Hotline

Welcome to the 2005 edition of Assembly Hotline. You will find here a record of the main events and some of the background to the meeting of General Assembly at the University of Warwick from July 2nd - 5th, 2005.

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Further material will be added to the site when the Reform office opens again on Monday 11th June

Tuesday morning, July 5th

Address to the throne

Former Moderator Alasdair Pratt presented the annual address to the Throne, which focused on the issues of asylum seekers, global poverty and climate change. Read the full text here

Racial awareness

In a move designed to give substance to the Church's commitment to multiculturalism, Assembly agreed to a call from the Racial Justice and Multicultural Committee that in future all Assembly staff and committee members will be required to undergo regular 'racial awareness' training.

Resolution 34

Unity

In a series of resolutions Assembly placed the Church's commitment to unity close to the heart of the Catch the Vision process. The decisions included a call to revisit previous work with the Anglican communion on the subject of episcope, further explorations of the idea of a 'church of churches' and encouragement to both synods and local churches to be alert to further opportunities for ecumenical co-operation.

Resolutions: 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50

Communications

As part of the Catch the Vision process the Communications Committee have been instructed to conduct a feasibility study on the use of electronic communication within the Church and report back to Assembly 2006.

Resolution 37

Assembly changes

Assembly 2007 will, in all probability, be the last in the current format. Assembly accepted the recommendation from the Catch the Vision report that as from 2007, meetings would be held every second year.

Resolution 43

In a further move, options will be brought to the 2006 Assembly for a reduction in the numbers of delegates to 'around 250'. There was some debate on both principals but Assembly heard that many partner churches around the world worked with smaller and less frequent meetings. A two-year cycle should allow better consultation with local churches on the issues to be discussed, avoiding fears that a smaller body might be less representative of the whole church.

Resolution 44

Zimbabwe concern

Assembly stood to signify its support for a resolution expressing outrage at the actions being
taken against the people of Zimbabwe by their own government. The resolution reaffirmed the Church’s support for its partners in Zimbabwe and its determination to explore with partners ways to end the injustices being committed against the Zimbabwean people.

Finally the resolution called on the UK government to recognize the claims of refugees and asylum-seekers from Zimbabwe and to offer them shelter in the UK. 

Resolution 54

  

Highlights

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Catch the Vision

Read all the 'Catch the Vision' material

Photo diary

Sidelights on Assembly in pictures

Profile

The new Moderator

The Moderator's Address

David Peel calls for a new framework for life and mission.

Have your say

Send us your comments on this year's business