Assembly '97 News Home page Documents	Sexuality proposals introduced Perth, July 6, 1997 The Eighth Assembly of the Uniting Church in Australia today received by consensus the final report of the church's task group on sexuality. Recommendations from the report include the affirmation of the "joys and responsibilities of God's gift of sexuality" and affirmation of the view that a ministerial candidate's sexual orientation is not in itself a bar to ordination. These recommendations and proposals regarding sexuality from Uniting Church synods and presbyteries will be discussed by members of the Assembly in small groups before decisions are made later this week. Forty members spoke in favour or against aspects of the report at today's meeting. Following a range of questions mostly expressing criticism of the report, members of the task group said there was a need to give people options for expressing their sexuality in relationships which were safe and affirmed. Assembly members were then given an opportunity to express their feelings on proposals to be considered in working groups. Several people "came out" or reiterated their coming out during church meetings in the previous 12 months. The Rev. Jenny Byrnes, from Melbourne, said she had been baptised and formed in the church. This church had recognised leadership gifts in her and had ordained her. "It is sad and confusing that these 17 years aren't to be judged in terms of the fruits, but on the fact of my relation with another woman. It grieves me that your decision might reject your own good work in forming me." She said her God-given sexuality was not one of her sins. The Rev. Dorothy McRae McMahon, Director of Mission in the church's national Commission for Mission said, "I am one of the people whose ordination is in question as we face the issue of homosexuality ... All we can do is to ask you, our sisters and brothers, to make your judgment by looking at the fruits of our ministry, of life and of faith." Ineke Bergsma, from Sydney, associated with the assembly to speak on behalf of the church's homosexual network, said homosexual and bisexual people served alongside everyone in the church. "Now we are sick and tired of being invisible." Malcolm Cowan, also representing that network, said he was a committed Christian and was active on church committees. "I've served communion. I'm an openly proud gay man. My congregation acknowledges a diversity of gifts and gives me service ... Do not legislate us out of the church," he said. " It is our church too." The Rev. Ron Brookman, from Newtown in Sydney, who admitted to once being obsessed by the homosexual lifestyle but now, having "extricated" himself from it, was critical of the way he said it led to promiscuity, sadness and immorality. The Rev. Niall Reid, from New South Wales, supported the principle of "celibacy in singleness and faithfulness in marriage" because of its simplicity. The Rev. Alan Robinson said the church's consideration of sexuality began years ago. He said the mostly critical responses to the task group's interim report were comprehensive. "As a representative, I have to respect that the church responded … We can't ignore what was said." The Rev. Ron Watson, from Queensland, also said it was wrong to vote in favour of the report's recommendations because of the responses against it. Michael Adams, from NSW, asked why shouldn't homosexuals have the full enjoyment of close human intimacy. He said it was impossible and immoral for those who opposed the recommendations to threaten to leave the church. Audrey Mann, also from NSW, said, "The Uniting Church demonstrates its care for people, all people. And I am proud of it for that." She said whatever the decision of the Assembly, it would be the best church for her. "The best because we talk and we listen, and in loving dialogue there is hope for reconciliation, inclusiveness and a great future for all of us." introduction to the revised sexuality report full recommendations of the Assembly Task Group on Sexuality one small step on sexuality policy recognise with sadness inability to reach further agreement commitment of Church to be inclusive

"The Uniting Church affirms that it belongs to the people of GOD on the way to the promised end." Basis of Union, Revised edition published 1992