proposal 1 - uca sa - synod of south australia...proposals s5 1.1 proposal 1 that the synod of sa...

Proposals S5 1.1

Proposal 1

That the Synod of SA resolve to:

1. a. ADOPT Standing Orders and Rules of Debate as set out in ‘A Manual for Meetings in the

Uniting Church’, as recorded in the Constitution and Regulations, 2018 edition. (Reg.

3.8.4)

b. APPROVE that the style of voting shall be by the use of coloured cards unless a secret

ballot is called for by the Moderator.

c. AGREE that in the event that a procedural motion for the council to move into “Private

sitting” is carried by a simple majority then ALL those who are not members of the

Council must leave the meeting. The required Uniting Technology and Synod staff will be

able to remain to execute their respective tasks.

d. DETERMINE that all discussions or decisions will be conducted in ways which comply

with the Church’s responsibilities under the “Synod Work Health and Safety Corporate

Policy and Procedures” and the Work Health and Safety (WHS) Act 2012 (SA).

2. NOTE that at the beginning of each session the Moderator will deal with the business coming

before the house in the following order:

a. Minutes of any meeting requiring to be approved or confirmed.

b. Letters or other communications to be received.

c. Reports from the Business Committee or other special committee appointed by the

Synod.

d. Confirmation or variation of the proposed hours of session and order of the day.

e. Formal Business.

f. The order of the day.

3. RECEIVE all reports as provided (electronic and hard copy) in the ‘Reports and Business

Papers of the Synod of South Australia 13-16 November 2019 and Supplements thereto.

4. NOTE that:

a. Questions relating to the proposals brought before the Synod by the Business

Committee will be answered at the time when the proposals are being considered by a

plenary session of the Synod.

b. Questions relating to the reports and proposals which are not considered by a plenary

session of Synod because of time constraints, will be referred along with the particular

proposals to the Synod Standing Committee.

SYNOD ANNUAL MEETING - NOVEMBER 2019

Proposals S5 1.2

b. Comments and/or questions from the floor and replies to questions shall be limited to

three (3) minutes unless otherwise determined by the house.

5. DETERMINE that the Roll shall only contain the names of those representatives listed on the

roll of members of the last ordinary meeting of Synod or their replacement member.

6. DEFINE the boundaries of the house to be the seated area of the ground floor and the creche

of Adelaide West Uniting Church.

7. ADOPT the Hours of Session as listed hereunder:

At Brougham Place Uniting Church:

Session 1 Wednesday 13 November 7:00pm – 9:00pm

At Adelaide West Uniting Church:

Sessions 2- 6 Thursday 14 November 9:30am – 9:00pm

Sessions 7 – 10 Friday 15 November 9:00am – 9:00pm

Session 11 Saturday 16 November 9:00am – 1:00pm

Generate Presbytery meeting Saturday 16 November 1:00pm – 3:00pm

Presbytery A meeting Saturday 16 November 1:30pm – 2:30pm

Presbytery B meeting Saturday 16 November 2:30pm – 3:30pm

8. APPOINT the following officers for this Synod meeting:

a. Assistant Secretaries: Rev Sue Page (Event Manager)

Rev Dianne Holden

b. Minute Secretaries: Tracey Bost

Bev Freeman

c. Chief Scrutineer: Anne Wilson

Ballot Scrutineers: Peter Wilson, Matthew Heath, Sonia Wilson

d. Chaplains Rev Rob Williams

Rev Beth Seaman

e. Business Committee Rev Felicity Amery, Rev Sue Ellis, Bronte Wilson,

Rev Sue Page, Evangeline McAllan, Rev Dianne

Holden, Kerry Wilson


Proposals S5 1.3

f. Facilitation Team Rev Diane Bury (Convenor), Rev Naomi Duke,

Rev Robyn Kidd, Rev Nick Patselis, Peter Russell

g. First Aid Officer: Rev Cheryl Wilson

9. Associate the follow people with the meeting for the purposes of participating in presenting

reports: Matt Wilson for the Resources Board report.

10. DECLARE that proposals be dealt with in the following order:

a. Those which must be dealt with by Synod in full session which cannot be referred (in an

order decided by the Business Committee).

b. Those which arrive by 5pm Wednesday 23 October (in an order decided by the Business

Committee).

c. All others (in an order decided by the Business Committee).

11. ADOPT the following procedure in respect of nominations, understanding that the roll will close

at 12:30pm on Thursday 14 November 2019:

a. Agree that the closure time for receiving of nominations to all Councils, Committees, and

Boards be 10:30am on Friday 15 November, 2019.

b. Agree that any necessary ballots be held on Friday 14 November, 2019 with ballot papers

available from 3:45pm and that ballots will close at 9:00pm on that same day.

12. ASK that proposals with costing implications:

a. include a process for raising new revenue and/or

b. be submitted to the next year’s budget process to be determined by Synod and/or

c. be submitted to annual Synod grant processes.

13. CO-OPT the following persons:

Mr Peter Russell Rev Dr Tony Nancarrow

Proposers: Rev Felicity Amery

Rev Sue Page


Proposals S5 1.4

Proposal 2

RESOURCES BOARD


Approve the adoption of the financial statements for the year ending 31st December 2018 for:

a. Thuruna Campsite

b. Community Outreach Mission Network

c. Hope Mission Network

d. 3D Net Mission Network

e. Northern Rural Mission Network

f. The Parkin Trust Incorporated

g. The Parkin Mission of South Australia Incorporated

h. Uniting Church SA Building Fund

Proposers: Michael McClaren Peter Battersby

Member & Representative, Executive Officer, Resources

Resources Board

Rationale: See Resources Board & Property Trust Report S2 6.1

Proposal 3

MISSION AND SERVICE FUND BUDGET 2020

That the Synod resolve to:

APPROVE the 2020 Mission and Service Fund budget, attached as Appendix 1, and in particular, a

break-even budget (on an accrual basis) and a capital expenditure budget of $123,310.

