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THE UNITED REFORMED CHURCH Minutes of the General Assembly of the United Reformed Church 2006
Saturday, 8th July 2006 First SessionOpening worship was led by the Chaplain; Bible study was led by Mr Lawrence Moore, Director of the Windermere Centre.
The Revd Dr David Peel took the Chair.
South West Synod
The South West Synod made a presentation on its life and work.
Communications and Editorial Committee
The report of the Communications and Editorial Committee was presented by the Convener, the Revd Martin Hazell assisted by the Secretary for Communications, Mrs Carol Rogers.
The Moderator paid tribute to the Revd David Lawrence who had returned to pastoral ministry after serving as editor of Reform for twelve years.
The Moderator greeted Mrs Carol Rogers, and wished her well on her retirement after nineteen years as Secretary for Communications.
Mr Hazell moved adoption of Resolution 18:
Resolution 18
General Assembly commends the leaflet on Church Magazines to all local congregations.
Resolution 18 was carried.
Mr Hazell moved adoption of Resolution 19:
Resolution 19
General Assembly
receives and accepts the review carried out by the Communications and
Editorial Committee and instructs it to continue to explore the
proposals to: a) develop an effective and more professional website b) appoint a new editor to work with an editorial board to oversee the final months of Reform and to develop a new URC journal c) develop new ways of improving the bookshop service d) concentrate on publications of a worship/spiritual nature e) explore ways of providing a professional Press Office service to deal with the media at national and local levels f) explore and develop new ways of promoting the role of the United Reformed Church in extending Christ’s kingdom to the world.
After brief debate, to which Mr Hazell responded, Resolution 19 was carried.
The Revd Elizabeth Caswell resumed the Chair.
Equal Opportunities Committee
The report of the Equal Opportunities Committee was presented by the Secretary, the Revd Derek Hopkins.
The Moderator thanked the Revd Wilf Bahadur as he ends his period of service as Convener of the Equal Opportunities Committee, and welcomed the incoming Convener, Ms Morag McLintock.
Election of Moderator of General Assembly 2007/8
The Assembly Clerk explained the voting procedure. The Moderator led the Assembly in prayer, and ballot slips were collected.
Youth and Children’s Work Committee
The report of the Youth and Children’s Work Committee was presented by the Convener, the Revd Kathryn Price and FURY Chair, Ms Isobel Simmons.
The Moderator greeted:
Mrs Price moved adoption of Resolution 40:
Resolution 40
General Assembly instructs Mission Council to revisit the ‘Declaration of a Safe Church’ and bring to the next Assembly proposals to extend its provisions to cover emotional, physical and domestic abuse and neglect.
After debate, Resolution 40 was carried.
Mrs Price moved adoption of Resolution 41:
General Assembly endorses that view that all those working with children in the United Reformed Church should be adequately trained for their role. The ecumenically produced material CORE skills for children’s ministry is welcomed as the most useful means to this end and commended to local churches.
After brief debate, Resolution 41 was carried.
Mr Colin Udall outlined the Child Friendly Church award scheme, invited the Moderator to present certificates to representatives of two churches in the Leicester District, and moved adoption of Resolution 42:
Resolution 42
General Assembly commends the Child Friendly Church Award scheme to local churches and recognises the award as a sign of good practice.
Resolution 42 was carried.
The Moderator thanked Mrs Price for her service as Convener of the Youth and Children’s Work Committee.
Synod Moderators
The report of the Synod Moderators was presented by the Revd Peter Poulter.
The Moderator greeted the Revd Peter Poulter and wished him well on his retirement; she greeted the new Moderator of the Northern Synod, the Revd Rowena Francis, and the Revd Peter Brain, who will retire as Moderator of the North Western Synod before the 2007 General Assembly.
Mission Council
The Assembly debated the Mission Council report.
The Assembly Clerk moved adoption of Resolution 13:
General Assembly authorises that the following words be inserted in the Rules of procedure to create a new paragraph 3.5 (the existing paragraphs 3.5-3.12 being renumbered 3.6-3.13)
‘if after 31st March or after the period for withdrawal there shall be no nominations the General Secretary shall forthwith notify the clerks of the synods and invite them to request nominations from the executive committees or equivalent of their synods. Such nominations, accompanied in each case by a note of the consent of the person nominated and a brief biography, must be in the hands of the General Secretary by 15th May.’
Resolution 13 was carried.
The Moderator greeted the Revd Graham Jones, joint URC/Methodist rural consultant.
The Assembly adjourned.
Saturday July 8th 2006 Second Session
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