AMENDMENTS TO THE ACTS OF THE DIOCESE
1. Signing of Financial Statements by Parish Executive
Amendment to Chapter X A, Vestry, Section 4,
After the words "financial statements" insert "together with a declaration
of all marketable securities, Bank and Savings Accounts, and cash in hand,
must be signed by the Priest and Churchwardens, and". The amended paragraph
thus reads:
4. All accounts shall be scrutinised by a qualified auditor, or some
competent person approved by the Archdeacon, before being presented to the
Vestry meeting and copies of these financial statements, together with a
declaration of all marketable securities, Bank and Savings Accounts, and
cash in hand, must be signed by the Priest and Churchwardens, and together
with the official financial and statistical returns, must be submitted each
year by the Churchwardens to the Archdeacon and the Diocesan Secretary/
Treasurer before May 31st.
2. Lay Canons, Membership of Synod
Amendment to Chapter IIA 3 (page 3)
1) After the words "Diocesan Council" place a comma
2) Add the words "the Cathedral Chapter".
The Act will then read ".... Diocesan Council, the Cathedral Chapter, the
Diocesan Trusts Board..."
According to Chapter III paragraph 3 (page 7) of the Acts, the Lay Canons
will also be members of the Elective Assembly.
3. Qualities of Churchwardens
Amendment to Chapter X. C. (p 37)
Chapter X, C., after 10. add new number 11:
It is expected that all Churchwardens, Alternate Churchwardens and
Chapelwardens be persons faithful in worship, service and stewardship.
4. Order of the Holy Cross: representation at Synod
To amend Ch IV A.1. of the Acts of the Diocese of Grahamstown
After the words: "the Community of the Resurrection of Our Lord," in line 5
of Ch IV A of the Acts, insert : "the Order of the Holy Cross,"
5. Use of Rental Income by Parish
Amendment to Chapter V, Section A, paragraph 10 (b) (p 17) of the Acts of
the Diocese of Grahamstown
I. A comma to be substituted for the full stop at the end of the sentence,
and the following phrase added thereafter:
`excluding rent received in accordance with Chapter VI, paragraph 3.'
Chapter VI of the Acts of the Diocese of Grahamstown A new paragraph 3 be
introduced in the following terms:
2. `3. All rent received from the lease of any immovable property shall be
placed in a separate interest-bearing account, or shall be kept and
reflected as a separate ledger entry in the parish book-keeping and
accounts. The first call on such rent and any interest earned thereon shall
be the payment of rates and the cost of necessary maintenance incurred in
respect of the said immovable property. Detailed account of such income and
expenditure must be presented to the Diocesan Secretary once every three
months.
3. The references to "paragraph 5" in paragraphs 4 and 6 (b) of Chapter VI
are deleted and references to "paragraph 6" substituted therefor.
4. The existing paragraphs 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 of Chapter VI to be
renumbered consequentially as paragraphs 4, 5, 6; 7; 8 and 9 respectively.
6. Clergy transport costs
Amendment to Chapter V A. 11. (p 18)
A new section (d) to be added:
(d) Where clergy work in rural areas the rate charged per kilometre may be
increased. This rate will be laid down by the Diocesan Council or Executive
on an annual basis.
Subsequent paragraphs (d) and following to be re-numbered (e), (i) etc.
RESOLUTIONS OF SYNOD - 2001
1. Christ Church Burgersdorp
Whereas The membership of Christ Church Parish, Burgersdorp, has dwindled to
such a small number that the parish is no longer viable;
and whereas the geographical area covered by Christ Church Parish does not
differ substantially from that of St Andrew's Parish Burgersdorp;
and whereas the power of defining the status of pastoral charges rests with
the Bishop in terms of Chapter IX. 4. of the Acts of the Diocese of
Grahamstown;
This Synod recommends that the Parish of Christ Church Burgersdorp should
cease to exist as a separate entity.
2. Representation at Diocesan Council
This Synod respectfully requests the Bishop to set up a working party to
examine present Diocesan and Archdeaconry structures with the aim of
ensuring balanced representation, good governance, and clear lines of
communication and to report to Diocesan Council as soon as possible.
3. Link Diocese
This Synod welcomes the opportunity of entering into a link diocese
relationship with the York-Simcoe area of the Diocese of Toronto.
