Resolutions 2009

RESOLUTIONS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY 2009

The following resolutions were agreed at the GA Annual Meetings 2009.

1) FROM - The General Assembly Executive Committee

That this General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches welcomes and endorses the Heads of Agreement for the Accord with the Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church of Ireland in document AGM11/09.

2) FROM - The General Assembly Executive Committee

That this General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches recognises the considerable contribution of The Rev James McClelland to Unitarians in the UK by naming him as an Honorary Member.

3) FROM - The General Assembly Executive Committee

That this General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches recognises the considerable contribution of the Rev J Eric Jones to Unitarians in the UK by naming him as an Honorary Member.

4) FROM - The Yorkshire Union

5) FROM - The Yorkshire Union

That this General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches asks the Executive Committee to compile a set of behavioural principles that can be seen to underpin our theological diversity. They should ideally be brief, simply expressed, easily understood, and attractive to the new inquirer. These principles should be presented for consideration at the GA meetings in 2010.

6) FROM - The Unitarian Women's Group

That this General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches, given that Social Justice is at the heart of our ministry and witness, urges the Executive Committee of the General Assembly to appoint a paid Social Justice Officer with responsibility for raising awareness of significant social issues, internationally and within our denomination.

7) FROM - Westgate Chapel, Wakefield

That, provided a suitable candidate can be found, this General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches urges the Executive Committee to appoint a salaried and dedicated Information Officer.

8) FROM - The Foy Society

That this General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches, mindful of the fact that not all members of our religious body are allowed to be Leaders of the Scout Association without compromising their personal faith, encourages the Scout Association to be more accepting of diversity in matters of ultimate belief.

9) FROM - North and East Lancashire Unitarian Mission

That this General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches notes with regret the reluctance of some Christian faith schools to accept Unitarians as pupils and expresses its concern at such religious discrimination to Churches Together in Britain and Ireland and to Her Majesty's Government.

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 Derek McAuley be appointed Honorary Treasurer for the year 2009-2010.

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 Margaret Kirk for preaching the Assembly Sermon.

7) That the thanks of the Assembly be given to the Reverend John Harley, 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.

8) 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.

9) That the Reverend Robert Wightman be appointed President of the General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches for the year 2009-2010.

10) That Neville Kenyon be appointed as Vice-President for the year 2009-2010.

11) That this eighty-first General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches expresses its gratitude for the services provided by Joyce Ashworth as President during the year 2008-2009.