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14th Assembly Blog
Welcome to the ACC's News and commentary on the triennial Assembly of the Uniting Church in Australia (12 - 18 July). ACC related happenings will also be provided here. Contact details provided at the start of the blog.
For a full overview of the decisions and news see the UCA Assembly website and/or subscribe to the 14th Assembly news.
Saturday 18th July (closing day of the 14th Assembly)
The debate on the marriage proposals was finalised by morning tea on the final day of the Assembly. There was little time to fully explore all the issues raised with questions and comments, though one clause (part 2) was slightly changed due to debate about the nature of affirming versus the possibility of affirming. Please note that these are not confirmed minutes and need to checked with the official Assembly recording.
Overall the context is for the conversation to continue, and the Assembly Twitter feed reported "Theology of marriage discussion at #14Assembly has finished with consensus on proposal to continue to consult widely across the Church."
Also it should be noted that the two parts below are part of the whole decision but passed during the first part stage of the debate:
That the Assembly
1. Request the Standing Committee address immediately, through appropriate mechanisms, the following work:
A) to engage with the continuing work of the Doctrine Working Group as outlined in its report to the 14th Assembly; (consensus)
B) to engage with the members of the LGBTIQ community and the wider Church in discussions about marriage and same-gender relationships; (passed by formal procedures)
(Saturday discussion and passed)
C) in consultation with the relevant Assembly working groups, to prepare a report to the Fifteenth Assembly with appropriate recommendations, as well as supporting theological, liturgical, pastoral and educational resources; and
D) in consultation with our ecumenical partners where appropriate, to investigate the implications of changing the Church's current relationship with the Commonwealth Government with respect to the conduct of marriages.
2. Request the President to issue a pastoral letter to the Church affirming that the Uniting Church seeks to be an inclusive church that celebrates diversity and embraces LGBTIQ people as full members of our church community and is committed to active and culturally appropriate discussions about marriage.
3. request the General Secretary, in the event that the Commonwealth Marriage Act, or other relevant legislation, is changed, to write to all Uniting Church marriage celebrants, advising them of their freedoms and constraints under that legislation and as celebrants authorised by the Uniting Church;
Proposal 61
The proposal from Hedley Fihaki and Lu Senituli was enabled to be briefly considered and was well put and clearly outlined as a matter of faith and order, but unfortunately there was not enough support for it to proceed. It would appear the direct approach, especially asking for the Rejecting of 'public covenants for same-gender unions' in particular, was not compatible with the move of the Assembly to continue the conversation, and also the personal dynamics within the Assembly that were evident at times in the debate.
Overview of last session - from 9am The Assembly will start with brief worship and conclude with thanks, worship and communion from 11 am (1 pm AEST). There will be a last plenary session from 9.10 am - 10.30 am (12.30 pm AEST). This session will consider remaining proposals including the further clauses in Proposal No. 71 - Part 1 and then 2 & 3. (Note: These are as originally tabled)
C) in consultation with the relevant Assembly working groups, to prepare a report to the Fifteenth Assembly with appropriate recommendations, as well as supporting theological, liturgical, pastoral and educational resources; and
D) in consultation with our ecumenical partners where appropriate, to investigate the implications of changing the Church's current relationship with the Commonwealth Government with respect to the conduct of marriages.
2. Request the President to issue a pastoral letter to the Church affirming the Uniting Church is an inclusive church that celebrates diversity and embraces those members who identify as UAICC, CALD communities and LGBTIQ people as full members of our church community and is committed to active and culturally appropriate discussions about marriage.
3. request the General Secretary, in the event that the Commonwealth Marriage Act, or other relevant legislation, is changed, to write to all Uniting Church marriage celebrants, advising them of their freedoms and constraints under that legislation and as celebrants authorised by the Uniting Church;
Friday 17th July
The marriage debate adjourned for the night at 7.25 (AEST). There is still time for further discussion tomorrow morning from 11.10 am (AEST). The session witnessed a degree of difficulty as members struggled with the issues and at times the meeting procedures. By close of the session two parts had been passed - see (a) and (b) below - the second only by formal procedures.
That the Assembly
1. Request the Standing Committee address immediately, through appropriate mechanisms, the following work:
A) to engage with the continuing work of the Doctrine Working Group as outlined in its report to the 14th Assembly; (consensus)
B) to engage with the members of the LGBTIQ community and the wider Church in discussions about marriage and same-gender relationships; (passed by formal procedures)
In the introduction Jenny Byrnes outlined that a context for the proposal was that the church should not be hurried by the wider context in the society. Question and comments began and flowed for the next hour.
