Uniting Church in Australia
NORTHERN SYNODMinutes of 36th Annual Meeting of the Synod
Uniting Church in Australia – Northern Synod
Annual Meeting of the Synod
22-26 June 20121
1.CONSTITUTION OF SYNOD
That the 2012 Annual Meeting of the Northern Synod be deemed to be constituted by an act of worship held at Kormilda College on Friday 22 June 2012, and that Synod members are as listed as an attachment.
Consensus
2.APPOINTMENTS, ARRANGEMENTS
2.1That the following be appointed:
Business Committee:
Yanyi Bandicha,
Peter Jones
Stuart McMillan
Jenny Tymms
Elizabeth Warschauer
Minute Secretary: Roslyn Henry
Returning Officer: Mitch Fialkowski
Consensus
2.2That ‘within the house’ shall include the entire area of the room in which the Business Session is being held.
Consensus
2.3That the Synod Business timetable shall be:
Friday 22 June 2012
Session 1: 6.00 pm to 9.00 pm
Saturday 23 June 2012
Session 2: 8.30 am to 10.30 am
Session 3: 11.00 am to 12.30 pm
Session 4: 2.00 pm to 3.00 pm
Sunday 24 June 2012
Session 5: 11.00 am to 12.30 pm
Session 6: 2.00 pm to 3.00 pm
Monday 25 June 2012
Session 7: 8.30 am to 10.30 am
Session 8: 7.30 pm to 9.00 pm at Charles Darwin University
Tuesday 26 June 2012
Session 9: 8.30 am to 10.30 am
Session 10: 11.00 am to 12.30 pm
Consensus
2.4That the closing time for receiving Proposals shall be 12.30 pm on Monday 25 June 2012.
Consensus
2.5That the closing time for receiving nominations shall be 12.30 pm on Monday 25 June 2012.
Consensus
2.6The ballots shall be held at Session 9 on Tuesday 26 June 2012.
Consensus
2.7That the Moderator, the Synod Secretary and the Chairpersons of Presbyteries be authorised to confirm the Minutes of Synod.
Consensus
2.8That the procedures for the presentation, discussion and voting on Recommendations and Notices of Motion are as set down in the Manual for Meetings.
Consensus
2.9That those people who were elected to Committees at the 2010 Synod Meeting for a period of 12 months, have their term of office extended to the Synod Meeting in 2012 with their consent.
Consensus
2.10That the program and timetable for Friday 22 June, Saturday 23 June, Sunday 24 June, Monday 25 and Tuesday 27 June 2012 be adopted.
Consensus
3.WELCOME
3.1That a warm welcome be extended to:
Ministers attending Synod for the first time:
Rev Bruce Gallacher
Rev Basil Schild
Lay representatives attending Synod for the first time:
Ms Anne Bates
Dr Wendy Beresford-Maning
Ms Roslyn Burarrwanga
Ms Nurina Burton
Mr Peter Garrawurra
Mrs Ruth Garrburr
Mr Gali Yalkarriwuy Gurruwiwi
Mr Robert Hoosan
Ms Djapirrii Mununggirritji
Ms Tjunkaya Smith
Ms Melissa Yimayima Marrkula
Mrs Jane Garrutju
Ms Ili Raqiyawa
Pastor Keith Stevens
Ms Julie Sawyer
Visitors attending Synod
Rev Dr Chris Walker
Ms Katrina Tjitaya
Ms Makinti Minitjukor
Mr Selesi Faupula
Consensus
4.MEMBERSHIP OF SYNOD – 2012
4.1No-one was co-opted as a member of Synod.
4.2That the following be formally associated with the Synod:
Rev Dr Chris Walker
Ms Katrina Tjitaya
Ms Makinti Minitjukor
Consensus
4.3That the list of Members of Synod 2012 be adopted.
(See Appendix 1 to the Minutes)
Consensus
5.APOLOGIES
5.1That the apologies be received.
(See Appendix 1 to the Minutes)
Consensus
6.REPORTS
(See Appendix 3 to the Minutes)
6.1 Moderator
That the report be received.
Consensus
6.2Standing Committee
That the report be received and the following recommendation be endorsed:
That Stuart McMillan be the Moderator of the Northern Synod of the Uniting Church for three years from the 2013 Synod.
Consensus
6.3Finance and Property Services Committee
That the report from the Finance and Property Services Committee
be received.
Consensus
6.4The Uniting Church in Australia Property Trust (NT)
That the report be received.
Consensus
6.5Pilgrim Presbytery of Northern Australia
That the report be received.
Consensus
6.6 Northern Regional Council of Congress
That the verbal reports from the Area Councils be received.
Consensus
6.7 Coordinate: Support for Indigenous Scriptures
That the report be received.
Consensus
6.8 St Philip’s College
That the report be received.
