Big Decisions September 2008

Southern Cross reports on the main decisions of the diocesan Standing Committee in July and August.

New Georges River Archdeacon
At its August meeting, Archbishop Peter Jensen announced to the Standing Committee that the Rev Ian Cox, rector of Brighton/Rockdale, will become the next Archdeacon of Liverpool, replacing Archdeacon Geoff Huard when he retires officially in November. Standing Committee also welcomed the extension of Archdeacon Ken Allen’s retirement date to 21 November 2009.

St Catherine’s School Waverley Council downsizes
The number of members on the council of St Catherine’s School, Waverley has been reduced from 23 to 13, in line with the size of a number of other school councils. Archbishop Jensen will remain as president of the council but will no longer be a member. The reduction will allow for a more focused governance process.

Risk management workshops for parishes
The Sydney Diocesan Secretariat will run workshops to help parishes formalise their risk management systems. While these systems are ‘tacitly’ occurring in most organisations, the Accounts, Audits and Annual Reports Ordinance 1995 Amendment Ordinance 2008 requires organisations to make these practices explicit. Each risk management system would include procedures to identify and manage risks, report any significant legal breaches and review key risks annually.

Public holidays for clergy
It was agreed to incorporate into this year’s stipends and allowances circular the principle that clergy should be entitled to those public holidays generally provided to employees except where the clergy’s duties otherwise require and on the basis that such holidays do not accrue.

Jerusalem Declaration endorsed
Standing Committee endorsed the Jerusalem Declaration as “exemplifying the tenets of orthodoxy which underpin our Anglican identity.

Elections
At its July meeting, Standing Committee elected Dr Giselle Kidson-Gerber as a member of the 48th Synod, while Tony Clemens was elected to the Moore Theological College Council. August’s meeting saw Rodney Cosier become a new member of the Finance Committee.

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