Jenny Byrnes introduced the report from the facilitation committee and initially Hedley Fihaki and Lu Senituli raised a point of order as to whether it was a new proposal. The President basically confirmed that this proposal was re-ordered and amended and was not a new proposal. The General Secretary advised that the work of the facilitation group picked up parts of the earlier proposal and also consideration of amendments arising from the process including some different wording but it was all part of the facilitation process.
Note: The proposal from Hedley Fihaki and Lu Senituli (61) had yet to be considered. Later they would both highlight and affirm the need for the work of the church to be theologically and biblically grounded, following the recommendations in the Working Group on Doctrine report. Lu Senituli outlined that this was not a pragmatic matter for consideration, but a matter of faith and order.
3.55 pm (Perth) Discussion on the marriage proposals continues on Friday afternoon.
A revised proposal 16 now Proposal 71 becomes the focus: This is included below for reference and the discussion will take place from 4 pm Perth time.
Note - two parts of Proposal 16 were passed earlier - see the comments on the blog earlier.
Proposal 71 - note this is original one tabled at start of the discussion.
That the Assembly
1. Request the Standing Committee address immediately, through appropriate mechanisms, the following work:
A) to engage with the continuing work of the Doctrine Working Group as outlined in its report to the 14th Assembly; (Resolved on Friday by consensus)
B) to engage with the members of the LGBTIQ community and the wider Church in discussions about marriage and same-gender relationships; (resolved on Friday by formal procedures)
C) in consultation with the relevant Assembly working groups,to prepare a report to the Fifteenth Assembly with appropriate recommendations, as well as supporting theological, liturgical, pastoral and educational resources; and
D) in consultation with our ecumenical partners, to investigate the implications of changing the Church's current relationship with the Commonwealth Government with respect to the conduct of marriages.
2. Request the President to issue a pastoral letter to the Church affirming the Uniting Church is an inclusive church that celebrates diversity and embraces the UAICC, CALD communities and LGBTIQ people as full members of our church community and is committed to active and culturally appropriate discussions about marriage.
3. request the General Secretary, in the event that the Commonwealth Marriage Act is changed, to write to all Uniting Church marriage celebrants, advising them of their freedoms and constraints under that legislation and as celebrants authorised by the Uniting Church;
Debate on Clause 2 commenced after the morning tea session at 11.05 am Perth time - this eventually became a short focus (see below procedural)
The revised clause 2 was presented:
"request the General Secretary, in the event that the Commonwealth Marriage Act is changed to allow same-gender marriage, to write to all Uniting Church marriage celebrants, advising them of their freedoms and constraints under that legislation and as celebrants authorized by the Uniting Church; "
Lindsay Cullen (NSW and ACT Synod) - in a speech outlining his hope that the UCA would be a leader within the context of this matter [same-gender marriage], rather than responding when a decision is made, proposed a conscience clause as an amendment that would allow ministers to not be bound by the present arrangement while the discussion continued - basically to allow freedom of conscience in terms of who ministers may marry if the Act changed. The General Secretary then highlighted the broader issues to consider in relation to the task group work that is proposed in another clause and continuing work on the issues.
Bev Fabb (Assembly Education for Ministry) raised the question of whether it was better to look at all marriage proposals together and this was then put as a procedural proposal that was resolved, so basically the matters referred to the facilitation committee to bring back for a report (probably after lunch) - the idea being to look at the remaining parts together rather than one by one so that people have all the context together and presumably potential amendments.
Tonight - Assembly joins with Presbytery of WA and Comgress for the ordination of Sam Dinah and Robert Jetta - extract from UAICC press release.
"It has been many years since an Aboriginal person was ordained by the Uniting Church in WA, and this will be a time of great celebration. The Assembly will not meet that evening and members are encouraged to share in the celebration."
The continuation of consideration of the proposals on the theology of marriage will take place on Friday 17th at 11 am - Perth time (1 pm AEST).
Proposal 16 (ASC) still has parts to consider, including the clause about the 'European model' -
'Request the Standing Committee to:
(a) establish a Task Group to investigate the implications of changing the Church’s current relationship with the Commonwealth Government with respect to the conduct of marriages;
(b) set appropriate Terms of Reference for this work, allowing for an exploration of the possibilities that this work may be undertaken in consultation with our ecumenical partners; and (c) report, with appropriate recommendations, to the Fifteenth Assembly.
