1/98 Inauguration of the New Anglican Province of Hong Kong
Synod requests that the Archbishop convey the congratulations and prayerful good wishes from this Synod and the people of the Diocese of Sydney to Archbishop Peter Kwong and the Bishops of Eastern and Western Kowloon dioceses when he and Mrs Goodhew attend the Inauguration of the New Anglican Province of Hong Kong at the end of this month, October 1998. Synod wishes to assure the bishops, clergy and people of the Province of our constant prayer that they might be strengthened and might grow in their witness to the Lord Jesus Christ; that their mission and outreach for the kingdom; and their caring work amongst the people of Hong Kong might be continually blessed by God, the Father, the Son and the Holy spirit.
(Deaconess Margaret Rodgers - 12.10.98)
2/98 Amendment of s.26 of the 1917 Act
Synod approves of a bill being promoted to amend section 26 of the Anglican Church of Australia Trust Property Act 1917, the form of the proposed amendment being that referred to in item 13 of the report contained in the Standing Committee's Supplementary Report to the Synod.
(Mr Mark Payne - 12.10.98)
3/98 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 - 12.10.98)
4/98 Provincial Synod Welfare Commission
Synod defers until the 1st session of the 45th Synod consideration of a resolution to implement resolution 4/98 of the Provincial Synod of the Province of New South Wales.
(Mr Mark Payne - 12.10.98)
5/98 Constitution Alteration (Suspension from Duties) Canon 1998
Synod withholds assent to the Constitution Alteration (Suspension from Duties) Canon 1998 because it considers that proposed subsection 61(2) is without adequate limits, in that -
(a) it will enable the synod of a diocese to provide for a bishop to suspend a licensed member of the clergy on any grounds and, in particular, grounds which are unrelated to the allegations of misconduct; and
(b) it will enable the synod of a diocese to authorise the suspension of a member of the clergy for an unlimited time.
(Mr Neil Cameron - 12.10.98)
6/98 Bishop (Incapacity) Canon 1995
Synod defers further consideration of the Bishop (Incapacity) Canon 1995 and the Bishop (Incapacity) (amendment) Canon 1998 until after the consideration of the recommendations of the Select Committee re Clerical Enquiries has been concluded.
(Canon Peter Tasker - 12.10.98)
7/98 Oaths, Affirmations, Declarations and Assents Canon 1992
Metropolitan Canon 1998
Synod defers further consideration of the Oaths, Affirmations, Declarations and Assents Canon 1992 and the Metropolitan Canon 1998 until the 1st session of the 45th Synod.
(The Rev Dr Glenn Davies - 12.10.98)
8/98 Burden of Foreign Debt
Synod recognises the burden of foreign debt owed by poor and developing nations and commends to the people and parishes of the Diocese, for serious consideration, the work of aid and development organisations who are addressing this critical issue.
(Archdeacon Paul Perini - 12.10.98)
9/98 Kuala Lumpur Statement
Synod -
(a) humbly acknowledges the failure of us all to live in accordance with God's perfect standards as revealed in His word; and
(b) notes and endorses the Kuala Lumpur Statement issued by Anglican delegates from the Provinces in the developing world who met at the second Anglican Encounter held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 1997; and
(c) joins in those Anglicans from developing nations in affirming its content as a correct and faithful assertion of Biblical and long held traditional Anglican teaching on human sexuality; and
(d) gives thanks to God for the powerful endorsement of the substance of the Kuala Lumpur Statement at the recent Lambeth Conference; and
(e) encourages our General Synod representatives to endorse the Kuala Lumpur Statement in 2001; and
(f) calls upon parishes to make every effort to reach out with the gospel to, and include in their pastoral care ministry, persons of a homosexual orientation.
(Mr Philip Gerber - 12.10.98)
10/98 The Late Archbishop Hugh Gough
Synod records its appreciation for the life of the Right Reverend Hugh Rowlands Gough CMG, OBE, MA, DD, who died peacefully in the United Kingdom on 13 November 1997. Bishop Gough was Archbishop of the Diocese of Sydney and Metropolitan from 1958-1966 and Primate of Australia from 1959-1966. As Primate he presided at the 1962 General Synod at which the constitution of the "The Church of England in Australia" came into force replacing the earlier constitution of "The Dioceses of the Church of England in Australia and Tasmania".
