Tasmanian Council of Churches

Tasmanian Council of Churches

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TASMANIAN COUNCIL OF CHURCHES 2000 ANNUAL MEETING MINUTES

AGM00/1 AT THE SALVATION ARMY CITADEL, 180 ELIZABETH STREET,
HOBART, ON SATURDAY, 13 MAY 2000, AT 10:00 A.M., THE TASMANIAN COUNCIL OF
CHURCHES MET FOR ITS ANNUAL MEETING, AND WAS CONSTITUTED BY
WORSHIP LED BY THE PRESIDENT, THE REV’D KEVIN DOBSON.
AGM00/2 Present were:
ANGLICAN CHURCH OF AUSTRALIA, DIOCESE OF TASMANIA: Miss Rachel Anderson,
the Rev’d Cyril Dann, Mrs. Aileen Fitzgerald, The Ven. Robert Legg, Mrs. Beverley Percey, the
Rev’d Bill Percey, The Ven. Peter Stuart, Mr. John Teniswood, the Rev’d Canon John Van Emmerik,
Dr. Louise Wells, the Rev’d Charles Whitton, Mrs. Jean Young.
BAPTIST UNION OF TASMANIA: The Rev’d Ted Nibbs (H/C), the Rev’d James Anderson, Mr.
Graham Clements, Mr. John Dowsett, Mrs. Marion Dowsett, Mrs. Dawn Nibbs, Mrs. Doreen
Thurston.
CATHOLIC CHURCH, ARCHDIOCESE OF HOBART: Sr. Josephine Brady SSJ, Mrs. Enid
Conley, Mr. Paul Dobber, Mrs. Mary Excell, the Rev’d Fr. Geoffrey Jarrett, the Rev’d Fr. Joseph
Martins, The Rev’d Fr. Christopher Mithen CP, Mrs. Carol Prichard, Mrs. Lynn Priest, Mrs. Phyl
Sharman, Mrs. Eris Smyth OAM, Sr. Elizabeth Vagg PBVM, Mrs. Anne Wieczorek.
RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS, TAS. REGIONAL MEETING: Elizabeth Field (H/C).
THE SALVATION ARMY, TASMANIA DIVISION: Lieutenant Colonel Peter Callander (H/C),
Captain Simon Damon, Envoy Abel Reeve, Captain Peter Walker.
UNITING CHURCH IN AUSTRALIA, SYNOD OF TASMANIA: The Rev’d Robert Brown
(H/C), the Rev’d John Broughton, Mr. Richard Chapman, the Rev’d Mollie Chick, Mr. Michael
Dobson, Ms. Helen Geard, the Rev’d Rod Horsfield, Mr. Bob Humphries, Mrs. Heather Jatan, the
Rev’d Dr. Elizabeth Nolan, the Rev’d Eric Smith, the Rev’d Peter Weeks, Mrs. Ida West.
ASSOCIATE MEMBER CHURCH - HOBART CITY CHURCH OF CHRIST: Mr. Clinton
Wardle.
EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS: The Rev’d Kevin Dobson (President), Dr. Rosemary Dobber
(Vice-President), The Rev’d Fr. Michael Delaney (Immediate Past President), the Rev’d Bob Faser
(General Secretary).
CO-OPTED MEMBERS: Mrs. Nicole Day (staff), Ms. Penny Edman (media), Mrs. Thelma Jacobs
(ACW), Mrs. Jennifer Roddam (staff), Mrs. Isabel Thomas Dobson (staff).
OBSERVERS FROM NON-MEMBER CHURCHES: Mr. Ferdie Kroon (Reformed Churches in
Australia, Classis Tasmania).
GUEST SPEAKER: The Rev’d David Gill, General Secretary of the National Council of Churches
in Australia.
As well, a number of visitors were present to hear the addresses in the morning session and to be
present at the presentation to the Rev’d Cyril Dann at lunch time.
AGM00/3 Apologies for absence were received from:
ANGLICAN CHURCH OF AUSTRALIA, DIOCESE OF TASMANIA: The Rev’d Dr. Stuart
Blackler (Administrator), The Rev’d Canon Alan Bulmer, The Rev’d Deidre Hunter, the Rev’d Canon
David O’Neill, the Rev’d Dr. Jim Young.