Proposers: Michael McClaren Peter Battersby

Member & Representative, Executive Officer, Resources

Resources Board

Rationale: See Mission and Service Fund 2020 Budget Report S1 7.7


Proposals S5 1.5

Proposal 4

SYNOD ECUMENICAL RELATIONSHIPS COMMITTEE

That the Synod:

1. Endorse the candle design, prayer and process for celebrating the Australian Roman Catholic

Church’s Plenary event in Adelaide in 2020, and encourage congregations to participate in

the process.

2. Encourage all Presbyteries in the SA Synod area to actively connect with the SER Committee

and appoint a member or members to that committee.

3. Endorse the proposed Annual Ecumenical Award to support and celebrate congregations who

are engaged in ongoing ecumenical relationship building with a congregation/s of a different

denomination in their local community, set aside funds for the award in the Budget, and

establish a time in the agenda of the Annual Synod for such presentations to be made. This

item has been budgeted for in the SERC budget.

4. Appoint Rev Steve Thompson and Rev Geoff Tiller to the Synod Ecumenical Relationships

Committee as from the rising of this Synod for a 3 year term.

5. Acknowledge the work of Rev Rob Williams as the first Chairperson of the Synod Ecumenical

Relationships Committee and in its establishment in 2016.

Proposers: Rev Dr Greg Elsdon

Rev Sean Gilbert

Rationale: Synod Ecumenical Relations Committee report S2.9


Proposals S5 1.6

Proposal 5

STIPENDS AND ALLOWANCES

That the Synod of SA:

APPROVE ministers Stipend, Allowances & Charges Schedule A for 2020 as in Attachment A to the

Stipends Report.

Proposers: Brian Hern

Peter Battersby

Rationale: Stipends Committee Report S2.7

Proposal 6

MINISTERIAL MATTERS – IN MEMORIAM


STAND in silence to acknowledge the ministry of the following Ministers who have died since the

2018 Annual Meeting of the Presbytery and Synod, and in gratitude to God for their contribution to the

ministry and mission of the Uniting Church:

Rev James Peter Baxter

Rev Alan Douglas Davis

Rev Lindsay Douglas Faulkner OAM

Rev (Clifford) Allan Hatcher

Rev Robert Andrew (Bob) MacIntosh OAM

Rev Elwyn Dunstan Penna

Rev John William Rooke

Rev Kevin Graham Woolford


Rev Sue Page

Rationale: Report S3.1


Proposals S5 1.7

Proposal 7

FORMATION OF NEW PRESBYTERIES


1. (a) NOTE the affirmation from the Restructuring Task Group of the establishment and early

work of the Generate Presbytery, and

(b) AFFIRM the list of congregations and faith communities in Generate Presbytery listed in

attachment F.

2. ENCOURAGE SA Congress to continue to work towards becoming a second non geographic

Presbytery of the SA Synod.

3. FORM TWO (2) new geographic presbyteries that have a similar number of congregations and

reasonably equitable levels of financial resourcing; whose inaugural meetings will be held on

Saturday16 November 2019 to elect office bearers, Standing Committee, and set a date for the

next presbytery meetings.

4. DESIGNATE the bounds of the presbyteries as follows:

Presbytery A: those congregations listed in attachment A

Presbytery B: those congregations listed in attachment B

5. DESIGNATE Ministers who are in non-congregational placements with the exception of

Moderator & General Secretary), including chaplains as coming under the oversight of either:

(i) the presbytery where their workplace is located, or

(ii) through the congregation where they hold membership. If they chose (ii), then they will

need to maintain a relationship with the presbytery where their workplace is located.

6. DISSOLVE the Transitional Presbytery of SA when the new presbyteries are formed by the

Synod of SA.

7. STRONGLY ENCOURAGE all presbyteries in the Synod to hear the voices of ministers,

chaplains, lay leaders, congregations and other ministries, encouraging presbyteries to:

Know their congregations and ministry contexts well

be relational, collaborative and caring


Proposals S5 1.8

develop within and across presbyteries a series of culturally/missionally/geographically

aligned clusters to help encourage, resource and support congregations and other

ministries

promote two way communication between congregations and other councils of the

church

focus their work on pastoral and missional support and resourcing for congregations and

other ministries

make provision for pastoral support for ministers and lay leaders

8. THANK AND DISCHARGE the Restructuring Task Group.


Rev Sue Page

Rationale

1. The RTG wishes to affirm the work of the Generate Presbytery as it seeks to serve a significant

and widely spread non-geographic area, and encourage ministry and mission across the

diverse needs of its congregations and ministries. Generate Presbytery has chosen to take on

the responsibilities of being a presbytery in incremental steps. This provides opportunity for

consultation, planning, training and preparation for these responsibilities. While it is

acknowledged that the creation of a non-geographic presbytery is challenging (when it is

normative to have geographic presbyteries in the UCA) we believe that it can be an effective

model when presbyteries seek to explore how they might work effectively together to share

ideas and resources. These are conversations the Synod will remain committed to. 2. The SA Congress, a regional council of the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress

(UAICC) has for a number of years contemplated the possibility of becoming a presbytery. Two

non-geographic presbyteries already exist within the Congress - Calvary Presbytery in

Queensland and Northern Regional Council of Congress (NRCC) in the Northern Synod. With a

growing number of emerging leaders, a renewed commitment to training and formation for

young people and ensuring their governance responsibilities are managed well, SA Congress

believes that now is a good opportunity to explore being a Presbytery.

