The annual reports of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland are launched this week in what must be one of the biggest 'blue books' - as the reports are commonly known - ever, running to some 364 pages.
The book contains 23 reports from the Boards of the Church and 50 associated committees together with over 200 resolutions which will be debated at the Church's General Assembly which meets in Belfast from Monday June 7 until Friday June 11.
Around 1200 delegates, representative of every Presbyterian congregation in Ireland, together with youth and women representatives are entitled to attend.
At the opening session at 7.00pm on Monday June 7 the Assembly will officially elect Dr Ken Newell as Moderator in succession to Dr Ivan McKay. In his final address as Moderator Dr McKay will reflect on his year of office, while Dr Newell will use the occasion to launch his theme for the year, 'Live A Life of Love'
Many of the reports concentrate on arrangements for the internal restructuring of the church following a period of review and reassessment.
Full copies of the Reports can be viewed at www.presbyterianireland.org/assembly.
Also further news reports from the Assembly will be posted on the Assembly section of the web site.
Topics which will be debated at this years General Assembly include:
Please note that the times given are approximate. Page numbers given in brackets are page references to the Annual Reports.
Tuesday
9.30 - Business begins at 9.30am with the report of the Business Board (p 90-100), which is responsible for the arrangements for and running of the Assembly.
10.00 - Reception of Corresponding members and visiting delegates (yellow pages iii) from other churches mainly in Ireland and the UK. Most notable is the Moderator of the Church of Scotland and the first woman to hold the office, Dr Alison Elliot.
10.30 - In its report the Board of Education (p277-292) describes the Costello Report as "an exciting opportunity and a demanding challenge to everybody associated with this sector of learning in the Province" (p277). It reports that it has also raised with the Education and Library Boards the importance of adequate funding for special needs education(p278) and that the review of the RE curriculum has been completed and had a very positive process of consultation (p279)
The 2004 Assembly Committee (p353) reports on plans for a special conference in Coleraine this summer - August 9-12 - entitled 'Get A Life' for which over 800 delegates have registered and which will challenge the church to effective witness in the 21st century.
12noon - Assembly Communion Service
2.00pm - Presbyterian Women's Association (p201-205) reports on its work among women in the Presbyterian Church.
2.30pm - The Nomination Board (p121-127) which makes appointments on behalf of the General Assembly will ask the Assembly to approve Rev Ronnie Hetherington as Director of Ministerial Studies responsible for looking after students for the Presbyterian ministry. It will also present recommendations on how Assembly appointments procedure require to be changed in the light of present employment legislation.
3.30pm - The Board of Studies and Christian Training (p293-306) has carried out a review of legislation regarding Assistant and Associate ministers. It also reports 37 students (p302) presently training for the ministry and will ask the Assembly to accept a further 13 students to begin training in September(p305)
4.30 - A copy of the new Irish Presbyterian Hymnbook - which will be officially launched in September - will be presented to the Moderator by the Board of Communications (101-120). In common with most other Boards in presents plans for its restructuring and a plan of work for the forthcoming year.
5.15 - The Board of Ministry and Pensions (p339-345) presents its last report before it becomes part of the Board of Finance and Personnel.
Wednesday
As is often the case Wednesday promises to be the busiest day of Assembly business and the one of most interest to non-Presbyterians.
9.30 - The Doctrine Committee report (p27-35) asks the Assembly to encourage the Church towards 'every member ministry' by equipping its members to think in a Christian way about the spheres of life in which they are placed and instructing them how to bring a Christian mind and practice into their area of work and activity.
In its report the Church and Government Committee (p36-58) notes an increase in apathy surrounding the political process and express the view that 'In such circumstances it is more important than ever that the church continues to articulate a vision of society as it can and ought to be, and which the gospel makes possible (p36). It expresses disappointment that 'opportunities to build trust and confidence have again been missed on all sides,' referring to Republican prevarication and Loyalist internal housekeeping.
The report also refers to the issue of Inquiries in which it considers there has been an imbalance 'with attention focused narrowly on a few high profile cases.' (p37) In previous years the Assembly has expressed its opposition to a South African style Truth and Reconciliation Commission (p49) and this report notes that most victims have quietly tried to put the past behind them and to get on with their lives. However it states that 'their stories ought not to be dismissed or forgotten. They deserve to be heard, recorded and heard.' (p37). In a resolution (p58) the Assembly will be asked to call for the 'establishment of a dedicated forum where victims can tell their stories and their personal experiences be placed on official public record.'
Other issues to be discussed in the Church and Government report include Europe, where the church has urged the Governments of the UK and the Irish Republic to work for the retention of Article 51 in the proposed Constitution of Europe,(p38, p51) which says the Union will 'maintain an open, transparent and regular dialogue with churches,' Human Rights, Equality, Fair Employment and Marriage Law Reform.