BAPTIST UNION OF TASMANIA: Mr. Elvin Fist.
agm 00 minutes.wps 1 Wednesday, 28 January 2009
CATHOLIC CHURCH, ARCHDIOCESE OF HOBART: The Most Rev’d Adrian Doyle (H/C),
Mr. John Barker, Mrs. Pat Barker, Ms Angela Bromfield, Sr. Jill Dance SSJ, Sr. Barbara Hateley,
MSS, Mr. Tony Le Clerc.
GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH, ARCHDIOCESE OF AUSTRALIA: The Rev’d Fr. Timothy
Evangelinidis (H/C).
RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS, HOBART REGIONAL MEETING: John Legg, Ruth
Legg, Valmai McCulloch.
THE SALVATION ARMY: Major Glenda Daddow, Captain Steven English.
UNITING CHURCH IN AUSTRALIA, SYNOD OF TASMANIA: Mrs. Ila Purdon, Mr. Walter
Sholl, the Rev’d Norma Spaulding.
CO-OPTED MEMBER: Dr. David Daintree
OBSERVERS FROM NON-MEMBER CHURCHES: The Revd John Heidenreich, the Rev’d
Wayne Muschamp (Lutheran Church of Australia, Victorian District).
AGM00/4 The following persons were co-opted as members of the Council: Dr. David
Daintree (Jane Franklin Hall), Mrs. Thelma Jacobs (ACW), Ms. Penny Edman (media), Mrs. Nicole
Day, Mrs. Jennifer Roddam, Mrs. Isabel Thomas Dobson (staff).
The meeting resolved to associate the Rev’d David Gill, General Secretary of the National Council of
Churches in Australia with the Council for the meeting.
The following persons were appointed as returning officers: The Rev’d Cyril Dann, Miss Helen
Geard, Mrs. Thelma Jacobs.
AGM00/5 The proposed agenda for the meeting was adopted.
AGM00/6 The minutes for the 1999 Annual Meeting were tabled, having been previously
confirmed by the Executive.
AGM00/7 The General Secretary noted that Mr. Bob Humphries had agreed to be nominated as
Treasurer. Mr. Stan Murrowood had agreed to be nominated as a member of the Commission on
Mass Media. Their names were added to the Ballot paper to be used later in the meeting.
AGM00/8 PRESIDENT’S REPORT: The President, the Rev’d Kevin Dobson, presented
his report which was received by the Annual Meeting with acclamation.
AGM00/9 REPORT ON ECUMENICAL CELEBRATIONS FOR THE YEAR 2000: The
General Secretary highlighted the main celebrations for the 2000th anniversary of the birth of Jesus
Christ. These included “Flame Afire” (a symbol of the light of Christ) which was launched at Port
Arthur in February and was presently travelling the state; “Pilgrimage to the Heart” which would
climax on the day of Pentecost at Uluru; a number of “Weekends of Prayer” around the nation, led by
Brother Ghislain from the Taizé community; a performance of Haydn’s Creation with the Tasmanian
Symphony Orchestra during Holy Week.
AGM00/10 CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS RELATED TO THE GST: The General
Secretary, on behalf of the Executive, presented proposed amendments to the Constitution (addition to
Section III and new Sections XIV and XV) to comply with GST requirements for non profit
organisations. Guidance had been given by Kimberley Smith Partners, who had been engaged as
advisers to the churches.
Following discussion, and after a small group was given the task of preparing a revision of the
proposed amendment to “III. Functions”, the Annual Meeting adopted the following amendments to
the Constitution:
III. Functions:
agm 00 minutes.wps 2 Wednesday, 28 January 2009
The Tasmanian Council of Churches exists to promote a closer unity among Christians in
Tasmania, specifically,
1. To assist the growth of ecumenical consciousness in the members of all Churches
and generally to promote Christian unity;
2. To promote co-operation between the Member Churches through the study of that
which we hold in common and the sharing of our different standpoints in such a
spirit that the unity to which God calls us may become clearer;
3. To facilitate common action by the Churches within Tasmania as a proclamation of
the hope of the Gospel to the whole community;
4. To establish and maintain close relationships with the National Council of Churches
in Australia and to increase the contact of Tasmania with Church thought and action
throughout the world,
and in these terms promotes the advancement of religion.