At their recent Regional Council meeting it was acknowledged that the presbytery would be

small and in need of special support. However it was recognised that there were benefits in the

Regional Council becoming a Presbytery. Primarily it gave Congress Congregations and Faith

Communities the opportunity to stay together. Further, there would be greater clarity in the

relationship between the Synod and the Regional Council, one less layer of meetings and

committees to attend. It would be recognised that SA Congress has the capacity to manage the

pastoral oversight of its ministers, lay leaders, congregations and other ministries and it gives

opportunity to explore with the Synod how it might reduce dependency and further develop life


Proposals S5 1.9

giving ministry for First Peoples in the Synod. Further, it was recognised that the existing office

bearers and the Regional Council Executive have the capacity and could constitute and be a

Presbytery.

However, SA Congress realizes that this transition may take time and they do not wish to rush

the process. They are therefore requesting a transition period of up to 12 months to further

consider and develop their understanding.

3. The RTG has placed the consistent themes from our conversations alongside the missional

work and experience of the Pastoral Relations and Mission Planning Team, and the financial

modelling proposals received from the Resources Board and recommended by the Synod

Standing Committee, to produce a proposal that we hope will serve the church well into the

future. We are recommending a ‘soft’ presbytery border from St Vincents Gulf along Henley Beach Rd,

Currie St, Grenfell St, East Tce, Bartels Rd, Flinders St, The Parade, over the hills, north of

Norton Summit, Woodside, Harrogate, Mannum, Bowhill, Sandalwood, Kringin and Peebinga to

the Victorian Border. This gives a slightly larger number of congregations north of the line,

however the proposed presbyteries will have similar capacity for financial and missional

sustainability.

4. We anticipate that the new presbyteries will be constituted at meetings following the decision of

the Synod in November. During our conversations there has been significant discussion about

how the Synod will manage the transition to new presbyteries. A smooth change over period

will be supported by the Synod’s commitment to provide financial resources to appoint a Project

Officer and a Regional and Remote Minister. Both positions will be available for up to 12

months and will be available to support ministers, chaplains, lay leaders, congregations, faith

communities and other ministries in all presbyteries who might be struggling with the new

model. Further the Synod will provide training for officer bearers, Standing Committees,

Pastoral Relations Committees and other people involved in the resourcing of presbyteries as

requested. Further support will be offered by the Secretariat and we pray that each of the

presbyteries will be open to the leading of God’s Spirit.


Proposals S5 1.10

Proposal 8 CREATION CARE IN SYNOD STRATEGIC PLAN

That the Synod of SA resolves to:

Incorporate into its redrafting of the Strategic Plan consideration of our responsibility for

Creation Care through theological reflection, education and action.

Rationale

It is now more than 40 years since the first Assembly of the Uniting Church in Australia. In its

Statement to the Nation in 1977, the church said: “We are concerned with the basic human rights of

future generations and will urge the wise use of energy, the protection of the environment and the

replenishment of the earth's resources for their use and enjoyment.”

The Assembly's 2019 publication “Our Vision for a Just Australia” made this statement:

We seek the flourishing of the whole of God’s Creation and all its creatures.

We act to renew the earth from the damage done and stand in solidarity with people most

impacted by human-induced climate change. Government, churches, businesses and the

wider community work together for a sustainable future.

The statement “For the Whole Creation” was presented at the 15th Assembly in 2018. In it we are

encouraged to continue to inform ourselves and our communities about “the causes and

consequences of climate change and appropriate responses” and “consider ways we can reduce our

contribution to climate change, individually and in our communities… and be transparent with our

efforts and outcomes”. The church “recognises the imperative for the Uniting Church to embody its

prophetic role in the public sphere, acknowledging our relationship and responsibility within and with

God’s good creation”.

Over the past five years, the SA Synod/Presbytery has continued to recognise the significance of the

challenges facing the global community through Climate Change and excessive waste. Initiatives

relating to the environment have included:

Encouragement to renew our commitment to 'model ways of living that minimise our impact on

the climate' (2014)

An amendment to our Ethical Investment Policy intended to exclude industries that cause

unacceptable damage to the natural environment – including thermal coal extraction and

exploration (2015).

A call on the State Government to prevent a nuclear waste dump being established in South

Australia (2017)


Proposals S5 1.11

Encouragement for the Uniting College for Leadership and Training 'to continue to reinforce

eco-theology as core to ministry training' (2017)

An agreement to phase out 'the use of all non-essential single-use plastics' (2018).

We live within a beautiful and delicately balanced biosphere, the very existence of which is a

continuing reminder of God's love for all living things. The balance has already been upset by our

carelessness and our inability, perhaps unwillingness, to live in harmony with the created natural

order.

As the sense of urgency and the level of disquiet grows at the refusal of governments to acknowledge

that continuing 'business as usual' is not an option if we are to bequeath a liveable planet to future

generations, it is timely that we should, throughout our own Synod, attend to our responsibility to get

our house in order.

With this proposal, the Synod accepts that in reviewing the Synod Strategic Plan, the urgency of the

climate crisis will be recognised.

Proposers: Dr. David McKirdy (Environmental Action Group)

Jeff Telfer (Environmental Action Group)

Proposal 9 MENTAL HEALTH AND CLIMATE CHANGE

The Synod of SA resolves to:

1. ACKNOWEDGE the work of students and the wider community in raising awareness of climate

change acceleration.