2.00 - The General Board report promises to produce the main debate of the week when the Assembly will be asked to agree to the sale of its Church House headquarters in the centre of Belfast (p12 and supplementary report) The building, which will celebrate its centenary next year requires urgent stonework repairs estimated, when added to other necessary maintenance, at £3.4m. in addition to £0.8m already spent within the last year. Faced with this expenditure a panel was set up by the General Board to advise on ''all matters relating to Church House and Fisherwick Buildings'. Its report suggests various alternatives but recommends the sale of Church House again with various suggestions as to where a 'new' headquarters could be situated in the city or along the M1-M2 corridor.
3.30 - The Youth Board (p260-276) is another board presenting its final report as under the reorganisation of boards and committees it will become the Board of Youth and Children's Ministry and the assembly will be asked to approve new committee structures and job descriptions.
4.30 - The Union Commission (p60-76) brings to the Assembly's attention the need to support urban mission where communities in need are identified but where the local congregation presently cannot meet those needs. Urban mission plans how the church can live and work in the community and employs its resources to the best advantage. A number of practical suggestions are made (p68) which the Assembly is asked to accept in outline and after further development, implement.
Thursday
9.30 - The Overseas Board (p147-176) is another that is in the midst of a review of its work considering what exactly is the role of the Presbyterian Church in respect of overseas mission in the 21st century. Its report recognises that the centre of gravity in the Christian world has shifted from West to South with shrinking membership here contrasting the dynamic growth in the Southern hemisphere. 'We have much to learn and gain from the global church coming out of its giftedness and richness' says the report and ' despite being a diminishing church, out of our history and experience we still have a great deal to share with the Church worldwide.' The report argues that we need to work together in new ways, 'not duplicating what someone else may be able to do better than us but, by identifying our strengths and unique contribution, we compliment the efforts of others.'
At present, through the Overseas Board the Presbyterian Church has some 65 personnel in 11 countries working in education, community development, healthcare, agriculture, engineering and ministry.
11.00 - The report of the Board of Mission in Ireland (p177-200) largely deals with its own restructuring but through its Divine Healing Committee (p181-185) presents a Christian perspective on various alternative medicines and therapies considering whether there use or practice conflicts with Christian beliefs and what the challenge to the church is in terms of the search for deeper spirituality going on in society.
The Assembly will also be asked to support a resolution which, in relation to Church property in the Republic, expresses satisfaction that new Guidelines agreed recognise 'that Churches may wish to adapt places of public worship in the light of contemporary revisions of their worship and mission.'(p200)
2.00pm - After lunch the Assembly meets in private session to consider the report of the Judicial Commission (p59), while the Committee on Reception of Ministers and Licentiates (p306-308) will ask the Assembly to consider requests from ministers ordained in other churches to join the Presbyterian Church in Ireland.
Returning to public session the Inter Church Relations Board (p128-146) presents its last report before its responsibilities transfer to the Overseas Board and the General Board. Most interest will focus on the report of the Race Relations committee (pp136-140) which questions why, because of well known generosity, there is such apparent fear of recent inflows of refugees. The report suggests that 'behind the recent attacks in South Belfast there are undoubtedly elements of naked racism, paramilitary gangsterism - even if not officially sanctioned - and, it appears, political extremism." (p140). The report continues that the churches concern must be to join with others, 'not in resisting change but in working constructively for the creation of new, multi-cultural and even multi-faith communities where all can feel included and valued.'
3.45 - The rest of the day is devoted to financial matters with the report of the United Appeal Board (p332-338) and the Board of Finance and Administration (p315-331). Statistics show that while membership continues to decline by about 1% income has increased by around 6% in Northern Ireland and 3%in the Republic of Ireland. The United Appeal Board will report that its annual appeal which finances the wider mission of the church again exceeded its target,£2.8m for 2003, by some £59,000.
Friday
9.30 - Friday begins with the Trustees Report (p349-352) and the Commission on Trusts (p314)
10.00 - In terms of number of staff in excess of 300 and annual budget of £4m the Board of social Witness (p206-257) is the biggest board in the Presbyterian Church. Aside from reporting on its work relating to older people, addiction and education services, ex-prisoners, student accommodation, unemployed people, deaf people, relationship counselling and people with learning disability, the Board will present three import documents to the General Assembly. The third edition of the Child protection Guidelines, first prepared in 1995 will be presented with the resolution that every congregation regularly review their procedures in this area. (p257)
The two other documents are the Policy of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland for Dealing with Sexual Abuse (p224-255) and the Policy and Procedures for Dealing with Complaints of Sexual Harassment(p255-256). Both deal with policy and procedures relating to complaints against ministers and others in positions of church leadership, including referral to statutory authorities, pastoral care and suspension arrangements. together with the Child Protection Guidelines all are aimed at creating a safe environment for children, young people and leaders within the Presbyterian Church in Ireland.
11.15 - Committee on Priorities (p354-360) presents its final report on the revisions to the committee and board structure within the Presbyterian Church.
It is expected that the Assembly will end by lunchtime concluding with worship and the Moderator's Closing Address.
Issued by Stephen Lynas, Presbyterian Information Services. Info@PresbyterianIreland.org
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