XIV. Dissolution:
The Tasmanian Council of Churches shall be deemed to be dissolved when either of the
following events has occurred:
1. 75% of members present at a meeting of the Council vote to dissolve the Tasmanian
Council of Churches, with such decision to be ratified by the heads of at least 75%
of the Council’s Member Churches;
2. Fewer than three churches are members of the Tasmanian Council of Churches.
XV. Distribution of Surplus Funds if Dissolved:
1. If the Tasmanian Council of Churches is dissolved by the vote of the Council (as in
XIV.1), and if such dissolution is for the purpose of enabling the creation of another
statewide ecumenical body, the funds of the Tasmanian Council of Churches (after
assets are realised and liabilities settled) shall be transferred to the newly created
body.
2. If the Tasmanian Council of Churches is dissolved in any circumstances other than
described in XV.1, the Council’s surplus funds shall be distributed to programmes of
the National Council of Churches in Australia and/or programmes of Member
Churches of the Council at the time of its dissolution. This distribution of the
Council’s funds shall be determined by the heads of the Council’s Member Churches
at the time of the Council’s dissolution.
AGM00/11 RECONCILIATION: Mrs. Ida West spoke to the meeting indicating her ongoing
concerns about Government policy on the question of Reconciliation with the Aboriginal population.
The meeting gave wholehearted support to her sentiments and she was assured that the World Justice
and Development Commission was constantly working on the issue of Aboriginal affairs.
AGM00/12 KEYNOTE ADDRESS: The General Secretary welcomed the Rev’d David Gill,
General Secretary of the National Council of Churches, to the meeting.
Mr. Gill began by referring to the concerns expressed by Mrs. West and mentioned the ground swell
of support from the Churches for reconciliation. He referred to “Corroboree 2000” on the weekend of
26/28 May in Sydney. He highlighted details of an ecumenical service which was being organised by
the NCCA and the NSW Ecumenical Council when the Document of Reconciliation would be
symbolically placed on the altar at St. Mary’s Cathedral. A statement of commitment to the
reconciliation process would be read during the service by representatives of the faith communities
present.
agm 00 minutes.wps 3 Wednesday, 28 January 2009
He went on to speak on the topic “Ten Things I wish I were not hearing about attitudes and
assumptions towards the ecumenical movement”.
The Rev’d Fr. Mike Delaney thanked Mr. Gill on behalf of the meeting for his address which both
challenged and encouraged members of the Annual Meeting. It was valuable for the Tasmanian
Council of Churches, a smaller but active ecumenical partner, to have the opportunity to hear at first
hand about the common goals shared between the NCCA and the state bodies.
Opportunity was given for informal discussion with Mr. Gill later in the meeting.
AGM00/13 PROPOSAL FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE COMMISSION ON
ECUMENICAL SPIRITUALITY, THEOLOGY AND EDUCATION (replacing the current
Commissions on Faith and Order and Theological Education).
The proposal for the establishment of the Commission on Ecumenical Spirituality, Theology and
Education, having been fully discussed and supported by the current Faith and Order and Theological
Education Commissions and having been circulated to members prior to the Annual Meeting, was
adopted unanimously. (See Appendix I for the Mandate of the Commission).
AGM00/14 PROPOSAL FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE COMMISSION ON
MASS MEDIA:
The General Secretary noted that the proposal came as a request from the Board of the Christian
Television Association, Tasmania. Members of the CTA Board had volunteered their services to
become the core of the proposed new Commission. He moved the establishment of the Commission
on Mass Media, as outlined in the proposal circulated to members prior to the Annual Meeting.
Seconded the Ven. Robert Legg. The meeting unanimously agreed to the formation of the
Commission on Mass Media. (See Appendix II for the Mandate of the Commission).
