It was said to me when I was in Darwin that there is an interesting allegiance between sections of
people up in arms about resolution 84 and the NRC. While the very
conservative groups would otherwise abhor the indigenous _expression_ of
Christianity, they are happy to use the statement on Resolution 84 by the NRC
to strengthen their argument. I wonder if we took the homosexual debate
out what they would otherwise think of the NRC statement (re: creation beings –
see below).
Tom
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.
----- Original Message -----
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
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