Resolutions 2008

Youth programme slide show at the GA 2008

RESOLUTIONS PASSED AT THE 2008 ANNUAL MEETINGS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF UNITARIAN AND FREE CHRISTIAN CHURCHES

The following Resolutions were agreed at the GA Annual Meetings 2008. In each case they were passed with a majority well in excess of the basic requirement.

1) FROM - General Assembly Executive Committee

This General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches congratulates the British League of Unitarian and Other Liberal Christian Women on its centenary and marks with gratitude the significant contribution of the League and its members to the life of the Unitarian movement over the past hundred years.

2) FROM - General Assembly Executive Committee

That this General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches adopts the amended Constitution and By-Laws in document AGM 11/08 as a replacement for the existing Constitution and By-Laws.

3) FROM - General Assembly Executive Committee

That this General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches recognises the considerable contribution of Dr Roy Smith to Unitarians in the UK and abroad by naming him as an Honorary Member.

4) FROM - General Assembly Executive Committee

That this General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches recognise the considerable contribution of Michael Tomlin to Unitarians in the UK by naming him as an Honorary Member.

5) FROM - General Assembly Executive Committee

That this General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches welcomes and recognises the Ministerial Fellowship as an affiliated society of the General Assembly.

6) FROM - Foy Society

That this General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches urges Her Majesty's Government and the Scottish Executive to focus more fully on strategies for prevention of crime and for the rehabilitation of offenders and to rely less on often ineffective punishments, such as imprisonment.

7) FROM - Oxford Chapel Society

That this General Assembly of the Unitarian and Free Christian Churches, mindful of the need for marriages and civil partnerships in England and Wales to be placed on an equal footing, and the need for full compliance with the spirit of the Human Rights Act, calls upon H M Government to introduce relevant legislation permitting ceremonies for civil partnerships to be performed in any place of worship or other premises in England and Wales licensed for the celebration of marriage. In addition this General Assembly of the Unitarian and Free Christian Churches calls upon the Scottish Executive to introduce legislation permitting religious celebrants to officiate at partnership celebrations in Scotland.

8) FROM - Yorkshire Union

That this General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches supports HM Government and the devolved administrations within the United Kingdom of GB and NI in their endeavours to negotiate, where appropriate, with organisations which represent the widest possible spectrum of faith communities such as the Interfaith Network of the United Kingdom. It welcomes the initiatives already undertaken, looks for parity of dealing with all faith bodies, and urges the continuing commitment of resources to this important work.

9) FROM - General Assembly Executive Committee

That this General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches expresses its dismay and concern at the wanton attack on the Gellionnen Chapel and offers its heartfelt support to the congregation of the Gellionnen Chapel and its student lay pastor Lewis Rees.

PROCEDURAL RESOLUTIONS

1. That the Report of the General Assembly Executive Committee and the Accounts of the General Assembly be received and adopted.

2. That Shaw Gibbs & Co be reappointed as Auditors.

3. That Martin G West be appointed Honorary Treasurer for the year 2008-2009.

4. That the thanks of the Assembly be given to Martin G West for his services as Honorary Treasurer, and to district association and local officers for their invaluable services.

5. That greetings be sent to kindred churches and societies abroad.

6. That the thanks of the Assembly be given to the Reverend Art Lester for preaching the Assembly Sermon, to the Reverend Jane Barraclough, worship leader for the Anniversary Service, and to all those who provided music and other content for the Anniversary Service and on other worship occasions during these Meetings.

7. That the thanks of the Assembly be given to the members of the General Assembly staff and to all volunteers for their inestimable help in organising the Meetings.

8. That Joyce Ashworth be appointed President of the General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches for the year 2008-2009

9. That the Rev Robert Wightman be appointed as Vice-President for the year 2008-2009.

10. That this eightieth General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches expresses its gratitude for the services provided by the Rev Celia Midgley as President during the year 2007-2008.