Agency and committee reports on Day 4

On Day 4 of the 17th Assembly, members heard reports from Uniting Church agencies, committees and ministries including the Assembly Audit Finance and Risk Committee (AFARC), Standards for Ministry, UnitingWorld, Frontier Services and Defence Force Chaplaincy Committee.

Assembly Finance, Audit and Risk Commitee (AFARC)

Chair of AFARC Stuart Woodward presented the report which included financial results and the work of the committee over the past triennium. He indicated that the financial position of the Assembly had improved. Into the next triennium, priorities for AFARC include risk management and working closely with the investment committee.

The Chair fielded questions from the floor alongside Leo Iosifidis, Assembly National Director - Strategic Finance and Administration. Members asked about the Assembly’s ethical investment policies, the role of AFARC in the Church’s governance, cybersecurity, the relationship to Synods and the data which informs financial contributions to the Assembly.

After nine years, Stuart is stepping down as Chair of AFARC. The Assembly expressed appreciation for his service.

Read the report.

Standards for Ministry

Rev Dr Peter Walker, Principal of United Theological College in the NSW/ACT Synod, moved a proposal on behalf of the Standards for Ministry Committee. Passed by consensus, the resolution establishes a clearer process to certify that a candidate for ministry has completed the Phase Two requirements, making them eligible for ordination. While theological colleges have responsibility for ensuring that candidates for ministry have met the requirements for ordination, it is the Assembly which issues a certificate.

This change comes in response to confusion over which council of the church has been required to request and produce a certificate of completion for a candidate for ordination who has completed their required theological education.

This establishes a new process for certification:

1. Theological College determines that a candidate for ordination has completed their studies and reports this to the MEB. 
2. MEB confirms that the candidate has completed all formation requirements and produces a certificate of completion. 
3. MEB communicates to Presbytery that the candidate has completed their formation and provides the certificate of completion to the Presbytery. 
4. Presbytery, having determined to ordain the candidate, requests a numbered certificate of Ordination from the Assembly, and provides a copy of the certificate of completion to the Assembly as part of this request. 

Rev Dr Peter Walker, Principal of United Theological College in the NSW/ACT Synod, fielded questions from the Assembly as part of the broader SFM report.

Questions were posed about standards for chaplaincy, the 16th Assembly resolution to listen to First Peoples’ wisdom in pursuing climate action, and the makeup of the committee.

Read the report.

Read the proposal.

UnitingWorld

Rev Dr Steve Bevis, Chair of the Board, UnitingWorld, introduced UnitingWorld’s presentation with a short video showcasing the impact of UnitingWorld’s partnership with the diocese of Durgapur, Church of North India.

Rev Dr Bevis spoke of the global relationships UnitingWorld holds with other churches. Currently, UnitingWorld works with 23 church partners to support more than 200,000 people across 31 projects in 14 countries.

National Director Dr Sureka Goringe spoke about the impacts of climate change and the need for the work of UnitingWorld and the wider Uniting Church to help build resilience for vulnerable communities.

Dr Goringe fielded questions about congregational giving to UnitingWorld over time, how to support environmentalists, lobbying against declining aid from the government and opportunities for young adults to engage more with partner churches.

She concluded by urging members to sign up to their newsletter, get involved where possible and advocate through voice, vote and wallet. Find out more here.

Read the report.

Frontier Services

Chair of the Frontier Services Board Rev Heather den Houting presented the report. She spoke about the work of Frontier Services 20 bush chaplains currently supporting people in rural and regional communities with pastoral, practical and spiritual care. She also spoke of the growing partnership between Frontier Services and the UAICC, with three Congress bush chaplains now providing care in their own communities.

National Director Rob Floyd spoke of the network of Frontier Services volunteers who have contributed 8000 collective hours over the last 12 months.

Frontier Services raises all money from generous supporters and bequests and donations to Frontier Services can be made here.

Read the report.

Defence Force Chaplaincy

Rev Kaye Ronalds, Defence Force Chaplaincy Convenor, spoke about the service and ministry of Uniting Church’s Australian Defence Force (ADF) Chaplains.

“Our chaplains serve people both of faith and no faith, on ordinary days and dark days. During tragedies, they are called upon to bring hope and comfort”.

There are currently 35 ADF Chaplains and one in training. Finding sufficient Uniting Church ministers to serve in the ADF is an ongoing challenge.

Rev Charles Vesely, Chair of the Uniting Church Australian Defence Force Chaplains Committee, acknowledged chaplains who received recent commendations and awards, including Rev Simote Finau - Commendation, Rev John Dansie – 414 Award for Army Chaplaincy and Rev. Dr Lindsay Carey – Conspicuous Service Medal.

Rev Vesely then spoke of the groundbreaking work of chaplains Rev Tim Hodgson and Rev Lindsay Carey in moral injury, which features in the report. It uses a holistic bio-psycho-social-spiritual approach to moral injury by including chaplaincy in the screening and treatment of moral injury among actively serving military members and retired veterans. Kaye said the life-saving work would remain a legacy of the Uniting Church Defence chaplains at this time. 

Read the report.