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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