Synod concurs with the Bishop in signing the proposed agreement (as tabled)
and encourages parishes to initiate and nurture such relationships with
parishes in the York-Simcoe area of the Diocese of Toronto.
Furthermore, this Synod respectfully asks the Bishop to appoint a group from
the Diocese to promote this link, and to monitor relationships, and
generally to take this relationship forward.
4. Goals for Ministry
This Synod
• Endorses the Goals for Ministry in the Diocese,
• While recognising that changes will become appropriate from time to time,
as a result of ongoing experience and changing circumstances
5. Training for Ministries policies and procedures
This Synod:
• Gives thanks for the work done by the Diocesan Training for Ministries
Committee.
• Endorses the Policy document which has been circulated with the Synod
papers.
• Believes that it is important that the Diocese endeavours to maintain
appropriate standards
of training for our clergy.
• Endorses in particular the recommendations that clergy and candidates for
the ordained ministry be expected to pass the required number of courses,
before being given a full licence from the Bishop, and that where there may
be exceptional grounds for ordination, before the
completion of the required courses, such candidates and clergy shall be
given Permission to Officiate.
6. Training for Ministries
This Synod recognises and affirms the work done since the last Synod by the
Diocesan Training for Ministries Committee and notes with gratitude
1) The excellent training work done by Bishop Bethlehem.
2) Developments in the East London area, including:
i. The appointment of a theological tutor in addition to the Co-ordinator of
Studies, which has resulted in increased numbers of students registered with
TEE College, noticeable improvements in grades of both assignments and
exams, and much improved attendance at weekly tutorials, monthly communion
services and preaching sessions.
ii. The appointment of a Warden to the Fellowship of Vocation which is
developing the
spiritual life of those exploring the call to the Ordained ministry.
iii. The appointment of a Warden to the Post Ordination Training group,
developing monthly meetings, coupled with a Saturday every two months to explore
issues of
ministry with the recently ordained.
3) The excellent development of Training for Ministries work being done by
local committees in the Archdeaconries of Alice, Aliwal North, Grahamstown,
King William's Town and Queenstown.
7. Non-residential Ministry Training College
This Synod acknowledging the increased numbers of laity seeking theological
education for ministry in the Buffalo City metropole and the rich resources
available agrees that:
1. The establishment of a non-residential Ministry
Training College in the East London area
be explored.
2. That a task team be appointed by the bishop, in order to explore areas of
collaboration, where appropriate, with our ecumenical partners in the
Covenanting Churches.
3. That the core function of such a college be to continue to meet the
specific needs of our parishes in the area of training the laity in
preaching, teaching and leading worship. Therefore, respectfully requests
the Bishop to initiate such action as he shall determine to bring this
about.
8. HIV/ AIDS and Crime, Corruption
This Synod encourages all diocesan Archdeaconries to address the issues of
HIV/AIDS, and crime and corruption, by initiating and participating in local
programmes and report to each Diocesan Council meeting..
9. Mission Statement
This Synod
• Endorses the Diocesan Mission Statement,
• While recognising that changes will become appropriate from time to time,
as a result of ongoing experience and changing circumstances.
10. 150th Anniversary of Diocese of Grahamstown
This Synod noting that the Diocese will be celebrating its 150th Anniversary
in the year 2003,
Respectfully asks the Bishop and Chapter to
appoint a 150' Anniversary Planning Committee, to report on an ongoing basis
on ideas and recommendations to each meeting of the Executive and Diocesan
Council.
11. Parish contribution to Medical Insurance excess
In view of the high cost of hospital treatment, and the large excess which
has to be paid before the Diocesan Medical Insurance Scheme begins to
contribute;
This Synod recommends that in the event of a stipendiary priest requiring
hospitalisation and not already being covered by a medical aid scheme, the
parish should make every effort to cover the cost of the excess. The amount
of the excess could be borrowed from the Diocese, and repaid by the parish
over a three-year period (i.e. the parish would not be expected to cover
these costs more than once in three years); and
Where the parish falls short in covering this excess, the Diocese will
endeavour, where funds allow, to cover the cost of the excess; and
Where the priest concerned is in charge of more than one parish in
plurality, the Parish Councils concerned will come to an agreement as to the
proportion to be contributed by each parish towards the cost of the excess.