2. ENCOURAGE Uniting Church congregations, associated organisations and schools to:

a) work with young people through prayer and action around the related issues of mental

resilience and well being in dealing with the threat of climate change acceleration and a

concern for the future;

b) offer intentional encouragement and support for young people who offer leadership in

the church and the community around the issues of climate change acceleration and

eco-anxiety.

c) work with renewed commitment towards modeling ways to protect the environment; the

marginalised and displaced peoples.

Proposers: Liellie McLaughlin

Mark Boyce


Proposals S5 1.12

Rationale

Climate Change acceleration has been experienced in the increase and intensity of floods / drought /

increased bushfires / climate related health issues, mental ill-health and suicides. People feeling

distressed about the state of the planet may find themselves in a spiral of what’s been termed “eco-

anxiety”. Scientists are researching at an increasing rate the impact of direct and indirect mental

health-attitudes as a result of climate change and solastalgia (a form of mental or existential distress

caused by environmental change). The overarching threats of a changing climate can also incite

despair and hopelessness as impoverished actions to address the ‘wicked problem’ of climate change

and may seem intangible or insignificant in comparison to the scale and magnitude of the threats. All

this have a marked impact on the mental health states of our young (and many others), spurring many

into anguished action and mood swings and a sense of despair.

However, and paradoxically, these same disastrous circumstances may also inspire altruism,

compassion, optimism, and foster a sense of meaning and personal growth (otherwise referred to as

post-traumatic growth) as people band together to salvage, rebuild, and console amongst the chaos

and loss of a changing climate. People of faith have worked, lived and loved in times of disaster and

lament and experienced transformative moments of hope and new life, guided in the grace and love

of God. As a pilgrim people, we are also privileged to read the Biblical message in new ways to

create hope within our community in times such as these to find meaning anew in these injunctions::

"Everything that was made was made by the Word (Jesus the Christ)" and this puts a sacred touch on

everything (John 1) - and "God's salvation plan is Inclusive" - all being reconciled by the blood of

Christ on the cross (Galatians and Ephesians 1). This hope, while building constructive community

with our young, could be a considered choice in living and moving together, while sharing and caring

for our young and old.

https://theconversation.com/the-rise-of-eco-anxiety-climate-change-affects-our-mental-health-too-

123002

https://ijmhs.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13033-018-0210-6


https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanplh/article/PIIS2542-5196(17)30045-1/fulltext

Helpful sites for informed action:

Greenfleet (https://greenfleet.com.au), reduce plastic usage (https://myplasticfreelife.com/); belong

to Landcare groups; compare and contrast the earth overshoot days of Australia (31 March) with the

world overshoot day (http://wwf.panda.org/?350491/Earth-Overshoot-Day-2019) and creating

discussions about documentaries such as 2040 and positive action-packed websites:

https://grist.org/article/for-young-people-restoring-our-climate-means-restoring-hope/

https://theconversation.com/the-rise-of-eco-anxiety-climate-change-affects-our-mental-health-too-123002

https://theconversation.com/the-rise-of-eco-anxiety-climate-change-affects-our-mental-health-too-123002



https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanplh/article/PIIS2542-5196(17)30045-1/fulltext

http://wwf.panda.org/?350491/Earth-Overshoot-Day-2019

https://grist.org/article/for-young-people-restoring-our-climate-means-restoring-hope/


Proposals S5 1.13

Proposal 10

ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMUNITY MEALS IN CONGREGATIONS AND FAITH COMMUNITIES


1. AFFIRM those congregations and faith communities who currently provide a community meal in

their church which supports people in their local community.

2. ENCOURAGE congregations and faith communities within the Synod to consider establishing

their own community meals to connect with people in their local community, including those

who are lonely and isolated.

3. ACKNOWLEDGE that support to establish community meals can be provided by UnitingCare

SA.

Proposers: Rev Tim Hodgson (Uniting Care SA)

Rev Nick Patselis (Salisbury Uniting Church)

Rationale

There are three main reasons why congregations and faith communities should consider the

establishment of a community meal as part of their mission in the local community.

1. The Report on Ministry in The Uniting Church in Australia [1991, page 41]: The spirit

empowers us for self-forgetful service because we see the face of Christ shining in the face of

broken and bewildered people who remind us that all are made in the image of God, regardless

of the state of their body, mind and spirit no matter how hopeless their situation. Such service

in the name of Christ reveals the utter graciousness of God’s saving activity in Christ.

Community service should be based on the biblical injunction in Micah 6:8 to “act justly, show

mercy, and walk humbly with your God.” Through taking on the role of servanthood in response

to the suffering of others, we make known God’s loving care for every person.

2. It has been recognised by mental health and medical practitioners that the social dynamic of

isolation is causing increased harm to Australian society, individually and collectively. A

suggested response is to help isolated members in the community (youth, migrants, military

veterans, people who are disadvantaged, elderly, etc.) to become part of a community,

whereby they feel they are included and accepted. The Church’s gift to the local community is

hospitality. Through the time honoured tradition of eating together, people who are isolated are

helped to find a sense of belonging and community.

3. Social isolation, with or without loneliness, can have as large an effect on mortality risk as

smoking, obesity, sedentary lifestyle and high blood pressure. [Cacioppo et al, 2011]


Proposals S5 1.14

The Australian Institute of Family Studies publication [Food Insecurity in Australia: What is it,

who experiences it and how can child and family services support families experiencing it?]

states: People suffering illness, frailness, or other forms of social isolation may also experience

food insecurity, regardless of their financial means, due to an inability to either purchase or

prepare adequate food as a result of their condition.

