Saturday, 6 August 2016

General Synod 2016

This communiqué was published on the 17th February 2016 by Dawid Kuyler, Scribe of the General Synod:

Dear Colleagues

RE: General Synod 2016

We would like to share a few important issues relating to the 2016 General Synod sitting with you:

1.   Date and Venue
The Seventh General Synod of URCSA (General Synod 2016) will be held from the 03rd to 09th October 2016 at Kopanong Hotel and Conference Centre – 243 Glen Gory Road, Norton Estates, Benoni. We looked at many different options for a venue and we decided on this one after long deliberations. We also looked at schools but could not find a school with a suitable hostel. We took into account that delegates in the past have complained when the standard of accommodation was satisfactory. The venue is also near the O. R. Tambo International Airport, which will be convenient for delegates from presbyteries that are far from Gauteng Province and our international guests who will fly in.

2.   Cost
The cost per delegate will be R8,000. This includes accommodation, meals and synod materials. Presbyteries must send their fees to regional synods, which will pay over the money to the General Synod. The due date for the payments by regional synods is the 01st July 2016. In order to secure the booking, the hotel had to be paid in advance.

3.   Credential Letters
Each regional synod must submit a list of its delegates before the 01st July 2016. Each presbytery must send a credential letter to its regional synod – which will compile a credential letter on behalf of the region. Keep in mind the decision of General Synod 2005 that we must strive to achieve gender and age balance of delegates.

4.   Special Diets
Each regional synod must indicate if any delegate has special dietary requirements so that this can be communicated to the hotel in advance.

5.   Due Dates for Ministry Reports
i.    According to the Church Order, the agenda must be sent to delegates a month in advance. Therefore, delegates must receive the agenda by the 01st September 2016.
ii.   In order for the Scribe to prepare the agenda and to have it printed and dispatched, all reports must reach him by the 01st July 2016. Ministries are requested to plan carefully so that their reports are received on time.
iii. According to the Church Order, all proposals that implies a change in the Church Order needs to reach the Actuarius three months before the General Synod. The deadline for such proposals is, therefore, the 01st June 2016 in order to be incorporated in the agenda.

6.   Belhar Confession: 30th Anniversary
We will be communicating with presbyteries and regional synods to determine how they have lived with the Belhar Confession over the past years.

Blessings in Christ


                                   
Dr Dawid Kuyler
Scribe: General Synod


Vision:        A Committed and United Church in service of unity, reconciliation and justice to all people through Christ


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