AGM00/15 BUSINESS FROM MEMBER CHURCHES
ANGLICAN: The Ven. Robert Legg said the Anglican Diocese would be pleased to be assured of
prayers as the Diocese begins to move forward into a new era with the consecration of the newly
appointed Bishop in July.
BAPTIST: The Rev’d Ted Nibbs asked for prayer as the Baptist Union looked towards the
appointment of a new Superintendent who would serve as a full time pastor in Tasmania.
CATHOLIC: The Rev’d Fr. Geoffrey Jarrett said that the appointment of the Most Rev’d Adrian
Doyle had been received with great joy throughout the state. The Catholic Church in Tasmania had
been engaged in a process of review, and prayers were sought as the “Call to Change” programme
reached an important phase by August.
RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS: Elizabeth Field reported that the headquarters of Quaker
Service Australia had moved from Hobart to Sydney. Although the Society of Friends in Tasmania
was a small organisation, members continually looked for the best ways to express their faith in the
service they undertook.
THE SALVATION ARMY: Lieutenant Colonel Peter Callander reported that The Salvation Army
State Congress was held in April and had been an encouraging time. He had visited many areas of the
state and, although two Corps had been closed in the last few months, there was considerable growth
in several other areas.
UNITING CHURCH: The Rev’d Robert Brown said the Uniting Church had also been involved in a
period of change, both structurally and in ministry. There had been a larger turnover of ministry
personnel recently than there had been for several years, which had brought new insights into the
State. He mentioned the effectiveness of the Synod’s Ecumenical Affairs Committee which assisted in
keeping the Synod aware of the broader life of the Church. The National Triennial Assembly of the
Uniting Church would be held in Adelaide in July. The Rev’d James Haire would be installed as
President during the Assembly.
agm 00 minutes.wps 4 Wednesday, 28 January 2009
HOBART CITY CHURCH OF CHRIST: Mr. Clinton Wardle asked for prayer as the Church faced
changes in issues of property and personnel.
REFORMED CHURCH (Observer Church): Mr. Ferdie Kroon (Secretary of the Reformed church
in Tasmania) said he valued the opportunity to be part of the Council which allowed a sharing of
information. The Reformed Church in Tasmania was small with seven congregations, and was part of
the National Reformed system. This year the National Youth Conference had been held in Tasmania.
The National Synod would be held in Tasmania in 2002.
AGM00/16 ELECTION OF OFFICERS: The Annual Meeting unanimously, and with
acclamation, elected the following members to serve as officers of the Tasmanian Council of Churches
until the next Annual Meeting:
􀂃 President: The Rev’d Kevin Dobson
􀂃 Vice-President: Dr. Rosemary Dobber
􀂃 Treasurer: Mr. Bob Humphries
The Annual Meeting re-appointed Mr. Chris Scandrett to serve as auditor until the next Annual
Meeting. A letter of thanks would be sent from the meeting to Mr. Scandrett for his service in this
role.
AGM00/17 RECEPTION OF REPORTS: The Annual Meeting received reports from the
following bodies and referred them to workshop groups for detailed consideration.
A. The Executive
B. Commissions
􀂃 Christian Religious Education in State Schools (including a financial report from the
Commission)
􀂃 Faith and Order
􀂃 The Gospel and Human Relationships
􀂃 Theological Education
􀂃 World Justice and Development
C. 1999 Financial Reports for the TCC
D. Associated Bodies
􀂃 Youth Ministry
􀂃 Australian Church Women (ACW)
􀂃 Interchurch Trade and Industry Mission (ITIM)
􀂃 Jane Franklin Hall (JFH)
AGM00/18 PRESENTATION TO THE REV’D CYRIL DANN
The President and General Secretary, on behalf of the Council, presented the Rev’d Cyril Dann with a
clock, and a monetary gift in recognition of his stirling service as Treasurer of the Tasmanian Council
of Churches for the past 15 years.
