1/96 The Late Deaconess Mary Andrews
This Synod gives thanks to Almighty God for the life and witness of Deaconess Mary Andrews in thankful remembrance of her missionary zeal and her invaluable contributions to the procedures of the Synod of this Diocese.
(The Rev David Armstrong - 28.10.1996)
2/96 Church Ministry Ordinances
That the committee stage of the bill for the Church Ministry (Baptism) Ordinance 1996 and the 2nd readings of the following bills be referred to the next session of this Synod -
Church Ministry (Confirmation) Ordinance 1996
Church Ministry (Holy Communion or Lord's Supper) Ordinance 1996
Church Ministry (Robes) Ordinance 1996
Church Ministry (Services) Ordinance 1996
(Mr Neil Cameron - 28.10.96)
3/96 Ministry Ordinance 1996
That the 2nd reading of the bill for the Ministry Ordinance 1996 be referred to the next session of this Synod.
(Dr Barry Newman - 28.10.96)
4/96 Bishop (Incapacity) Canon 1995
This Synod defers consideration of the Bishop (Incapacity) Canon 1995 until after receiving the report of the Select Committee on Clerical Enquiries.
(The Rev Peter Tasker - 28.10.96)
5/96 Constitution of a Diocese Alteration Canon 1995
This Synod defers consideration of the Constitution of A Diocese Alteration Canon 1995 until after the 1998 General Synod session.
(The Rev Peter Tasker - 28.10.96)
6/96 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 - 28.10.96)
7/96 Mr Roderick West and Trinity Grammar School
This Synod expresses its thanks to God for the outstanding and faithful service of Roderick West, who retired in July after more than 21 years as Head Master of Trinity Grammar School. In particular, Synod records its grateful appreciation of Rod West's clear and consistent Christian witness, as well as his leadership of and dedication to the provision of the highest quality of education. Synod extends its good wishes to him and Mrs Janet West in their retirement.
(Canon Robert Forsyth - 28.10.96)
8/96 Communication of the Gospel to the Elderly
Synod notes that resolution 22/89 appointed a committee on Communication of the Gospel to the Elderly and that the Synod received a report from that committee in 1991 recommending the formation of a Committee to and by the Ageing. The Synod understands that the main recommendations of the report were taken up by the Anglican Deaconess Institution which appointed a committee for Ministry to and by the Aged (TAB.), and requests the Council of that Institution to report, or have its committee report, to next year's Synod on progress to date.
(The Rev Chris Baxter - 28.10.96)
9/96 Leadership by the Archbishop
This Synod expresses its thanks to the Archbishop for his leadership in speaking out publicly on issues facing our society and encourages him to continue this form of Christian witness within the public arena.
(Archdeacon Reg Platt - 28.10.96)
10/96 Preaching and Administration of Holy Communion by Lay Persons and Deacons Ordinance 1995
That the 3rd reading of the bill for the Preaching and Administration of Holy Communion by Lay Persons and Deacons Ordinance 1995 be referred to the next session of this Synod.
(The Rev Dr John Woodhouse - 28.10.96)
11/96 Euthanasia Legislation
That this Synod affirms its opposition to euthanasia legislation in any State or Territory in Australia, understanding euthanasia as deliberate action causing the death of a fellow human being.
Further, Synod believes -
(a) that such action is contrary to God's law and the values of a civilised society;
(b) that to condone the deliberate killing of the most vulnerable in society is to risk the status of all human life in our community; and
(c) that the primary intent of any law should be to sustain and enhance life, not to destroy it;
and Synod requests the offices of the Diocesan Secretary and Anglican Media to convey this motion to each member of the Federal Parliament before debate on the Andrews Bill resumes on Thursday 31 October 1996.
(Deaconess Margaret Rodgers - 29.10.96)
12/96 The Late Rev Allan Yuill
This Synod learns with regret of the death of the Rev Allan Yuill on Sunday 27 October and gives thanks to God for his learned and faithful ministry in the Diocese of Sydney and also in the Church of Ireland.