Early in his episcopate, Archbishop Gough established a Commission to survey the financial and administrative condition of the Diocese. The significant initiative ultimately led to radical and sweeping changes in the management and financial administration of the Diocese resulting in greater stewardship of the Diocese's assets and a considerable increase in the income they produced. The Diocese continues to benefit from the reforms introduced in 1965 and opportunities for Gospel ministry have been greatly enhanced.
Archbishop Gough brought to the Diocese a long experience in evangelism that included chairmanship of the 1954 Billy Graham Crusade in London. He was President of the Cambridge Inter-Collegiate Christian Union in the 1920s and was the First Student Chairman of the Inter-Varsity Fellowship of Evangelical Unions in 1928. He played a leading role in the establishment of the New University Colleges Council (NUCC), the company that founded and governs New College at the University of New South Wales and Robert Menzies College at Macquarie University.
Synod thanks God for the life of Hugh Rowlands Gough and the considerable contribution he made to the Anglican Church in this Diocese and beyond.
(Dr Alan Beavis - 13.10.98)
11/98 Jubilee 2000 Program
Synod, noting the comments of the Archbishop in his Presidential Address -
(a) asks the Standing Committee to explore how we, as a Diocese, may play some worthwhile part in the Jubilee 2000 program;
(b) asks the Standing Committee to give careful consideration to ways in which the Diocese can pressure the Federal Government, Opposition and other relevant bodies into supporting the cancellation of the unpayable debt of the world's poorest nations; and
(c) asks the Standing Committee to give due considerations to the proposal that a levy of 1% be placed on inflows into the Diocesan Appropriations Account, which will be directed to assisting dioceses in some of the most needy and debt ridden parts of the world.
(The Rev Frank Gee - 13.10.98)
12/98 Standing Orders
Synod requests that the Standing Committee review and, if possible, simplify the Standing Orders.
(Mr Neil Cameron - 13.10.98)
13/98 Behind Closed Doors
Synod notes with interest the production by Anglicare of a video dealing with child sexual abuse and the Church entitled Behind Closed Doors and commends the video to parishes for use in an appropriate way.
(Mr Tom Mayne - 13.10.98)
14/98 General Synod Non-Statutory Assessments
Although this Synod has declined to pay the General Synod non-statutory assessment of $74,666, it asks all parish councils to consider whether a voluntary payment of $300 each be paid to the General Synod under the voluntary assessment scheme and that where a parish council does not resolve to do so, parishioners should feel free to direct so much of their voluntary offerings to the General Synod Special Account as would make up the sum of $300.
(Mr Justice Peter Young - 13.10.98)
15/98 Matters from the Presidential Address
That this Synod thanks and congratulates the President for the challenging word in his Presidential Address, and resolves to -
(a) request the Standing Committee to urge appropriate governments and diplomatic sources to protect the rights of Christians and other religious minorities in the nations of Pakistan, the Sudan and Nigeria;
(b) request the Standing Committee, and noting motions 23/80 and 29/81, to give consideration to persuading the Federal Government to increase its level of humanitarian aid and development assistance equivalent to the United Nations specified level of 0.7 per cent of Gross Domestic Product;
(c) note the comments of the Archbishop on building "firm links" with the Churches that are our more immediate neighbours, and encourages the Archbishop and his episcopal and other colleagues to initiate and foster any such links with Anglican Churches in the Asia-Pacific region, the African Continent and South America, other Australian dioceses, as well as the wider Anglican Communion.
Further, Synod respectfully suggests to the Archbishop and to the Standing Committee that there may be some investigation undertaken of the possibility of setting up "Companion Link Dioceses" arrangements between Sydney and any appropriate dioceses, including at least one in South-East Asia and one on the African continent; and
(d) request the Regional Councils to report to the first session of the 45th Synod on strategies they have put in place and any progress they have made toward realisation of the Archbishop's growth goal of fifteen per cent by the year 2001.
