This Library contains documents from all recent United Church governance meetings, including General Council and its Executive. It will also soon include “Our Beliefs Explained” official policy documents dating back several decades. If you can't find something you think should be included, contact gcbusiness@united-church.ca.
Helpful topics
In response to petitions 114, 115, 117, 118 and 119, all of which relate to Housing, Be it resolved that the 37th General Council express its alarm and concern about the housing crisis throughout the country, acknowledge the caring response of many congregations, outreach ministries and individuals to those without adequate housing, and call on the Government of Canada
WHEREAS The United Church of Canada has long critiqued unregulated capitalism which enshrines private gain over public benefit, as evidenced in policy statements dating back to 1950: "The axioms and postulates of laissez-faire are anti-Christian, and lead in the direction, not of democracy, but of managerial dictatorship;"
Rationale and Faith Base: Paul's advice (Rom. 14:13 TEV): "You should decide never to do anything that would make your brother stumble or fall into sin."
Rationale and Faith Base: Jesus, quoting the Old Testament, said (Mk. 12:30 TEV): '"Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.' The second most important commandment is this: 'Love your neighbour as you love yourself,"' Furthermore, Paul advised (Rom. 14:13 TEV): "You should decide never to do anything that would make your brother stumble or fall into sin."
That the General Council urge formally constituted groups of the United Church of Canada to avoid applying for or using funds generated from lotteries, casinos, or other activities in the gaming industry.
The 34th General Council commends the Division of Mission in Canada for its action to date [on conscientious objectors and redirection of taxes for non-military purposes] and encourages its continued action in this regard and requests that it work in conjunction with Project Ploughshares and the Canadian Council of Churches in its overtures to government.
Whereas there is a shortage of affordable and suitable housing; and Whereas children are adversely affected by housing that is not suitable; and Whereas a disproportionate number of Canadian living in inadequate and unsuitable housing are women and children (89%); and Whereas waiting lists for suitable housing are already excessively long and the waiting time up to two years; and
That the 34th General Council 1. Call upon the Government of Canada to use its influence in and with the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund, and the World Bank, to support alternatives and proposals from developing countries which could so alter structural adjustment programs that priority would be given to responding to human needs rather than debt repayment; 2. Encourage congregations and individual United Church members to make similar representations to their elected political representatives.
That the 34th General Council write to the Secretary of State for External Affairs, expressing its concern that Overseas Development Aid to the Third World has been reduced at this time of even greater need.
the country is entering into a new phase of negotiations to secure a trade agreement with the United States and Mexico Keywords: Trade, Trade Agreement, Free Trade, Economic Justice
