 |
The Church Of Ireland |
STANDING COMMITTEE
REPORT OF PROCEEDINGS
laid before
The General Synod at its
One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Ordinary Session
1999
THE GENERAL SYNOD
OF THE
CHURCH OF IRELAND
HONORARY SECRETARIES OF THE GENERAL SYNOD
Very Rev H Cassidy, The Library, Abbey Street, Armagh BT61 7DY
Rev Canon WP Colton, Castleknock Rectory, 12 Hawthorn Lawn, Castleknock, Dublin 15
Mr SR Harper, Cramer’s Grove, Kilkenny, Co Kilkenny
Lady Sheil, Oaxaca, Saintfield Road, Killinchy, Co Down BT23 6RL
ASSISTANT SECRETARY – Ms Valerie Beatty
SYNOD OFFICER – Mr Derek Phillips
OFFICE
Church
of Ireland House
Church Avenue
Rathmines
Dublin 6
Telephone No (01) 4978422
Facsimile No (01) 4978821
Email <General Synod Office
CONTENTS
- Summary
- Names and Attendances of Members
- Appointments
- Audit of Accounts
- Bishops’ Appeal Advisory Committee
- Central Communications Board
- Commission on Episcopal Needs
- Committees etc Reporting to the General Synod
- Copyright
- Council for the Church Overseas
- Council of Churches for Britain and Ireland
- Drumcree
- The General Synod 2000
- General Synod – Standing Committee Budgets
- Honorary Secretaries
- Irish Churches’ Council for Television and Radio Affairs
- Irish Inter-Church Meeting
- ICC/IICM Review Process
- Jubilee 2000 Coalition
- Marriage Law (Republic of Ireland)
- The Millennium
- Northern Ireland Consultative Civic Forum
- Priorities Fund
- The Porvoo Communion
- Publishing Executive Officer
- Role of the Church Committee
- Sectarianism Working Group
- Strategic Planning Working Group
- Sunday Observance
- Synodical Structures Working Group
- Theological College – Accommodation for Married Students
- World Council of Churches
- Obituary
APPENDICES
A Resolutions to be proposed to the General Synod
B World Development – Bishops’ Appeal Advisory Committee Report
C Central Communications Board Report
D Commission on Episcopal Needs – Report on Decisions of Diocesan Synods
E A Theological and Pastoral Reflection on the Issues involved in the Drumcree situation
F Sub-Committee on Drumcree – Report and Statements by the Archbishop of Armagh and Others
G Committee for Christian Unity – Statement on Eucharistic Sharing
H Millennium Co-ordination Committee Report
I Priorities Fund Account for the Year ending 31 December 1998
J The Porvoo Declaration – an Introductory Leaflet
K Sectarianism Working Group – Final Report
L Sunday Observance – Submission to Joint Oireachtas Committee on Enterprise and Small Business
M Synodical Structures Working Group Report
N Receipts and Disbursements Account and General Purposes Fund
The Standing Committee submits to the General Synod the Report of its proceedings for the period from 14 April 1998 to 9 March 1999.
- SUMMARY
The Standing Committee considered many varied matters throughout the year. The most significant matters were:
- Commission on Episcopal Needs – the implementation of the report adopted by the General Synod in 1998 and the decisions of Diocesan Synods affected by the proposals contained in the report (Appendix D).
- Drumcree – the decisions of the Special Meeting of the Standing Committee to consider the issues involved and the Theological Comment (Appendix E).
- Sectarianism – the final report from the Working Group is attached (Appendix K).
- Synodical Structures Working Group – the Standing Committee set up the Working Group to review the present structures of the General Synod. A report is attached (Appendix M).
- NAMES AND ATTENDANCES OF MEMBERS
During the period six ordinary meetings and one special meeting of the Committee have been held. The number of meetings attended by each member is placed before his/her name.
- APPOINTMENTS
The following appointments were made by the Standing Committee during the year:
- AUDIT OF ACCOUNTS
The Standing Committee, with the approval of the Archbishop of Armagh, appointed PricewaterhouseCoopers to audit the accounts of the Representative Church Body.
