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Minutes of the General Assembly 2002Session 6
St Patrick's College, Silverstream, Wellington
Tuesday, 24 September 2002 at 1.30 p.m.The Assembly met and was constituted with prayer by the Moderator.
The Children's Assembly gave a presentation.
Church Schools
Mr Nigel Fairbairn, Rector of St Andrew's College, Christchurch, representing Presbyterian
Church Schools, presented a report.
School Zoning
The Rev Nolan Martin moved and it was seconded:
[02.129] That the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand expresses its concern that the proximity criteria and zoning protocols applicable to State Schools are receiving greater emphasis than the special character criteria guaranteed to Church Schools under the Integrated Agreement.
That the General Assembly further requests that the Ministry of Education, when approving Enrolment Schemes for Integrated Presbyterian Church Schools, give careful consideration to the commitment entered into by the New Zealand government under the Integration Agreements to ensure that the Special character of such schools is recognized, respected and given the highest priority.
There was brief debate.
The motion was agreed to.
Pacific Islanders' Synod
Representatives of the pilot Pacific Islanders' Synod gave a presentation.
Pacific Islanders' Synod Review
The Very Rev Bruce Hansen presented the report of the Review Committee. He was granted leave to:
replace motion [02.091] with motion [02.143], to withdraw motions [02.092] and [02.093] and to amend motion [02.095].
He moved en bloc and it was seconded:
[02.143] That the General Assembly agree to the establishment of a Pacific Islanders' Synod within the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand as set out in the report of the Pacific Islanders' Synod Review Committee.
[02.094] That the General Assembly authorize the payment of up to $70,000 per annum for 3 years in order to fund the work of the Pacific Islanders' Synod Executive in establishing the Synod.
[02.095] That the General Assembly in recognizing the role of the Pacific Islanders' Synod within the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand instruct all Presbyteries that before a Presbytery proceeds with any matter that may involve or impinge upon the work of any Pacific Island minister or congregation within their bounds, that they consult with and seek the opinion and guidance of the Pacific Islanders' Synod in that matter, and that this be referred to the Book of Order and Judicial Reference Group to frame regulations.
[02.144] That the Constitution as amended in accordance with the report of the review committee be sent down to Presbyteries and parishes under the Barrier Act.
[02.159] That a liaison group be appointed as a standing committee of the Assembly to facilitate good communication between the Pacific Islanders' Synod and the courts of the Church and to mediate in any matters where there may be differences of understanding or interpretation.
Questions of clarification were answered.
Special Committee on Constitution for Pacific Islanders' Synod
The Rev Samuel McCay reported on the work of the committee.
He moved and it was seconded:
[02.096] That the revised Constitution [2002] of the Pacific Islanders' Synod be approved ad interim and sent down under the Barrier Act to Presbyteries, Union District Councils and Te Aka Puaho for approval and report to the 2004 General Assembly.
Questions of clarification were answered.
Rev Maua Sola was granted leave to replace notice of motion [02.098] (Overture 11) with notice of motion [02.145].
Mr Sola moved and it was seconded:
[02.145]
1. a) That the General Assembly agree to the establishment of a Pacific Islanders' Council within the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand.
b) That the executive of the pilot synod currently under trial be asked to act as the Pacific Islanders' Council until the next General Assembly.
2. That the Pacific Islanders' Council encourage the various fono/groups to complete written constitutions under the guidance of the Book of Order and Judicial Reference Group.
3. That the membership of the various fono/ethnic groups is signalled by the free association of individuals. All members and congregations of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand in association with the fono/ethnic group remain subject to and part of their local Presbytery.
4. That the membership of the initial Council be the Moderator, Clerk and Treasurer of the Pilot Synod, and up to five members representative of the various fono/ethnic groups.
5. That subsequent Council membership be made up of two representatives elected annually by each of the fono/ethnic groups represented within the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand. The Convenor to be appointed by the Nominating Committee of the General Assembly. The Clerk and Treasurer appointed by the Council as ex officio/and additional members.