Consensus
6.9 Kormilda College
That the report be received.
Consensus
6.10Nungalinya College
That the report be received.
Consensus
6.11 Aboriginal Resource & Development Services
That the verbal report be received.
Consensus
6.12Somerville Community Services
That the report be received.
Consensus
6.13UCA National Assembly
That the tabled report be received.
Consensus
6.14Frontier Services
That the report be received.
Consensus
6.15UCA Beneficiary Fund
That the report as tabled be received.
Consensus
7PROPOSALS
7.1Indigenous Education Task Group
That the Northern Synod:
1.thanks and discharges the Indigenous Education Task Group.
2.forms the Indigenous Education Committee as a committee of the Northern Synod.
3.will request the Indigenous Education Committee will report to the Northern Synod Standing Committee twice yearly and to the annual Northern Synod gathering.
4.requests the Indigenous Education Committee to assist indigenous communities, within the bounds of the Synod, with the formation of culturally appropriate educational and schooling needs.
This will be achieved through:
a) supportive networking and advocacy,
b) fundraising and resourcing relevant community projects
c) partnerships with like minded organisations
5.The Indigenous Education Committee will be guided by the:
a) United Nations Declaration On The Rights Of Indigenous Peoples, with particular reference to Article 14, and the United Nations Declaration Of The Rights Of The Child, with particular reference to Article 7
b) conclusive research on the positive outcomes of bilingual/multilingual education
c) pedagogies of Australian Indigenous societies
d) traditional and contemporary culture and spirituality of the relevant indigenous peoples
6.The initial membership of the Indigenous Education Committee will include Brian Devlin, Maratja Dhamarraṉdji, Rronaŋ Garrawurra, Peter Jones, Stuart McMillan, Steve Orme, Kendall Trudgen and Andrew White. Plus two other members nominated by the committee.
7.Continuing from 2013 the committee will disband 2 weeks before the annual Northern Synod meeting. Nominations for the committee will then be received by the Northern Synod General Secretary before the opening of the Northern Synod meeting, with the election of members at the Northern Synod meeting.
8. Business of the committee will follow conventional Uniting Church polity.
Rationale:
For the success of our work in Galiwinku and in other places in the Northern Synod we must bind our work on the ground with our work on an administrative and support level. This would be achieved from the Task Group side by authorizing and ultimately employing a facilitator to help in praxis.
To do this adequately the facilitator will work in partnership with the church in Galiwinku to put flesh on their ideas. This work will also require pursuing networks that would ultimately offer expertise and monetary support for the project in Galwinku, and then beyond.
Consensus
7.2Support for Dialysis in the APY Lands
1. That the Northern Synod support Anangu working for dialysis delivery in the APY Lands.
2. That the Northern Synod invites the Purple House (WDNWPT), Frontier Services, UnitingCare SA and other interested groups, to join them in partnership to explore the establishment and delivery of dialysis services in Pukatja (Ernabella).
Rationale
Many members of AAMC live with kidney disease, which increasingly impacts upon the life of the church and community. Currently, they must relocate to Alice Springs or Adelaide.
At the last two meetings of the AAMC, when the matter of working for dialysis delivery in the APY Lands was raised, the response was, 'We should be involved. Let's talk about it at Synod!
Following on from the President's Conference last year, and with view to the National UAICC conference in Alice Springs in July, there has been a lot of research and networking across synods. Kinyin McKenzie and the Support Worker have also engaged in conversations with Sarah Brown, manager of the Purple House, the base for the Western Desert Nganampa Walytja Palyantjaku Tjutaku Aboriginal Corporation.
The WDNWPT is a non-government organisation and a registered charity, which has been delivering dialysis to NT remote communities (Kintore for over 7 years, Yuendumu, and Ntaria) and also setting up programs in three other remote communities, Warburton WA, Kiwirrkurra WA, and Lajamanu NT. Sarah and her Board and staff (along with her ‘mobile truck’) are very supportive of establishing a service in the APY Lands SA.
Because of the Uniting Church’s link with the Ernabella Mission, and now NRCC’s Aṉangu’ku Area Ministry Council of Congress, the idea is that the Northern Synod ‘seeds’ and possibly manages a future project in partnership with the ‘Purple House’ and other key groups with an interest in health in the APY Lands.
Consensus
7.3Future Directions
That Synod encourages the Moderator and General Secretary to continue the work previously approved by Synod relating to;
- Alcohol (in support of the Alice Springs Peoples Alcohol Action Coalition);
- Homeland centres (policy and funding);
- Bilingual education and Aboriginal languages (removal of the English for the first four hours of the school day and school council being able to decide on local language policies in bilingual education).