This make a nutritious communal meal valuable, not just for connecting individuals and

decreasing isolation, but also for its nutritional value. Through the response to the grace that

God has offered through Christ, we respond as Matthew says (Matthew 25:35) “For I was

hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I

was a stranger and you invited me in.” We would affirm the congregations who are already

doing community meals in their churches and who are living out Christ’s vision from Matthew’s

Gospel. We would also encourage other churches to start up community meals, through the

support of UnitingCare, if needed.

Proposal 11

BLACK DEATHS IN CUSTODY AND THE CORONER’S INQUIRY INTO MR MORRISON’S DEATH


EXPRESS to the SA Government:

1. Its continuing deep concern about Aboriginal imprisonment and black deaths in custody, and in

particular, the death of Wayne Morrison after unexplained events at Yatala Labour Prison.

2. Our Synod continues to grieve over the high levels of imprisonment of First People in this

state. We believe it is evidence of the failure of our state to rightly relate to the First People of

this place.

3. Pastorally, regarding Mr Morrison's death, our Synod expresses to the Government and

Correctional Services:

a) the deep concern we hold for the family of Mr Morrison, who have continued to

desire honest answers and proper accountability, as they mourn the loss of their

loved one in profoundly notorious circumstances.

b) our prayers that love, truth, discernment, repentance and justice be manifested in

this situation for all involved.

4. Our profound concerns about the structures and processes with in SA Correctional Services.

Proposers: Dean Whittaker

Nelson Varcoe


Proposals S5 1.15

Rationale

Latoya Rule, Mr Morrison's sister says:

Wayne Fella Morrison died in custody on 26th September, 2016 from reasons including spit-hood

and restraint asphyxia (suffocation). He was a 29 year old father, a fisherman and an artist.

Wayne had been on remand for six days prior to his death. He spent three days on life support in the

Intensive Care Unit of the Royal Adelaide Hospital in South Australia. He had never been in trouble

with the law before this incident. During the final moments of his life, CCTV footage from the prison

shows him being restrained by at least 12 correctional officers.

Following his restraint, he was positioned in the back of a correctional transport van with seven

officers where he spent approximately three minutes. He was pulled out unconscious and died

three days later.

Mr Morrison died more than 3 years ago.

In 2017 the Presbytery of South Australia decided:

It was AGREED (BY CONSENSUS) that the Presbytery resolve to, in solidarity with UAICC Regional

Council SA:

1. Express to the SA Government its continuing deep concern about Aboriginal imprisonment

and black deaths in custody, and in particular, the death of Wayne Morrison after unexplained

events at Yatala Labour Prison.

2. Call for the immediate commencement of the coroner’s inquest into Mr Morrison’s death.

3. Call for the immediate release of:

(a) the coroner’s inquest report regarding Mr Morrison’s death as soon as it becomes

available.

(b) all closed circuit television recordings relating to Mr Morrison’s death to his family

While a coroner's inquest has begun, and television recordings have been made available to the

family, seven prison officers involved in crucial events in dealing with Mr Morrison prior to his

transfer to hospital have refused to appear at the inquest.

Lawyers for the seven correctional officers in the van sought a blanket release from giving evidence,

claiming the Coroner's Act allows special privileges that protect individuals from the possibility of

self- incrimination.


Proposals S5 1.16

South Australian Coroner Jayne Basheer made a final determination December 2018 that officers

would have to appear in the Coroner's Court, which lawyers for the seven officers have refused to

accept, and have now taken the matter to the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court will hear this matter in November 2019, about the time of our Synod.

Also, there have been positive decisions at both a State and Australia-wide level about banning the

use of spit-hoods in youth detention centres. We believe South Australia should take a lead in

banning spit-hoods in Adult Correctional Services centres, and encourage all states to follow suit.

Proposal 12

NUCLEAR WASTE FACILITY

That the Synod of SA:

1. RESOLVES to continue to stand in covenantal solidarity with UAICC to oppose the Federal

Government’s proposed nuclear waste facilities in South Australia.

2. REQUESTS the Moderator to make a further submission to the Minister for Industry,

Innovation and Science about the proposed National Radioactive Waste Facility in South

Australia before the 12 December 2019 closing date for public submissions.

Proposers: Dean Whittaker

Nelson Varcoe

Rationale

Previously our Synod and Standing Committee made decisions in relation to standing in solidarity

with Congress against the SA Royal Commission’s plans. We want to be clear about the continuing

opposition to nuclear dumps by Congress, and are asking the Uniting Church to stand in solidarity

with us.

The Moderator’s previous submission (dated 10 October 2018) to the Minister for Industry,

Innovation and Science about the proposed National Radioactive Waste Facility in South Australia is

found below:


Proposals S5 1.17

Dear The Hon Karen Andrews MP,

Submission - RE: Proposed National Radioactive Waste Management Facility in South Australia

On behalf of the Uniting Church in South Australia, I write this submission to express our views about

the proposed National Radioactive Waste Management Facility in South Australia. The Uniting

Church in South Australia stands in covenantal solidarity with the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander

Christian Congress (UAICC) and this is an issue which causes our church, and its people, deep

concern.

In November 2017, the Annual Presbytery and Synod meeting of the Uniting Church in South

Australia voted by consensus to stand in covenantal solidarity with the Adnyamathanha people to

oppose the placement of a Federal nuclear waste repository on their traditional land at Barndioota

(Flinders Ranges). In this submission, members of the Church renewed their commitment to stand in

solidarity with the Adnyamathanha people and call on the Department to take our opposition to the

Federal nuclear waste repository seriously.