- BISHOPS’ APPEAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE
The World Development – Bishops’ Appeal Advisory Committee submitted a report, including accounts for the year ended 31 December 1998, to the Standing Committee in March 1999, which is included as Appendix B. The appointment of Ms E Aalen as Education Adviser was extended to 31 December 2000.
- CENTRAL COMMUNICATIONS BOARD
The Standing Committee approved a report from the Central Communications Board, which included the work of the Broadcasting Committee, the Internet Committee and the Literature Committee. The report is included as Appendix C.
- COMMISSION ON EPISCOPAL NEEDS
The General Synod in 1998 adopted the report from the Commission on Episcopal Needs and requested the Standing Committee to take the necessary action for the implementation of its proposals.
- COMMITTEES ETC REPORTING TO THE GENERAL SYNOD
The General Synod in 1998 adopted the following resolution:
- That commencing in the year 1999 the following shall report to General Synod at least once every two years:
- That the identity of those bodies reporting in any given year shall
be determined by agreement between the bodies listed above and the
Honorary Secretaries of the General Synod subject to the approval
of the Standing Committee at its January meeting. Where such agreement
is not forthcoming the Standing Committee shall make a ruling.
Representatives of the Committees etc listed in the resolution met with the Honorary Secretaries in December 1998. In accordance with the terms of the resolution, it was agreed that the following Committees etc would present a report to the General Synod in 1999:
Council for the Church Overseas
Church of Ireland Youth Council
Commission on Church Buildings
Church’s Ministry of Healing
Committee for Christian Unity
Committees not presenting a report to the General Synod were requested to submit a brief report (one or two pages) for inclusion in the Book of Reports, which would merely contain a list of members of the committee and any other vital information.
- COUNCIL OF CHURCHES FOR BRITAIN AND IRELAND
On the recommendation of the Committee for Christian Unity the Standing Committee approved certain changes in the Constitution of the Council of Churches for Britain and Ireland.
- DRUMCREE
A Special Meeting of the Standing Committee was held on 6 October 1998 to consider the Drumcree issue. The meeting was held in the Court Hotel, Killiney and members of the Representative Church Body Executive Committee, the Ven AET Harper (representing the Sectarianism Working Group) and senior staff of the RCB were invited to attend. The Honorary Secretaries invited members to make submissions prior to the meeting to facilitate the arranging of the agenda.
The Archbishop of Armagh introduced the subject and outlined the difficulties facing the Church of Ireland, followed by a factual explanation by the Very Rev H Cassidy. Mr RH Sherwood, Chief Officer and Secretary of the RCB, explained the situation regarding the ownership of the property in the vicinity of Drumcree Church. A report from the Ven AET Harper, as Chairman of the Sectarianism Working Group, was also considered. The following resolution was adopted:
The Standing Committee notes the report prepared by Archdeacon Alan Harper, Chairman of the Sub-Committee on Sectarianism dated 22 September 1998 and awaits their general recommendations.
In relation to the specific issue of the confrontation and dispute at Drumcree and the Church of Ireland’s association with and perceived involvement in those events the Standing Committee deeply regrets and repudiates all words and actions associated with the Drumcree controversy which have caused and continue to cause hurt and offence to others.
That, conscious of the fact that under current regulations it is not possible to prevent attendance at a regular church service, the following steps be taken to ensure (insofar as the church can ensure) that there will be no recurrence of the outrageous and tragic events of the past three years.
- PRIORITIES FUND
- PUBLISHING EXECUTIVE OFFICER
It was reported last year that the Standing Committee had approved a job description for a publishing executive officer to hold office for a three year period. It was subsequently decided that professional advice should be sought to study the current and future publishing needs of the Church of Ireland prior to making an appointment. A draft consultant’s report is currently under consideration.
- ROLE OF THE CHURCH COMMITTEE
The Role of the Church Committee agreed a paper on abortion, which was approved by the Archbishops and Honorary Secretaries and forwarded to the Inter-departmental Working Group on Abortion. The Standing Committee at its September 1998 meeting noted the paper.
