MINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND CONVENED AT EDINBURGH, 15 MAY 2008 At Edinburgh, and within the Assembly Hall, the 15th day of May 2008 years, at 10.00 am, Session I. After public worship in the Assembly Hall, conducted by the Right Rev Sheilagh Margaret Kesting BA BD, Moderator of the General Assembly, the Commissioners elected as members of the General Assembly appointed to be held this day convened, and the General Assembly was duly constituted with prayer. The Roll of Commissioners was laid on the table. The General Assembly proceeded to the election of a Moderator, when it was unanimously agreed that the Rev David Ward Lunan MA BD be appointed Moderator. The appointment was intimated to Mr Lunan who was welcomed by the Moderator, and, after the Prayer of Consecration, took the Chair. Her Majesty’s Commission to The Right Honourable George Newlands Reid, appointing him to represent Her Royal Person in this Assembly, was then read with all due honour and respect and ordered to be recorded. Her Majesty’s Gracious Letter to the General Assembly was also read with all due honour and respect and ordered to be recorded. His Grace, The Lord High Commissioner addressed the General Assembly in a speech from the Throne, and the Moderator made suitable reply. A Committee was appointed to prepare an answer to Her Majesty’s Gracious Letter, viz: Mrs Ann Bowie (667) Rev Alastair H Symington (167) Rev Laurence Whitley (296) Very Rev Sheilagh Kesting, Convener (891) The General Assembly called for the Report of the Standing Committee on Commissions, which was given in by the Principal Clerk, Convener, who reported as follows:- That all commissions had been received and were in order. The Standing Orders of the General Assembly were laid on the table. The General Assembly appointed a Committee for arranging the Order of Business, viz: Mr David S Alexander (371) Miss Ann Lyall DCS (347) Mrs Lesley Allen (154) Mrs Lynn Mack (475) Mrs Eva Bradley (551) Rev Janet S Mathieson (679) Rev J Colin Caskie (393) Miss Janie Martin DCS (581) Mr Fraser Cooper (193) Mrs Alison MacAuslane (383) Rev John Cowie (766) Rev Allan McCafferty (735) Mr John Craw DCS (717) Mr Angus McConnell (384) Rev Ellen Larson Davidson (636) Rev Malcolm M Macdougall (108) Mrs Vivienne A Dickson (523) Mr Ian Maclagan (432) Rev William Ewart (531) Miss Patricia Munro DCS (493) Mr Robin Forrest (758) Rev Jerome O’Brien (443) Miss Elizabeth Fox (759) Rev Brian H Oxburgh (205) Rev Rosemary Frew (498) Rev Andrea E Price (737) Rev W Peter Graham (13) Rev Alan D Reid (130) Ms Karen Hamilton (392) Dr Paul Riley (763) Mrs Norma Isbister (738) Mr George Robertson (389) Rev Lezley J Kennedy (566) Rev Gordon M A Savage (142) Rev Dr Angus Kerr (278) Rev Duncan Shaw (71) Mrs Flora Little (144) Mr Richard Wallis (621) Rev William C Hewitt, Convener Rev A David K Arnott, Vice-Convener The General Assembly agreed that the members of the Business Committee should serve as the Panel of Tellers. The General Assembly appointed a Committee to prepare a Minute on Deceased Ministers, Missionaries and Deacons, viz: Very Rev Sheilagh Kesting, Convener Depute Clerk Principal Clerk The General Assembly called for a Report anent the Celebration of Holy Communion in the Assembly Hall on Monday 19 May 2008 at 9.30 am. The General Assembly approved the Report. The General Assembly suspended their sitting at 10.56 am until 11.19 am. ASSEMBLY ARRANGEMENTS COMMITTEE The General Assembly called for the Report of the Assembly Arrangements Committee which was given in by the Rev William Hewitt, Convener. It was moved and seconded- The General Assembly: 1. Receive the Report. 2. Approve the Order of Business for the first two days. 3. Appoint Mr Roy Pinkerton to edit the verbatim record. 4. Amend Standing Order 92 anent time limits in terms of the recommendations in section 6 of the Report. 5. Encourage commissioners intending to move amendments and counter-motions to arrange to have these printed in the Assembly papers. 6. Approve the Committee’s proposals to consult the Church on further changes to the General Assembly with a view to reporting to the General Assembly of 2009. SCOTTISH BIBLE SOCIETY 7. Recognise the Scottish Bible Society’s role in supplying Scriptures for Christians at home and abroad. 8. Commend local partnerships in using Bibleworld and other resources to stimulate young people. 