The Uniting Church has a long standing commitment to walk in solidarity with the First Peoples of our

country, to address injustices of dispossession and diminishing of their voice. Rev Denise Champion,

an ordained Uniting Church minister and an Adnyamathanha woman, has urged the Church into a

deeper form of listening - to ‘listen with our hearts” – to the land and to the First Peoples, their

heritage and culture. A number of our Uniting Church members have had the privilege of walking on

Adnyamathanha country with Auntie Rev Denise Champion. She speaks of her people’s spiritual

connection with the land, and its substantial cultural significance. It is a noteworthy place of natural

beauty and life in the midst of a dry land, revealing the fragility of ecosystems. We respect and hear

the warnings of ancient dreaming stories about how the Land should be cared for and respected.

We are concerned that the appropriateness and thoroughness of the site selection process for a

national radioactive waste management facility in South Australia continues to be questioned despite

Government assurances. It remains reassuring to note that the Government has stated that it will not

impose such a facility on an unwilling community. We are not convinced why a decision on the

current site nominations in South Australia should be made “as quickly as possible” without enough

evidence of ‘broad community support’. We are deeply concerned about the fact that current

consultation processes have caused significant division in the community through deficient

processes and ‘listening’ to the whole community. We acknowledge that our rural ministers have

very recently reported strong community division over a Federal nuclear waste dump. The

polarisation of the community indicates that significant concern remains for local residents, as well as

across the broad community of South Australia.

This is also the case for traditional owners and custodians of the land, who have clearly identified

and communicated concerns over cultural heritage issues on the placing of nuclear waste

repositories on the land.


Proposals S5 1.18

The lack of consensus and consultation with the wider Aboriginal community is clear. This is

evidenced by the recent news that the Barngarla Determination Aboriginal Corporation, Native Title

Holders for the Kimba region, and District Council of Kimba have ended conciliation in the Australian

Human Rights Commission without being able to resolve their differences. This case now awaits the

Supreme Court of South Australia.

Therefore we request the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science undertake a full

consultation with First Peoples, utilising a process that provides adequate consultation with the

Aboriginal community. The resulting process needs to have all people in agreeance, and needs to

provide adequate time for Aboriginal people to make decisions and for their decisions to be enacted.

We are also concerned that the establishment of a Federal Nuclear Waste Dump will affect future

generations, we ask – what sort of planet will our children, grandchildren and great grandchildren

inherit, if this land is used in the way the Government proposes?

The Uniting Church has a commitment to giving voice to our children and young people. Too often in

the political space, decisions are made on short term economic gains, and we fail to commit

ourselves to the long term future for our children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. We request

the Department engage with young people of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal origins, in a variety of

ways so that their voices can be heard.

All of our concern as a Church is based on our understanding of God the Creator, who was present

in this land before colonisation. God calls us to care and be the custodians/caretakers of Creation.

As a Church we are committed to participating in the mission of reconciliation and renewal of the

whole creation. We call for a holistic inquiry into the full range of options to ensure Australia’s

radioactive waste be responsibly managed. This will ensure our beautiful and sacred land is

preserved for our children, grandchildren and future generations.

Thank you for your kind consideration. Please note that we wish to have this submission made

public.

Grace and Peace,

Rev Sue Ellis, Moderator

Information about the proposed radioactive waste management facility can be found on the following

website:

https://www.industry.gov.au/strategies-for-the-future/managing-radioactive-waste

https://www.industry.gov.au/strategies-for-the-future/managing-radioactive-waste


Proposals S5 1.19

Proposal 13 ULURU STATEMENT FROM THE HEART

That the Synod of SA resolves:

1. To commend the Assembly’s Walking Together resources

(see https://assembly.uca.org.au/walkingtogether ) to Presbyteries, Congregations, Parish

Missions, Schools and other UCA organisations for study and consideration,

2. To listen to the 2017 Statement from the Heart made at Uluru, recognising that it provides a

consensus position of 250 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders from across Australia,

who have drawn on twelve regional dialogues amongst First Peoples, expressing the preferred

pathway towards reconciliation.

3. To commend the 2017 Statement from the Heart to congregations, presbyteries and agencies

for prayerful engagement and discussion, noting especially the resource prepared by the

Anglican Board of Mission, “A Voice in the Wilderness: listening to the Statement to the Heart”

(2018).

4. To urge the SA State Government to establish a process of agreement-making with Local

Governments and First Nations, and provide a means for truth-telling about the history of

Australia’s First Peoples.

5. To urge the Commonwealth Government to implement:

(a) the establishment of a First Nations Voice enshrined in the Constitution to empower First

Peoples to have a greater say in policy and legislation which governs their affairs and, in

so doing, improve their autonomy and prosperity; and

(b) the establishment of a Makarrata Commission to supervise a process of agreement-

making between governments and First Nations, and provide a means for truth-telling

about the history of Australia’s First Peoples.