- SECTARIANISM WORKING GROUP
The Group reported regularly to the Standing Committee throughout the year. The Standing Committee expressed its appreciation to the Ven AET Harper as chairman and the members of the Group for the considerable work carried out in preparing the final report to the General Synod. The final report from the Sectarianism Working Group is included as Appendix K and resolutions recommended by the Standing Committee are contained in Appendix A.
- STRATEGIC PLANNING
As reported last year, a strategic planning seminar entitled "Facing Up to Change" was held in the Ambassador Hotel, Kill, Co Kildare on 6 and 7 March 1998.
- SYNODICAL STRUCTURES WORKING GROUP
The Standing Committee at its June 1998 meeting set up a working group to undertake a full review of present structures of the General Synod including inter alia Chapter One of the Constitution, the Standing Orders of the General Synod and the Standing Orders of the Standing Committee and taking into account developments arising from the work of the Commission on Episcopal Needs. A report from the Synodical Structures Working Group is included as Appendix M and a resolution recommended by the Standing Committee is contained in Appendix A.
- THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE - ACCOMMODATION FOR MARRIED
STUDENTS
The General Synod of 1998 appointed a Select Committee to investigate the position of married students in the Theological College and provide an interim report to the Synod meeting in the year 1999 and a final report and recommendations to the Synod in the year 2000.
Ex-officio Members
THE ARCHBISHOPS AND BISHOPS
THE HONORARY SECRETARIES OF THE GENERAL SYNOD
7 Very Rev H Cassidy
¨7 Rev Canon WP Colton
6 Mr SR Harper
Å 7 Lady Sheil
Elected Members
Diocese of:
Armagh
7 Rev Canon JM Barton
3 Rev IW Ellis
6 Mr HW Young
6 Mr WS Brodison
Clogher
6 Very Rev TR Moore
7 Rev Canon DP Hoey
5 Mr H Stewart
5 Mr HA Robinson
Derry
2 Ven MS Harte
3 Rev RJ Stewart
6 Mr JHD Livingstone
2 Mr W Arnold
Down
7 Very Rev JF Dinnen
6 Ven KR Good
1 Mr JD Johnston
5 Dr PHC Trimble
Connor
6 Rev Canon KH Clarke
5 Rev WG Irwin
5 Mr JD Getgood
7 Ms CS Turner
Kilmore
6 Rev Canon JR Sides
7 Rev Canon I Gallagher
4 Mr EA Cooke
4 Mr N Trenier
Tuam
6 Ven AMA Previté
3 Rev GL Hastings
4 Mr DJ Auchmuty
5 Ms A Wills
Dublin
5 Rev Canon RD Harman
¨ 0 Rev BA Pierce
5 Mr PDF Pyle
7 Ms AA Bedlow
Meath
4 Rev Canon IJ Power
7 Rev Canon AJ Grimason
7 Ms JM Bruton
6 Mr G Potterton
Cashel
4 Rev WBA Neill
6 Rev NJ Waugh
5 Mr G Bradley
2 Ms J Williams
Cork
7 Ven RE Bantry White
7 Rev Canon MAJ Burrows
7 Mr WF Baker
3 Dr A St Leger
Limerick
5 Rev Canon JAA Condell
6 Rev Canon R Warren
7 Ms L Gleasure
5 Mr RW Wallace
Co-opted Members
6 Very Rev DR Chillingworth
6 Mr MC Davey
7 Ven RG Hoey
7 Ms C McCutcheon
5 Rev Canon RB Rountree
3 Mr R Totten
Vacant
Å elected Honorary Secretary January 1999, previously a co-opted member ¨ elected Honorary Secretary January 1999, previously an elected member ¨ elected March 1999
COMMITTEES OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE
FINANCE AND ARRANGEMENTS SUB-COMMITTEE
Very Rev TR Moore
Mr G Bradley
The Honorary Secretaries
LEGAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE
His Honour Judge JG Buchanan
Sir Anthony Campbell
Mr WS McCarter
Mr PDM Prentice
The Hon Mr Justice Declan Budd
The Hon Ms Justice Catherine McGuinness
Mr RLK Mills SC
Mr MC Davey
Mr L Mellon
Mr RF Rodgers
Mr WB Stevenson