Consensus
Uniting Church in Australia – Northern Synod
Annual Meeting of the Synod
22-26 June 20121
8ELECTIONS
Standing CommitteeUp to 19 members elected annually. No FEWER lay members than ministerial members.
Ex Officio
Moderator
General Secretary
Chairperson, NRCC or nominee
Chairperson, PPNA or nominee / Mr Stuart McMillan
Mr Peter Jones
Mr Robert Hoosan
Rev Jenny Tymms
Pilgrim Presbytery of North Australia. / Rev Jenny Tymms (2012)
Rev Kate Fraser (2012)
Ms Louise MacDonald (2012)
(One Lay Person)
Northern Regional Council of Congress / (Two Ministers)
(One Lay Person)
Chairperson Synod Finance and Property Services Committee / Mr Barry Hansen (2012)
FINANCE AND PROPERTY SERVICES COMMITTEE
Members elected for a term of three years. Secretary is appointed by the Standing Committee.
Ex Officio
General Secretary
Synod Finance Manager
Synod Property Officer / Mr Peter Jones
Mr Kong Mu
Mr Dale Chesson
Convenor
Elected by Synod / Mr Barry Hansen (2012)
Three (3) persons elected by the Synod / Mr Matthew Kennon (2012)
Rev Jenny Tymms (2012)
Mr Mike Lane (2012)
One (1) person co-opted by the Committee / Ms Cathy Spurr
The UCA PROPERTY TRUST (NT)
Five nominations, one of whom is elected by the Synod as the Chairperson of the Trust. Elected Annually.
Ex Officio
The Moderator
Synod Secretary
Synod Finance Officer
Property Officer / Mr Stuart McMillan
Mr Peter Jones
Mr Kong Mu
Mr Dale Chesson
Trustee
Four Trustees / Mr Barry Hansen (2012)
Mr Mike Lane (2012)
Ms Cathy Spurr (2012)
Rev Jenny Tymms (2012)
Rev Steve Orme (2012)
KORMILDA COLLEGE BOARD
Appointed in accordance with Articles of Association of Kormilda College. (Two year term except when a casual vacancy is filled.)Five appointed by Uniting Church. Synod makes recommendation to Kormilda Company members. / Iain Summers (2012)
Peter Jones (2012)
Barbara Stone (2012)
Rev Jenny Tymms (2012)
NUNGALINYA COLLEGE BOARD
Four Board Members appointed for a term of three years. At least two shall be Indigenous.
Four persons appointed by the Synod on the recommendation of NRCC. / Mr Maratja Dhamarraṉdji (2010)
Mrs Nancy Ngalmindgalmag (2010)
ST PHILIP’S COLLEGE COUNCIL
In accordance with St Philip’s Constitution. Appointed for three years.
Mr Kevin Davis (2010)
Ms Vicki O’Halloran (2010)
Mr Eric Neill (2010)
Mr Charles Butcher (2010)
Mr John Rawnsley (2010)
SOMERVILLE COMMUNITY SERVICES
Appointed in accordance with Somerville Constitution / Mr Bruce March
MINISTERIAL EDUCATION COMMISSION
Elected annually.
One representative from Northern Synod. / Rev Dr Lee Levett-Olson (2012)
COMMITTEE FOR DISCIPLINE
Delegated to the Synod of South Australia.
Chairperson / Appointed by the Standing Committee when required
SEXUAL MISCONDUCT COMPLAINTS COMMITTEE
Appointed by the Standing Committee when required.
SEXUAL MISCONDUCT ADVISERS
Appointed by the Standing Committee when required
COUNSELLING COMMITTEE
Elected for a three year term and eligible for re-election.Up to 6 people elected by the Synod one of whom is elected by the Synod as the Chairperson / Rev Steve Orme – Chairperson (2010)
Mr Arul Kumar Sevaratnam (2010)
NORTHERN TERRITORY COUNCIL OF CHURCHES
Appointed in accordance with NTCC Constitution
Ex Officio
Three to be elected annually / Mr Stuart McMillan
Pastor David Crawford (2012)
Rev Dr Helen Richmond (2012)
Rev Basil Schild (2012)
Uniting Church in Australia – Northern Synod
Annual Meeting of the Synod
22-26 June 20121
9.FAREWELL AND MEMORIAL MINUTES
9.1Retirement Minutes
Rev Ian Francis Boudry
Rev Ian Boudry came into the Northern Synod in June 2009 when he moved to Kununurra with his wife Sue to take up ministry in the Frontier Services East Kimberly patrol in partnership with the Kununurra congregation. Ian undertook this placement from 1st June 2009 until 25th December 2011 when he retired as a
Minister of the Word and returned to Queensland.
Ian was brought up in Queensland as a Christian Scientist and became a Christian in 1986 through the ministry and witness of an Anglican charismatic congregation. In the early 1990s Ian studied theology part-time with the Churches of Christ but contracted encephalitis during this time.