12. Commission on Episcopal Ministry
This Synod respectfully requests the Bishop to appoint a commission to:
Evaluate the present Episcopal arrangements, in the light of the present
needs;
1. Explore the future ministry needs of the Diocese, in consultation with
the archdeaconries
and Diocesan bodies;
2. Look carefully at the financial implications of any proposal;
3. Make regular reports to Diocesan Council;
4. Submit any proposals for change in the present episcopal arrangements to
Diocesan Council.
13. Guidelines for use of Church Lands
This Synod:
• Endorses the Guidelines for the use of Church Lands,
• While recognising that changes will become appropriate from time to time,
as a result of ongoing experience and changing circumstances
14. On the Tenure of Clergy
This synod respectfully requests the Bishop and Chapter to regularly review
and evaluate the ministry of clergy in parishes of the Diocese.
recommends to the Bishop and Chapter to consider setting a term of office
for clergy in one parish at no less than three years and no more than seven
years.
15. On the support of Clergy ongoing study
This synod resolves that a support structure be formed in the diocese to
look at viable ways in which priests' physical, spiritual and academic life
is nurtured, and looks at worldwide partners who can assist clergy to use
their sabbatical leave fruitfully and
Respectfully requests that Bishop and Chapter look at ways in which clergy
can be encouraged to take their weekly, annual and sabbatical leave.
16. On the Deployment of Clergy
This synod resolves to encourage the Diocese to pursue a cross cultural
ministry by respectfully requesting the bishop and chapter to look at how
clergy are deployed around the diocese and to place clergy in contexts that
will engage them and communities in a dialogue to change mindsets and
stereotypes and
Respectfully requests that members of the Diocesan Training for Ministries
Team and the College of the Transfiguration Committee prepare ordinands for
this kind of ministry.
17. Poverty and Loans
This Synod
1. Petitions the Minister of Trade and Industry to implement effective and
fair legislation pertaining to lower amounts of money lent and the maximum
levels of interest levied, which fall outside of the ambit of the Usury Act;
2. Recommends that the Diocese offer information, counsel and support to its
members, in order to inform and educate regarding the dangers of such
borrowings.
18. Alleviation of hunger
Synod recommends that the Government consider as a matter of economic
expediency the introduction of the system of material support to the poorest
of the poor as an additional welfare tool which will assist the
poverty-ravaged communities to access basic foodstuff, and that this
initiative be perceived as being one of the approaches to alleviate hunger
at household level.
19. Circumcision
Synod resolves that parishes through organisations available to them
including the Bernard Mizeki Guild, youth and including the MU and AWF,
address this issue as a matter of urgency. with the intention of regaining
the saving of our children, and put back this practice in its rightful and
dignified place, where it will always be a blessing.
20. On the Translation of the Xhosa Prayer Book
This synod resolves to set forward a process at diocesan level to review the
Xhosa Prayer Book and forward a motion to the Provincial Xhosa Translation
Committee and Respectfully requests that our Representatives to the
Provincial Synod forward a motion which makes it possible for the Provincial
Xhosa Translation Committee to meet on a continuing basis and improve on the
work done in translating the Xhosa Prayer Book.
21. On the Xhosa Hymnal
This synod resolves to form a committee to look at the Xhosa hymnal with the
view of reviewing the translations and adding to the number of hymns in it.
21. On the Tenure of Lay-ministers
This synod resolves that a set time be given when lay-ministers can be
retired from their duties in an honourable manner befitting the time they
have spent in such service and that this time be set at sixty-six (66)
years, and thereafter an annual extension of licence, with motivation by the
Rector or Priest-in-Charge may be granted.
22. On the Duties of Lay-ministers
This Synod resolves that the Diocesan Training for Ministries look at the
diverse circumstances in which lay-ministry is being performed and to look
at the potential of this ministry in these circumstances and especially in
rural areas and to draw up a set of guide-lines of duties of lay-ministers.
23. On Evaluation of Programmes and Organisations
This Synod resolves that
l. Diocesan Council determines and puts in place a mechanism that is people
friendly to be used in the task of evaluation
2. The said Diocesan Council determines time frames and find suitable and
relevant personnel and other resources to do this task
3. That it reports to Synod next time it meets, so that Synod, in the light
of whatever happens, may take an appropriate decision.
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