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Council News June 2005
1. Introduction
Instead of the face-to-face gathering that was planned for Wellington from 9-11 June, Council has been discussing issues via email dialogue and teleconferences.
This is the first of several communications you will receive over next eight weeks or so, while Council moves through a very busy period. Detailed information about the 2005/06 budget, including Assembly Assessment, will be posted to parishes in the last week of June, and we expect to finalise and report results for the year ended 30 June 2005 as soon as they are available. Council will be communicating the outcomes from Focus on the Future very shortly, so keep an eye out for that as well.
2. Focus on the Future
Engaging in conversation with the wider church about tasks to be undertaken nationally has been a huge focus for Council, the project leadership team and the dedicated task group over recent months. Significant person-power has been committed to the process at governance and management levels, in addition to the input from other committed people from the wider church who have given their time to work through the feedback received.
The process was aimed at developing a shared understanding of the way forward for our Church, and several updates have been sent out since the last presentation gathering was held on 7 April 2005 . Progress updates noted the appointment of a dedicated task group to consider material, answered key questions that were raised during the meetings, and generally kept people posted.
Task group members have committed significant time and effort to considering feedback generated by the thirteen meetings and over 60 submissions, and I wish to sincerely thank those involved.
The primary output from the Focus on the Future process, a report from the task group, is being considered by Council at a dedicated teleconference this week.
We will then prepare a summary for the wider church and this will be emailed to all of those who attended meetings and made submissions. This information will be sent out as soon as possible following the teleconference and, in addition to being emailed, information will also be available on our website and in the July issue of sPanz.
You can view the progress updates so far, or register to receive the final report on this topic by visiting the Presbyterian website at http://www.presbyterian.org.nz/?id=3118
3. Budget 2005/06
Following significant work over the last few months by the Administration and Finance Policy Group and the Assembly Service Team’s Finance Manager, a draft budget for 2005/06 has been circulated to Council. This budget includes recommendations on Assembly Assessment. We will consider this information at a dedicated teleconference on 27 June.
In line with the request made by General Assembly 2004, the Council will prepare an information pack about the budget that informs the church where money is being spent. This summary, including information about Assembly Assessment, is expected to be posted to all parishes and presbyteries in the last week of June.
It will also be available on the Church’s website in early July.
4. General Assembly financial position 2004/05
The Administration and Finance Policy Group has issued an update on the projected year end results earlier this month (click here for more information).
Council will consider the projected results for 2004/05 at its teleconference on 27 June. Detailed information about General Assembly’s results and financial position, including explanatory notes, will be provided as soon as the accounts have been finalised.
5. Appeal
In March, Council asked the Church to consider making an additional contribution to support national ministries and central services.
We have been overwhelmed and heartened by the generosity of responses. At the end of May, around $90,000 has been given by parishes and individuals. Council has been encouraged by the words of support included in many of the letters accompanying the donations.
We wish to thank everyone who has taken the time to write to us, either when making a contribution or telling us why they couldn’t help.
6. Sale of Laughton House
In May, Council entered into a conditional agreement for the sale of Laughton House (the building in Wellington where some Assembly employees are based). The sale is subject to a due diligence period, which is now underway. Council expects to issue a further update at the end of July.
7. Policy Group reports
The detail of policy group reports to Council from Resourcing for Mission and Equipping the Leadership can be found on the Presbyterian website here