Proposers: Rev Lyn Leane

Rev Andy Hogarth

Rationale

Theological underpinning

‘God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself...

and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us.’ (2 Corinthians 5:19)


Proposals S5 1.20

Paragraph 3 of the Uniting Church in Australia (UCA) constitution reminds the Church that it is called

to work towards, and bear witness to the gospel of reconciliation proclaimed in the life, death and

resurrection of Jesus Christ, in order to build a community of reconciliation and renewal on earth. (2

Cor 5:19)

The Church acknowledges reconciliation is of God, and is an expression of renewing life based on

love and forgiveness. In our being a uniquely Australian expression of God’s Church seeking

reconciliation in this land, First and Second Peoples have committed to walking in a Covenantal

relationship to share in the struggle for a more just and equitable society, bound together by a

common faith. The recent expression of the Church’s commitment to honour this relationship was the

consensus resolution of the 15th UCA Assembly to affirm that First Peoples of Australia are sovereign

Peoples in this land. (See resolution: Fifteenth Assembly minutes 18.09)

Taken from the Statement itself, the UCA now understands First Peoples’ sovereignty to be “a

spiritual notion, reflecting the ancestral tie between the land and the First Peoples.” This was a

landmark moment in the long journey between First and Second Peoples walking together in the

Church. In continuing this journey, and guided by the leadership of the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander

Christian Congress, the UCA at the 15th Assembly stated it had become ready to offer leadership to

affirm First Peoples’ Sovereignty. The Uniting Church in South Australia can help grow this movement

of the spirit within the Church by supporting the Statement from the Heart, including its two proposed

reforms.

This proposal has a national perspective, and is intentionally separate from treaty discussions within

State polity. There are certainly other actions we, as a Synod, could take with regards furthering

understandings in our local, state and territory settings. The proposers commend the Assembly’s

Walking Together resources (https://assembly.uca.org.au/walkingtogether) to Presbyteries,

Congregations, Parish Missions, Schools and other UCA organisations for study and consideration.

Support is needed as a nation and also in each state and territory, which is why this proposal is

currently before the Synod.

In recognising its commitment to covenanting and reconciliation, the Uniting Church in the SA Synod

seeks to further its call towards a reconciled future between First and Second Peoples. This proposal

offers a way for intentional and meaningful engagement with the Statement from the Heart. The

proposal invites the Church to consider the meaning and intent of the Statement and its implications

for Australia. Through public support of the Statement, the Church is saying that it has listened to

what was said at Uluru, and recognises that it represents a legitimate and salient voice from First

Nations Peoples who have proposed a preferred way to a fairer and just society.

The Statement from the Heart

The Statement from the Heart was made by the First Nations National Constitutional Convention in

May 2017 at Uluru, and was facilitated by the Referendum Council and drew upon the consultations


Proposals S5 1.21

of 12 regional conversations. It was a historical moment in Australian history as the coming together

of 250 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders to articulate the nature of reforms desired by First

Peoples.

The Statement put forward two reforms;

1. The establishment of a First Nations Voice

2. A Makarrata Commission

First Nations’ Voice

The establishment of a First Nations Voice to Parliament will require a successful referendum before

any change to the constitution could be made. It is not intended for any proposed Voice to interfere

with Parliamentary supremacy.

The purpose of establishing some form of a constitutionally enshrined First Peoples’ Voice is to allow

a greater say in policy and legislation governing their affairs and, in so doing, improve autonomy and

prosperity of First Peoples. There is currently no proposition to amend the constitution before Federal

Government, however, several options were suggested in the final report of the Joint Select

Committee on Constitutional Recognition Relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.

Makarrata Commission

Makarrata is a word from the Yolngu People in Arnhem Land that speaks to treaty and agreement-

making, and reflects an intention to heal conflict and division by making things right between two

sides. A Makarrata Commission would not need any constitutional change to exist, and could be

effected through legislation.

The Makarrata Commission would have two main purposes:

1. Propose a treaty making or agreement-making process between the Federal Government and

First Peoples, and

2. Provide a means for truth-telling about the lived experiences of First Peoples to be articulated

and heard.

Note: The Proposers are indebted to the research conducted by the Vic-Tas Synod Justice Unit for

the above references. A similar proposal has been presented both to the 2019 Vic-Tas Synod by

Graeme Harrison and Matthew Julius, and in NSW-ACT by Amelia Koh-Butler and John Squires. The

NSW-ACT proposal was further adapted after consultation/conversation with UAICC in NSW-ACT and

indigenous students at the Bandanami Centre, Western Sydney University.

Further reading

The Statement from the Heart, https://www.referendumcouncil.org.au/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uluru_Statement_from_the_Heart

https://www.referendumcouncil.org.au/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uluru_Statement_from_the_Heart


Proposals S5 1.22

https://law.unimelb.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/2764738/Uluru-Statement-from-the-

Heart-Information-Booklet.pdf

For the full report, please see:

<https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Joint/Constitutional_Recognition

_2 018/Const

Recognition/Final_Report/section?id=committees%2freportjnt%2f024213%2f26674>

Melbourne Law School 2018, ‘Uluru Statement from the Heart: Information Booklet’, The

University of Melbourne’, p.5. Available at

<https://law.unimelb.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/2791940/Uluru- Statement-from-the-

Heart-Information-Booklet.pdf>

Note: The Proposers are indebted to the research conducted by the Vic-Tas Synod Justice Unit for the above

references. A similar proposal has been presented both to the 2019 Vic-Tas Synod by Graeme Harrison and Matthew

Julius, and in NSW-ACT by Amelia Koh-Butler and John Squires. The NSW-ACT proposal was further adapted after

consultation/conversation with UAICC in NSW-ACT and indigenous students at the Bandanami Centre, Western

Sydney University.

Proposal 14 SOVEREIGNTY


REQUEST the Covenanting Committee and the Covenanting Officer, in consultation with UAICC SA

and the ARU (Assembly Resource Unit) Circle of Interest “Walking Together as First and Second

Peoples” to prepare and distribute educational materials to congregations and Ministers in South

Australia to help them understand the pertinent issues around sovereignty.