It would take six years to complete his studies. During this time Ian also continued to work full time as an accountant. Four years later Ian joined the Uniting Church in Australia and on 1 September 2005 became a lay pastor serving in the Ingham Congregation in the North Queensland Presbytery. During this congregational placement Ian applied to the church through the transitional regulations to become a Minister of the Word. Ian was ordained as a Minister of the Word on 19th July 2008. He concluded his placement with the congregation on 31 May 2009.
During the two and a half years in which Ian exercised his ministry within the bounds of the Northern Synod, both Ian and Sue actively participated in the life of the Synod and Presbytery: Ian through his attendance and participation in the meetings of the Presbytery and Synod and at the Minister’s retreats; Sue through her membership of the Pastoral Relations and Placements Committee. We thank them both for the gifts that they shared with us during their time with us, and we wish them well as they retire from formal ministry and move back closer to members of their family in Queensland.
Rev Wendell Flentje
Rev Wendell Flentje studied agricultural science and spent the first 7 years of his working life with the Department of Agriculture in Victoria. It was a visit to Elcho Island during a trip around Australia that became a turning point in his life and ministry: it was here that Wendell met his future wife, Mary, who was a school teacher on the Island. Wendell returned to Elcho Island a short time later where he was employed as an agriculturalist with the Methodist Overseas Mission, and later with the Galiwinku Council, when responsibility for the work of the Mission was transferred to the community.
Wendell and Mary were married on Elcho Island and continued to live and work there for 9 years, during which time they celebrated the birth of three of their four daughters.
Wendell and Mary subsequently lived for two years in Canberra, during which time Wendell completed the Lay Preachers Course and then became a candidate for the Ministry of the Word within the Uniting Church in Australia. Wendell completed his training for ministry at the United Theological College in Sydney and in 1987 took up his first placement as a Minister of the Word with the Peak Hill congregation in NSW where he served for 9 years. Wendell’s second placement was in Belrose, Sydney from 1996 to 2004. In 2004 Wendell returned to the north, taking up a placement with the Casuarina congregation in Darwin, where he served until his retirement on 30th April 2012.
During his 8 years in the Northern Synod, Wendell was elected to the office of Moderator and served in this role from September 2007 until September 2010. As Moderator, Wendell chaired the meetings of the Northern Synod and its Standing Committee; and represented the Synod in meetings with government, other church denominations within the Council of Churches, and with partner churches in Indonesia. Wendell also chaired the meetings of CSIS (originally known as the Centre for the Support of Indigenous Scriptures and now known as Co-ordinate), a role which he continued until his retirement this year. Wendell will continue his deep commitment to the work of translating scripture into indigenous languages as the Synod’s appointed “Ambassador-at-large”. In this role Wendell will support, promote and commend the work of Co-ordinate across Australia and overseas. During his time in Darwin Wendell also provided ministry to
patients at Royal Darwin Hospital, and to the Emmaus Community as one of its Spiritual Directors.
Casuarina Congregation, Pilgrim Presbytery and the Northern Synod (including the staff at Uniting House) have all been blessed by the committed ministry of Rev Wendell Flentje. We will miss his wise Christian counsel, his reflective responses to scripture offered in a wide range of contexts; his quiet sense of humour; and his photographic contributions to the life of the church (and Darwin community). We wish Wendell and Mary every blessing as they enter into the next phase of their lives together. “Well done, good and faithful servant of Christ”.
Rev Mitch Fialkowski
In March 2006 there was a gathering at Tennant Creek Uniting church, where Mitch Fialkowski was inducted as the Patrol Minister in the Katherine Patrol. The induction took place at Tennant Creek because there is no congregation as such at Katherine. Elizabeth and myself were also inducted on that auspicious day.
Mitch established the Katherine Patrol and since that time – nearly seven years ago – he has preached at Jabiru and at Palmerston; he has also been helping out with communion services at Barkly Patrol.
I met Mitch at Brunette Downs. I know from my contacts he will be greatly missed. He is a great storyteller and his profession is as a house painter, which has been used to good effect around the Synod. Mitch has been a regular at Rocky Ridge Nursing Home – at times a painter, a cook and various other things. Mitch was always a supplier of bush food from bananas, magpie geese, buffaloes, pawpaws, mangos. Mitch had his contacts.
Mitch will be continuing with Frontier Services and will take up the position of Patrol Minister at Meekatharra.
Mitch, we will miss you here.
Rev Dr Murray Muirhead.
We would like to acknowledge your contribution, firstly at Alice Springs congregation and then with NRCC. Murray will be taking up a lecturing position at xxx where he will have links with Nungalinya College and … We want to say thankyou for the roles you have undertaken and the way you have undertaken your ministry.