Also it needs to be noted that arising from the discussion of clause 2 that outlined freedom of ministers to refuse or accept marriage requests noting the 1961 Marriage Act, a new proposal to perhaps clarify the initial clause has been offered (this would need to be accepted for consideration):
'request the General Secretary, in the event that the Commonwealth Marriage Act is changed to allow same-gender marriage, to write to all Uniting Church marriage celebrants, advising them of their freedoms and constraints under that legislation and as celebrants authorized by the Uniting Church; '
Other proposals on marriage
Proposal 61 - is now included on the schedule for consideration on Saturday morning 9.10 am (11.10 am AEST). See Assembly proposals - this is from two Assembly members Hedley Fihaki and Lu Senituli, highlighting the UCA understanding of marriage as being between a man and a woman, and rejecting same-sex blessing services.
Note: proposals from councils of the church are given priority for consideration.
Thursday 16th July
Anglican and Uniting Church Dialogue
The UCA's ecumenical foundation was highlighted today when the Assembly adopted the document Weaving a New Cloth as the basis for ecumenical co-operation with the Anglican Church of Australia. The General Synod of the Anglican Church received and adopted the document in 2014 as the Basis for Cooperation. This is an important document especially for rural presbyteries and congregations to consider. Copies available on the 14th Assembly website. The Rationale for this document is included below:
The Anglican – Uniting Church dialogue has been in operation for over 20 years. During that time various documents have been produced which sought to identify the areas where there is agreement between the churches, where further conversation is needed and what practical co-operation might be possible. The last occasion on which the Assembly had a document from the Dialogue before it was in 2006 when it endorsed “For the Sake of the Gospel”. At that time the Anglican Church’s General Synod did not approve it. Not since 1986 has a proposed agreement between the two churches been signed. In subsequent years the Dialogue has sought to find new opportunities for increased agreement and collaboration between the churches. The last Dialogue group considered that the most helpful thing to do at this time is to focus on local ecumenical cooperation, identifying where there is opportunity for hospitality, shared witness and shared ministry and mission. These areas have been documented in “Weaving a New Cloth” (Document C1A in the Assembly papers). The aim of the proposed agreement is to provide encouragement and guidance to Anglican Dioceses, Uniting Church Presbyteries and their Congregations on the ways in which, with their churches’ agreement, they have the freedom to work together.
Thursday was mostly reporting back on agency discussions and consideration of the proposals and reports arising from feedback in group meetings. Further reporting back in the morning on Frontier Services as their agency group session were very well- attended, as people wanted to hear more about the issues that had developed and also the future possibilities. Governance matters were highlighted for the longer-term. Extract from Press Release below:
"Frontier Services is changing tack, re-directing its work to community support activities and resourcing patrol ministry. Less than a year after Frontier Services celebrated its 100th anniversary and the 13th Assembly reaffirmed its commitment to the people of remote Australia in 2012, the ministry found itself under severe financial threat due to the high costs associated with the delivery of aged care services in remote areas.The major financial burden caused by sanctions, and the need to spend significant amounts of money to rectify major deficiencies in systems and services, took a great toll on Frontier Services, and particularly its people."
Check the Assembly website for the news and full press releases on Frontier Services.
President-elect of the UCA National Assembly announced
Dr Deidre Palmer (presently the Moderator of the SA Synod).
Dr Palmer was elected on the first ballot announced 12 noon AEST - 10 am Perth). Dr Palmer will serve as Assembly President 2018-2021. In an acceptance speech acknowledging many people (including the other 3 candidates), Dr Palmer highlighted her husband of 37 years and their service together in ministry.
Wednesday 15th July
Wednesday night is the 'free night' for Assembly members, though many are involved with extra activities. It is also the night that ACC and PNEUMA arranged to host a dinner for members and interested people at Nedlands Unitng Church. PNEUMA is the Pastoral Network for Evangelicals in the WA Synod and organise one of the major events for the year in the UCA in WA - the Campfire gathering at which ACC members have spoken.
A major part of the morning focussed on the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, with the Assembly addressed by Chief Commissioner Justice Peter McClelland AM. This was a sobering experience as Justice McClelland presented an overview of the Royal Commission to date and also outlined complaints concerned with the Uniting Church and antecedent denominations. Of all the complaints to date about half are faith based.
3% UCA (399 overall including 164 at boarding schools - 137 of these at Knox Grammar School).
The complaints were located in 130 institutions related to the UCA.