(The Rev Dr John Bunyan - 29.10.96)
13/96 Lease of Church Property for Licenced Restaurants
This Synod notes item 6.10 of the Standing Committee's report and encourages the Standing Committee to change the "Social Covenants" which must be included in leases, so that church trust property can be leased for the conduct of licenced restaurants, subject to the consent of the parish council (if any) for which the trust property is held.
(The Rev David Crain - 29.10.96)
14/96 Constitution Amendment (Interpretation) Canon 1995
This Synod withholds consent from the Constitution Amendment (Interpretation) Canon 1995 on the grounds that the definition of "discipline" proposed to be inserted into the 1961 Constitution by this Canon is neither clear nor precise. It urges the General Synod through its Canon Law Commission to consider the matters raised in the Standing Committee's report with a view to securing a more appropriate definition of "discipline".
(Mr Neil Cameron - 29.10.96)
15/96 The Church in Eastern Zaire
Being aware of the links this Diocese has with the Church in Eastern Zaire, this Synod respectfully requests the President to contact the church leaders advising them that we are aware of their present pain and suffering and that our prayer to God is that He will make them and their people strong, firm and steadfast in the grace that is ours in Christ Jesus.
(The Rev Peter Tasker - 30.10.96)
16/96 Elections Ordinance 1970 Amendment Ordinance 1996
That Synod appoints a committee consisting of the Diocesan Secretary, Glenn Davies and Michael Horsburgh, to monitor and report to Standing Committee on the perceivable effects, if any, of the Elections Ordinance 1970 Amendment Ordinance 1996 on Synod and Standing Committee elections over the next 3 years.
(The Rev Dr John Woodhouse - 30.10.96)
17/96 Protocol for Dealing with Sexual Misconduct by Church Workers
Synod requests that the Archbishop consider issuing a pastoral letter to make it obligatory for rectors to make known to congregations the existence of the Protocol for Dealing with Sexual Misconduct by Church Workers.
(Mr Tom Mayne - 30.10.96)
18/96 Aboriginal Ministry
This Synod directs the Standing Committee to include in Synod Appropriations Ordinances allocations of $300,000 pa for the years 1998 to 2001 inclusive, to establish an Aboriginal Ministry Trust Fund. Synod further requests Regional Councils in consultation with the Archbishop's Aboriginal Task Force to provide Standing Committee with a brief report by 1 June 1997 covering the opportunities in their Region for Ministry to Aboriginal people and communities.
(Mr Tom Mayne - 30.10.96)
19/96 Mr Thomas Smith: Anglican Youth Department
Synod notes the resignation of Mr Thomas Smith as Director of the Youth Department, gives thanks to God for him ministry in this position for the last 8 years - noting especially his pastoral leadership and contribution to the discipling of young people in the Diocese and wishes him well in his new position at Cranbrook School.
(Archdeacon Geoffrey Huard - 14.11.96)
20/96 Ministry of Parishes with Certain Incomes
Synod requests that the Standing Committee convene a meeting of representatives nominated by each of the Regional Councils to consider the effect on the ministry of parishes with incomes of $70,000 and less following the increase in the recovery of ministry and property costs from $7,000 in 1995 to $9,950 in 1997, an increase of 42%.
(Mr Wal Forrester - 14.11.96)
21/96 Recruitment and Training of Christian Educators
Synod notes that the Committee appointed under Synod resolution 35/92 has not been able to report on the suggested programme to recruit Christian teachers and hereby disbands that committee.
Synod expresses its commitment to the continued development and implementation of a Christian philosophy of education in Diocesan Church Schools and appoints a committee to report, with recommendations, to the next session of the Synod on the recruitment, training, and development of Christian educators in Anglican Church Schools. The committee is to include Messrs R.A.I. Grant, J.E. Mills, R.N. Warren and R.I. West, Mrs R. Claydon, Mrs C.J. Corbett and Miss L.A. May, Dr B.C. Newman and the Revs G.M. Bell, T.K. Dein, W.M. France, M. Hill, J.G. Mason and I.R. Mears.
