Resolution 1/00 was passed at the special session of the Synod in May 2000.
2/00 Living in Harmony Workshops
Synod commends the Living in Harmony workshops titled "Overcoming Barriers to Cross Cultural Ministry" designed by Anglicare and the Social Issues Committee and funded by a Community Grant from the Department of Immigration and Ethnic Affairs, notes -
(a) that they are underpinned by a biblical understanding of cross cultural ministry;
(b) that they will assist Christians understand more completely migrant and indigenous history in Australia and how this has shaped us as a nation;
(c) that they will assist both congregations and individuals build relationships more easily, share the gospel with people from other cultural backgrounds, and understand that cross cultural ministry is a vital part of ministry in this culturally diverse diocese; and
recommends that parishes consider using the three two hour workshops as part of their ministry training programme.
(Deaconess Margaret Rodgers - 9.10.00)
3/00 Reclassification of Georges Hall as a Parish
Synod assents to the reclassification of Georges Hall as a parish with effect from 1 January 2001.
(Archdeacon Geoff Huard - 9.10.00)
4/00 Reclassification of Newtown as a Provisional Parish
Synod confirms the reclassification of Newtown as a provisional parish with effect from 17 May 2000.
(Archdeacon Trevor Edwards - 9.10.00)
5/00 Reappointment of the Stipends and Allowances Committee
Synod hereby reappoints the Stipends and Allowances Committee, with power to co-opt and directs that it report its findings and recommendations to the Standing Committee for action.
(Mr Rodney Dredge - 9.10.00)
6/00 Amsterdam Conference on Evangelism
Synod -
(a) notes with gratitude the recent Billy Graham Association Amsterdam 2000 conference on Evangelism and the desire of the 160 Australian delegates to convene an Australian conference to encourage and promote the evangelisation of this nation; and
(b) appoints a committee consisting of D Mansfield, P Wheeler, S Willis, S Semenchuk, N Foord and R Forsyth to assess how the Sydney Diocese can help in focussing, encouraging and assisting in this process.
(Bishop Robert Forsyth - 9.10.00)
7/00 Reclassification of Hornsby Heights as a Parish
Synod assents to the reclassification of Hornsby Heights as a parish with effect from 1 January 2001.
(Archdeacon Ernie Carnaby - 9.10.00)
8/00 The Rev Dr John Bunyan
Since this will almost certainly be the last Synod to be attended by the Rev Dr John Bunyan, the Synod places on record its appreciation of the contribution made to synod by Mr Bunyan over many years.
His kindliness, candour, gentleness and good humour have been greatly appreciated and the synod will be the poorer for his retirement.
Amongst other things, Mr Bunyan has made a great contribution to the life of the Diocese through the establishment of the Southern Cross Newspaper - a publication for which he tirelessly campaigned for many years and which now bears international recognition.
Synod wishes him God's richest blessings in his retirement.
(The Rev Neil Flower - 10.10.00)
9/00 Accounts, Audits and Annual Reports Ordinance 1995 Amendment Ordinance 2000: Withdrawal
Synod grants leave for the mover to withdraw the bill for the Accounts, Audits and Annual Reports Ordinance
1995 Amendment Ordinance 2000.
(Mr Neil Cameron - 10.10.00)
10/00 Music for youth services
Synod requests that Anglican Youthworks explore the possibilities of providing professional training in modern and contemporary music for use in youth orientated services in our churches.
(Canon Bruce Ballantine-Jones OAM - 10.10.00)
11/00 ARCIC: The Gift of Authority
Synod receives the report from the Diocesan Doctrine Commission entitled Review of Authority in the Church III, the Gift of Authority, thanks the Commission for its work, and requests that the Diocesan Secretary forward a copy of the Commission's report to ARCIC, to the Australian delegate to ARCIC, and to the Australian Primate and Bishops.
(Dr Kim Hawtrey - 10.10.00)
12/00 Children and young people
Synod noting -
• the declining attendance of children and young people in many mainline denominations and dioceses,
• the health of many congregations with an intentional ministry to the young,
• the increasing statistical evidence of the openness of children and young people to the claims of the gospel of Christ, and
• the National Church Life Survey in April 2001 and the sample data to be collected as to the age of church attendee's conversion
requests that the Standing Committee appoint a committee to report to Synod by September 2001 as to -
• the findings from the data from the proposed NCLS and its implications for future ministry,
• the current health of children's and young people's ministry in churches in the diocese, and
• ways in which we as a diocese can strengthen that ministry and ways that we can have an increasingly outward focus and intentionally gospel unchurched young people and children, appropriately and effectively,
the Committee to consist of 2 members of the Standing Committee, a member of the faculty of Moore Theological College and a theologically trained staff member of each of the Department of Evangelism and Anglican Youthworks.
