There are two newly developed courses on Uniting Church Polity, Ethos and Ethics to be offered at UTC in February and July 2004. This could be of particular interest to Lay Ministry Agents.
If you are interested (or know someone who is interested) in studying this important subject, please read (or pass on) the following:.
Over recent years, there have been some gradual changes in the way in which the United Theological College has provided for teaching in the area of Uniting Church ethos, polity and professional ethics. Earlier, the College offered various “in house” programmes for candidates for Specified Ministries and included at different times a variety of introductions (including the work of the Synod Boards, the. Most of this teaching was offered through intensives during the February pre-sessional programme. In response to the needs of the church, that programme has developed over the years. Some of those developments have included:
· A one-week intensive for final year candidates on Polity and Administration in the UCA being made available to ministers from other denominations seeking ministerial recognition through the Reception of Ministers committee.
· The inclusion within the course of a Sexual Misconduct Awareness Training Workshop
· A Korean language course offered covering the Basis of Union, Polity and Ethos
· Four half days being given to the Boards of the Synod to explain their work
Because of the growing interest in the development of this programme – both in terms of content and those wishing to undertake the study – some changes are being made from 2004.
There will now be two courses on Polity, Ethos and Ethics. These courses will be compulsory for all candidates for the specified ministries in the Uniting Church. They will also be open to any student wishing to undertake the programme of study, provided they have an official letter of endorsement from either their Presbytery or the Synod (through the Secretariat or Board). It is envisaged that those who will enrol in the course will be candidates for specified ministries, people directed by the Reception of Ministers Committee, Lay Ministry Agents and others directed by their presbytery or board.
Course 1 will be offered in February and Course 2 will be offered in July.
Course 1 will be entitled “Introduction to the Ethos of the Uniting Church” and will cover four major areas:
a. the Basis of Union
b. ethos questions that give rise to polity
c. being an ethical community
d. sexual misconduct awareness
Course 2 will be entitled “Uniting Church Polity and Professional Ethics” and will include:
a. Code of Ethics and Phase 2 of sexual misconduct awareness
b. Polity of the Uniting Church
c. ACOMP and placement procedures
d. Stipends and benefits for Specified Ministers
e. Consensus decision making
Dates for 2004 Course 1 will be taught February 17-19 (8.30am-4.30pm each day) Course 2 will be taught July 12 -15
It is expected that these courses will eventually be available for credit, but people will be able to enrol either for credit or non-award. All enrolments are to be made through UTC Student Administration (please contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] or phone 88388914). An administration charge will be payable.
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Stephen Webb Media Officer Communications Unit NSW Synod, Uniting Church in Australia Box A2178, Sydney South, NSW 1235, Australia email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Phone: +61 2 8267 4308; Mobile: 0423 259 945; Fax: 9267 4716; Web: nsw.uca.org.au/cu/ & insights.uca.org.au/ ------------------ The Communications Unit publishes the monthly magazine Insights, conducts public relations for the NSW Synod of the Uniting Church, and provides a variety of communications services. These include writing, editing, web consultation and development, desktop publishing and graphic design, public relations and advertising. For a consultation or free estimate on your project call the Communications Unit at (02) 8267 4307.
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