The General Secretary

The role of the General Secretary is to:

• encourage and develop the Uniting Church as a community which embraces diversity;
• relate to the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress and remind the church of its ethos and identity as a multicultural church;
• maintain effective communication between Synod and other councils of the church;
• attend to the proper conduct of the business of the Synod and Synod Standing Committee in session and to advise the Moderator and members of the Synod on business procedures;
• coordinate the work of the Synod through the Synod boards and as chair of the Executive Directors’ meeting;
• implement the Synod’s strategic directions and maintain the ongoing planning function for the Synod;
• manage the resources and staff of the Synod Secretariat including oversight of Uniting Creative;
• provide sensitive pastoral oversight and coordination in all processes related to the placement of deacons, lay pastors, ministers of the word and youth workers;
• liaise with the Assembly and with other councils of the Uniting Church;
• facilitate the handling of complaints, including those of sexual misconduct; and
• provide pastoral support and counsel to ministers when appropriate.

The General Secretary works in conjunction with the Moderator to:

• aid the Synod in development of its vision;
• manage public relations with the media, government and the community;
• maintain active ecumenical relations within New South Wales;

The General Secretary is assisted by Secretariat staff, including the following:

• Synod Associate Secretary, Ms Sandra Wright
• Synod Associate Secretary (Ministry), Ms Meg Herbert
• Uniting Creative Manager, Ms Marjorie Lewis-Jones
• Personal Assistant to the General Secretary, Ms Lynda Moschioni

The Secretariat is also responsible for oversight of Uniting Creative that publishes and distributes Insights magazine, Connect newsletter, Mustard Seed, Living is Giving and other publications. Uniting Creative conducts media relations and provides printing and web services for the Uniting Church. It also helps church and other organisations find affordable solutions to their communications problems — in the media, on the internet or with publications. The Uniting Creative web site is at http://unitingcreative.com.au.

Synod General Secretary’s committee membership

• Synod
• Synod Standing Committee
• Executive Directors’ Meeting (Chair)
• Advisory Committee on Ministerial Placements*
• Board of Education
• Board of Mission
• Board of UnitingCare NSW.ACT
• Uniting Resources Board

• Reception of Ministers Committee*
• Communications Committee
• Korean Commission
• Korean Commission Standing Committee
• Ministers Support Fund*
• Constitutions Committee*
• Synod Mission Resource Fund*
• Synod Fund Management Committee*
• Lay Pastors Committee*
• Synod Discipline Coordinating Committee
• Synod Arrangements Committee
• Synod Business Committee
• Assembly Standing Committee (non-voting member)

Note: While the General Secretary is an ex officio member of these committees, he is currently represented on those committees marked with an (*) by one or other of the two associate secretaries. The work of the Ministers Support Fund, the Constitutions Committee and the Synod Fund Management Committee is carried by the Synod Associate Secretary. Responsibility for the work of the Placements Committee and the Reception of Ministers Committee is carried by the Associate Secretary (Ministry), who also facilitates the work of the Committee for Counselling, the Synod Sexual Misconduct Complaints Committee and the Committee for Discipline.