6. That the purpose of the Pacific Islanders' Council be to act in partnership with the Council of Assembly, the Presbyteries/Union District Councils and Congregations to: promote worship and Christian nurture among Pacific Islanders
enhance, articulate and mobilize the Pacific Islanders' contribution to the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand and the Church's mission within New Zealand and overseas.
to address public issues of concern to Pacific Islanders and to represent those concerns to the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand and other courts.
receive, discuss and report back on any matter referred to the Council by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand and to respond to requests from Presbyteries, Union District Councils and Te Aka Puaho for advice and help.
to provide a forum for Pacific Island groups represented in the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand to meet and share matters of common and special concern. These include:
Cook Islanders - Uapou Fellowship
English Speaking - English Speaking Group
Niueans - Fonu Motu
Samoans - Fono Samoa
Tokelauans - Fono Tokelau
Tuvaluans - Fono Tuvalu
7. That the General Assembly, recognising the partnership between the courts of the church and the Pacific Islanders' Council and the Council of Asian Congregations within the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand requests all Presbyteries to establish a standing committee to monitor, advise and promote multi-ethnic-cultural relations and mission strategies.
Moderator's Dialogue
The Moderator introduced Mrs Dawn Mitai-Pehi, Principal of Turakina Maori Girls' College and students from the college. The Moderator engaged in dialogue with Mrs Mitai-Pehi.
Pacific Islanders' Synod Review Committee
Motion [02.143] was debated.
The motion was carried.
Mr Hansen moved, and it was seconded:
[02.144] That the Constitution as amended in accordance with the report of the Review Committee be sent down to Presbyteries and parishes under the Barrier Act
The motion was agreed to.
Mr Hansen moved and it was seconded:
[02.144a] That the amended constitution be adopted ad interim
There was no debate.
The motion was agreed to
[02.094] That the General Assembly authorize the payment of up to $70,000 per annum for 3 years in order to fund the work of the Pacific Islanders' Synod Executive in establishing the Synod.
There was no debate.
The motion was agreed to.
Having been moved earlier in the session the following motions were opened for debate.
[02.095] That the General Assembly in recognizing the role of the Pacific Islanders' Synod within the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand instruct all Presbyteries that before a Presbytery proceeds with any matter that may involve or impinge upon the work of any Pacific Island minister or congregation within their bounds, that they consult with and seek the opinion and guidance of the Pacific Islanders' Synod in that matter and be referred to Book of Order & Judicial Reference Group to frame regulations.
There was no debate.
The motion was agreed to.
[02.159] That a liaison group be appointed as a standing committee of the Assembly to facilitate good communicate between the Pacific Islanders' Synod and the courts of the Church and to mediate in any matters where there may be differences of understanding or interpretation.
There was no debate.
The motion was agreed to.
The Rev Samuel McCay was granted leave to withdraw the recommendations of the Special Committee on the Pacific Islanders' Synod. [see 02.096]
Rev Samuel McCay moved and it was seconded:
[02.097] That the Special Committee on the Pacific Islanders' Synod Constitution be thanked and discharged.
The Moderator paid tribute to the work of Mr McCay and the committee. The Assembly stood to acknowledge their contributions.
Rev Maua Sola was granted leave to withdraw notice of motion [02.145]
The Clerk moved and it was seconded:
That the Pacific Islanders' Synod Review Committee be thanked and discharged.
The motion was agreed to.
The Moderator led the Assembly in worship to acknowledge the establishment of the Pacific Islanders' Synod.
Subordinate Standards
The Very Rev Alister Rae, Convener, Subordinate Standards Task Group, gave a report. Mr Rae
moved and it was seconded:
[02.083] That the Book of Order Re-write Task Group be instructed by this Assembly to re-write regulation 1 in the Book of Order in the terms outlined in this report and report their suggested wording to the next Assembly for adoption. [See Sections 7 and 8]
[02.084] That the Council of Assembly appoint a Task Group to develop a focal identity statement such as that suggested in Appendix 3 for use in worship as a confession of faith, including by those joining the church and those taking up leadership roles; the Task Group to include those who have a feeling for the use of language appropriate in worship; and that the results of their deliberations be reported through the Doctrine Reference Group to the next Assembly for adoption [See section 5.11, 7, and 9.3 plus Appendix 3]
[02.085] That the Book of Order and Judicial Reference Group together with the Book of Order Re-write Task Group be instructed by the Assembly to draw up a statement of the relationship between members and office bearers and our theological and historical statements in sympathy with the direction set out above and that this statement, and a formula to be signed by those holding office in this church, be reported to the next Assembly for adoption. [See section 9]
[02.086] That the Subordinate Standards Task Group be thanked and discharged. [See section 9.5]
Questions for clarification were answered.
The motions were referred to Dialogue Groups.
The Assembly adjourned to meet again at 7.00 pm.
Michael Thawley, Moderator
Kerry Enright, Clerk
Go to Session 7
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