2017 ANNUAL PRESBYTERY & SYNOD MEETING MINUTES THURSDAY 23 NOVEMBER 2017 OPENING WORSHIP The Moderator, Rev. Sue Ellis, opened the annual meeting of the Presbytery and Synod 2017, inviting Sean Weetra to bring a Welcome to Country. The Seeds Worship Team led the meeting in opening worship. Bible readings included Philippians 2:1-13 (have the mind of Jesus) and Matthew 8:23 – 27 (Jesus asleep in the boat). The Moderator spoke to her theme for this year, “Nurture” and intentional discipleship. The Moderator’s opening sermon included an invitation to “share in the year of Nurture”. The year of “Nurture” is depicted in the Moderator’s logo as the parent bird feeding a nest full of baby birds. “Nests are for hatching out and developing baby birds”. Nurture your discipleship of Jesus intentionally. WELCOME The Moderator welcomed: the President of the Uniting Church in Australia, Stuart McMillan the Assembly General Secretary, Colleen Geyer the President-elect, Dr Deidre Palmer to the meeting New members to the Presbytery and Synod were acknowledged and apologies were recognised On his arrival, the Moderator welcomed Steve Francis to the meeting, Moderator of the Synod in WA INTRODUCTION TO MARRIAGE CONVERSATIONS Rev. Prof. Andrew Dutney spoke about meeting procedures in preparation for the marriage conversation group discussions and the resources we all have, i.e. Scripture, Tradition and Reason. BUSINESS SESSION OPENING PROPOSAL PROPOSAL 1 (PS17.16) It was AGREED (BY CONSENSUS) that the Presbytery and Synod resolve to: 1. a. Adopt Standing Orders and Rules of Debate as set out in ‘A Manual for Meetings in the Uniting Church’, as recorded in the Constitution and Regulations, 2015 edition. b. Approve that the style of voting shall be using coloured cards. 2017 Annual Meeting of the Presbytery and Synod Pg 1 Presbytery & Synod SA 23 – 25 November 2017 2. Note that at the beginning of each session the Moderator will deal with the business coming before the house in the following order: a. Minutes of any meeting requiring to be approved or confirmed. b. Letters or other communications to be received. c. Reports from the Presbytery and Synod Business Committee or another special committee appointed by the Presbytery and Synod. d. Confirmation or variation of the proposed hours of session and order of the day. e. Formal Business. f. The order of the day. 3. Receive all reports as printed in the ‘Reports and Business Papers of the Presbytery and Synod of South Australia 23 – 25 November 2017 and Supplements thereto. 4. Note that: a. questions relating to the reports and proposals brought before the Presbytery and Synod by the Business Committee will be answered at the time when the proposals arising from such reports are being considered by a plenary session of the Presbytery and Synod. b. questions relating to the reports and proposals which are not considered by a plenary session of Presbytery and Synod because of time constraints, will be referred along with the proposals to the Standing Committee. c. replies to questions shall be limited to three (3) minutes unless otherwise determined by the house. 5. Define the boundaries of the house to be the seated area of the ground floor and the cry room of Adelaide West Uniting Church. 6. Adopt the Hours of Session as listed hereunder: Sessions 1-5 Thursday 23 November 9.30am - 9.00pm Sessions 6-10 Friday 24 November 9.00am - 9.00pm Sessions 11-13 Saturday 25 November 9.00am - 4.00pm 7. Appoint the following officers for this Synod: a. Assistant Secretaries: Malcolm Wilson (Event Manager) Rev. Rob Brown Rev. Linda Driver b. Minute Secretary: Tracey Bost Bev Freeman c. Chief Scrutineer: Anne Wilson Scrutineers Matthew Heath, Warwick Jarrett, Chris May, Michael Parker, Peter Wilson, Sonia Wilson 2017 Annual Meeting of the Presbytery and Synod Pg 2 Presbytery & Synod SA 23 – 25 November 2017 8. Declare that proposals be dealt with in the following order: a. Those which must be dealt with by Presbytery and Synod in full session which cannot be referred (in an order decided by the Business Committee). b. Those which arrive at least a fortnight before Presbytery and Synod which deal with policy matters (in an order decided by the Business Committee). c. All others (in an order decided by the Business Committee). 9. Ask that proposals with costing implications: a. includes a process for raising new revenue and/or b. be submitted to the next year’s budget process to be determined by Synod/Presbytery and/or c. be submitted to annual Presbytery/Synod grant processes. 10. Agree that the closure time for receiving of nominations to all Councils, Committees, Boards and Assembly 2018 be 4.00pm on Friday 24 November 2017. 