AGM00/19 ISSUES FACING THE CHURCH IN THE NEW MILLENNIUM
Following a proposal from the Executive (originating with the Commission on the Gospel and Human
Relationships), for a day seminar on “Issues Facing the Church in the New Millennium”, the meeting
broke into small groups to “brainstorm” topics for inclusion in the seminar. A summary of responses
is attached in Appendix III.
AGM00/20 WORKSHOP GROUPS: The Annual Meeting broke into four workshop groups
to give detailed consideration to the following reports, and to bring comments and resolutions back to
the plenary session:
GROUP A:
Reports: Executive, Finance, CRE in State Schools
agm 00 minutes.wps 5 Wednesday, 28 January 2009
Convener: Lieut. Col. Peter Callander
GROUP B:
Reports: Executive, Gospel and Human Relationships, Jane Franklin Hall
Convener: Mrs. Beverley Percey.
GROUP C:
Reports: Executive, World Justice and Development, Youth Ministry, ITIM
Convener: The Rev’d Fr. Mike Delaney
GROUP D:
Reports: Executive, Faith and Order, Theological Education, Australian Church Women
Convener: The Rev’d Robert Brown
AGM00/21 REPORTS FROM WORKSHOP GROUPS: The Annual Meeting resumed in
plenary session to receive reports from workshop groups (see Appendix IV).
AGM00/22 RESOLUTIONS FROM WORKSHOP GROUPS
The following resolutions arose from discussion on the report from the World Justice and
Development Commission:
1. The meeting endorsed the International Year for the Culture of Peace. Noting that no
government funding had been allocated to promote IYCP, the following motion was passed:
“The Council recommends to Member Churches that, whenever appropriate (a) they
encourage the IYCP, (b) mention it in their publicity for appropriate events that they
organise”
2 The meeting resolved that the General Secretary write to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, the
Hon. Alexander Downer, expressing thanks for the positive decision to cancel debts owing by
Ethiopia and Nicaragua, but encourage further action in the area of debt cancellation.
3 The meeting resolved that the World Justice and Development Commission prepare a short
document outlining the steps of the reconciliation process and progress to date and circulate
that, together with details of events during Corroboree 2000 and available worship
resources, to Heads of Churches for distribution within their networks.
4 The meeting resolved to circulate a petition to the Federal Government requesting:
(i) that the Federal Government, in view of its original welcome extended to the
displaced people from Kosovo, and the dangerous and deprived situation to which
they have returned, use every endeavour to facilitate the return to Australia of
those Kosovars who wish to, and
(ii) that the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs fulfil his promise to
send migration officers to Pristina to assist in the lodgement of the appropriate
migration documents.
The petition would be circulated to parishes and congregations of Member Churches with the
TCC’s next mailing.
AGM00/23 ELECTION OF MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE: The Annual Meeting
elected the following people to be members of the Executive: Mr. John Barker, Mrs. Enid Conley, the
Rev’d Bill Percey, Sr. Elizabeth Vagg PBVM and the Rev’d Peter Weeks.
AGM00/24 APPOINTMENT OF CONVENERS AND MEMBERS OF COMMISSIONS:
The Annual Meeting elected the following people to be Conveners and members of the TCC’s
Commissions. (Please note that members of the Commissions on Christian Religious Education in
State Schools and some members of the Ecumenical Spirituality, Theology and Education are
appointed by Member Churches, others by the Annual Meeting. The names of those appointed by
Member Churches are listed for information only.)
agm 00 minutes.wps 6 Wednesday, 28 January 2009
1. World Justice and Development (Appointed by Annual Meeting):
Mr. Paul Dobber (Convener), the Rev’d Bob Faser (Secretary), Mr. George Castley, the
Rev’d John Clarkson, Mr. Bob Clarke, the Rev’d Fr. Mike Delaney, Mr. Syd Edwards, the
Rev’d Grant Finlay, Mrs. Aileen Fitzgerald (CWS Field Officer), the Rev’d Fr. Christopher
Mithen CP, Dr. Ian Newman, Mrs. Nicole Day (Multicultural Liaison Officer), Mrs. Ida
West.
