Standing Committee & RB05 Feb 10

January 2010 Standing Committee News

Honorary Secretaries’ Report: Hard Gospel Implementation Group; Children’s Ministry Group
A report from the Honorary Secretaries was adopted and ratified. This included agreement to revise the terms of reference for the Hard Gospel Implementation Group so that it will: facilitate a twice-yearly survey of the structures of the Church against the proposals made in the Hard Gospel Project Evaluation Report and make a report with recommendations to specific bodies or groups based on the survey results; research and collate statistics to inform the Group’s work in promoting the value of diversity and participation in Church life; and prioritise addressing those proposals made in the Evaluation Report that can be achieved at least cost in terms of financial and personnel resources at this time.

A request from the Children’s Ministry Group to extend the term of its work to January 2011 was agreed, at which point it will bring forward proposals for the future of children’s ministry. The Revd Jane Galbraith was appointed to the Working Group.

Anglican Covenant
It was resolved that the Standing Committee refer the final text of the Anglican Communion Covenant to the Commission for Christian Unity and Dialogue for examination so that the Commission can make a recommendation concerning appropriate action in relation to the Covenant at the General Synod 2011.

Non Stipendiary Ministry (NSM) Payment Rates
Following amendment to the Church’s Constitution in 2009 permitting the making of payments to persons serving in the auxiliary (NSM) ministry and empowering the Representative Church Body (RCB) to produce rules for payments to auxiliary ministers, preliminary consideration was given to amended rules produced by the RCB governing such payment.

Legislation Committee
The Legislation Committee met during January 2010. In order to produce an enabling ecumenical canon (i.e. church law) for introduction to the General Synod in 2011 the following people have been appointed as a working sub-group: the Rt Hon Sir Anthony Campbell; the Revd Simon Doogan; the Revd John McDowell; and the Ven Philip Patterson (Chairman).

Legal Advisory Committee: Non-Christian Burials in Parish Graveyards
Standing Committee received a report with advice on this issue pertaining to both pre- and post-disestablishment graveyards. The Committee recommended that guidance be given by the House of Bishops to incumbents and churchwardens as to how they should exercise discretion with regard to a request for permission to read a non-Christian burial service at the graveside.

Civil Partnership Bill 2009 (RoI)
A briefing paper from the Church in Society Committee provided for the information of Standing Committee was received and commended. Following discussion it was agreed that it would be sent to the Minister for Justice expressing a willingness to meet with his department.

Bill of Rights (NI)
Standing Committee resolved to appoint the following as members of the Bill of Rights (NI) Working Group to develop a submission from the Church of Ireland to the Northern Ireland Office (NIO) on the proposed Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland: the Rt Revd Harold Miller; the Revd Barry Forde; and Mrs Eithne Harkness.

Child Protection Officer NI (CPO NI)
Standing Committee resolved that the role of CPO NI be continued for a further three years subject to a review and recommended to the RCB Executive Committee that the post remain full-time on a three-year term. It further recommended that the role description of the post be amended following the conclusions of the report of a review of the post.

Charities Legislation
Work in this field continues in consultation with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland with work progressed on wording relating to acceptable Statements of ‘Charitable Purpose’ and ‘Public Benefit’.

Interim Board for Social Theology in Action
It was resolved that Standing Committee concludes the business of the Board for Social Action (NI), the Board for Social Responsibility (RI) and the Church in Society Committee from the day preceding the first day of the General Synod 2010.

It was also resolved that Standing Committee requires that the General Purpose and Finance Committee of the Church of Ireland Board for Social Responsibility (NI), a company limited by guarantee, shall report to the Standing Committee no less than once per annum.

It was further resolved that Standing Committee authorises the Interim Board for Social Theology in Action to draft role descriptions for prospective members of the new Board and that expressions of interest for membership may be sought, and that a Memorandum of Understanding be drawn up with the Board.

Appointment of Delegates
The Archbishop of Armagh was appointed to attend the General Synod of the Church of England to be held in Church House, Westminster from 23 to 25 November 2010.
 
The Rt Revd Dr Michael Jackson and Mr Leslie Johnston were appointed to attend the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church to be held in Church House, Belfast from 7 to 10 June 2010.
 
The Rt Revd Harold Miller and Mrs Hilary McClay were appointed to attend the Conference of the Methodist Church in Ireland to be held in Sydenham, Belfast from 10 to 13 June 2010.

The Very Revd John Bond was appointed to attend the Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends to be held in Friends’ School, Lisburn from 8 to 11 April 2010.

Consultation on the Proposals for a Commissioner for Older People
Standing Committee endorsed the response from the Church in Society Committee to the consultation on the proposal for a Commission for Older People, which is available for viewing at www.ireland.anglican.org/officialsubmissions. 

ENDS