(The Rev Ian Mears - 14.11.96)
22/96 Suggested Amendment of the Diocesan Officers (Retirement) Ordinance 1987
Synod requests Standing Committee, in the interests of full democratic representation and for consistency with current legislation, to prepare an Ordinance to repeal the Diocesan Officers (Retirements) Ordinance 1987 which requires the retirement of members of Synod reaching the age of 72 years from committees, councils and corporations.
(Mr John Shellard - 14.11.96)
23/96 De Facto Relationships Amendment Bill 1990 (NSW)
Synod notes that the NSW State Government plans to introduce into Parliament the De Facto Relationship Amendment Bill 1996 which if approved will be against all moral and Biblical teachings regarding marriage and can only contribute to increased problems of adoption where same sex marriages occur and requests that our total rejection of this Bill be conveyed to the Premier, the Leader of the Opposition and the Attorney General.
(Mr Ernie Ecob - 14.11.96)
24/96 Disorderly Houses Amendment Act 1995 (NSW)
Synod deplores the fact that the State Government has by the Disorderly Houses Amendment Act 1995 decriminalised the use of premises as a brothel thereby seeming to endorse prostitution as a valid life style. Furthermore it has reneged on its duty of care for people of this State by passing on the responsibility about the establishment of brothels onto Local Government. Synod further requests that the Secretaries of Synod communicate this resolution to the Minister for Urban Affairs and Planning the Hon. Mr Craig Knowles MP.
(Mr Geoff Neville - 15.11.96)
25/96 Recovering Ministry Costs
Synod requests Standing Committee return to a formula based on parish ability to pay in recovering ministry costs for the Synod Appropriations Ordinance in 1997.
(The Rev Bruce Southwell - 15.11.96)
26/96 A Prayer Book for Australia
This Synod respectfully encourages the Archbishop (in consultation with the Diocesan Doctrine Commission and the Archbishop's Liturgical Panel) to permit the use of such parts of A Prayer Book for Australia which do not contravene any principle of doctrine or worship of the Book of Common Prayer and the Thirty Nine Articles, in accordance with s.4 of the Schedule to the Anglican Church of Australia Constitution Act 1961.
Further, Synod respectfully requests the Archbishop (in consultation with the Diocesan Doctrine Commission and the Archbishop's Liturgical Panel) to detail to the General Synod Liturgical Commission this Diocese's reservations about A Prayer Book for Australia and to indicate its readiness to participate in further liturgical revision.
(Canon Robert Forsyth - 15.11.96)
27/96 Future Patterns of Ministry
This Synod -
(a) requests Standing Committee to prepare legislation to remove whatever restrictions exist in any ordinance which inhibit ministry across parish boundaries; and
(b) requests Regional Councils to consider, as a matter of priority, the establishment of new congregations in their regions, and to apply resources accordingly.
(Bishop Ray Smith - 15.11.96)
28/96 Resolutions of Thanks
(1) This Synod thanks the participants in and organisers of the 1996 Missionary Hour and commends them in prayer.
(The President - 15.11.96)
(2) Synod records its appreciation of the leadership of the Rev Dr Rod Irvine through the Bible readings and prayers during this session.
(The President - 15.11.96)
(3) Synod records its appreciation of -
(a) the President for his chairmanship;
(b) the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of Committees for their work in the Committee stages of bills for ordinances;
(c) the members who helped during the session by giving advice and serving on committees; and
(d) the services given by the Secretaries, the Returning Officer and Deputy Returning Officer, the Church Information Officers, the Pianists and all those who have helped with the arrangements for sittings.
(Archdeacon Trevor Edwards - 15.11.96)
29/96 Procedural Resolutions
(1) Synod notes that The Council of The King's School and the Marrickville Area Deanery Committee have not lodged annual reports for 1995 and requests them to comply with the requirements as soon as possible.
(Mr Warren Gotley - 28.10.96)
(2) Synod refers to the next session of this Synod the bills for ordinances remaining on the business paper.
(Bishop Peter Watson - 28.10.96)
(3) Synod authorises the President to sign the minutes of 15 November upon the production to the Standing Committee of the certificate of any 2 members of the Minute Reading Committee.
(Mr Warren Gotley - 15.11.96)
(4) Synod hereby adjourns without appointing another day of meeting.
(The Rev Barry Marsh - 15.11. 96)