The Honorary Secretaries
PRIORITIES FUND COMMITTEE
Ms AA Bedlow
Ms JM Bruton
Very Rev DR Chillingworth
Rev JAA Condell
Very Rev TR Moore
Ms A Wills
Mr HW Young
| Committee etc | Name |
| General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, Belfast, 1998 | The Rt Rev HC Miller Mr DG Cruise |
| Conference of the
Methodist Church in Ireland, Dublin, 1998 |
Rev Canon WD Sinnamon Ms V Jones |
| Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, Lisburn, 1998 | Mr DRG Fullerton |
| Inter-Church Committee for Local Schemes of Co-operation | Rev Canon JCD Mayes |
| Christian Aid Board | Rt Rev MHG Mayes |
| Jubilee 2000 Coalition – Annual Meeting | Ms E Aalen |
| Irish Inter-Church Meeting – Irish Inter-Church Committee | Rev RJ Gray |
| Council of Churches for Britain and Ireland, Assembly | Rt Rev MHG Mayes |
| (to attend the Assembly in Swanwick, Derbyshire, February 1999 and continue until after the Assembly in 2002) | Rev RJ Gray Rev TR Williams Ms Janet Barcroft Ms Roberta McKelvey Mr W Nixon Rev GV Wharton Rev MA Parker Mr D Nuzum Very Rev LDA Forrest |
| Irish Council of Churches, Executive Committee | Rev RJ Gray |
| Church of Ireland Youth Council, Central Board | Rev Canon JAA Condell |
| Broadcasting Committee | Rev FJ McDowell |
| Methodist/Church of Ireland Joint Theological Working Group | Rev JE Rutter |
| The Church of England General Synod, York, July 1998 | Rev Canon JAA Condell |
| PACT (as Council member in November 1998 and President from March 2000) | Ms Vivienne Darling |
| The German Evangelical Kirchentag, Stuttgart, June 1999 | Ms Elaine McKay |
| Irish Inter-Church Meeting, Swords, 23-24 April 1999 | The Archbishop of
Armagh Rev Dr IM Ellis Rev RJ Gray Rt Rev JRW Neill Rt Rev BDA Hannon Mr T Morrow Ms J Barcroft Ms R McKelvie |
| World Development - Bishops’ Appeal Advisory Committee | Rt Rev MHG Mayes |
| Priorities Fund Committee | Ms A Wills |
| Church of Ireland Press | Rev RH Whiteside Ms VA Jones |
PricewaterhouseCoopers undertook a limited review of the accounting procedures of the accounts of both the World Development – Bishops’ Appeal Fund and the Priorities Fund. The Audit Committee concluded that given the nature of the various financial transactions involved it would be more practical and cost effective to undertake a programme of agreed procedures rather than a full audit. This programme of work was completed by PricewaterhouseCoopers for the year ending 31 December 1998.
Under Section 31 of Chapter 1 of the Constitution, the consent of the Diocesan Synod of each diocese affected by the proposals to alter diocesan boundaries is required. The Standing Committee directed that the proposals be conveyed to the Honorary Secretaries of each Diocesan Synod affected and that the decision of each Diocesan Synod be conveyed to the Honorary Secretaries of the General Synod.
The Standing Committee at its January 1999 meeting noted that four Diocesan Synods, namely Clogher; Tuam, Killala and Achonry; Meath and Kildare and Cork, Cloyne and Ross voted in favour of the proposals and three, namely Armagh; Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh and Limerick and Killaloe voted against. As all of the affected Diocesan Synods were not in favour of the proposals, the Standing Committee was not in a position to take the matter any further. The decisions of the Diocesan Synods were noted and are contained in a report to the General Synod included as Appendix D.
