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Assembly
Pastoral Reference
The purpose of the
Assembly Pastoral Reference Committee is to consider the cases of
ministers which are referred to it by Mission Council, synods,
district councils, or their committees or by moderators of synods.
(See GA 1999 reports p.122). By a Welfare Sub-Committee, it also
deals with all welfare and emergency matters including the use of
welfare funds. Because of the nature of many of the cases, it is a
confidential committee which reports in general terms only, directly
to the General Assembly.
Committee
Members
Convener:
Revd David Jenkins Secretary: Revd John Waller
Revd Tony Burnham, Revd Pat Hall, Revd Arnold Harrison,
Dr Anthea Kaan, Mr Okeke Azu Okeke, the Honorary Treasurer,
the Convener of The Welfare Sub-Committee.
1 The Committee continues to
respond to the pastoral needs of ministers and their families, to
authorise payment of stipend where ministers experience situations
of dis-location and the breakdown of relationships in local
pastorates, through times of extended ill-health or personal crisis.
2 Through the Welfare Sub-Committee,
support is brought to ministers, to widows and widowers, and to
children both in times of emergency and by making grants for
specific needs.
3 The Committee continues to give
advice when consulted by Synod Moderators and by the councils of the
church. It recommends and promotes the use of the Ministerial
Counselling Service which is a confidential service available to
ministers and their families. It also keeps links with ‘Broken
Rites’, the inter-denominational support group for divorced and
separated wives of ministers, and receives reports of its work.
4 The Committee continues to value
the expertise brought to its work by its members. This year Dr
Anthea Kaan completes her term of service and she will be missed
greatly. We also record our appreciation of the work of the General
Secretary, Tony Burnham, as he completes his ministry with us. He
has always offered wise advice to the Committee and been an active
participant in its decisions.
5 The Committee also expresses its
gratitude to its secretaries, John Waller and Judy Stockings, whose
work on behalf of the committees maintains their high standards of
discretion and ensures their smooth and responsible running.
Resolution
19 - Pastoral Reference Remit (1)
General Assembly
confirms that its resolution 58 of 1999 concerning the revised terms
of reference of the Assembly Pastoral Reference Committee applies to
all the sections (1-6) on page 122 in the 1999 Book of Reports, and
not only to section 1.
This resolution has become necessary
because it has been pointed out that section 1 on page 122 is headed
‘Terms of Reference’ and it could be argued that the 1999
resolution only applies to that section. The way that the page is
set out makes it extremely unlikely that the Assembly viewed it in
that way and the minutes indicate that discussion took place on at
least one other section. However, because this committee deals with
very sensitive matters, it is felt that Assembly should make the
situation absolutely clear. Sections 2-6 deal with limitation on
powers, confidentiality, composition, attendance and relationship to
structure. Those wishing to look at the text will also find it on
pages H1 and H2 of the Manual.
Resolution
20 - Pastoral Reference Remit (2)
General
Assembly agrees to the following amendments to the terms of
reference of the Assembly Pastoral Reference Committee:
Add to paragraph 1d: This
authority may be exercised in respect of those who were on the roll
of ministers but who have now left it, but only for up to three
months after the date of leaving.
Delete the words “each year”
from the first sentence of paragraph 6.
The first amendment recognises that
those who have left the roll of ministers, whether by their own
decision or that of the church, can face acute financial difficulty
following the loss of stipend and manse. This can be particularly
hard on their families. The amendment allows help to be given for a
limited period where pastoral care for those involved makes this an
appropriate response.
The second amendment will make it
possible for the committee to report to Assembly every other year,
as other committees are now doing.
Welfare
Sub-Committee
Convener:
Revd Nelson
Bainbridge Secretary: Mrs
Judy Stockings
1.1 One of the main concerns of
the Sub-Committee during the last year has been the assistance given
to ministers facing major problems of debt. We have consulted with a
debt advisor from the Citizens Advice Bureau who was able to give us
helpful advice as to how ministers experiencing serious financial
difficulties could be supported and guided through their problems.
This is being followed up in consultation with agencies which
specialise in such matters, as a result of which it is hoped to make
advice and support available as necessary.
1.2 During the last year gifts
amounting to £139,500 were made. Included in this figure was
£9,700 given to spouses of ministers following bereavement and
£48,500 by means of Christmas gifts to widows, widowers and their
dependants. £53,900 was sent to ministers for assistance in the
education of their families.
1.3 The Sub-Committee would remind
ministers and Church Related Community Workers of the funds which
are available to provide assistance for general welfare purposes and
in some respects for education. Details of these were circulated in
1998 and a revised issue of this paper is being considered for later
in the year; in the meantime information may be obtained from the
Committee Secretary at Church House. Applications for grants of a
more routine nature (e.g. on the birth of a child or for education
purposes) should be made direct to the Committee Secretary. Other
requests for assistance should be made in the first instance through
Synod Moderators, whose advice and
co-operation are of invaluable help to the Sub-Committee in its
work.
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