Terms of Reference (as of August 2011)
MANDATE
In June 1985 the Uniting Church in Australia National Assembly adopted the statement expressing The Uniting Church is a Multicultural Church. In particular the mandate for the Cross Cultural Committee arises from paragraph six of this Assembly statement.
6. It is essential therefore to provide for full participation of Aboriginal and ethnic people, women and men, in decision making in the councils of the church; to ensure that these groups have equitable rights in the use of Uniting Church properties and access to its resources; and to include their concerns and perspectives in the agendas of the councils of the church. The Uniting church seeks to be open to changes that the Holy Spirit will bring to the church because of the creative contributions of people of different racial and cultural group to its life.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Building the cross-cultural capacity of the Presbytery to enable the Presbytery to be safe for and inclusive of all cultures contained in Presbytery congregations and related communities
- Offering theological and missional leadership in cross-cultural ministry and mission within the Presbytery, helping the Presbytery to be informed by developments and perspectives from the diverse communities contained within the Presbytery
- Supporting Presbytery office-bearers, leaders and decision-makers to be culturally safe in undertaking their responsibilities
- In collaboration with the Pastoral Relations Committee, enabling culturally appropriate support for congregational leaders and ministers, where needed, ensuring appropriate orientation, mentoring, mutual encouragement, and professional development
- Enabling mutually beneficial relationships and communication with Synod and Assembly staff, United Theological College, National Conferences, related groups in neighbouring Presbyteries and other similar bodies, in relation to cross-cultural ministry and mission
- Enabling the Presbytery to act collaboratively in identifying, addressing and advocating on public issues that are having a particular impact on the diverse cultures of the Presbytery
- Supporting congregations and communities in participating in the life of the Presbytery and the UCA
APPOINTMENT
- Membership with appropriate gifts and skills appropriate to the objectives of the Committee shall be appointed by the Standing Committee on a three year rotational basis
- Appointed members of the committee shall retain membership for a maximum of nine consecutive years
- More than half of the Committee shall be members of the Presbytery
- The Presbytery Chairperson and Presbytery Secretary shall be ex-officio members of the Committee
- The Committee is to nominate its own chairperson annually, to be ratified by Standing Committee. The chairperson will be an ex-officio member of PRC.
- Committee to comprise no less than six members
- Committee may invite additional members where appropriate but invited members to always be less in number than appointed members
- Presbytery Standing Committee has the right to remove a member of the Committee at any time
MEETINGS
- To be held no less than quarterly.
- Additional meetings may be convened by the Committee Chair according to need or if requested by two Committee members or the Chairperson of Presbytery
- Only Presbytery appointed members may vote
- Quorum shall be 50% of members plus one other member
- Minutes and Action Log to be prepared after every meeting
- Minutes to be presented to the next PRC after the Committee meeting
- Minutes to be available, on request to any member of Presbytery – subject to observance of any privacy or commercial interests
PROCESS FOR REVIEW
- Committee Terms of Reference to be reviewed annually by the Committee and then submitted to Presbytery Standing Committee for ratification
- Presbytery Standing Committee has the right to amend the Terms of Reference at any time
