retiring 2007: Revd Diana Cullum-Hall, Miss Sarah Dodds, Revd Roy Fowler, Mrs Wilma Frew, Mrs Pat Poinen, Revd Nigel Uden, Revd Simon Walkling Retiring 2008: Mrs Judith Harris, Mrs Barbara Lancaster, Dr Cameron Wilson Retiring 2009: Mrs Tina Ashitey, Dr Peter Clarke, Mr Hugh Abel Retiring 2010: Revd David A L Jenkins, Revd Dr Irene John, Revd Edward Sanniez, Revd Lesley Charlton Retiring 2011**:Revd Wilf Bahadur, Revd Jan Adamson, Revd Sian Collins, Mrs Wendy Smith
3.11 NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE Convener: Revd Malcolm Hanson [2010] Secretary: Revd Elizabeth Brown [2009] Synod Representatives: Revd Kevin Watson [1], Revd Ruth Wollaston [2], Revd John Oldershaw [3], Mrs Val Morrison [4], Mrs Irene Wren [5], Dr Anthony Jeans [6], Revd Richard Church [7], Revd Roz Harrison [8], Mr Peter Pay [9], Revd Martin Hazell [10], Dr Graham Campling [11], Dr Jean Silvan-Evans [12], Dr James Merrilees [13], with the Immediate Past Moderator and the General Secretary.
3.12 PASTORAL REFERENCE COMMITTEE Convener: Revd Keith Forecast [2007] Secretary: Deputy General Secretary Revd Alasdair Pratt#** [2011] Revd David Grosch Miller [2007] Revd Meryl Court [2008] Mrs Margaret Carrick Smith [2009] Mrs Delyth Rees** [2011] Convener of
Welfare Sub-Committee
3.12.1 PASTORAL WELFARE -Sub-Committee Convener: Revd Alan Wharton [2007] Secretary: Mrs Judy Stockings Mrs Delyth Rees#** [2011] [ex officio Financial Secretary, The Treasurer, Convener Pastoral Reference Committee]
3.13 RACIAL JUSTICE and MULTICULTURAL MINISTRY Convener: Revd Andrew Prasad [2007] Secretary: Secretary for Racial Justice Mrs Sandra Ackroyd [2007] Mrs Elaine Patrick [2007] Revd Carla Grosch Miller# [2011] Revd Helga Cornell [2008] Mrs Pat Poinen [2009]Revd Rosemary Tusting* [2009] Dr Ben Makepeace** [2010]
3.14 TRAINING Convener: Revd John Humphreys [2007] Secretary: The Secretary for Training Professor Malcolm Johnson#** [2011] Mrs Valerie Burnham [2007] Dr Ian Morrison [2007] Revd Rachel Poolman [2008] Revd Richard Church [2008] Revd Dr John Campbell [2009] Mr John Saunders* [2009] Revd John Smith** [2010] Revd Ruth Allen** [2010] Mr Clive Parsons** [2010]
3.15 YOUTH AND CHILDREN’S WORK Convener: Revd Neil Thorogood [2010] Secretary: Revd Steven Faber [2008] Mrs Doreen Watson [2007] Mr Augustus Webbe [2007] Revd Tim Meachin [2008] Revd Sian Collins [2009] Revd Robert Weston [2009]Miss Rosemary Simmons [2009] Ms Ruth Hezlett [2009] Mrs Rita Griffiths [2009] Revd Heather Whyte** [2010] FURY Chair FURY Council Member
3.15.1 PILOTS MANAGEMENT Sub Committee Convener: Revd Pamela Smith Member: Mrs Denise Beckley** [2010]
3.16 DISCIPLINARY PROCESS - Commission Panel Convener: Mrs Helen Brown [2009] Deputy Convener: Revd David Helyar [2007] Deputy Convener Elect: Miss Kathleen Cross Secretary: Mrs Wilma Frew** [2011]