Council for Church Overseas
Church of Ireland Youth Council
Council for Mission in Ireland
Commission on Church Buildings
Church’s Ministry of Healing
Christian Stewardship Committee
Board for Social Responsibility (NI)
Board for Social Responsibility (RI)
Committee for Christian Unity
Church of Ireland Marriage Council
Permission was given to the Rev Michael Counsell of London to reproduce the prayer for the bereaved and the prayer for New Year’s Eve from Prayers and Thanksgivings in the Book of Common Prayer in a publication entitled "2000 Years of Prayer" published by the Canterbury Press.
The Rev Canon JAB Mayne was given permission to use the Collects and Post Communion Prayers of St Brigid’s Day, St Patrick’s Day and St Columba’s Day from Collects and Prayers 1995 in a forthcoming book provisionally entitled Commemorations through the Year.
COUNCIL FOR THE CHURCH OVERSEASThe Standing Committee at its January meeting approved in principle a recommendation from the Council for the Church Overseas to appoint a Mission Resource Person for a three-year period. The role of the person appointed would be to resource the Church of Ireland in its mission of evangelism and church growth, bringing insights and experience from the world church. Funding for the project will be shared between the Mission agencies and Diocesan Boards of Mission and the Priorities Fund. The actual appointment is subject to approval by the Standing Committee.
1.1 That the Standing Committee endorses the open letters of the Archbishop of Armagh and his senior clergy of 25 June 1998 and 24 August 1998.
1.2 That every effort is to be made by the Church of Ireland to give support to those seeking a genuine and peaceful settlement of this ongoing dispute.
1.3 That in the light of previous experience the Standing Committee in consultation with the Archbishop of Armagh and the Diocesan Council of Armagh requests the officers of the Orange Order, centrally and locally, to give written undertakings that if their members wish to attend service at Drumcree Parish Church that they will comply with any lawful request or direction given (a) by the Church authorities in relation to church property and (b) by the civil authorities in respect of the conduct and progress of any march, procession or protest.
1.4 That the Rector and Select Vestry of Drumcree parish continue to be consulted and invited to support this policy.
A small group was requested to prepare a theological comment on the issues involved which was approved by the Standing Committee and is included as Appendix E.
THE GENERAL SYNOD 2000Representatives of the Standing Committee were appointed to meet with the various parties involved with the Drumcree issue. Meetings have been held with the Select Vestry, the Orange Order and the Garvaghy Road Residents. A report on the meetings together with statements by the Archbishop of Armagh and others are included as Appendix F.
In accordance with the authority delegated to the Standing Committee by the General Synod in 1982, the meeting of the General Synod in the year 2000 was arranged for 15, 16 and 17 May in the Waterfront Hall, Belfast. It was felt that this prestigious venue would create a positive atmosphere for the Synod in the first year of the new millennium. It is necessary to commence the Synod on Monday 15 May due to a prior booking at the Waterfront Hall on Thursday 18 May.
GENERAL SYNOD – STANDING COMMITTEE BUDGETSThe Budget Sub-Committee considered budget submissions from various bodies relating to their expenditure in 1999 and presented a report to the Standing Committee in September 1998. Following consideration of the report, recommendations were submitted to the Representative Church Body Allocations Committee.
HONORARY SECRETARIESThe Ven GCS Linney and Mr EWR Cookman resigned as Honorary Secretaries of the General Synod at the end of 1998. The Archbishop of Armagh paid tribute to Archdeacon Linney and Mr Cookman for their dedication and commitment as Honorary Secretaries during a very active period for the Standing Committee. Archdeacon Linney was appointed in 1992 and Mr Cookman in 1989.
The Standing Committee at its January 1999 meeting elected the Rev Canon WP Colton and Lady Sheil as Honorary Secretaries to hold office until 17 May 1999 in accordance with Standing Order No 7. Canon Colton’s subsequent election as Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross caused a further vacancy among the Clerical Honorary Secretaries.