(The Rev Dr Lindsay Stoddart - 10.10.00)
13/00 The Rev Dr Francis Bridger
Synod notes and welcomes the visit to Sydney in April 2001 of the Rev Dr Francis Bridger, Principal of Trinity College, Bristol and author of Children Finding Faith (CPAS, 2000), as the 8th Royale Ormsby Martin Lecturer and it commends the Lecture to those working in children's and youth ministries in the Diocese.
(The Rev Dr Lindsay Stoddart - 10.10.00)
14/00 Administration of confirmation by presbyters
Synod requests that the Standing Committee appoint a committee, which shall include lay persons and need not be confined to members of Standing Committee -
(a) to examine, from a theological, historical, ecumenical, pastoral and legal point of view, the possibility of -
(i) confirmation no longer being required after baptism as an adult; and
(ii) confirmation in the Anglican Church being administered by presbyters or appropriate laypersons as well as bishops; and
(b) to make a similar examination of the possibility of enabling presbyters or appropriate laypersons as well as bishops to receive into the fellowship of the Anglican Church, people who are communicant members of other Christian denominations; and
(c) invite submissions from interested persons; and
(d) report to the next session of Synod.
(The Rev Neil Flower - 10.10.00)
15/00 Anglican Counselling Centre - censure of Standing Committee
Synod censures the Standing Committee for its failure to comply with the clearly stated wishes of the whole Synod when it voted overwhelmingly in October 1999 in favour of a resolution (41/99) to have the 4 disputed resolutions of Standing Committee (resulting from the committee of enquiry into the Anglican Counselling Centre) referred back for reconsideration and revision as stated in paragraphs (f) and (g) of the resolution.
(Dr Chris Forbes - 10.10.00)
16/00 The Rev John Mason
Noting that today is the last day of Synod to be attended by the Rev John Mason, Rector of St Clement's Mosman, this Synod -
(a) thanks John for the considerable contribution made in this place and on several committees as well as a strategic ministry in other ways within the Diocese, and boards of this Diocese over some 25 years,
(b) commends both John and Judith to God as they leave the Diocese in the new year to take up a new ministry in New York City.
(The Rev David Mulready - 10.10.00)
17/00 Funeral companies
Synod -
(a) expresses its concern at reports that often some funeral companies as a matter of routine do not seek to contact the appropriate parish clergyman for the funerals of Anglicans unless specifically requested to do so by the family concerned, thus depriving the parish clergyman of the opportunity of pastoral ministry and contact in these cases;
(b) expresses its appreciation to those funeral directors who continue to do all they can to contact parish clergyman and who seek to co-operate with them; and
(c) asks that the major funeral corporations and as many as possible for the other funeral companies operating in the Diocese be informed both of the concern and of the appreciation expressed in this motion; and
(d) encourages men and women of the clergy and authorised lay persons in their pastoral ministry to the dying and the bereaved.
(The Rev Dr John Bunyan - 11.10.00)
18/00 Age of clergy
For the assistance of parish nominators, Synod requests that the Registrar consider including the year of birth with each clergy entry when publishing the Diocesan Year Book.
(Mr Robert Tong - 11.10.00)
19/00 Support for Missionary Episcopal Ministry
Synod endorses the media release dated 22 August 2000 of Archbishop Goodhew and the assistant bishops of this Diocese, calling for a broad-based US conservative coalition, and requests that the Diocesan Secretary communicate to the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church of the United States of America, and the Primate of the Anglican Church of Australia this Synod's support for missionary episcopal ministry.
(The Rev Phillip Jensen - 11.10.00)
20/00 Metropolitan Canon 1998
Synod declines to assent to the Metropolitan Canon No. P1, 1998 on the basis that the following proposals may diminish the ability of the Archbishop of Sydney as Metropolitan to be involved in the affairs of a diocese in the Province of New South Wales so as to preserve the integrity of the Church -
(a) the non-administration of the oath of due obedience to the Archbishop in "The form of Ordaining or Consecrating an Archbishop or Bishop" contained in the Book of Common Prayer, as provided in section 5 of the Canon;
(b) the deletion of words from paragraph 5 of the service entitled "The Consecrating of a Bishop" in An Australian Prayer Book, as provided in section 6 of the Canon; or
(c) the amendments to the service entitled "The Ordination of Bishops" in A Prayer Book for Australia, as provided in section 7 of the Canon.