(Bishop Paul Barnett - 14.10.98)
16/98 Future Patterns of Ministry: Pastoral Issues
Synod -
(a) notes that the majority of members of the Future Patterns of Ministry Committee, while agreeing that ministry outside parish boundaries was "legal", expressed serious pastoral concerns about such ministry in parts B, C and D of its draft report of 29 April 1998; and
(b) requests that this material be made available to the Synod for its consideration.
(Mr Justice Peter Young - 14.10.98)
17/98 Distinctive and Permanent Diaconate
Synod requests that the Standing Committee prepare a report for the first session of the next Synod concerning ways in which the recommendations of the report, "Concerning the Distinctive and Permanent Diaconate",1987, have been and could be further implemented.
(The Rev John Mason - 14.10.98)
18/98 Referral of Motions
Synod requests that the Standing Committee consider, and report to members of the Synod with recommendations, concerning all matters that remain unconsidered on the Business Paper of the final day of this Synod.
(The Rev John Mason - 14.10.98)
19/98 Anglican Media's Internet Website
Synod notes with interest the establishment of Anglican Media's Internet Website, (http://anglicanmediasydney.asn.au) and encourages parishes and other organisations to visit the site.
(Mr Graeme Marks - 14.10.98)
20/98 Fellows of the Church of England Historical Society
Synod warmly congratulates Canon Melville Newth, Dr Kenneth Cable and Mr John Thurling on their recent appointment as Fellows of the Church of England Historical Society: Diocese of Sydney, of which His Grace the Archbishop is President.
(The Rev John Cornish - 14.10.98)
21/98 Sexuality Discrimination
Synod -
(a) notes with concern the Senate Legal and Constitutional Reference Committee's report of December 1997 on its Inquiry into Sexuality Discrimination, particularly the implications of its recommendations for the provision of services by Anglican agencies;
(b) encourages parishes to examine the issues raised by the report with a view to developing an informed Biblical response and active participation in public debate by Anglicans; and
(c) endorses the initiative of Anglican Youth and Education and Anglicare in holding a forum on Sexuality Discrimination on Wednesday, 14 October 1998 at 1.10 pm in St Andrew's House Auditorium.
(The Rev Dr Lindsay Stoddart - 14.10.98)
22/98 Team Ministry Training
Synod -
(a) supports the recommendation which is contained in the report on the review of the Assistant Ministers Ordinance 1990 (Standing Committee's Report page 123, point 10) that team ministry training is necessary; and
(b) requests that the Standing Committee have an appropriate body prepare the written material and training programs to assist parish staff effectively develop and maintain team ministry and report to the next session of Synod.
(Mr Glenn Murray - 14.10.98)
23/98 Bioethical Issues
Synod endorses the report of the committee on Bioethical Issues and in particular its emphasis on the need to give people hope in the sovereign lordship of the living God, when they risk being overshadowed by genetic determinism and requests that Standing Committee-
(a) have it edited and printed as a pamphlet for distribution to parishes, relevant community bodies (eg medical and scientific associations) and members of the NSW and Commonwealth Parliaments;
(b) ask the Rev Andrew Cameron to confer with the Anglican Youth and Education Division on the design of a series of study guides (based on the report) for use in schools and churches;
(c) reappoint the committee so that developments in the field of bioethics (and in other dioceses) can be monitored and reported to Synod;
(d) appoint a committee which will produce a document which conveys to women who have had abortions the love of Christ for them, and the real possibilities of healing and forgiveness;
(e) provide funds for (a) and (b) out of Synod contingencies or otherwise; and
(f) requests Anglicare to give advice as to ways and means of supporting families who are supporting intellectually and physically disabled children.
(Mrs Patricia Judge - 14.10.98)
24/98 Incapacity Ordinance 1998
Tribunal Ordinance 1962 Amendment Ordinance 1998
Synod defers the 2nd reading of the bills for the Incapacity Ordinance 1998 and the Tribunal Ordinance 1962 Amendment Ordinance 1998 to the 1st session of the 45th Synod.