Members: Mr Martin Ballard, Miss Ina Barker, Revd Wendy Baskett Revd David Bedford, Revd James Bolton, Revd Jim Brown, Revd Ken Chippindale, Mrs Janice Cockcroft, Mr Des Colechin, Revd Meryl Court, Mr Derek Craig, Miss Kathleen Cross, Revd Alison Davis, Revd John Du Bois, Mr David Eldridge, Mr Colin Ferguson, Revd Joan Grindod-Helmn, Mr Peter Jolly, Mrs Barbara Lancaster, Miss Elizabeth Lawson QC Revd Nanette Lewis-Head, Dr Fiona Liddell, Revd Daphne Lloyd Revd Julian Macro, Mrs Barbara Madge, Revd Nicholas Mark, Revd Ted Marley, Mrs Jean McAslan, Revd Denise Megson, Dr Jim Merrilees, Revd Sandra Pickard, Revd Shelagh Pollard, Mrs Sheila Pratt, Mr Nicholas Pye, Mrs Pamel Sharp, Revd Raymond Singh, Mr Alan Small, Mr Patrick Smyth, Revd Dr David Thompson, Mrs Lynne Upsdell, Ms Elizabeth Whitten, Revd Joan Winterbottom, Mr Ken Woods, Mr Geoff Milnes, Mr Neil Robinson, Revd David Pattie, Revd Yvonne Stone
3.17 PANEL FOR THE APPOINTMENT AND REVIEW OF SYNOD MODERATORS
Mrs Sally Abbott, Revd Mary Buchanan, Revd Craig Bowman, Mrs Helen Brown, Dr Graham Campling, Revd Lesley Charlton, Revd Dr Susan Durber, Dr Jean Silvan Evans, Mrs Janet Gray, Mr Alun Jones, Revd Nanette Lewis-Head, Mr John Lumsden, Mr Okeke Azu Okeke, Mr Simon Rowntree, Revd Raymond Singh, Mr Ron Todd, Revd Cecil White, Mrs Irene Wren
4. MISSION COUNCIL Mission Council acts on behalf of General Assembly. It consists of the Officers of Assembly, the Provincial Moderators and three representatives from each Synod together with the Conveners of Assembly Committees.
5. TRUST BODIES 5.1 UNITED REFORMED CHURCH TRUST Chairman: Revd John Waller [2011] Secretary: Mr Tony Bayley Directors: Mrs Fiona Smith [2008] Dr Geoffrey Sides [2009] Mr Ernest Gudgeon [2010] Mr Donald Swift [2010] Mrs Jill Stidson [2011] Mr Alan Small** [2012] [ex officio Financial Secretary, General Secretary, Honorary Treasurer, Secretary – Retired Ministers’ Housing Society]
5.2 THE UNITED REFORMED CHURCH MINISTERS’ PENSION TRUST LTD BOARD MEMBERS Chairman: Mr Brian Moere Secretary: to be advised Members of URC:Mr Brian Moere [2008] Mr Michael Goldsmith [2009] Mrs Hilary Reynolds [2011] Mr Andrew Perkins** [2011] Members of Fund: Revd Gwen Thomas [2007] Revd Michael Davies [2008] Revd Graham Spicer [2009] Revd Ivor Rees* [2011] [ex officio Financial Secretary, Honorary Treasurer, Convener MoM sub-committee, Convener MoM Pensions Executive]
5.2.1 PENSIONS EXECUTIVE Convener: Mr Maurice Dyson [2010] The Pensions Executive reports to the United Reformed Church Ministers’ Pensions Trust Board, the Maintenance of Ministry sub committee and to the Finance committee.
5.3 CONGREGATIONAL MEMORIAL HALL TRUST Revd Dr Peter Jupp Mr Hartley Oldham Mr Graham Stacy Dr John Thompson Dr Elaine Kaye Dr Brian Woodhall
5.4 THE AUSTRALIAN FRONTIER SERVICES CHARITABLE TRUST Mr Clem Frank Mr Brian Wates - joint appointment with Uniting Church in Australia
6. Representatives of the UNITED REFORMED CHURCH to Meetings of SISTER CHURCHES
7. REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNITED REFORMED CHURCH ON ECUMENICAL CHURCH BODIES
The following have been nominated as URC representatives at the major gatherings of the Ecumenical Bodies listed. Note: A list of representatives to other ecumenical bodies, commissions and committees, co-ordinating groups and agencies, who are appointed by the relevant committees, will be distributed to all members of General Assembly. Additional copies are available, on request, from the Secretary for Ecumenical Relations.