9. Encourage the Church’s support of efforts to provide spiritual sustenance in situations of poverty, disaster and health crises. 10. Appoint Rev Andrew F Anderson, Rev H Warner Hardie, Rev Dr Norman Maciver and Rev Andrew McGurk to the Scottish Bible Society’s Council of Church Representatives. The Moderator welcomed Ms Elaine Duncan, Executive Director, Scottish Bible Society, who addressed the General Assembly. On behalf of the Directors of the Society, Ms Duncan presented a Bible to the Moderator, who gave thanks for the gift and the work of the Society, wishing it well for the future. It was moved, seconded and agreed as an amendment of Section 10:- Delete “Rev H Warner Hardie” and substitute “Rev Alexander M Gunn, Rev Lynn McChlery”. The Deliverance as amended was then agreed to. Mr Hewitt on his retiral as Convener was thanked by the Moderator for his noteworthy service to the Committee and the General Assembly. RETURNS TO OVERTURES The General Assembly called for the Report on Classifying Returns to Overtures which was given in by the Principal Clerk, Convener. It was moved, seconded and agreed- The General Assembly: 1. Receive the Report. 2. Approve the interpretation of the Legal Questions Committee: (1) that the non-approval of the Overture amending Act V 2007 anent Discrimination does not demonstrate a widespread desire for discrimination protection to be afforded by civil law to those ministers and others whose service is regulated by the law of the Church, and (2) that the existing censures contained in Act V 2007 provide adequate equivalence of protection within the law of the Church. DELEGATION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY The General Assembly called for the Report of the Delegation of Assembly which was given in by the Principal Clerk, Chairman. It was moved, seconded and agreed- The General Assembly: 1. Receive the Report of the Delegation of the General Assembly and thank it for its work. 2. Continue the appointment of the Delegation with the same powers as hitherto - the Principal Clerk of the General Assembly to be Chairman and the Depute Clerk of the General Assembly to be Vice-Chairman. COMMISSIONS OF ASSEMBLY The General Assembly called for the Minutes of the Commissions of Assembly which were laid on the table. REPORT FROM 2007 NATIONAL YOUTH ASSEMBLY The General Assembly called for a Report from the 2007 National Youth Assembly which was given in by Miss Judith Taylor, Moderator of the National Youth Assembly. Miss Taylor was thanked by the Moderator for her noteworthy service to the National Youth Assembly. The General Assembly suspended their sitting at 12.21 pm until 2 pm. COUNCIL OF ASSEMBLY The General Assembly called for the Report and Supplementary Report of the Council of Assembly which were given in by Mrs Helen McLeod, Convener. It was moved and seconded- The General Assembly: 1. Receive the Report and Supplementary Report. 2. Instruct Assembly Councils, Committees, Presbyteries, Kirk Sessions and other Agencies of the Church to engage with the Co-ordinated Communication Strategy and to give high priority to good communication in their work. 3. Instruct the Council to continue to support the development of Gaelic within the Church, including discussions with appropriate funding bodies. 4. Record their thanks to the Law Department for its work in ensuring that the Church retains both its charitable and Designated Religious Charity status. 5. Approve the Co-ordinated Budget Proposals for 2009. 6. Note the indicative Rolling Budget for 2009-2013. It was moved, seconded and agreed as an addendum to the Deliverance:- Add a new Section 3 and renumber: Recognising the concern reflected in a number of reports to the Assembly, instruct the Council to develop further a strategic approach to directing external communication, including the possibility of establishing a post for a director of Strategic Communication, and bring recommendations to the General Assembly of 2009. The Deliverance as amended was then agreed to. Mrs McLeod on her retiral as Convener was thanked by the Moderator for her noteworthy service to the Council and the General Assembly. STEWARDSHIP AND FINANCE COMMITTEE The General Assembly called for the Report and Supplementary Report of the Stewardship and Finance Committee which were given in by Mrs Vivienne Dickson, Convener. It was moved and seconded- The General Assembly: 1. Receive the Report and Supplementary Report. 