(Mr Robert Tong - 11.10.00)
21/00 Proposals for reform of the Anti Discrimination Act
Synod -
(a) notes with concern the New South Wales Law Reform Commission's proposals for reform of the Anti Discrimination Act; and
(b) calls on the Premier, the Attorney General and Parliament of New South Wales to respect the principle of "freedom of religion", and reject those of the Commission's proposals which will detract from the exercise of that freedom in New South Wales; and
(c) requests parish councils, schools, other diocesan organisations and individuals to write to their local Member of Parliament expressing their concern about those proposals.
(Canon Dr Peter Jensen - 11.10.00)
22/00 Prayers for the end of the violence in Israel, Jerusalem and the West Bank
Synod, noting with concern the escalation of violence in Israel and Jerusalem and the West Bank between Jews and Palestinians, respectfully requests that the Archbishop send Christian greetings and the assurance of our fellowship and prayers - for the cessation of violence and bloodshed, for a true spirit of reconciliation and for peace and for justice for all citizens of that land - to the Rt Rev Riah Abu El-Assal, Anglican Bishop in Jerusalem and the people of that Diocese.
(Deaconess Margaret Rodgers - 16.10.00)
23/00 Matters arising from the Presidential Address - CEFM and Ministry Assessment Centre
Synod, noting that the Archbishop in his Presidential Address expressed his gratitude to CEFM and also the more recent work of the Ministry Assessment Centre and drew attention to the need to consider a thorough review of all in-service training offered to the clergy of the Diocese, requests that the Standing Committee undertake an assessment of the relevance, adequacy and effectiveness of the training provided and report to the next session of Synod.
(The Rev Greg Olliffe - 16.10.00)
24/00 Cross Cultural Ministry
Synod thanks the Archbishop for his Presidential Address and notes the Archbishop's concerns about cross cultural ministry and proposed future arrangements and asks the DEB, the Standing Committee and the regional councils to attend to the questions asked by the Archbishop and report on the ways forward at the next Synod in October 2001.
(Bishop Robert Forsyth - 16.10.00)
25/00 Diocesan mission teams
Synod commends to both the present as well as the incoming Archbishop the formation of a Diocesan Mission Team or teams, such team, or teams, to be utilized as follows -
(a) to be an evangelistic and church re-planting group comprising of at least 1 person as a team leader, along with those whose ministry is in general evangelism and pastoring;
(b) to be used at the discretion of the Archbishop after consultation with, and request from, parishes that are finding continuing viability or even existence a problem;
(c) the finance for such team or teams to be provided as a matter of priority from whatever funds the Standing Committee chooses to use, or with what the Synod may allocate in the next triennium budget;
(d) such team or teams would be responsible for a fixed parish or area for, say, 3 years to rebuild such an area or parish until it would be viable, and then be moved to another area of mission,
one such team should be for 'transition issues' where specialist or experienced personnel might facilitate the success of subsequent mission or planting activity.
(The Rev Neil Flower - 16.10.00)
26/00 Faculties
Having regard to the need to simplify and streamline procedures and to assist parishes to respond to changing circumstances, Synod requests that the Standing Committee appoint a committee to review the rationale for and procedures relating to faculties, items which do not require a faculty but do require the Archdeacon's approval, and related regulations and to prepare legislation for consideration by Synod in 2001 which will simplify and where practicable abolish requirements presently applying.
(Canon Bruce Ballantine-Jones OAM - 16.10.00)
27/00 Women bishops
Synod notes the proposal for the consecration of women as bishops in the Anglican Church of Australia, recognises its potential for further division, and requests that the Rev Dr Robert Doyle and Dr Ann Young, after consultation with the other Sydney representatives on the General Synod, prepare a report for the Synod on the theological and pastoral implications of such a development and the possible ways of meeting the needs of those who may be disaffiliated by such a move.
(Canon Dr Peter Jensen - 16.10.00)
28/00 Anglican Counselling Centre and the Rev Michael Corbett-Jones
Synod -
(a) gives praise to God for the outstanding work of the Anglican Counselling Centre over half a century, and for the people whose lives have been blessed through the ministry of the Centre;
(b) thanks the Rev Michael Corbett-Jones for his leadership of the Centre over the past 20 years, and for his part in the ongoing development of the Centre's ministry;
(c) acknowledges that many people have been hurt as a result of the recent investigation and restructuring of the Centre, and expresses sorrow at the hurt that has been experienced;
(d) prays for God's blessing on Michael Corbett-Jones in his future ministry, and on all who have not continued or been able to continue their counselling ministries under the new structure; and
(e) commends Anglicare on its integration of Christian counselling into its organisational structure, and encourages all who are involved in this important ministry.