7.1 Council for World Mission Assembly Revd David Coleman, Mrs Olive Bell, Ms Catherine Lewis-Smith, Secretary for International Relations
7.1.1 CWM European Region Meeting 2006-2009 Revd David Coleman, Mrs Ann Shillaker, Ms Catherine Lewis-Smith, Secretary for International Relations, Deputy General Secretary
7.2 WARC General Council Ms Sarah Hall, Ms Emma Pugh, Revd David Pickering, Secretary for International Relations, General Secretary
7.3 Churches Together in Britain and Ireland This body is currently undergoing re-organisation.
7.3.1 Churches Together in Britain and Ireland - Environmental Issues Network Revd David Coaker, Revd Dr David Pickering, Mr George Morton
7.4 Churches Together in England - Forum 2006 General Secretary, Secretary for Ecumenical Relations, Miss Alison Micklem, Revd Peter Poulter, Revd Andrew Prasad, Mrs Helen Renner, Revd Elizabeth Nash, Mrs Wilma Frew, Mr Stuart Dew, Mr John Brown, Ms Suzanne McDonald
7.4.1 Churches Together in England - Enabling Group Secretary for Ecumenical Relations
7.4.2 Churches Together for Healing Revd Delia Bond, Revd Deborah McVey
7.4.3 Free Church Education Committee Mr Graham Handscomb, Mrs Gillian Kingston
7.5 ACTS (Action of Churches Together in Scotland) [see Note 5] Forum: Revd John Humphreys, Revd Mary Buchanan
7.6 National Sponsoring Body for Scotland [see note 5] Revd Mary Buchanan, Revd John Humphreys
7.7 CYTUN (Churches Together in Wales) [see Note 5] Council: Revd Peter Noble, Revd Stuart Jackson, Mrs Eileen McIlveen
7.8 FREE CHURCH COUNCIL for WALES [see Note 5] Revd Peter Noble, Revd Stuart Jackson
8. UNITED REFORMED CHURCH REPRESENTATIVES AT FORMAL BI-LATERAL AND MULTI-LATERAL COMMITTEES
8.1 Methodist/United Reformed Church Liaison Committee The Secretary for Ecumenical Relations together with: Revd Roy Fowler, Revd Roberta Rominger, Revd Barbara Bennett**, Revd Kay Alberg**, Miss Emma Pugh**
8.2 Anglican/Moravian Contact Groups Revd David Tatem
8.3 Tri-lateral Conversation of the Scottish Episcopal Church, the Methodist Church and the United Reformed Church Revd Mary Buchanan, Revd John Humphreys, Revd John Young
8.4 The Commission of Covenanted Churches within CYTUN [see Note 5] Revd Peter Noble, Revd Stuart Jackson, Mrs Ann Shillaker
9. URC REPRESENTATIVES ON GOVERNING BODIES OF THEOLOGICAL COLLEGES ETC.
9.1 Mansfield College: Ministerial and Educational Training Committee: Revd Fiona Thomas [2009] Revd Nigel Appleton** [2010] Convener of the Training Committee Secretary for Training
9.2 New College London Foundation Trustees: Mr Graham Stacy [2007] Mr Philip Wade [2007] alternate Mr Colin Howard [2008] Mr John Smethers** [2009]
9.3 Northern College Secretary for Training [2009] Revd David Jenkins [2009] Mr Bill McLaughin [2009] Miss Margaret Atkinson** [2011] Mrs Helen Brown** [2011] Revd Dr Robert Pope** [2011] Luther King House
Educational Trust
9.4 Westminster College: Board of Governors Convener: Revd Dr David Thompson [2008] Clerk: Revd Cecil White Revd Craig Muir [2009] Mr John Kidd [2009] Mr Brian Long [2010] Revd Fleur Houston [2010] Mrs Sally Abbott** [2012] Secretary for Training
9.4.1 Cheshunt Foundation Mr David Butler
9.4.2 Cambridge Theological Federation Convener Westminster College Governors
9.5 Homerton College Trustees Lady Sally Williams [2007] Revd Dr David Thompson [2008] Mr John Chaplin [2009] Mrs Elisabeth Jupp** [2010]
9.6 Queen’s College, Birmingham Revd Elizabeth Welch Mr Simon Rowntree* Secretary for Training in attendance
9.7 Aberystwyth (Memorial College) Mr Leslie Jones
10.GOVERNORS OF COLLEGES AND SCHOOLS WITH WHICH THE URC IS ASSOCIATED
10.1 Caterham School Revd Nigel Uden [2007] Mr John Mathias [2008]
10.2 Eltham College Revd Derek Lindfield [2007]
10.3 Walthamstow Hall Mrs Margaret Abraham
10.4 Milton Mount Foundation Mr Graham Rolfe [2008] Mr Brian West [2008] Revd Nicola Furley-Smith [2008] Ms Hilary Miles [2010] Vacancy [2010]
10.5 Silcoates School Prof Clyde Binfield [2007] Dr Peter Clarke [2009] Dr Moira Gallagher [2009] Mrs Valerie Jenkins [2009] Mrs Val Morrison** [2010] Revd Alan F T Evans** [2010]
10.6 Taunton School Revd David Grosch-Miller
10.7 Wentworth College Revd Daphne Hull
10.8 Bishops Stortford College Revd Nigel Rogers