11. Agree that any necessary ballots be held on Saturday 25 November with ballot papers available from 8.30am and that ballots will close at 11.00am on that same day. 12. Co-opt the following persons: Peter Russell Allan Barnes Jim Everett IN MEMORIAM PROPOSAL 8 The Moderator brought Proposals 8 to the meeting including a minute’s silence for those Ministers who have passed away since the last annual meeting. (PS17.17) It was AGREED (BY CONSENSUS) that the Presbytery and Synod resolve to: STAND IN SILENCE to acknowledge the ministry of the following Ministers who have died since the 2016 Annual Meeting of the Presbytery and Synod, and in gratitude to God for their contribution to the ministry and mission of the Uniting Church: Rev. Claude Robbins Cotton Rev. Donald George Haydon Rev. Maurice Allan Lind Rev. George Stanley Martin Rev. Frank Marlow Measday Rev. Janet Isla Murchland Rev Albert Patrizi Rev. Rosslyn Clayton Read Rev. Craig Scott 2017 Annual Meeting of the Presbytery and Synod Pg 3 Presbytery & Synod SA 23 – 25 November 2017 CEO/GENERAL SECRETARY’S REPORT Rev. Nigel Rogers, CEO/General Secretary spoke to his report, beginning with a question, “How would we know as a Presbytery and Synod if we were healthy or otherwise”? The CEO/General Secretary spoke about the next Strategic Plan – next year will be a crucial time for the Presbytery and Synod SA in determining God’s direction for us - seeking to enact a process where we will engage in workshops, urban and rural. Other recent activities of the Presbytery and Synod include: The Presbytery and Synod SA continues to work towards a balanced budget for 2017 and 2018; Refurbishment of 212 Pirie Street is complete while the refurbishment of the Uniting College for Leadership & Theology at Brooklyn Park progressing well; Leadership development opportunities available; How the Uniting Church has engaged with the Royal Commission (into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse) Question time focused on the processes and procedures for Resourcing Congregations and the Generate 2021 Project. STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT No questions were received regarding the Standing Committee Report or Minutes. The CEO/General Secretary thanked members of Standing Committee and the Moderator (Chair), affirming that Standing Committee is a critical meeting of the Presbytery and Synod. The Moderator thanked the CEO/General Secretary for his hard work and leadership of the Presbytery and Synod. MESSAGE FROM THE ASSEMBLY GENERAL SECRETARY The Moderator welcomed Colleen Geyer to speak to the process used by the Assembly to manage the marriage conversation. Assembly have asked all Uniting Churches how they want the Assembly (2018) to manage the marriage conversation. The feedback from churches (3 questions) will be compiled in report form and sent to the next Assembly Standing Committee to make recommendations to the 2018 Assembly meeting. The CEO/General Secretary will provide a response from the SA Presbytery and Synod to the next Assembly. Following a time in working groups, the Moderator prayed for the gathering thanking them for participating and the sensitivity they showed to each other. The Feedback Group will bring a report on Saturday, for information only. 2017 Annual Meeting of the Presbytery and Synod Pg 4 Presbytery & Synod SA 23 – 25 November 2017 STIPENDS AND ALLOWANCES PROPOSAL 7 The Chairperson, Brian Hern was unable to attend the meeting, therefore, the Moderator brought the proposal. (S17.18) It was AGREED (BY CONSENSUS) that the Synod resolve to: APPROVE the 2018 fuel and travel rates as shown: 1. An average fuel price of $1.40 per litre (ULP). (A.12 of Schedule A) 2. Travel in own vehicle (when depreciation and standing charges are paid) at 19.30 cents per kilometre. (A.9 of Schedule A) 3. Travel in lease vehicle at 12.05 cents per kilometre. (A.10 of Schedule A) 4. Travel in own vehicle (when depreciation and standing charges are not paid) at 47.5 cents per kilometre. (A.11 of Schedule A) PROTESTANT REFORMATION PROPOSAL 12 Rev. Murray Earl brought the following proposal regarding the Reformation. Rev. Prof. Andrew Dutney, in response to the proposal, suggested a resource, “Of Good Comfort” by Stephen Pietsch. (PS17.21) It was AGREED (BY CONSENSUS) that the Presbytery and Synod resolve to: 1. Recognise and celebrate the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation (1517-2017). 2. Request each member to read at least one book on any aspect of the Protestant Reformation within the next 12 months, for theirs and the Synod's mutual benefit. PROMOTIONAL ITEM - MEDIACOM Rev. Dr Ian Price, CEO of Mediacom, brought a sample of books for the Presbytery and Synod’s information, including books written by local authors. For details go to http://www.mediacom.org.au/ PROPOSAL 22 – DETENTION OF REFUGEES ON MANUS ISLAND The gathering