(Mr Bill Nicholson - 14.10.98)
25/98 School of Cross Cultural Mission
Synod commends Moore Theological College in establishing an Annual School of Cross Cultural Mission the first activity of which will be a Conference to be held at Moore College on 28 April 1999 on the subject "How Far Can we go? Contextualisation and the Australian Church" and commends the School to the parishes of our Diocese.
(Canon Jim Ramsay - 19.10.98)
26/98 200th Anniversary of St Philip's Church Hill
Synod, noting that this month of October 1998, marks the 200th Anniversary of the commencement of the original St Philip's Church Hill, Sydney, gives thanks to Almighty God for two centuries of biblical ministry in, and on, this site and joins with St Philip's parishioners in praying that Christ's name may continue to be honoured and the Gospel of grace continue to be proclaimed in this part of the CBD.
(Bishop Peter Watson - 19.10.98)
27/98 Use of Visual Technology at Synod
Synod requests that, in order to expedite the business of Synod, Standing Committee be asked to investigate the use of technology to visually display on the large screen any motions or amendments that are asked from the floor and that are under discussion at that time.
(Mrs Lesley Ramsay - 19.10.98)
28/98 1999 Diocesan Day of Prayer
Synod respectfully asks the Archbishop-in-Council to designate a day for a Diocesan Day of Prayer in 1999, and to give at least six months notice of the chosen date.
(The Rev Robin Muers)
29/98 Report of House of Representatives Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs: Strategies to Strengthen Marriage and Relationships
Synod, noting the recent publication of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs entitled 'To have and to hold: strategies to strengthen marriage and relationships' -
(a) encourages the leaders of our nation to uphold our Creator's intention for marriage as taught in Scripture; and
(b) asks that the Diocesan Secretary write to commend the committee for their work; and
(c) requests that the Standing Committee commend those organisations such as Mothers Union Australia, the Anglican Counselling Centre and Anglicare who already contribute greatly to the strengthening of marriage relationships; and
(d) requests that the Standing Committee report back to the next Synod ways in which we as a Diocese can contribute to the strengthening of marriage and relationships in the light of the report; and
(e) asks members of Synod to bring the Report to the attention of members of our Church in parishes for their study.".
(The Rev Phillip Jensen - 19.10.98)
30/98 Primate's Statements re Homosexuality
Synod
(a) notes with thanks the remarks of the Primate in his address regarding the unanimity of the Bible's understanding and rejection of homosexual intercourse; and
(b) expresses its concern about, and distances itself from, public statements by the Primate in his Synod sermon 1998 and his press release of 8 October 1998 to the effect that Anglicans should reconsider the received tradition of the church teaching on homosexuality and his seemingly giving to 'so-called' tradition a level of authority alongside that of the scriptures,
and respectfully requests that the Archbishop of Sydney call on Archbishop Rayner, and all Australian Bishops, 'for a renewed submission to the sovereign authority of scripture, [and] for a reaffirmation of our historic teaching and discipline in relation to marriage and celibacy'.
(Dr Kim Hawtrey - 19.10.98)
31/98 Bicentenary of CMS
Synod notes that Monday 12 April 1999 will mark the bi-centenary of the founding in London of the Church Missionary Society.
We express our profound gratitude to Almighty God that, in His merciful plan to bless all nations, He has called so many of His messengers to serve Him through the fellowship of that Society. In particular we thank our heavenly Father for His grace in calling over 670 missionaries to go to 37 different countries since the establishment of an independent New South Wales auxiliary of the Society in 1892.
We praise God for the evidence of the fruit of the gospel in the lives of all those who have come to a knowledge of Christ through the endeavours of CMS and other societies over the 200 years. We especially thank Him that so many among them honour the Bible as the word of God in our modern pluralistic world.
We commend to parishes the ongoing ministry of CMS and its vision of 'proclaiming the gospel and serving the church in evangelism, Bible teaching and caring to see lives transformed by Christ'. We pray the Lord of the harvest to send our labourers into His harvest through the Society, we ask that He will grant to them open doors for the Gospel and that He will provide the prayer and financial support for those whom He calls to this ministry.