There were also complaints related to the previous churches:
106 PCA
62 Methodist
Later in the day the Assembly addressed the UCA response and a time of prayer helpfully centred the whole day. Many policies and arrangements have been put in place now, and there is ongoing review. It was clearly a personally difficult day for participants as well, and the Assembly had excellent support in place, and the Uniting Prayer and Fasting team was very focussed on prayer and support for the whole meeting time.
Marriage Proposals
It is envisaged that the marriage discussion will continue on Thursday during the plenary times set for proposals. Further information will be provided and for those on Facebook an update will be posted as soon as information is available.
Tuesday 14th July
The marriage proposals were introduced during the Tuesday night plenary. Alistair Macrae (Convenor of the Assembly Task Group on Sexuality in the 1990s and Past-President) and now the Convenor of the Assembly Working Group on Doctrine presented the report from the Working Group on the Marriage Discussion Paper providing a succinct overview and highlighting the context in the report for further discussion by noting that the church did not need to be rushed in doing this work [in terms of what may be happening in the wider society].
Dennis Corowa spoke from the UAICC (Congress) and said they had had very open conversations about marriage at their January National Conference and referred to their national committee which also had frank and sensitive conversation and the committee had resolved not to offer comments at this time and highlighted any conversation had to continue in a culturally sensitive way.
There were several parts to Proposal 16 - also see the full report for the wider detail.
Firstly the report was received.
Part 2 had considerable discussion and was not concluded at this time. This asked the Assembly to:
"affirm that Ministers continue to be free to accept or refuse requests to celebrate marriages within the constraints of the Marriage Act 1961 (CTH);"
Concern had been raised that this may allow a broader base for celebrating marriages if the Marriage Act was changed, but Alistair Mcrae clarified that the context of the proposal would still be for the UCA the celebration of marriages according to the rites of the UCA and the context for this was between a man and a woman.
Bev Fabb (Assembly Ministry for Education) outlined that she was disappointed by this advice as she believed the federal law would changed in the near future, and she had people who wanted her to conduct their wedding. She stated her fear that without a decision by the UCA [in favour of 'marriage equality'] many will walk away from the church and that there was a risk of alienating a large section of our population.
Gordon Ramsay (NSW&ACT) said that it would more honest for the Assembly to say it does not believe in 'marriage equality' and while he would vote against that, it would explain the decision.
Alistair Macrae took issue with any implication that the proposal was 'disingenuous' and General Secretary Terence Corkin advised that proposal 2 was not about being in favour or not of same gender marriage and outlined that voting against actually implied that people did not want ministers to be free to accept or refuse requests to conduct marriages.
After an extension of time, Part 3 was eventually passed passed by formal procedures. This resolved to "request the Standing Committee in consultation with the UAICC and Multicultural and Crosscultural Ministry, to explore how the Uniting Church can engage in further discussions about marriage and same-gender relationships in culturally appropriate ways; and".
Dean Whittaker (SA Synod) had queried the context of this wording, wondering if there was an underlying assumption that if we keep talking about the matters 'my people' were expected to change? He outlined that Jesus calls us to be obedient and accept.
Some questions and discussion arose around the involvement of the GLBITQ community and
Doctrine Working Group member Avril Hannah-Jones advised that part 3 was not saying there would not be consultation with GLBITQ community - the Working Group was very conscious of the need for consultation.
An additional proposal was mooted from the floor - this would become a new part 4: "request the Standing Committee to engage in further discussions about marriage and same gender relationships with members of the GLBITQ Uniting Church Community."
The original part 4 in the report and Proposal 16 was not considered on the night. This reads: request the Standing Committee to:
(a) establish a Task Group to investigate the implications of changing the Church’s current relationship with the Commonwealth Government with respect to the conduct of marriages;
(b) set appropriate Terms of Reference for this work, allowing for an exploration of the possibilities that this work may be undertaken in consultation with our ecumenical partners; and
(c) report, with appropriate recommendations, to the Fifteenth Assembly.
See the 14th Assembly website for the full report and proposals.
Note: The President advised earlier in the session that Proposal 61 from Hedley Fihaki and Lulu Senituli would not be considered that night - that is after the presentation of the Marriage Discussion Paper report and Proposal 16. For proposal 61 click http://assembly2015.uca.org.au/61-uniting-church-position-on-marriage-lu-senituli-and-hedley-fihaki/
During the day:
Assembly General Secretary: The assembly recorded its appreciation for the ministry of the present General Secretary Rev. Terence Corkin, who will conclude 15 years of service at the end of 2015 (the longest-serving General Secretary).