2. Ecumenical Spirituality, Theology, and Education (Some members appointed by
Member Churches and some by Annual Meeting):
Dr. Louise Wells (Convener); (Anglican: to be advised); the Rev’d James Anderson
(Baptist); (Catholic: to be advised); the Rev’d Fr. Timothy Evangelinidis (Greek
Orthodox); Ronald Darvell (Religious Society of Friends); (The Salvation Army: to be
advised); the Rev’d Dr. Rod Horsfield, the Rev’d Norma Spaulding (Uniting); (Lutheran: to
be advised); (Reformed: to be advised); Sr. Jill Dance SSJ, the Rev’d Garry Deverell, Mr.
Tony LeClerc, Dr. Louise Wells (Annual Meeting); the Rev’d Kevin Dobson (TCC
President); the Rev’d Bob Faser (TCC staff).
3. Christian Religious Education in State Schools (Appointed by Member Churches and
by some non-Member Churches):
Sr. Barbara Hateley MSS (Convener), Mrs. Isabel Thomas Dobson (Liaison Officer), the
Rev’d Peter Weeks (Convener: Primary Education Working Group), (the Convener of
the Secondary Education Working Group is to be appointed), Mrs. Barbara Bowes, the
Rev’d Canon Alan Bulmer, the Rev’d Deirdre Hunter (Anglican), Mr. Graham Clements
(Baptist), Mrs. Lynn Priest, Mrs. Therese Smith (Catholic), Captain Steven English /
Captain Simon Damon (Salvation Army), (Uniting -- 1 to be appointed), Mr. George
Muskett (Christian Brethren), Pastor Kim Jaeger (Christian Revival Crusade), the Rev’d
Wayne Muschamp (Lutheran), the Rev’d Donald Geddes (Presbyterian), the Rev’d Ron
Van Leerdam (Reformed), Mr. Paul Cavanough (Scripture Union), the Rev’d Bob Faser
(TCC staff).
4. Mass Media (Appointed by Annual Meeting):
Mrs. Wendy Renton (Convener), the Rev’d Paul Arnott, John Briggs, Ms. Penny Edman, the
Ven. Robert Legg, Mr. Lawrie Rowston, the Rev’d Bob Faser (TCC staff)
5. The Gospel and Human Relationships (Appointed by Annual Meeting):
Sr. Josephine Brady SSJ (Convener), Mrs. Margaret Collis, the Rev’d Garry Deverell
(Northwest liaison), Dr. Rosemary Dobber, Mr. Elvin Fist (Northern Liaison), Mrs. Nell
Kuilenberg, the Ven. Robert Legg, Mrs. Beverley Percey (Northern Liaison), the Rev’d
Peter Weeks, Ms. Anne Wieczorek, Mrs. Jean Young, the Rev’d Dr. Jim Young, the Rev’d
Bob Faser (TCC staff).
AGM00/25 THANKS
The President, on behalf of the TCC, thanked all retiring members of the Faith and Order and
Theological Education Commissions for their service over many years. He said it was planned to
invite all retiring and former members of those Commissions to the first meeting of the newly
established Commission on Ecumenical Spirituality, Theology and Education for a celebration of the
past and to share plans for the future.
He thanked all members of all Commissions for their service over the past twelve months.
AGM00/26 MINUTES OF APPRECIATION:
The General Secretary moved Minutes of Appreciation to the following people who were retiring from
positions: The Rev’d Cyril Dann (Treasurer), Dr. Rosemary Dobber (Convener of the Commission on
the Gospel and Human Relationships), Mr. Tony Le Clerc (Convener, Theological Education
Commission), Captain Brian Harvey (Convener, Faith and Order Commission), Ms. Angela Bromfield
(Youth Ministry Contact Person). These were carried with acclamation by the meeting.
AGM00/27 WORSHIP: In the context of the Closing Worship, the Rev’d David Gill
commissioned the Rev’d Kevin Dobson as President of the Tasmanian Council of Churches. The
President then commissioned other office-bearers.
agm 00 minutes.wps 7 Wednesday, 28 January 2009
AGM00/28 The Annual Meeting concluded with the blessing at 4.25 pm.
CONFIRMED. PRESIDENT _______________________________
DATE _______________________________



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