IRISH CHURCHES’ COUNCIL FOR TELEVISION AND RADIO AFFAIRSThe Constitution of ICCTRA dictates that a new Council be elected following the end of the 1995-98 triennium. The Standing Committee at its April 1998 meeting requested the Broadcasting Committee to elect two representatives to ICCTRA, on its behalf, for the period 1998-2001. It was subsequently reported that the Rev JMG Carey and Ms V Jones were elected.
IRISH INTER-CHURCH MEETINGThe Standing Committee at its November meeting approved comments from the Committee for Christian Unity on a background paper on Inter-Communion prepared by the Department of Theological Questions of the Irish Inter-Church Meeting. It was noted that the comments, which are included as Appendix G, were made prior to the publication of "One Bread, One Body".
ICC/IICM REVIEW PROCESSThe Irish Council of Churches and the Irish Inter-Church Meeting appointed review groups to consider the future role of both organisations and produce reports for consideration by the member Churches. The Standing Committee noted the reports and approved a response prepared by the Committee for Christian Unity which recommends that the re-constituted Irish Inter-Church Meeting should become the essential body for ecumenical interaction in Ireland, incorporating all the current functions of the Irish Council of Churches which are deemed appropriate to the new body.
The Standing Committee at its March 1999 meeting considered a Constitution establishing a new body, to be known as the Conference of Churches in Ireland. The Standing Committee was concerned about the omission of a doctrinal basis for membership for the new body and felt that the criteria for membership should be more clearly defined. It was also anxious as to the effects in the long term of not having an explicit doctrinal basis.
The Standing Committee requested the Review Group to reconsider the terms of the Constitution in the light of the concern expressed over criteria for membership.
JUBILEE 2000 COALITIONThe General Synod of 1998 adopted a resolution supporting the work and aims of Jubilee 2000 to reduce the national debt of third world countries. The Synod agreed to seek membership of the Jubilee 2000 Coalition and send a representative to the annual meeting.
The Standing Committee at its June 1998 meeting directed that the Church of Ireland become a member of the Jubilee 2000 Coalition and appointed Ms E Aalen to attend the annual meeting held in England in the Autumn of 1999.
MARRIAGE LAW (REPUBLIC OF IRELAND)The attention of the Standing Committee was drawn to difficulties concerning the implementation of the Family Law Act 1995 (Republic of Ireland). The following sub-committee was appointed in September 1998 to look into matters relating to marriage law and to report whether representations need to be made to Government as to the desirability of amending legislation or changes in practice:
The Rt Rev JRW Neill
Rev Canon WP Colton
Rev Canon MAJ Burrows
Ven R Bantry White
with power to co-opt two further members.
THE MILLENNIUMThe Standing Committee at its April 1998 meeting appointed the following group to co-ordinate millennium events throughout the Church of Ireland in consultation with the World Development – Bishops’ Appeal Advisory Committee and the Council for the Church Overseas:
Very Rev DR Chillingworth (Chairman)
Mr DJ Auchmuty
Mr AC Austin
Rev Canon DP Hoey
Rev NJ Waugh
A report from the Millennium Co-ordination Committee is included as Appendix H.
NORTHERN IRELAND CONSULTATIVE CIVIC FORUMThe Belfast Agreement provided for a consultative Civic Forum. The Honorary Secretaries, at the request of the Standing Committee, informed the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister that the Church of Ireland would value the opportunity to be involved in consultations for the setting up of the Forum. They also expressed a wish that consideration be given to Church of Ireland participation in the Forum if representation is sought from "the religious community".