(Mr Alan Hohne - 19.10.98)
32/98 Review of Parish Ministry and Property Costs Recovery Formula
(1) Synod asks Standing Committee to review the formula in the 1999 Synod Appropriations Ordinance to take into account the possible extra burden borne by multiple church units with extra clergy that have small to moderate incomes.
(The Rev Gary Nicholson - 19.10.98)
(2) Synod asks that the Standing Committee appoint a committee of interested Synod members to consider appropriate method(s) by which Parish ministry and property costs may be recovered under triennial funding arrangements, with a view to reporting to Synod in 1999 and also refers motions 4(8), 4(9), 4(10) and 4(19) on today's business paper to this committee for their consideration and other relevant matters.
(Dr Tom Romberg - 20.10.98)
33/98 Establishment of Congregations as Parishes
Synod requests that the Standing Committee bring to the 1st session of the next Synod legislation to enable the establishment of congregations as parishes without requiring them to own any property.
(The Rev Phillip Jensen - 20.10.98)
34/98 Lay and Diaconal Administration of Holy Communion
In response to the Conference on Women's Ministry, this Synod requests that the Standing Committee bring to the 1st session of the 45th Synod such legislation as would enable a 5 year experimentation of lay and diaconal administration of the Lord's Supper(in the presence or absence of the minister) as a principled means by which we may reduce the tensions and synodical divisions over the ordination of women to the priesthood.
Such legislation should provide for Standing Committee to monitor and report to Synod on the operation of lay and diaconal administration of the Lord's Supper at the conclusion of the trial.
(The Rev Phillip Jensen - 20.10.98)
35/98 Preaching and Administration of Holy Communion by Lay Persons and Deacons Ordinance 1998
Synod defers the bill for the Preaching and Administration of Holy Communion by Lay Persons and Deacons Ordinance 1998 to the 1st session of the 45th Synod.
(The Rev Dr John Woodhouse - 20.10.98)
36/98 Ministry Ordinance 1998
Synod defers the bill for the Ministry Ordinance 1998 to the 1st session of the 45th Synod.
(Dr Barry Newman - 20.10.98)
37/98 Parish Disputes Ordinance 1998
Synod defers the bill for the Parish Disputes Ordinance 1998 to the 1st session of the 45th Synod and requests that the bill be given priority on the business paper.
(Mr Philip Gerber - 20.10.98)
38/98 6th Day of the 3rd Session of the 44th Synod
Synod requests that the Archbishop consider summoning members to a 6th day of the 3rd session of the 44th Synod for the purpose of considering the bills remaining on the business paper to adopt or assent to canons of the General Synod.
(Mr Mark Payne - 20.10.98)
39/98 Procedural Motions
(1) Synod records its appreciation of the leadership of the Rev Michael Raiter through the Bible readings and prayers during this session.
(The President - 20.10.98)
(2) 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 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 and all those who have helped with the arrangements for sittings.
(Archdeacon Geoff Huard - 20.10.98)
(3) Synod defers to the 1st session of the 45th Synod such of the bills remaining on the business paper which are not passed as ordinances at a 6th day of this session, should it be held.
(Bishop Peter Watson - 20.10.98)
(4) Synod authorises the President to sign the minutes of 20 October upon the production to the Standing Committee of the certificate of any 2 members of the Minute Reading Committee.
(Mr Mark Payne - 20.10.98)
(5) Synod authorises the President to sign the minutes of 15 December upon the production to the Standing Committee of the certificate of any 2 members of the Minute Reading Committee.
(Mr Mark Payne - 15.12.98)
(6) Synod hereby adjourns.
(The Rev Chris Moroney - 20.10.98/The Rev Chris Moroney - 15.12.98)
40/98 40th Anniversary of the Archbishop's Ordination
Synod congratulates the Archbishop on the 40th Anniversary of his ordination next Monday, St Thomas' Day, 21 December 1998 and gives thanks to God for his ministry over that period and, in particular, his ministry as Archbishop since 1993.
(Mr Justice Peter Young - 15.12.98)
41/98 Constitution Alteration (Tribunals) Canon 1998
Synod requests that the Standing Committee provide a report on the Constitution Alteration (Tribunals) Canon 1998 to the General Synod.
(Archdeacon Trevor Edwards - 15.12.98)