Minutes
Saturday
Second Session
5th July 2003
The Moderator welcomed the Lord Mayor of Portsmouth, Councillor Tom Blair
and invited him to address the Assembly.
The Moderator welcomed those who were attending the Assembly for the
first time and introduced the people on the platform.
The Convener of the Assembly Arrangements Committee, Mr William McVey,
presented the Order of Business and drew attention to the list of errors and
omissions in the Book of Reports and additional items of business which had
been included in the Order Paper.
‘The Agenda Before Us’
The General Secretary addressed the Assembly. He reported on the progress
of the 'Review', related some of the initiatives being taken in various
synods and spoke of ‘a divine restlessness in our midst’ evidenced in work
going on throughout the church. He noted the changing international
situation, and a number of important issues to be addressed by the Assembly.
Church and Society
The Revd Martin Camroux, Convener of the Church and Society Committee,
presented the committee’s report.
In response to a question by the Revd Nicholas Adlem, Mr Camroux
undertook on the committee’s behalf to address the issue of a non-collusion
policy towards nations (such as Zimbabwe and Myanmar) where the population
is suffering through government action.
The Revd David Legge moved adoption of Resolution 31:
Resolution 31
Faith Stance on the global crisis of life
General Assembly draws the attention of the councils and appropriate
committees of the church to ‘Faith Stance on the Global Crisis of Life’,
invites them (as a matter of priority) to find space to discuss and reflect
on it, and instructs the Church and Society and Ecumenical Committees to
collate responses to the document for report to the 2004 General Assembly.
Seconded by the Revd Jacqui Gavin
After discussion, Resolution 31 was carried.
A brief audio-visual presentation on Commitment for Life was given by the
Church and Society Convener.
The Assembly was addressed by Rula Nesnas, Palestinian Agricultural
Relief Committee.
After worship led by the Chaplain, the Assembly adjourned. |
