Following is a text-grab from a media release being distributed (in VicTas, at least)
with the letter from the President & ASC:
Uniting Church in Australia, Synod of Victoria
130 Little Collins Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3000. Telephone: (03) 9251 5207 Fax:
(03) 9650 7019
MEDIA RELEASE
UNITING CHURCH
Immediate Release 25.08.03
To: Newsdesk
From: Kim Cain, Media Liaison 0419 373 123
The Uniting Church's Assembly Standing Committee (ASC) met over the past weekend to
consider issues arising from the 10 th Assembly in Melbourne in July.
At the meeting the ASC received petitions from church members and 'attendees'
concerning
resolution 84. In response to widespread debate within the church, of which the
petition was a
part, the ASC:
* Apologised to members and ministers that more was not done to make them aware in
advance of the Tenth Assembly that matters of membership, ministry and sexuality would
be considered by the Assembly;
* Acknowledged with regret that the way proposal 84 was reported to the church had
caused suffering, hurt, pain confusion;
* Clarified proposal 84 by deleting two paragraphs from the original proposal which
referred to two sexual ethics held by members in the church ('Celibacy in singleness
and
faithfulness in marriage' and 'Right relationships'). ASC said these were used to
illustrate
some differing views held by church members and neither of them has ever been endorsed
by Assembly;
* Rejected assertions that the concept of 'Right relationships' was adopted by the
Assembly;
* Maintained that each presbytery has the right and responsibility to ordain or place
people
in ministry on a case by case basis - as has always been the case in the Uniting
Church;
* Said each congregation and church council can state a particular sexual ethic after
prayerful consideration and study of the Scriptures - provided there is respect and
acknowledgment for those who hold different views and DOES NOT prevent
consideration of candidates for ministry on a case by case basis;
* Declined to recall Assembly, as the Assembly did not endorse or approve 'Right
relationships' and therefore did not introduce "new policy for the church"; (see
clarification above)
* Reminded the church it has already agreed to important matters in the areas of
marriage,
divorce, re-marriage, sexual ethics and that the church has adopted a Code of Ethics
and
Ministry Practice giving clear guidance for appropriate conduct and accountability for
ministers.
The President of the Uniting Church, Rev Dr Dean Drayton said, "The ASC has heard and
apologised for the hurt and confusion from people because adequate notice was not
given that
the Assembly would be considering sexuality issues.
"We have worked hard to clarify the resolution passed by the Assembly by deleting
references to 'Celibacy in singleness and faithfulness in marriage' and 'Right
relationships'.
Assembly has never endorsed either position.
"The ASC gave an extensive hearing to the members of our church on this matter, and ask
them to carefully consider our response.
"This kind of respectful listening to each other is vital as we continue on together."
Regards,
Rohan
Rohan Pryor
Manager, Information Technology Services
Synod of Victoria and Tasmania
Uniting Church in Australia
Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Ph: (03) 9251 5243
Fax: (03) 9654 4110
Website: http://vic.uca.org.au
------------------------------------------------------
- You are subscribed to the mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED]
- To unsubscribe, email [EMAIL PROTECTED] and put in the message body 'unsubscribe
insights-l' (ell, not one (1))
See: http://nsw.uca.org.au/lists.htm
------------------------------------------------------