2. Receive the 2007 Report and Accounts of the Unincorporated Councils and Committees of the General Assembly. 3. Welcome the progress with the pilot programmes for a National Stewardship Initiative and urge all Kirk Sessions and Financial Boards to present the Christian giving of money as a means of sharing the gospel through the worship, mission and service of the Church. 4. Instruct the Stewardship and Finance Committee, in consultation with the Council of Assembly, to explore the appointment of an External Funding Adviser. 5. Approve the change in terminology from “Ministries and Mission Allocations” to “Ministries and Mission Contributions”. 6. Approve the Regulations for Ministries and Mission Contributions from Congregations as set out in Appendix 3. 7. Approve the Regulations for Congregational Finance as set out in Appendix 4. 8. Approve the Regulations for Presbytery Finance as set out in Appendix 5. 9. Welcome the increase in offerings in 2007 and urge congregations to encourage members and adherents to review annually the level of their Christian giving of money. 10. Welcome the good news that the tax recovery on Gift Aid offerings will continue to be at the level of 28% until 5 April 2011. 11. Authorise the Stewardship and Finance Committee to vary the Regulations for Congregational and Presbytery Finance, as it deems appropriate, in respect of congregations and Presbyteries outwith Scotland. 12. Confer upon Anne Frances Macintosh, BA, CA, Deputy Treasurer of the Church, full power to discharge all legacies, bequests or donations which may have been or may be left, bequeathed or made to the Church of Scotland, or any of the Schemes, Councils, Committees or agencies thereof, or which may have been or may be left, bequeathed or made to the United Free Church of Scotland or to any of the Schemes, Boards or Committees or agencies thereof and which in terms of the Agreement with the continuing United Free Church of Scotland fall to the Church of Scotland or its Schemes, Councils, Committees or agencies, and to sign all Discharges, Agreements, Indemnities, Undertakings, and other Deeds which may be necessary in connection therewith. It was moved, seconded and agreed as an addendum to the Deliverance:- Add a new Section 8 and re-number: a) Remind all Presbyteries of the importance of the timeous attestation of Congregational accounts as part of the governance processes of the Church of Scotland, so that Congregations can be assured that the accounts which they lodge with the Scottish Charities Regulator are fully compliant with the Regulations anent Congregational Finance b) Instruct the Committee to re-examine the attestation process, with particular regard to the reports from Presbyteries and the timeous completion thereof, and to report to the General Assembly of 2009. It was moved, seconded and agreed as an addendum to the Deliverance:- Add a new Section 11 and renumber: Instruct the Principal Clerk to write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer to thank him for the effect of the Budget on the funds of the Church. The Deliverance as amended was then agreed to. CHURCH OF SCOTLAND INVESTORS TRUST The General Assembly called for the Report of the Church of Scotland Investors Trust which was given in by Mr David Simpson, Chairman. It was moved, seconded and agreed- The General Assembly: 1. Receive the Report. 2. Appoint Mrs I J Hunter as Chairman of the Investors Trust from 1 June 2008. 3. Appoint Mr D M Simpson as Vice-Chairman of the Investors Trust from 1 June 2008. 4. Approve the re-appointment of Dr N M Bryson and Mr T M Walker as members of the Investors Trust from 1 June 2008. 5. Ratify the co-option on 30 October 2007 of Mr A W T Gibb and approve his appointment as a member of the Investors Trust from 1 June 2008. 6. Receive the Annual Report and Financial Statements of the Investors Trust for 2007. Mr Simpson on his retiral as Chairman was thanked by the Moderator for his noteworthy service to the Trust and the General Assembly. SUPPORT AND SERVICES COUNCIL The General Assembly called for the Report of the Support and Services Council which was given in by Mrs Vivienne Dickson, Convener. It was moved, seconded and agreed- The General Assembly: Receive the Report. PANEL ON REVIEW AND REFORM The General Assembly called for the Report of the Panel on Review and Reform which was given in by the Rev David Cameron, Convener. It was moved and seconded- The General Assembly: 1. Receive the Report. 