Big decisions - July

Natasha Percy | 30 June 2008

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Locums to receive sickness/accident benefits
Through an amendment to the Sydney Diocesan Sickness and Accident Ordinance 1969, a locum tenens working in Sydney Diocese can now be awarded benefits to assist in the payment of medical, hospital, rehabilitation or related expenses that follow an accident that occurs in the performance of ministry duties.
“It is appropriate that locum tenens have the same medical expense benefits as ministers and acting rectors since the duties and responsibilities of a locum are identical to those of ministers and acting rectors,” said Professional Standards Unit director Philip Gerber, adding that “we are very dependent on these faithful people to enable continuity of ministry in parishes”.

Moore library receives Mission Board funding
Moore Theological College will receive $528,000 for the new library project as part of funds allocated to Sydney Diocesan strategic projects under the Synod Appropriations and Allocations Ordinance 2007. In other grants, $100,000 went to the Georges River Regional Council to support the new diocesan worker connecting women with Muslim women, and $25,000 went to the Stanhope Gardens congregation, through a grant to the Western Sydney Regional Council.

New affiliated church in Queensland
AT its June meeting the Standing Committee declared Stanthorpe Evangelical Community Church to be affiliated with the Sydney Diocese under the Affiliated Churches Ordinance 2005. With a population of 10,000, Stanthorpe is Queensland’s wine capital, located two-and-a-half hours south-west of Brisbane in the Great Dividing Range. The church joins the five other independent evangelical churches which are affiliated with the Diocese.

Christian guidance on human rights
A working group appointed by Standing Committee will provide the Sydney Diocese with a report detailing what an Australian human rights framework is likely to look like, in the wake of the 2020 summit. The group – comprised of Robert Tong, the Rev Dr Andrew Cameron, Neil Cameron, Bishop Robert Forsyth, Darren Mitchell, Dr Karin Sowada, Lisa Watts and Justice Peter Young – will report on concerns Christians might have about this framework and suggest how the Diocese might participate in the consultation process and influence the framework’s design.
“If Christians can discern the main issues, we will have much to contribute to the debate,” a Social Issues Executive report on the subject claims. The working group’s report is expected to be presented to Standing Committee in August, with recommendations of possible steps to be taken at this year’s Synod.

New council/board elections
AT Standing Committee’s May meeting, the following elections were made: Joanna Warren was appointed as a member of the Diocesan Retirements Board; Barry Watson was elected to the Finance Committee; the Rev Michael Turner was elected as a Diocesan Representative on the NSW Council of Churches; Andrew Cox was elected to the Sydney Anglican Schools Corporation; the Rev Ken Noakes was elected to the Sydney Church of England Grammar School Council and Martin Cook was elected to the Trinity Grammar School Council. At its June session, Standing Committee elected Sandra Allan to the Tara Anglican Girls’ School Council.

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