The new General Secretary- elect is Colleen Geyer, who will take office from 1 January 2016 for a 6 year term following her appointment by the Assembly this morning. Colleen Geyer would be well-known to Queensland members for roles within Blue Care including as Director of Mission and is presently Director of Mission at UnitingCare Queensland and has been Associate Director at UnitingCare Australia, Registrar of Coolamon College, and National Consultant for the Assembly Gospel and Gender Unit.
Nominations for President-elect: Tuesday sees the start of the process of electing the President-elect with the introduction of the candidates. At the close of nominations the following people are candidates for President-elect (takes office at the 15th Assembly and serves 2018-2021. Unless one candidate secures the required absolute majority vote in the first ballot (Wednesday), a second ballot is held with a reduced number of candidates.
I outlined in 2012 that It was difficult to see a clear candidate from the nominees, as they all ‘represented' different areas in the life of the church, and different Synods. This is a smaller group and it may be a bit clearer. From my early study of the first 7 Presidents (Bentley, Church Heritage, March 1996), there were certain key elements that people looked for in voting (such as being a Moderator, but there have been Presidents now who have not been a moderator, and there are many other factors that Assembly members consider. Stuart McMillan had been Moderator in the Northern Synod, and his election affirmed a person from a Synod that had not had a President before and also affirmed the Covenant and relationship with Congress as his relationship with Aboriginal and Islander people was integral to his life and ministry. To date 13 of the 14 Presidents have been male, and 3 have been lay persons. All Synods have now 'provided' a President.
Monday 13th July
Assembly sessions began at Winthrop Hall today, with worship and Communion.
Early business centred on the report and proposals for Frontier Services arising from a comprehensive review process (these are substantial and the report should be read to glean the whole context), as well as proposals looking to renew the role of elder in the church; and the continuing matter of the status, meaning and application of membership in the church today.
Sunday 12th July
The triennial Assembly meeting of the Uniting Church in Australia starts. Opening session at 2 pm with welcome to country and liturgy and then members move to Winthrop Hall, the main Assembly venue for a session of mainly formal business matters and constituting the Assembly. 
Assembly members then met for the first time in their community working groups (an important part of the meeting process and one of the ways the Assembly gauges opinion and interest in certain proposals).
The President-elect Stuart McMillan was installed as the 14th President of the Uniting Church Assembly 2015-2018 (and the third lay person to hold the office) at the opening worship service at 7.30 pm at Scotch College. The service was live-streamed to enable local churches to join the Assembly.
For a helpful overview of Stuart's church background, especially his experience in the wider life of the church in the Northern Territory listen to or read the transcript of the recent ABC interview with Noel Debien. Click here
ACC and related events
Join ACC and PNEUMA (WA group) members at an informal gathering and meal on the night of Wednesday 15th July.
Location: Nedlands Uniting Church. From 6 pm. Please contact the ACC office for more information.
Assembly members then met for the first time in their community working groups (an important part of the meeting process and one of the ways the Assembly gauges opinion and interest in certain proposals).
The President-elect Stuart McMillan was installed as the 14th President of the Uniting Church Assembly 2015-2018 (and the third lay person to hold the office) at the opening worship service at 7.30 pm at Scotch College. The service is live-streamed for people in local churches.
For a helpful overview of Stuart's church background, especially his experience in the wider life of the church in the Northern Territory listen to or read the transcript of the recent ABC interview with Noel Debien. Click here
ACC and related events
Join ACC and PNEUMA (WA group) members at an informal gathering and meal on the night of Wednesday 15th July.
Location: Nedlands Uniting Church. From 6 pm. Please contact the ACC office for more information.
ACC and PNEUMA members joined in prayer with Uniting Prayer and Fasting at Nedlands Uniting Church on Saturday 11th July for the 14th Assembly and the Uniting Church as a whole. Thank you to the local church members. The sunlight during the day provided beautiful background with the windows and it was a restful place with the night light.
Uniting Prayer and Fasting will lead a prayer time each day of the Assembly 6 am - 7 am at Nedlands Uniting Church. Click on the website for more information.
The ACC 14th Assembly Blog is provided on the ACC website for the information of ACC members and interested readers. Content is provided by Peter Bentley unless otherwise stated. Contact details for the ACC are provided on the contacts page of the ACC website. ACC Contact Mobile Number during Assembly 0423 637 576