I've prepared the summary statement below for our Sunday Worship tomorrow, which will be read out in church. It's been revised somewhat from what I sent before, based on comments and advice sent to me.
In addition to hearing the Summary, every member will receive an A5 bulletin insert, which contains a copy of the new wording of Proposal 84 on Ministry and Membership, and the recent ASC decisions pertaining Ministry, Membership and Sexuality. Assembly Standing C'tee has made some significant decisions in light of the responses to the original wording of Proposal 84.
Doing a "Reader's Digest Summary" is a difficult task. But I hope this will help our folk in understanding and appreciating what it was all about.
Grace & Peace,
John M.
--------------------------
A SUMMARY OF PROPOSAL 84 -- What's It All About?
1. We are a church whose unity and community is built solely upon the person and work of our Lord Jesus Christ, and that we will continue to work together, despite our differences, under the authority of the Scriptures, as servants of the living God.
2. We note that within the Church people of faith have wrestled with integrity to interpret Scripture in relation to the issue of Christian Sexual Ethics. Membership of the Uniting Church is open to all persons subject only to the guidance of the Basis of Union, the Constitution, the Regulations and policies of the Assembly. We are called to live together in peace as people of faith, notwithstanding differing views in the matter of same gender relationships.
3. The Presbyteries are the councils responsible for the candidature, ordination, commissioning, and placement of persons in specified ministries; and that decisions on the suitability of an applicant or candidate depends upon a wide range of criteria which may include the expression of a person's sexuality, always conducted on a case by case basis.
4. The Assembly Standing Committee has been charged to provide guidance for Congregations and Presbyteries on how to conduct discussions on contentious issues in ways that comply with the Church's policy (and government legislation) on vilification and harassment.
----------------------------
Further information re. Assembly Standing Committee and its recent decisions may be found at: http://nat.uca.org.au/ASC/index.htm
Grace & Peace,
John M.
------------------------------------------------------ - 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 ------------------------------------------------------