The following allocations from the 1997 Priorities Fund were approved by the Standing Committee in April 1998:
ALLOCATIONS OF GRANTS FROM 1997 FUND
| Ministry | £ |
| CACTM – training of men and women for Ministry | 85,000 |
| Theological College – recruitment and selection | 4,000 |
| Theological College – In-service Training | 8,000 |
| House of Bishops – provision of in-service training for Clergy | 20,000 |
| Church’s Ministry of Healing – extension of Ministry and funding of courses | 5,000 |
| Community Bridge Building Working Group – to provide support to parishes in the work of community bridge building | 2,000 |
| _______ | |
| Subtotal | 124,000 |
| Retirement | |
| C of I Pensions Board – additional income for most needy | 19,675 |
| C of I Pensions Board – retired Chaplain | 380 |
| _______ | |
| Subtotal | 20,055 |
| Education | |
| GS Board of Education (NI) – development of ‘The Archbishop’s Challenge’ | 1,000 |
| Wilson’s Hospital School, Multyfarnham – restoration of girls’ dormitories | 5,000 |
| Midleton College – repairs to roof of girls’ boarding house | 3,000 |
| Kilkenny College – to assist with construction of showers and changing rooms | 3,000 |
| Drogheda Grammar School – improvement of boarding facilities and repairs to fire detecting system | 1,000 |
| St Patrick’s Cathedral Grammar School – to help with refurbishment of old school building to provide extra classrooms | 4,000 |
| Girls’ Friendly Society – ongoing curriculum development | 2,500 |
| Sunday School Society – to assist with cost of producing revised material for existing course | 1,500 |
| Joint Committee for Church Music – expansion of courses, printing and part-time secretarial staff | 2,500 |
| Irish School of Ecumenics – to assist with the maintenance of ISE | 3,000 |
| Dublin Diocesan Church Music Committee – to assist with the training of church musicians | 1,400 |
| C of I Youth Council – support ongoing work and development | 33,000 |
| National Bible Society – to assist with the cost of publishing material for use by all churches during Lent 2000 | 1,000 |
| Central Communications Board – to help with the production of a video dealing with the Christian faith in today’s world | 7,000 |
| Central Communications Board – to assist with the funding of a part-time Publishing Executive Officer | 15,000 |
| C of I Internet Advisory Group – to help with the ongoing training and development of Internet technology in the Church of Ireland | 6,000 |
| Sectarianism Sub-Committee – provision of funding to facilitate the servicing of the Sub-Committee on a professional basis | 15,000 |
| _______ | |
| Subtotal | 104,900 |
| Community | |
| PACT (Protestant Adoption) – provision of counselling service and comprehensive adoption service | 12,000 |
| C of I Board for Social Responsibility (NI) – adoption service and development of social work | 9,000 |
| The Mageough Home, Dublin – renovations to house interiors | 3,000 |
| St John’s House of Rest, Dublin – to replace old wardrobes and chest of drawers with built-in version | 2,000 |
| Harcourt Home, Dublin – to help with the cost of modernising and improving the catering area | 3,000 |
| Glenindare Home, Dublin – to assist with cost of building new laundry and rebuilding of kitchen | 2,000 |
| The Brabazon Trust, Dublin – to provide additional residential accommodation and extra bathroom facilities | 5,000 |
| Alexandra Guild House, Dublin – to cover cost of replacing taps with automatic turn-off version in 11 rooms | 2,000 |
| Shankill Parish Caring Association (NI) – to help with development of programmes for Single Seniors (65+) living on their own | 3,000 |
| Corrymeela Community, Belfast – to assist with the rebuilding of the main residential unit at this centre for peace and reconciliation | 3,000 |
| YMCA Development Office, Ballincollig – to help fund the development of PAKT (Parents & Kids Together) | 2,000 |
| Muckross Youth Venture Centre, Killarney – to assist with cost of complete renovation of the centre | 3,000 |
| C of I Gazette – to help with distribution costs in the Republic andpromotion costs within the church | 3,000 |
| APCK – to support the distribution service provided by the APCK for the Church of Ireland | 7,500 |
| _______ | |
| Subtotal | 59,500 |
| Areas of Special Need | |
| Ardfert – Kilcolman Union – provision of additional funding towards cost of new Church and Social Centre | 5,000 |
| Cloyne – Cobh and Glanmire Union – to help with provision of kitchen facilities at St David’s Centre, Carrigtwohill | 750 |
| Connor – Greenisland Parish – to assist with alterations to church hall to facilitate expanding youth programmes | 1,000 |