2. Encourage the Church without Walls Planning Group to plan and deliver national strategies which enable future regional networking opportunities for congregations. 3. Commend the use to Congregations and Presbyteries of the Panel’s Vacancy Process flowchart in conjunction with the Act anent Vacancy Procedure 2003 (as amended by Acts IX and X 2004, II 2005 and V 2006). 4. Urge the Ministries Council to produce a vacancy procedure manual of the entire vacancy process, together with an information leaflet for congregations which outlines what should be expected during a period of vacancy. 5. Urge the Ministries Council to produce a pro-forma for the compilation of a Parish Profile and to make it available on its webpage for use by congregations. 6. Urge Presbyteries, to consider the provision of training of members of Nominating Committees and also, drawing on the Ministries Council’s experience of Interim Ministry, the training of Interim Moderators. 7. Urge the Ministries Council to make the list of charges seeking a minister more accessible to prospective applicants. 8. Encourage the presence of an Interim Moderator, in an advisory capacity, at all interviews of applicants for a vacancy. 9. Commend “Future Focus: a way forward for congregations” to all Kirk Sessions and Presbyteries. 10. Encourage Presbyteries to take due recognition of the forward plans of congregations in their annual review of Presbytery Plans. 11. Instruct the Panel in consultation with the Mission and Discipleship Council and Legal Questions Committee to monitor and review the “Future Focus” Pilot Scheme with Glasgow Presbytery and selected congregations, with view to bringing appropriate legislative amendments to Act II 1984 to the General Assembly in May 2009. 12. Consideration of Section 12 was deferred until the debate on the Report of the Special Commission on Structure and Change. 13. Encourage the Mission and Discipleship Council to explore ways in which multimedia resources could be shared by the setting up of an online central library of resources. It was moved, seconded and agreed as an addendum to Section 2 of the Deliverance:- Add at the end “including ecumenical relationships”. It was moved, seconded and agreed as an amendment of Section 4 of the Deliverance:- Delete “Urge” and substitute “Instruct”, and add at the end “and to report to the General Assembly of 2009”. It was moved, seconded and agreed as an addendum to the Deliverance:- Add a new Section 5 and re-number: Pass an Act amending Act VIII, 2003 as follows: Amend section 12(1)(b) of Act VIII 2003 to read: “The Advisory Committee may comprise members of the Vacancy Procedure Committee and act as a Support Committee to congregations in a vacancy”. It was moved and seconded as an addendum to Section 5 of the Deliverance:- After “Parish Profile” add “with the inclusion of key information on property, finance and superintendence supplied by the Presbytery”. On a vote being taken For or Against the addendum it carried Against. It was moved and seconded as a counter-motion to Section 8:- Encourage Interim Moderators to ensure that Nominating Committee members are familiar with the guidelines on interviewing candidates, in particular that all candidates should be treated equally and fairly and that the process should not breach Act V 2007 anent Discrimination. It was resolved to treat the counter-motion as an addendum to the Deliverance, being a new Section 9. On a vote being taken For or Against Section 8 it carried Against. On a vote being taken For or Against the addendum (originally counter-motion) it carried For. It was moved, seconded and agreed as an addendum to the Deliverance:- Add a new Section 14: Commend the report “Church Without Walls – Illustrations of How Local Churches are Connecting with Communities”, for further study and reflection by the Church. The Deliverance as amended was then agreed to. The General Assembly adjourned at 4.48 pm to meet again in this Hall this evening at 7 pm, whereof public intimation having been made, the Sederunt was closed with prayer. ASSEMBLY HALL EDINBURGH, 15 May 2008, 4.48 pm CONVENED AT EDINBURGH, 15 MAY 2008 At Edinburgh and within the Assembly Hall, the 15th day of May 2008 years, at 7 pm, Session II. The General Assembly did again convene and was constituted with prayer. The Very Rev Sheilagh Kesting