Proposers: Rev Mark Kickett

Rhanee Tsetsakos

Rationale

We stand together as First and Second Peoples in our church by virtue of the Covenant we hold

together.

The Preamble to the Uniting Church Constitution (paragraph 2) acknowledges that:

“Through this land God has nurtured and sustained the First Peoples of this country, and the

Aboriginal and Islander peoples, who continue to understand themselves, to be the traditional owners

and custodians (meaning ‘sovereign’ in the language of the First Peoples) of these lands and waters

since time immemorial.”


Proposals S5 1.23

In the Covenant Statement of 1994, the Uniting Church says:

“We lament our people took your land from you as if it were land belonging to nobody.”

The 14th Assembly (in 2015) repudiated the Doctrine of Discovery, and its theological foundations as a

relic of colonialism, feudalism, and religious, cultural and racial biases that have no place in the

treatment of First Peoples.

At the 14th Assembly we agreed to spend the next 3 years in conversation considering what it would

mean for the practices of the Church to honour First Peoples as sovereign. First Peoples have never

ceded their sovereignty, which is of the Creator and springs from the very soil of this land.

The Covenant Statements, the Preamble to the Constitution and various apologies and statements of

the Uniting Church made to the First Peoples left one matter unsaid, the acknowledgement and

affirmation that First Peoples are sovereign.

The 15th Assembly changed that. The 2018 Assembly resolution is important to us because

everything that has been done over the past 42 years points to this. Even in the Preamble the UAICC

speak of themselves as sovereign.

Until 2018, the Uniting Church had never affirmed First Peoples as sovereign. All that we do in our

covenant walk together is underpinned by, and flows from this fundamental truth.

The 2018 Assembly meeting of the Uniting Church in Australia resolved:

“In the light of:

a) The Preamble to the Constitution of the UCA which defines sovereignty to be the way in

which First Peoples understand themselves to be the traditional owners and custodians,

and

b) The Statement from the Heart’s acknowledgement that sovereignty is a spiritual notion,

reflecting the ancestral tie between the land and First Peoples,

To affirm that the First Peoples of Australia, the Aboriginal and Islander Peoples, are sovereign

peoples in this land.”

At the 15th Assembly meeting in 2018, previous Assembly President Stuart McMillan reflected that the

Uniting Church in Australia had never previously recognised the sovereignty of First Peoples over the

land, and that, in doing so, would provide a point of “moral leadership” to the country and community.

Rev Dennis Corowa, former National Chairperson of the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian

Congress said that acceptance of this reality would help First Peoples feel at peace in this country.

Rev Dr Chris Budden’s book “Why Indigenous Sovereignty should matter to Christians” can help

people to explore this issue in a thought provoking and engaging manner.


Proposals S5 1.24

This proposal to our 2019 Synod offers one way for people of faith in our congregations and

communities to explore what Sovereignty means, and to discover what it means to walk in partnership

with First Peoples in this land. It means that the resolution of the last Assembly can be discussed at a

local level, and not just left as historic words from the national meeting. Affirmation of this proposal by

the Synod of South Australia will enable us as the church to continue to walk together and take

another step in our Covenanting journey.


Proposals S5 1.25

PROPOSALS TO PRESBYTERIES

Proposal 1

Generate Presbytery/ Presbytery A/ Presbytery B:

1. Will invite the Moderator and the General Secretary to be associated with Generate Presbytery/

Presbytery A/B as non-voting participants.

2. ACCEPT the formation of an interim joint PRC with Generate Presbytery/ Presbytery A/B from

16 November 2019 to 31 December 2019.

Proposal 2

That the Presbytery A/ Presbytery B resolve to:

1. AT the first meeting of the presbytery, on 16 November 2019 to:

a. Elect office bearers.

b. Set a date for the next meeting, at which time a Presbytery Standing Committee will be

elected, and a name for the Presbytery will be determined by the members of the

Presbytery.

2. ACCEPT the formation of a Joint Pastoral Relations Committee, with Presbytery A/B from

1 January 2020 – 30 June 2020, comprised in part by members of the existing PRC from

Presbytery A/B, with additional new members appointed by Presbytery A and B.

3. NOTE the decision of the Synod Standing Committee that all Presbyteries will handle property

matters in collaboration with the Synod by the referral of the responsibilities detailed in

Regulation 4.3.1 from the Presbyteries to the Synod and that to enable this process

Presbyteries will have representation on the Synod Property Committee:

4. AGREE that the responsibilities of each Presbytery will be as described in Para 26 of the

Constitution of the Uniting Church in Australia and Regulations 1.6.3, 3.1.3, 3.1.4, 3.3.4, 3.5.4,

3.5.5, 3.6.2, 3.7.2, 3.7.3 and 3.8 with the following referrals of responsibilities:

5. AGREE to REFER responsibility for property matters within Regulation 4.3.1 to the Synod of

South Australia. [Constitution cl 70(a)]

6. AGREE to REFER responsibilities for the counselling and discipline of Ministers as per

Regulation 3.1.3(a)(i) to the Synod of South Australia. [Constitution cl 70(a)]


Proposals S5 1.26

7. NOTE the decisions of 5 April 2019 and 3 May 2019 Standing Committee meetings with regard

to operational matters to be retained by the Synod.

8. NOTE the decisions of 5 April 2019 and 3 May 2019 Standing Committee meetings with regard

to executive functions (Constitution Cl 32) to be retained by the Synod – See Attachment E.

proposal 1 - uca sa - synod of south australia...proposals s5 1.1 proposal 1 that the synod of sa...

Documents