Southern Cross reports on the main decisions of the diocesan Standing Committee in March.

Synod opening day decision
The first day of Synod this year will remain at the Wesley Centre. 150 venues were reviewed in the consideration of the possibility of holding the first day in an alternative location for an extended audience. Availability, accessibility, capacity and cost of potential venues were considered in the review.

Matters to be discussed as part of the main business of Synod include the state of the Anglican Communion, human rights and a proposed Commonwealth Charter of Rights, and women’s ordination.

Funding boost for Liberty Christian Ministries
The Work Outside the Diocese Committee under delegated authority approved a one-off grant of $20,000 to Liberty Christian Ministries, particularly in consideration of the worldwide controversy over homosexuality. Other recipients of smaller grants included Anglican Mainstream, who will maintain the GAFCON website, and Moore College as it supports two Chilean pastors in their Sydney visit and sponsors 182 Nigerian PTC students.

Not all casuals to sign Statement of Faith
Additional amendments were made to the Synod Elections Ordinance 2000, specifying that those filling casual vacancies on school or university college councils must be willing to sign the “Statement of personal faith and support for the Christian ethos and charter of the organisation”. However Standing Committee will not need this certification in filling vacancies at associated schools and university colleges such as Blue Mountains Grammar School, Robert Menzies College and New College.