11. MISCELLANEOUS: The URC is represented on a variety of other national organisations and committees as follows: Retired
Ministers’ and Widows’ Fund Mrs Jill Strong Revd Julian Macro Christian
Education Board of Trustees
Mrs Patricia Hubbard Mrs Rosemary Johnston
Churches Main
Committee Mr Hartley Oldham
Congregational
Fund Board Revd Eric Allen Revd John Taylor Mr Anthony Bayley Revd David Helyar
Guides’ Religious
Advisory Panel
Samuel Robinson’s
Charities
Scouts’ Religious
Advisory Group
United Reformed
Church History Society Revd Michael Hopkins Mrs Carol Rogers Revd Dr Kirsty Thorpe Revd Dr David Thompson Wharton
Trust
Principal Orchard moved adoption of Resolution 33:
General Assembly appoints committees and representatives of the Church as set out on pp 93-101 of the Book of Reports subject to additions and corrections contained in the Supplementary report before Assembly.
Resolution 33 was carried.
Principal Orchard moved adoption of Resolution 34:
Resolution 34
General Assembly agrees to re-appoint the Revd James A Breslin as Clerk of the General Assembly from the close of General Assembly 2007 to the close of General Assembly 2012.
Resolution 34 was carried.
Assistant Treasurer
Principal Orchard moved the nomination of Mr John Ellis as Assistant Treasurer, with a view to his succeeding the current Honorary Treasurer.
The Assembly agreed.
The Moderator thanked Principal Orchard for his service as Convener of the Nominations Committee.
Finance Committee
In presenting the report of the Finance Committee, the Honorary Treasurer, Mr Eric Chilton, thanked the Church House staff for their work over the past year, and moved adoption of Resolution 20:
General Assembly adopts the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2005.
Resolution 20 was carried.
Mr Chilton moved adoption of Resolution 21:
Resolution
21
General Assembly resolves that PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP be appointed auditors of the United Reformed Church, to hold office until the conclusion of the next meeting at which accounts are laid before General Assembly and that their remuneration be fixed by the Finance Committee.
Resolution 21 was carried.
Mr Chilton moved adoption of Resolution 22:
Resolution
22
General Assembly gratefully acknowledges the giving of the churches in 2005 to the Ministry and Mission Fund and the work of the local church, district and synod treasurers.
Resolution 22 was carried.
Mr Chilton moved adoption of Resolution 23:
Resolution
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General Assembly resolves that the total contribution to the United Reformed Church Ministers’ Pension Fund should be increased to 23% with effect from 1 January 2007. This will be made up of a Church contribution of 17.25% (increased from 15.65%) and Ministers’ contributions of 5.75% (increased from 4.5%).
Resolution 23 was carried.
The Assembly Clerk moved adoption of Resolution 15:
General Assembly notes the clarification of and alterations to the advice concerning Charity Trusts given to the General Assembly in 2001 and 2004 and asks synods, synod trust companies, district councils/area meetings and local churches to ensure that all are aware of their responsibilities.
Following debate and questions, to which the Assembly Clerk responded, Resolution 15 was carried.
Church Closures
The General Secretary moved adoption of Resolution 6:
Resolution
6
General Assembly receives notice of the closure of the local churches listed below and gives thanks to God for their worship, witness, and service throughout history.
Resolution 6 was carried.
New Church
The General Secretary moved adoption of Resolution 5:
General Assembly receives Cambourne LEP, Cambridgeshire as a local church of the United Reformed Church.
On behalf of the Assembly, the Moderator greeted the Revd Peter Wood, minister of Cambourne LEP.
Resolution 5 was carried.
Retiring Moderator
The retiring Moderator, the Revd Dr David Peel, addressed the Assembly, reflecting on his year in office. After worship led by the Chaplain, the Assembly adjourned.
Saturday July 8th 2006 First Session
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