the assembly that was 2011

A change in name for the Safe Church Unit, the adoption of a revised Breaking the Silence policy, farewells to two committees, welcomes to 15 new ministers and a lot of discussion about the need for an expanded theological college. Not to mention three thought provoking Bible expositions and addresses on topics from education to diversity.

That about sums up the 2011 General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Australia in NSW (PCNSW),which was wrapped up in four of the five days allotted to it during the July school holidays.

For full details about the assembly, including:

• the consideration of a formal women's ministry committee
  
• Minister shortage - or not?
• Newly installed State Moderator, Sandy McMillan, writes about the Norway massacre "Lets fix our eyes on Jesus"

See the full edition of the Pulse September 2011

Around 300 people including ministers and Elders representing all the State’s Presbyterian churches, former State Moderators, representatives of Churches of Christ, the Greek Orthodox Church, the Lutheran Church and the Reformed Churches and interested members of the public attended the opening night of the Assembly at PLC Sydney (Presbyterian Ladies College) in Sydney’s Croydon.

Assembly Clerk, Paul Logan, said the event had proceeded as he had predicted in a Pulse preview story – smoothly, in a timely fashion and without any major issues. He said he and other Assembly commissioners had particularly enjoyed hearing three Bible expositions during the week by the Rev RC McKean of Orange on passages from 1 Samuel.

Others to address the Assembly this year included the Rev Dr David Claydon, Chairman of Dealing with Diversity; and the newly appointed National Director of the Australian Presbyterian World Mission, Kevin Murra.

As reported in last month’s Pulse, the Assembly began with the ceremonial installation of the Rev Alexander (Sandy) McMillan, Minister at St Aidan’s, South Wagga Wagga, as Moderator for 2011.

Mr McMillan took the chair during the opening night and had the role of chairing the proceedings for the remainder of the week – a role he appeared to take to. Readers of The Pulse around Australia will have the chance to get to know Mr McMillan via a monthly column.

One of the more poignant parts of that first evening was the Assembly’s farewell to outgoing Moderator Peter Graham, OAM. Mr Graham had been only the second non minister Elder to take the role in church history. A former long-time employee of the PCNSW General Office, he is considered by many as a “walking encyclopaedia”of Presbyterian knowledge and had grasped his new role with great enthusiasm and particularly enjoyed visiting churches around the State.

In farewelling him, the Assembly assured Mr Graham and his wife Betsy of its prayers in the future. The Pulse has in recent months reported upon Mrs Graham, who is fighting cancer and it is generally known that Mr and Mrs Graham have faced some difficult times during his Moderatorial year as a result of the illness. Mr Graham’s final address was reported upon in the August Pulse.

A further sombre moment arose as the Assembly gave thanks to God for the life, service, witness and ministry of the Rev JJT Campbell and the Very Rev J Mullan, both of whom had died during the year after having faithfully served God and the Church for many years. More joyful moments included a welcome by the new Moderator to 15 new ministers to the Assembly – those who have gained a seat on the Assembly since the last Assembly, inducted into their first parish, or set apart for their first appointment in NSW.

They included Rev Christopher Chan (Associate Minister,Chinese PC),Rev Kenneth D Gray (Temora), Rev Dr Wilson Fernandes Jr (Brazilian Christian Ministry), Rev Ian J Halbisch (Colleague at South Wagga Wagga), Rev Kristian Hartberg (Coonabarabran), Rev WG (Joshua) Jung (Wollondilly home mission station), Rev James DS McFarlane (assistant at Beecroft), Rev Winston Mah (Granville-Merrylands home mission station), Rev George Medvedsky (Mullumbimby), Rev Stewart Playsted (East Lismore), Rev Brett Richardson (assistant at Wollongong), Rev Jason Smart (Associate at Bathurst), Rev Martin Spadaro (Rose Bay), Rev Darryl E Spriggs (Nambucca River) and Rev Kamal Weerakoon (St Mary’s).

Meanwhile, at the other end of the spectrum, the Rev Dr CJ Paton was congratulated on the anniversary of 60 years since his ordination to the ministry and the Rev AR Harvey on 50 years. Mr MT Gibson, Elder at Wingham, was congratulated for attaining 60 years as an elder and Mr GJ McLennan, Elder at Macquarie Chapel, for 50 years an elder.

During the next four days, the Assembly, often referred to as the “annual business meeting of the Church”, received reports from its ordinary committees – Australian Presbyterian World Mission (NSW ),    Business,    Church    and    Nation,    Code, Conciliation, METRO, Ministry and Mission, Presbyterian Aged Care, Social Service and Theological Education.

Of particular note, the Assembly then approved the final document for the revision of the Church’s working with children protocol, Breaking the Silence, and agreed to change the name of the Safe Church Unit (formerly the Child Protection Unit) to the Conduct Protocol Unit (CPU) to more accurately reflect its work. It also enacted regulations for the CPU.

Following discussion after tabling the Theological Education report, the Assembly encouraged the Committee to continue to work closely with the Trustees to bring about a new Presbyterian Theological Centre (PTC) college complex.

In the report, Convener Rev Paul Cooper said 2010- 11 had seen significant growth and development for the PTC which had stretched the current staff; while Principal Dr Ian Smith had found the increase in student numbers, staff size and the consolidation of partnerships with the Timothy Partnership and the Chinese Theological College of Australia challenging.

PY’s report was presented with the brightness and thoroughness the Assembly has come to expect of its “youth arm” and the Assembly commended its camping ministry, the Timothy Partnership ministry training program, the work of SRE teachers, PY’s schools ministry and applications for a Federal chaplaincy grant.

Meanwhile, the Church and Nation Committee was thanked and discharged and a Church and Nation Planning group appointed under the leadership of the Rev Dr J McClean to investigate ways in which the Church might be more effective in addressing social questions.

The Assembly went on to consider reports from the Presbyterian Ladies’ Colleges in Sydney and Armidale, the Scots College, The Scots School in Bathurst and Lithgow and the Trustees. Further to those, the Assembly heard an address by Scots School Bathurst newly appointed headmaster Mr D Gates.

It also received reports from special committees and organisations including the auditors, Trustees, Elders’ Association, Friends of the Ferguson Library, Northern Rivers Conference Centre, Pastoral Relations Commission, Presbyterian Men’s League, Presbyterian Ministers’ Wives Association, Presbyterian Women’s Association (PWA), Presbyterian Youth and Presbytery Records.