The General Assembly 2008 Real time tracker postings archive: Session I Thursday 15 May Opening of the General Assembly 10.00am The Assembly is constituted in prayer and with the election of the Moderator, the Right Rev David Lunan. 10.30am Various administrative reports were made and dealt with. His Grace the Lord High Commissioner, the Right Honourable George Reid, delivered his address. 10.50am The Moderator replies. Arrangements were announced for celebration of Holy Communion on Monday 19 May at 9.30am. 10.56am The Assembly concluded its formal opening and adjourned for 15 minutes. 11.20am The Rev Bill Hewitt, Convener, presented the report of the Assembly Arrangements Committee. He congratulated the Moderator on his appointment and outlined the arrangements for the rest of the week. 11.30am The Rev Hewitt moved the deliverances, seconded by Rev Finlay MacDonald. Rev Andrew McLellan asked if the General Assembly might meet in places other than Edinburgh. 11.36am Rev James Dewar asked if Holy Communion might be held on a day other than Monday. The Assembly received report. 11.40am Rev Michael Goss suggested a larger form of worship during the Assembly. 11.44am Elaine Duncan, Chief Executive, presented the report from the Scottish Bible Society, and presented a bible to the Moderator. 12.01 Rev Mark Johnstone moved an amendment of section 10 of the Deliverance which was agreed: Delete "Rev. H. Warner Hardie" and substitute "Rev Alexander M Gunn, Rev Lynn McChlery". The report of the Assembly Arrangements Committee is agreed. 12.04 The Moderator thanked Rev Bill Hewitt, who retired as convener. 12.05pm The Rev Finlay MacDonald, Convener,presented the report of the Committee on Classifying Returns to Overtures. The Assembly agreed the report. 12.08pm The Rev Finlay MacDonald, Chairman,presented the report of the Delegation of the General Assembly. The minutes of Commissions of Assembly were tabled. Miss Judith Taylor, moderator, presented the report of the 2007 Youth Assembly. 12.18pm The Moderator thanks Miss Taylor, who retired as moderator. 12.22pm The Assembly adjourned for lunch. 14.00pm The Assembly reconvened after lunch 14.01pm Mrs Helen McLeod presented the report of the Council of Assembly 14.15pm Very Rev John McIndoe asked a question about gaelic 14.18pm Rev Bryan Kerr asked a question about websites 14.22pm Rev Richard Baxter asked a question about budgeting 14.23pm Rev Douglas C McNab asked a question about Governance 14.25pm Church solictor Mrs J Wilson advised the Assembly about Oscar regulations 14.26pm Rev Hugh D Steele asked a question about Governance 14.28pm Church solictor Mrs J Wilson advised the Assembly about Oscar regulations 14.30pm Rev T Douglas McRoberts proposed investigating the post of Director of strategic communication and report in 2009 14.36pm The Assembly agreed 14.36pm Rev John C Christie asked a question about Gaelic 14.39pm Moderator thanked retiring convener Mrs Helen McLoud for her service 14.42pm Assembly moved to consider the report of Stewardship and Finance Committee which was presented by Mrs Vivian Dickson 15.00 Mr Frank Potter asked a question about how many presbyteries have not responded about their accounts. 15.02 Frank Potter moved 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. 15.07 The Assembly agreed the addendum. Rev Dr Jared Hay recommended the Convener writes to Chancellor to thank him for contribution in budget regarding tax relief. 15.12 The Assembly received the report as a whole 15.13 David Simpson, Chairman, presented the report of the Church of Scotland Investors Trust. 15.22 Mrs Vivienne Dickson presented a report on the Support Services Council. 15.25 The Rev David Cameron,Convener, presented the report of the Panel on Review and Reform. 15.43 Rev Jack Holt asked for clarification on deliverance 2 on large scale events and a strategy for these. 15.47 Rev Bryan Kerr asked if presbyteries will be asked for information on congregations. Rev William Brown asked what consultations are proposed with other churches in Scotland. 15.51 Rev James Wilson noted concern at the length of time to fill vacancies. 15.54 Deliverance 2: Rev William Brown proposed adding 'ecumenical relationships' to ensure consultation with other churches. This was agreed. 15.57 Mr Ian Maclagan moved to delete 'urge' and replace with 'ask' the Ministries Council at deliverance 4. This was agreed. 15.58 Rev Murdo Smith had moved an addendum at section 5: Add a new Section 5 and re-number: Pass an Act amending Act VIII, 2003 as follows: Add a new section 1(6) in the following terms: "Where the Presbytery judges it appropriate the one committee may discharge the roles of both the Vacancy Procedure Committee and the Advisory Committee as set out in section 12 and, more generally act as a Support Committee to congregations in a vacancy". Mr Maclagan moved an amendment to this. This was agreed. 16.04 An addendum was moved from Rev Bryan Kerr for section 5: "After 'Parish Profile' add 'with the inclusion of key information on property, finance and superintendence supplied by the Presbytery." 16.08 Rev Ivan Warwick commented there might be a question of confidentiality. 16.15 Rev Lezley Kennedy suggested guidelines might be better than a pro forma. 16.22 The Assembly voted against the addendum. 16.25 Rev Graham Finch moved a counter motion for section 8 of the Deliverance: Encourage Interim Moderators to ensure that Nominating Committee members are familiar with guidelines on interviewing candidates, in particular that all candidates should be treated equally and fairly and the process should not breach Act V 2007 anent Discrimiantion. 16.28 Rev Douglas McRoberts asked about the existing section 8, and whether Interim Moderators would advise the congregations or the candidate. 16.32 Rev David Gemmell asked if the intention was that the Interim Moderator should be at every interview. 16.38 Mr Alastair Denholm asked if the HR department of the Church could could advise on procedures. 16.42 The Assembly voted against section 8, and for the counter motion. 16.48 A new section 14 was moved that the Church without walls report, Illustrations of how local churches are connecting with communities, be commended. This was agreed. 16.49 The Assembly was adjourned for the day.