Synod Standing Committee - September 2020 update

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Below is the brief summary of the Synod Standing Committee meeting held on Friday 25th September 2020, to inform the wider Uniting Church in SA community of the discussions, deliberations and decisions arising from that meeting.

General Secretary’s Report

General Secretary Rev Felicity Amery spoke to her report, including the Staff Climate Survey Report and the on-going discussions that are taking place with staff to action the feedback received from the survey. Other items included the further travels to congregations around the state with the Moderator, which included discussions about the Synod’s Strategic planning process and the national conversation occurring around the Redress scheme.

The General Secretary also noted that the Synod is currently working on its 2021 budget with a view to reducing discretionary spending.

Associate General Secretary’s Report

Rev Sue Page reported on the amalgamation of the Jerusalem and Kadina congregations and the closure of the Jerusalem congregation. Synod Standing Committee dates for 2021 were approved (9th April, 4th June, 6th August, 15th October) along with the establishment of a task group to discuss the Professional Development Allowance.

Executive Officer, UnitingCare Report

Rev Tim Hodgson reported on various governance matters with UnitingCare entities and that UnitingCare will establish a task group to review the proposed Business Plan, Charter and Participant Agreement of Synergy. An update of the Disability Royal Commission was also provided.

Executive Officer, Resources Report

Peter Battersby, Executive Officer, Resources reported on the draft Property Review Project discussion paper presented for the information and feedback of the Synod Standing Committee. The report does not include the specific details of any particular building safety reports, rather it is a collated overview of data. The report includes a description of the current property situation, a summary of the overall data that has been gathered and the key conclusions drawn from the data. The Property Review Project Report will be presented to the February 2021 Synod meeting.

Executive Officer, Engagement

Bridget Ransome, Executive Officer, Engagement provided an update on the key activities of the Engagement team, including a review of the Synod Website, social media, congregational website program, UC-enews and New Times publication. It was noted that the October/November issue of New Times will be the last issue for this year.

Placements and Safe Church Report

The Executive Officer, Placements and Safe Church Rev Philip Gardner reported on the draft governance resource from the National Safe Church Unit and the Church Planting Task-force By-laws.

The minutes from the meeting will be posted here when available later this week.


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