The General Assembly 2008 Real time tracker postings archive: Session VII Wednesday 21 May 9.30am The Assembly was constituted in prayer. 9.57am The minutes from Monday 19 May were presented to the Assembly and approved. 9.58am Rev Graeme Finch clarified a statement made during the Ministries Council debate on Monday regarding the International Christian College. Rev William Wallace asked if the debate could be revisited. 10.07am Mr Alastair Knowles commended the Assembly Arrangements Committee for its links with the Boys Brigade. 10.15am Rev Graeme Beebee welcomed the debate and discussion from the previous days' proceedings. 10.16am Mr Findlay Turner, chairman, presented the report of the General Trustees. 10.30am Mr Gordon Erskine asked about instructing treasurers about bringing forward information. Rev Allan McCafferty asked about information on a green tarrif for congregations. 10.33am Mrs Jean Watson asked about James Melville manse and what would be happening with it. Mr Ian Maclagan asked if General Trustees would give grants for evaluations. 10.38am Mr Jack Stuart asked if the current rules about disposal of buildings could be amended so this could be of benefit to the community. 10.41am Mr Willian Ewart mentioned the role of fabric committees. 10.43am Rev Anthony Craig asked what help could be provided to congregations who have A-listed buildings. 10.45am Rev James MacEwan asked for clarification on what are legitimate uses of church funds, in view of the charity rules that funds given to congregations must be used for the benefit of the congregation. 10.48am Rev Fraser asked about funding for the provision of manses. 10.53am Rev Una Stewart asked if the Trustees' remit could be reassessed regarding congregations' own assets. 10.54am Mr Frank Potter asked for an estimated cost of an evaluation. 10.56am Rev Gordon Jamieson spoke about the stewardship issues facing the Church. 11.00am Rev Sydney Graham spoke about the disposal of land in relation to charitable status. 11.02am Rev Michael Goss moved an amendment to section 3: change from 'note the proposals' to 'welcome' This was agreed. 11.05am Rev Michael Goss moved an addendum to section 3: a) instruct the General Trustees to approve new build projects only it if can be demonstrated that they are to be built to sustainable standards and b) instruct congregations and Presbyteries to ensure replacement heating and lighting systems are as efficient as possible and encourage the use of renewable energy projects where practicable. The convener moved that a) be changed to 'instruct congregations' This was agreed and the addendum was agreed. 11.06am Rev Jack Holt asked about insurance implications for congregations. 11.09am Rev Gordon Savage moved an amendment to Section 4: Delete "instruct congregations and Presbyteries to implement them" and substitute: "instruct the General Trustees, in co-operation with the Church of Scotland Insurance Company, to explore alternative types of insurance such as those offered by other ecclesiastical insurance companies, and including the concept of ‘self insurance’, with a view to offering a range of products more suited to the needs and resources of congregations, and to report to the General Assembly of 2009; and authorise congregations and Presbyteries to delay implementation of revised premiums until alternative types of insurance have been considered and approved by the General Assembly." 11.16am Rev Sally Marsh spoke in favour of the amendment. Rev Bryan Kerr and Mr Bill Riddick spoke against the amendment. 11.24am Rev Alexander Fraser moved an amendment to delete the second part of Rev Savage's amendment from 'and authorise...' This was agreed. 11.38am The Assembly voted against amendment. The Assembly agreed section 4. 11.39am Rev Linda Dunbar moved to add a new section 5: Instruct the General Trustees to produce accessible guidelines relating to the use and alienation of funds by congregations, especially in relation to heritable property in the light of current charity law practice. An addendum was moved to this: 'General Trustees in consultation with the legal department.' The addendum and new section were agreed. 11.41pm Mr John McCulloch moved an addendum to the new section 6: note the Church of Scotland Insurance Company provides guidance on practical steps which congregations can take to deter theft of roofing This was agreed. 11.44am The deliverances in the report and supplementary report were agreed. 11.46am Rev Robin Hill, convener, presented the report of the Church of Scotland's HIV/AIDS Project. This included a tribute to Nigel Pounde. 12.10pm The project is commended for its work in tackling stigma and asks what the Church is doing to support immigrants. 12.15pm It was asked what are the future plans for the project group. 12.30pm An addendum was sought for Deliverance 4. After "seek practical" the Deliverance would add "and creative". This was agreed. 12.31pm The deliverance as a whole was agreed. 12.32pm Rev Anne Lithgow, convener, presented the report of the Central Services Committee. 12.40pm Rev Rosemary Frew asked how many employees had left employment and who sits on the Joint Negotiating and Consultative Committee. 12.45pm Rev David Soutar moved an addendum to add a new section 2: With reference to section 2.9.2 of the Report instruct the Committee in the development of Recruitment and Selection Employment Equality (Religion and Belief) Regulations 2003 which enable the Church to determine that in certain circumstances it is a Genuine Occupational Requirement for a post holder to be a Christian and identify those posts which should be advertised with such a requirement. This was agreed. 12.50pm Rev Rosemary Frew moved 3 new sections: 2. Express concern at the high number of resignations in the past year This was not agreed. 3. Affirm that those employed by the Committee are called by God to use their particular gifts and talents in the service of His church, for the furtherance of His kingdom. This was not agreed. 4. Instruct the Committee to elect one of its members to be its representative on the Joint Negotiating and Consultative Committee. This was agreed. 12.54pm The deliverance as a whole was agreed. 12.55pm Rev Iain Cunningham, convener, presented the report of the Nomination Committee. The deliverance was agreed. 1.10pm The Assembly was adjourned until 3.30pm. Wednesday 21 May Session VIII 3.30pm 3.30pm The Assembly was constituted in prayer. 3.36pm Very Rev Sheilagh Kesting presented the report anenet Deceased Ministers, Missionaries and Deacons. 3.50pm The moderator addressed the Assembly. 4.10pm His Grace, the Lord High Commissioner, addressed the Assembly. 4.31pm The moderator thanked His Grace. The Assembly sang the National Anthem. 4.35pm The General Assembly was dissolved until 21 May 2009.