Standing Committee - August 2018 update

Posted Aug 22, 2018 in News

New Times online features brief summaries of Standing Committee meetings to inform the wider Uniting Church SA community of the discussions, deliberations and decisions arising from each meeting.

This update refers to the June meeting of the Standing Committee, which took place in the Synod office (Level 2, 212 Pirie Street, Adelaide) on Friday 17 August, 2018.

Welcome 

Uniting Church SA Moderator Rev Sue Ellis welcomed Standing Committee members at the Friday 17 August meeting, giving an Acknowledgement of Country and request to pray for Rev Sunil Kadaparambil and wife Eva as family and friends back in Kerala, India have experienced severe flooding.  Sunil was struggling to make contact with family that morning.

The Moderator also prayed for farmers and families in Queensland, pastoral areas of Australia and pastoral parts of South Australia where farmers are facing no crops or limited crops due to drought. She encouraged meeting members to remember that churches are ministering into these areas. She also closed by praying for the Uniting Church. For unity and peace as we move forward as one in the Body of Christ.

General Secretary Role

The Standing Committee received an update from Sue Page, Rob Stoner (Chair) and Elizabeth Megaw who were all elected to be part of the Joint Nominating Committee for the vacant General Secretary role. Following the interview process it was felt that the applicants did not meet essential qualities that were critical for the General Secretary.  The position will be readvertised with digital advertising commencing as soon as possible. The committee advised the placement process is lengthy due to juggling of diaries and the rigorous nature of recruiting for such a position. The new close date for the General Secretary role is 2 November, 2018. Standing Committee re-appointed the JNC with some additional names.

Associate General Secretary Role

The Associate General Secretary, Planning and Management, Mr Malcolm Wilson will reduce the hours of his placement on 1 October from 0.8 to 0.6 FTE. A second Associate General Secretary placement will be advertised to offer support for the new General Secretary when that placement is filled. The decision that Rev Rob Brown continue in the interim role was passed by consensus by the Standing Committee. Nominations for the Joint Nominating Committee for the placement of the Associate General Secretary were put forward and those suggested are now being contacted.

Resources Board

Peter Battersby spoke to the Resources Board report. The Resources Board last met on 1 August, 2018 to discuss a range of matters primarily concerning property and finance

The half year Mission and Service Fund financial report was provided.  It is currently slightly ahead of budget largely due to salary savings, however several positions have recently been filled.  It was noted that Uniting College of Leadership and Theology student fees in Semester 1 were less than anticipated, however student numbers in the second semester are the highest they have been since 2012.  A mid-year budget review has been undertaken.  The review together with the half year results indicate that the Fund is on target to breakeven at the end of the year. The Committee received 6 financial reports outstanding at the June Presbytery and Synod meeting.  It was agreed to request the November Presbytery and Synod meeting to adopt these reports. 

Following its decision in December 2017, Standing Committee was informed that a parcel of land has been purchased in Golden Grove as part of a land banking exercise.  The Journey UC is investigating the possibility of building a worship/community centre on the land. Standing Committee adopted a new policy, presented by the Resources Board, relating to the investment strategy of Property Sale Proceeds when a congregation commences a capital project. 

Business Committee

Malcolm Wilson advised that a Standing Committee nominating committee is required. The Standing Committee put forward names for people to join this committee and the Business Committee who is also seeking new members.

Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress (UAICC) Review

 A review panel has been established and a process for the UAICC review is now underway.

2019 Standing Committee Dates

The dates for the 2019 Presbytery and Synod meetings were passed with consensus and can be viewed at the link below when the minutes become available.

 

The minutes from the meeting will be posted here when they are available. The next Standing Committee update will be provided after the October meeting, which is scheduled for Friday 19 October. 

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