Fw: A note from 'Moving Forward' for Tom Stuart

[David and Olivia Neilson]

I did get this, addressed to me personally, from someone called 'Peter'. It looked like a message with a virus so I blocked it.   Perhaps my original conclusion was correct? Because it concerns me that they got my address and sent me a personal email. Someone has invested a lot of energy into this. Energy that could have been used more wisely.   David   ----- Original Message ----- From: Tom Stuart To: 'insights' Sent: Tuesday, October 14, 2003 11:10 PM Subject: FW: A note from 'Moving Forward' for Tom Stuart Have others received this?  It is interesting that they are quoting the NRC and Pilgrim Presbytery.  It is worth noting that while the NRC has made a statement they seem to be making a very subtle distinction (too subtle for non-indigenous people it appears) between making their statement and actually leaving the Uniting Church.  But of course there will be plenty of non-indigenous people who will, as we like to, use indigenous people as our canon fodder. It should also be noted that the Pilgrim Presbytery made its decision by formal vote. It is amazing me the energy that is going into this.  What a savvy website they have but look what it is committed to!  Sigh! Tom 14th October 2003   Dear Tom How aware are you of the massive changes that are occurring in the Uniting Church? In your deliberations have you and your church council benefited from the 50 plus articles and reports available at http://www.rangeville.com/84  ? How aware are you of the creation of the new alliance formed at the recent Sydney Summit and the impact this alliance is already having on the Resolution 84 debate? Do you know how other denominations are handling the issues relating to homosexuals and the church? Are you benefiting from the informative weekly e-newsletter "Moving Forward"? Hundreds of Uniting Church Members rely on "Moving Forward" each week to keep them up-to-date on many important developments across the nation. Visit the Web Site http://www.rangeville.com/84/ today and see for yourself how helpful this recourse can be to you. Northern Regional Council statement ----------------------------------- The following statement is included due to its importance. Statement of the Northern Regional Council Uniting Aboriginal & Islander and Christian Congress Preamble -------- We read and understand from Genesis chapter one verses 26 & 27 that man was made in the image of God, in the likeness of God and that "male and female He created them". He created them to "be fruitful and increase in number". Also from chapter 2 verses 21 to 24 we understand woman was formed from man with then intention that man and woman be united and "they will become one flesh". God has also revealed Himself to the indigenous peoples of this land through the creation beings. We understand from Djan'kawu, Barama and Wagilag and the stories of creation that God brought forth from the earth bone/ bundurr which is sacred and blood/wukundi which is life. Accompanying these was madayin/law. By God's breath of Spirit was life given to bundurr. This is the sacredness of life and the law which accompanies it, is to ensure peace, tranquility - a harmony with all of God's creation - magayamirr dhukarr. We are to be djungunymirr, to stop and think of the law and system, of life and it's sacredness before acting. Leviticus 18 has much to say which mirrors our understanding of God's life giving way to live. At this time the ministers and leaders of NRCC are boyu gora i.e. ashamed - what is a possibility in the UCA is against everything we believe and are as a people. This is such a threat to us, it's like bringing something which will destroy us as a people. We are ashamed to be known as members and ministers of the Uniting Church. Our resolution -------------- We the members of the NRCC can not accept the recognition of persons in same sex relationship within leadership of the Uniting Church. We are not comfortable being in a church which accepts as a valid sexual ethic 'right relationships' of the same sex. If the Uniting Church continues to be open to persons who are in a same sex relationship being accepted into leadership, then there is no place for the indigenous members of the Northern Synod in the Uniting Church. We see same sex relationships as being against the very sacredness and holiness of the life and law God has given us as a people. Northern Regional Council UAICC 27th September 2003 * * * * * * * * * * * Text of resolution passed by formal majority: The Pilgrim Presbytery of Northern Australia arrims that * God loves all people; * Christ died for all people; * God calls all people to be part of his Kingdom; * We humbly acknowledge our sinfulness, our brokenness * and our continual need for God's forgiveness. * So we commit ourselves to love all people, * accept all people, and invite them to be part of God's family in the church. In the context of (the statement above) the Pilgrim Presbytery of Northern Australia recognises that God intends sexual relationship should only occur within a loving, faithful marriage between a man and a woman. Pilgrim Presbytery of Northern Australia 27 September 2003 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- This is a once-only email. 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