Report of the Standing Committee meeting held on 27 April 2009

The Rev Rick Smith and Mr Philip Gerber led in prayer.

GAFCON Primates’ Council meeting

The Archbishop gave a verbal report on the recent GAFCON Primates’ Council meeting in London.

The Rev Dr Peter Toon

Standing Committee respectfully requested the Archbishop to write to Mrs Vita Toon, widow of the late Rev Dr Peter Toon, conveying our sympathy and condolences on Dr Toon’s death. 

Death of Sir Marcus Loane KBE

Standing Committee noted with great sadness the death of the former Archbishop of Sydney Sir Marcus Loane KBE and gave grateful thanks to God for Sir Marcus' long and fruitful ministry of the gospel in Sydney, in Australia and beyond.  Standing Committee noted in particular his service as Principal of Moore Theological College and as Archbishop of this Diocese, and the fact that he was the first Australian-born Archbishop and Primate.

Regulation on asking questions concerning a motion

Standing Committee agreed to adopt the following regulation on a trial basis for three months, commencing 25 May 2009 –

(a)      Any member may ask a question of clarification of a person moving a motion, during the debate on that motion.

(b)      During the callover of motions, a member may seek clarification by calling "Question", whereupon the chairman shall invite the member to ask a question of the mover.  After a response is provided, the chairman shall call the motion again.  If there are any further questions raised by any member concerning the motion, the motion shall not pass formally.

(c)      The chairman may, at his discretion, disallow any question if it contravenes rule 6.3(4) of the Schedule to the Conduct of the Business of Synod Ordinance 2000.

Minutes of the Mission Board

Standing Committee noted the minutes of the Mission Board of 30 March 2009.

Minutes of 30 March 2009

Standing Committee approved of the minutes of 30 March 2009, having been certified by Mr Tony Willis as minute reader, being signed as a correct record.

Ordinances

Diocesan Endowment (Special Distribution) Ordinance 2009

The purpose of this ordinance was to make special provision for the amounts to be paid by the Glebe Administration Board to the Standing Committee from the property held under the Diocesan Endowment Ordinance 1984 during the years 2010, 2011 and 2012.

Elections

Membership of the Standing Committee: Lay person elected by the Regional Electors of the Georges River Region

Standing Committee received a report about a postal ballot being conducted to fill a vacancy on the Standing Committee arising from the resignation of Mr Greg Nelson.

Arden Anglican School Council

The Rev Adam Taylor was elected.

Blue Mountains Grammar School Limited

Mr Graham Nelson was elected.

Camperdown Cemetery Trust

Ms Jenna Weston was appointed.

General Synod, Diocesan Representative

The Rev Rick Lewers was elected.

Robert Menzies College Limited

Mr Mark Wormell was elected.

Sydney Anglican Home Mission Society Council (Anglicare)

Mrs Carolyn Bowern was elected.

Sydney Anglican Indigenous Peoples’ Ministry Committee

Standing Committee approved of the Archbishop appointing Mr Lindsay Roberts.

Sydney Church of England Grammar School (Shore)

The Rev Michael Kellahan was elected.

William Branwhite Clarke College Council

The Rev Nathan Walter was elected.

Casual Vacancies

(a)      Stipends and Allowances Committee – Mr Greg Nelson had resigned and a vacancy was declared for a lay person.

(b)      Sydney Anglican Home Mission Society Council (Anglicare) – Mr Michael Sheedy had resigned and a vacancy was declared for a member of the clergy.

Elections of Committees etc
Council of Churches in NSW, Diocesan Representatives on
Safe Ministry Board
Sydney Anglican Car and Insurance Fund, Sydney Church of England Finance and Loans Board

These matters were deferred.

Secretariat and Glebe Board

Minutes

Standing Committee noted that the minute book of the Secretariat and Glebe Board had been tabled.

Report of the Chief Executive Officer

Standing Committee received a report.

Financial Matters

Actions by the Finance Committee under delegated authority

Standing Committee noted the actions taken by the Finance Committee under delegated authority.

Statement of priority under Mission Property Ordinance 2002

Standing Committee noted a priority statement made under clause 5C of the Mission Property Ordinance 2002.

Synod

2nd ordinary session of the 48th Synod

Standing Committee received a report.

Publication of Acts and Ordinances and the Yearbook

Standing Committee received reports from the Diocesan Secretary and the Diocesan Registrar.

33/08 Anglican chaplains

Standing Committee received a report from Mr Andrew Frank.

35/08 Human rights framework for Australia

Receipt of paper

Standing Committee received a paper from the Diocesan Doctrine Commission and approved of the printing of the paper for Synod.

Receipt of position paper

Standing Committee received a position paper from the Social Issues Executive.

Appointment of ad hoc committee

Standing Committee –

(a)      appointed an ad hoc committee consisting of Mr Robert Tong, Bishop Robert Forsyth, Mr Robert Wicks and Dr Karin Sowada, with power to coopt, to undertake on behalf of the Standing Committee the consultation with the Federal Government referred to in Synod resolution 35/08, and

(b)      requested that the committee keep the Standing Committee informed of the action it takes.

Indigenous representation on the Synod

Standing Committee received a report from Archdeacon Deryck Howell and requested the Diocesan Secretary to draft amendments to the Synod Membership Ordinance 1995 to allow a temporary, that is 3 year, relaxation of the requirement of one representative being a qualified minister, with a view to such amendments being promoted to the Synod by request of the Standing Committee at the next meeting.

12/07 Parish Development Reviews

This matter was deferred.

Other Matters

Review of the NSW Council of Churches

This matter was deferred.

Pastoral Guidelines on private confession

Standing Committee received a letter from the Primate.

Proposal for the establishment of a Diocesan Ethics Committee

Standing Committee received a report and agreed to consider at a future meeting the formation of a Diocesan Ethics Committee.

Date of next meeting

Monday 25 May 2009.