Standing Committee & RB
September 2009 Standing Committee News
The Standing Committee of the General Synod met in Dublin on Tuesday 15 September 2009. The meeting opened with a scripture reading and prayers. The Archbishop of Armagh expressed the deep condolences of the Standing Committee to Bishop Richard Clarke on the recent death of his wife, Mrs Linda Clarke.Priorities Fund Committee
The following eight members of the Standing Committee were appointed to the Priorities Fund Committee: Mrs JM Bruton; the Revd GTW Davison; the Revd AJ Forster; Mr SR Harper; the Ven SR McBride; Mr GMT Moore; Mr HRJ Totten; and the Revd AM Wilkinson.
New Charities Legislation
Mr Adrian Clements updated Standing Committee on developments on new charities legislation, including the establishment of the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland. Standing Committee passed the following resolution: ‘The Standing Committee requests Diocesan Councils to consider what arrangements should apply in their dioceses for registration under the new Charities legislation and, in particular, whether or not registration should apply individually to each parish or should be undertaken centrally by dioceses. It is intended that the Standing Committee will conduct a review of the whole structure of Church registration after five years when the new legislation should have been active in both jurisdictions for a significant period.’
General Synod/Standing Committee Finances
The Chief Officer outlined the current financial situation as it affects the Church and the challenges for the medium term ahead. Mr WF Baker expanded on the recommendations of the Budget Sub-Committee to make an overall reduction in allocations of c.20 per cent to requested submissions from relevant bodies across the board in light of budget constraints. He stressed the Sub-Committee’s hope that voluntary administrative support from within committees can be increased at this time.
Standing Committee passed the following resolution: ‘That the report of the Standing Committee Budget Sub-Committee be noted and that the recommendations be adopted, and forwarded to the Representative Church Body Allocations Committee.’
Mr HRJ Totten expressed thanks on behalf of the Standing Committee to the Representative Church Body for its careful stewardship of funds, including the creation of the Allocations Reserve Fund, which will enable the Church to conduct its mission in these difficult times.
Attendance at the Presbyterian General Assembly and Methodist Conference
The Most Revd RL Clarke and the Very Revd RSJH McKelvey attended the Presbyterian Church in Ireland’s General Assembly in Belfast from 1 to 4 June 2009 and the Very Revd RSJH McKelvey submitted a report for Standing Committee.
The Most Revd RL Clarke and the Revd Canon KM Poulton attended the Methodist Church in Ireland’s Annual Conference held in Dublin from 4 to 7 June 2009 and the Revd Canon KM Poulton submitted a report for Standing Committee.
Both Bishop Richard Clarke and Canon Poulton reported very positively about the respect shown at both events in terms of the language of engagement used and also spoke highly of the emphasis given at both gatherings to the integration of worship within the proceedings. Discussion ensued particularly regarding how General Synod arrangements for the future might enable greater participation of ecumenical guests.
The International Anglican Women’s Network (IAWN) Conference and UN Commission on the Status of Women
Reports were received on the first IAWN Conference held in New York from 22 to 27 February 2009 and on the 53rd Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women held in New York from 2 to 13 March from the Revd Canon DS Clements who attended both events.
General Synod 2011
Standing Committee resolved that the meeting of the General Synod 2011 be held in the Armagh City Hotel, Armagh, on Thursday 12, Friday 13 and Saturday 14 May 2011.
Anglican Covenant
The following resolution was passed: ‘That the Standing Committee adopts the Anglican Covenant Working Group’s report as a response of the Standing Committee of the General Synod of the Church of Ireland to Section 4 of the Ridley Cambridge draft of the Anglican Covenant, and that the response be forwarded to the Anglican Communion Office.’
General Synod Royalties Fund
On the recommendation of the Central Communications Board, Standing Committee resolved that the sum of €2,000 be made available from the General Synod Royalties Fund to the Liturgical Advisory Committee for the ongoing development costs of the electronic liturgy subject to be drawn down as required during 2010. This includes further development of Visual Liturgy Irish Module, the liturgical section of the Church of Ireland website and the Electronic Hymnal. An account of invoiced expenditures is to be returned to the secretariat at the year end for report to the Standing Committee Budget Sub-Committee.
Church of Ireland Press Office.
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