| Connor – St Paul’s Parish, Belfast – to assist with cost of adaptation of church to provide a Meeting room and kitchen facilities | 2,000 |
| Connor – St Mary’s Parish, Belfast – to assist with major refurbishment of old school for recreational use by the parish and community | 5,000 |
| Cork – St Fin Barre’s Union – to assist with cost of replacing roof of Cathedral Centre, used by both parish and community | 3,000 |
| Down – St Mary’s Church, Ballybeen – to help with refurbishment of kitchen facilities in church hall to meet the needs of this working class area | 3,000 |
| Dublin – CORE at St Catherine’s – to help with restoration of St Catherine’s Worship Centre to facilitate social outreach ministries | 5,000 |
| Killaloe – Christ Church, Shannon – to help with cost of extension to Worship Centre for Sunday School use | 3,500 |
| Kilmore – Killasnett Parish, Lurganboy – to help with alterations to church to provide a Meeting room with kitchen facilities | 4,000 |
| Raphoe – Taughboyne with Craigadooish Parish – to help with renovation of old school in Craigadooish Parish for Sunday School use | 2,000 |
| _______ | |
| Subtotal | 34,250 |
| Allocations Grand Total | 342,705 |
(a) Accounts for the year ending 31 December 1998 are included as Appendix I. Contributions to the Fund do not close until the end of February. The amount actually received by 28 February 1999 was £140,847Stg and IR£179,595.
(b) Following a recommendation from the Priorities Fund Committee, the Standing Committee at its September 1998 meeting agreed that the Diocesan Targets should remain at their current level for the year 1999.
(c) The Standing Committee at its January 1999 meeting considered a report from the Priorities Fund Committee on the criteria for awarding grants from the Fund. The Committee was requested to prepare "guidelines for awarding grants" for consideration by the Standing Committee at its April meeting.
The Standing Committee confirmed its opinion that the full cost of the support and training of men and women for the ordained ministry should, as soon as possible, be borne by funds under the control of the Representative Body. It also agreed with the policy adopted by the Priorities Fund to avoid recurrent expenditure where possible and to award grants for buildings only where the grant will attract other funding or is directed towards an aspect of the building which makes possible a particular programme.
The recommended allocations from the 1998 Priorities Fund will be considered by the Standing Committee in April and the Fund allocations will be printed in Priorities News.
THE PORVOO COMMUNIONAn introductory information leaflet on the Porvoo Declaration was circulated to all clergy with a suggestion that it be photocopied and made generally available in parishes. The leaflet is included as Appendix J.
The seminar proved to be a very useful forum for the exchange of ideas on how the Church of Ireland should plan for the future at the start of the new millennium. No specific decisions were made at the seminar but some of the suggestions may well be taken up in other contexts.
SUNDAY OBSERVANCEAt the request of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Enterprise and Small Business, the Standing Committee at its meeting in November 1998 approved a paper on Sunday Trading which was submitted to the Joint Committee. The submission is included as Appendix L.
The Standing Committee was requested to appoint the Select Committee in consultation with the proposer and seconder with power to co-opt. The following members were appointed by the Standing Committee at its meeting in June 1998:
The Bishop of Meath and Kildare
Mr VG Carson
Mr AC McElhinney
Rev Canon JR Bartlett
Mrs AA Bedlow
Rev M Graham
A revised Constitution for the World Council of Churches was approved by the Standing Committee at its September meeting on a recommendation from the Committee for Christian Unity. The WCC requested each member Church to ratify the revised Constitution.
Celebrations to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the World Council of Churches were held on Sunday 20 September 1998 in Amsterdam and local congregations around the world were encouraged to observe the occasion. The Archbishop of Armagh attended the celebrations on behalf of the Church of Ireland.
OBITUARYThe Standing Committee regrets to report to the General Synod that it has been advised of the death of the following member:
Rev Canon JTA Merry Diocese of Clogher
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