BA BD, Retiring Moderator, addressed the General Assembly, and was thanked by the Moderator for her distinguished and valued service during her year of office. The General Assembly received the following Delegates and Visitors: Delegates: The Presbyterian Church in Ireland – Rt Rev Dr John M Finlay, Moderator, Rev Dr R Brian Savage, Senior Chaplain, Mr John Suitters, Elder. The Presbyterian Church of Wales – Rev John Owen, Moderator. The United Reformed Church – Rev Dr Stephen Orchard, Moderator, Rev Lucy Brierley, Chaplain. The United Reformed Church (Synod of Scotland) – Rev John Ll Humphreys, Synod Moderator. The Baptist Union of Scotland – Rev Andy Scarcliffe, Mission Adviser. The Church of England – Rt Rev Stephen Platten, Bishop of Wakefield. The Methodist Church in Scotland – Rev Lily Twist, Scottish District Chair. Quakers in Scotland – General Meeting for Scotland – Eva Deregowska. The Salvation Army – Major Alan Dixon, Assistant to the Scotland Secretary. The Scottish Episcopal Church – Rt Rev David R Chillingworth, Bishop of St Andrews, Dunkeld and Dunblane. The United Free Church of Scotland – Rev David Cartledge, Moderator. The Congregational Federation in Scotland – Rev Malcolm Muir, Chairman for Scotland. Action of Churches Together in Scotland and Churches Together in Britain and Ireland – Brother Stephen Smyth fms, General Secretary of ACTS. Presbyterian Church (USA) – Rev Dawn Carder. Presbyterian Church in Canada – Rev Dr Hans Kouwenberg, Moderator. Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana – Rev Derrick S Dzandu-Hedidor. Presbyterian Church of Ghana – Very Rev Dr Sam Prempeh. Presbyterian Church of Nigeria – Rev Elijah Obinna. Presbyterian Church of East Africa – Rev Francis Ndungu Njoroge, Deputy Secretary General. The United Church of Zambia – Rev Rosemary M Nsofwa, Community Development Secretary. Church of Central Africa Presbyterian, Synod of Livingstonia, Malawi – Rev Cogitator Mapala. Church of Central Africa Presbyterian, Synod of Nkhoma, Malawi – Rev Laston Kachumba. Church of Central Africa Presbyterian, Synod of Blantyre, Malawi – Rev McDonald Kadawati, General Secretary. Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa – Rt Rev William Pool, Moderator. Protestant Church in the Netherlands – Rev Gerrit de Fijter, President of the General Synod. Tavola Valdese, Italy – Pastor Maria Bonafede, Moderator; Ms Sabina Baral, (Translator and Visitor). Evangelical Lutheran Church in Denmark – Rev Dr R Mogens Jensen, Dean, Diocese of Ribe. Evangelical Church of the Czech Brethren – Ms Magda Matulikova, Officer of the Ecumenical and International Department. Evangelical Reformed Church in Poland – Rev Roman Lipinski. Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland – Rev Juha Rintamaki. The Middle East Council of Churches – Dr Bernard Sabella, Executive Secretary. Church of Pakistan – Rt Rev Samuel Azariah, Bishop of Raiwind. Church of Bangladesh – Rt Rev Paul S Sarker, Bishop of Kushtia Diocese and Moderator. Presbyterian Church of Myanmar – Rev Dr Lalengzauva, General Secretary. Presbyterian Church of Australia – Rt Rev Robert Benn, Moderator General. Uniting Church in Australia – Rev Terence Corkin, General Secretary. Visitors: Presbyterian Church of Canada – Ms Susan Swanney. Church of Central Africa Presbyterian, Synod of Livingstonia, Malawi – Mrs Esther Lupafya, Faithshare Student 2007/08. Church of Central Africa Presbyterian, Synod of Blantyre, Malawi – Rev Mathias Hauya, Faithshare Student 2007/2008 The United Church of Zambia – Mr Albert Chituka, Faithshare Student 2007/2008. Tavola, Valdese, Italy – Mr Alessandro Zito, Faithshare Student 2007/2008. Hungarian Reformed Church – Miss Viktoria Koczian, Faithshare Student 2007/2008. The Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea – Mr Kang-Hee Han, Faithshare Student 2007/2008. The reception of the Delegates and Visitors being completed, the Moderator welcomed them on behalf of the General Assembly. The Rev Dr Stephen Orchard and the Rt Rev Samuel Azariah addressed the General Assembly in the name of the Delegates and Visitors and were thanked by the Moderator. The General Assembly adjourned at 8.50 pm to meet again in this Hall tomorrow at 9.30 am for business, whereof public intimation having been made, the Sederunt was closed with prayer. ASSEMBLY HALL EDINBURGH, 15 May 2008, 8.50 pm 34 SATURDAY 17 – MONDAY 19 MAY SATURDAY 17 – MONDAY 19 MAY 51