Assembly '97 News Home page Documents	One small step on sexuality policy July 12, 1997. The Uniting Church yesterday took another step in developing its own policy on human relationships. It accepted that sexual orientation is no bar to ordination and committed itself to a continuing dialogue about the place of homosexual people in its life. President John Mavor told a press conference yesterday that the Assembly had endorsed the Uniting Church as an inclusive church, and that gay and lesbian people were very welcome. This follows the adoption on Thursday of the Uniting Church’s first ever statement on marriage, separation, divorce and remarriage, another resolution affirming sexuality as "God’s good gift", and the wider public recognition of the church’s current policy on same-sex relationships and the ordination of homosexual people. These policies, determined in Standing Committee decisions between 1982 and 1994, make it clear that: · the sexual orientation of an applicant or candidate for ministry is no bar to ordination, although sexual expression may be a factor in assessing a person’s suitability, and that "celibacy in singleness and faithfulness in marriage" is not specifically required of ordained ministers; and · synods and/or presbyteries are free to adopt policies on same-sex relationships as long as these are not recognised in any form of service resembling the marriage service or without taking into account the pain in the church about such relationships. The Assembly resolved yesterday not to decide on questions of homosexual people in leadership, but it did give strong support to national church executive Rev Dorothy McRae McMahon. She revealed on Sunday that she lives in a relationship with another woman. General Secretary Rev. Gregor Henderson said: "She [Ms McRae McMahon] is a most fitting person to be a Minister of the Word, and the Director of the Commission for Mission. I see no reason for any disciplinary action." Yesterday, the Assembly "recognised with sadness" that it couldn’t reach further agreement now on the report Uniting Sexuality and Faith. But it committed the church to a continuing dialogue on homosexual people’s place in the life of the church and expressed "deep regret to those whose personal pain remains unalleviated by its inability to reach decisions at this time". Mr Henderson told the press conference: "I think the issue of same-sex relationships will continue to be on our agenda. It’s an issue we can’t duck because it relates to the gospel and how we relate as people." introduction to the revised sexuality report full recommendations of the Assembly Task Group on Sexuality sexuality proposals introduced in Assembly 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