Session 3

Dunedin College of Education, Union Street, Dunedin
Monday 2 October 2000 at 8.30 am

The Assembly met and was constituted with prayer by the Moderator.

Worship was led by Mrs Natalie Yule-Yeoman.

Council of Assembly

The Rev Martin Stewart, Council of Assembly Convener, moved, and it was seconded:

[00.015] That the Council of Assembly with Policy Groups continue to develop policies which help to achieve the goals stated in the strategic framework, especially in helping the Church face outward and engage more effectively with New Zealand society.

[00.016] That the Healthy Congregations statement contained in Appendix 2 of the report of the Council of Assembly be accepted as a basis for policy development by the Council of Assembly.

Mr Stewart and members of the Council spoke to the Council of Assembly report.

Questions of clarification were answered by Mr Stewart.

The motions were referred to Dialogue Groups for discussion.

The Rev Richard Ward moved, and it was seconded:

[00.103] (Overture 17)
That the General Assembly commission each parish to formulate their own statement of mission and priorities in their mission focus in accord with the established principles of mission for the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand and that each parish be encouraged to share their resources according to their own priorities for service in New Zealand and overseas.

Questions of clarification were answered by Mr Ward.

The motion was referred to Dialogue Groups for discussion.

Members of the General Assembly Service Team were presented to the Assembly.

The Moderator paid tribute to their service.

The Assembly met in Dialogue Groups.

The Assembly resumed in plenary session.

Overseas Mission and Partnership Policy Group

The Rev Stuart Vogel, Convener of the Overseas Mission and Partnership Policy Group, moved, and it was seconded:

[00.048] That the General Assembly endorse the policy direction set out in the Global Mission Task Group report.

[00.049] That the General Assembly direct the Council of Assembly to develop appropriate policy in light of the recommendations contained in the Global Mission Task Group report.

Mr Vogel spoke to the motions.

Global Mission Task Group

The Rev Dr John Roxborogh and members of the Global Mission Task Group spoke to the Task Group's report.

Dr Roxborogh responded to questions of clarification.

Conference of Churches in Aotearoa New Zealand Report

Mrs Jan Cormack, retiring General Secretary of the Conference of Churches in Aotearoa New Zealand, was presented to the Moderator.

The Moderator paid tribute to her work.

Mrs Cormack addressed the Assembly.

The Rev Dr Eldin Villifañe gave the second of his inspirational addresses to the Assembly.

The Assembly adjourned to meet again at 1.00 pm.

Robert Yule, Moderator
Kerry Enright, Clerk