(The Rev Paul Weaver - 17.10.00)
29/00 Role and function of archdeacons
In light of the appointment of a layman as Assistant to the Bishop of Wollongong and the outstanding work done by the archdeacons, the Synod requests that the Standing Committee appoint a committee to investigate the role and function of archdeacons in their context and to report to the Synod in 2001 with suggestions about how the office may best develop and how the identified roles and functions may best be carried out.
(Canon Jim Ramsay - 17.10.00)
30/00 Reprinting of bills with amendments
Synod requests that the movers of the following bills liaise with those who have given notice of amendments and authorises the printing of the bills for the next session incorporating those amendments which are acceptable to the movers -
Tribunal Ordinance 1962 Amendment Ordinance 2000;
Synod Membership Ordinance 1995 Amendment Ordinance 2000;
Church Discipline Ordinance 1996 Amendment Ordinance 2000; and
Incapacity Ordinance 2000.
(Mr Philip Gerber - 17.10.00)
31/00 Referral of bills to the Standing Committee
Synod requests that the Standing Committee deal with and, if thought fit, pass the following bills as ordinances -
Assistant Bishops (Coadjutor) Ordinance 1947 Amendment Ordinance 2000
Regional Councils Ordinance 2000
Assessment and Charges Ordinance 1975 Amendment Ordinance 2000.
(Mr Philip Gerber - 17.10.00)
32/00 Amendments to the Parish Relationships Ordinance 2000
Synod -
(a) urges any member intending to propose any further amendment to the bill for the Parish Relationship Ordinance 2000 to notify Archdeacon Edwards of the amendment by 1 December 2000; and
(b) urges the promoters of the bill to review the bill in the light of the proposed amendments; and
(c) grants leave to the mover to propose the 2nd reading of the bill in an amended form, so long as a copy of the amended form is given to the Diocesan Secretary no later than 2 July 2001.
(Archdeacon Trevor Edwards - 17.10.00)
33/00 Doctrine and Principles of the Anglican Church
Synod supports the Sydney Standing Committee in its request to the Primates -
(a) to affirm in the face of current denials -
(i) the uniqueness of Jesus as the only name for obtaining salvation;
(ii) our redemption through his full, perfect, and sufficient sacrifice, oblation and satisfaction for the sins of the whole world whereby he reconciled his Father to us;
(iii) the resurrection of Jesus in which he took again his body with flesh, bones and all things appertaining to the perfection of human nature; and
(iv) the sufficiency and authority of Scripture; and
(b) to reject current advocacy of -
(i) heterosexual immorality; and
(ii) homosexual practice.
(The Rev Dr Glenn Davies - 17.10.00)
34/00 Archbishop Harry Goodhew
Synod gives thanks to God for the ministry of our Archbishop, Harry Goodhew, records its appreciation of his presidency of the Synod and extends its best wishes to him and his wife Pam on his retirement from office on 19 March 2001.
(Bishop Paul Barnett - 17.10.00)
35/00 Parish Review (Monitoring Panel) Ordinance 2000
Synod refers the bill for the Parish Review (Monitoring Panel) Ordinance 2000 to the Standing Committee.
(Justice Peter Young - 17.10.00)
36/00 Procedural Motions
(1) Synod records its appreciation of -
(a) the President for his chairmanship of the Synod;
(b) the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of Committees for their work in the committee stages of the bills for ordinances;
(c) the members who helped during the session by giving advice and serving on committees; and
(d) the services of the Secretaries, the Returning Officer and Deputy Returning Officer, the Secretariat staff, the staff of Anglican Media, the pianists, the bible reader and all those who have helped with the arrangements for sittings.
(Bishop Robert Forsyth - 17.10.00)
(2) Synod refers to the next session of this Synod the bills for ordinances remaining on the business paper.
(Archdeacon Peter Smart - 17.10.00)
(3) Synod authorises the President to sign the minutes of 17 October upon the production to the Standing Committee of the certificate of any 2 members of the Minute Reading Committee.
(Archdeacon Geoff Huard - 17.10.00)
(4) Synod hereby adjourns.
(The Rev Chris Moroney - 17.10.00)