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.
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We are called to live with respect in creation, taking care that our actions do not seriously harm the greater web of life of which humans are a part. The precautionary principle is an important practical way of embodying this attitude of respect. Because of this: Systems for approving, regulating, and monitoring Genetically Modified foods should clearly embody and practice the precautionary principle.
Those involved in research, writing and producing an Educational Document "Water! Water! Water!" for use throughout The United Church of Canada by its members and others.
That the 38th General Council receive the following resolutions and petitions and take the actions contained therein: Petitions 64, 65, 68, 76, and 90.
That, having heard Petition #42, the 38th General Council request the United Nations through UNESCO: 1. to declare that heritage seeds are protected as a world heritage; 2. to take the necessary steps to invalidate all patents on such seeds; 3. to see that reparation is made for harm caused by such patents to the peoples whose seeds have been pirated.
Viable alternatives exist to xenotransplantation - both in the immediate and long-term - that could more effectively address the shortage of organs and tissues for transplant with significantly fewer risks and costs Keywords: Organ Transplants, Xenotransplantation, Organ Donation
Energy is integral to God's creation. Sources ranging from fossil fuels to the sun are transformed into the physical energy used by human societies. Nutritional elements combine with water and air to give our bodies the biological energy to maintain life. Our relationships with God, the natural world, and other people provide us with the spiritual energy to thrive.
That the General Council receive the reports, petitions and resolutions listed on the INFO 22 page, with the addition of Resolution #94 and Petition #136 and the deletion of Petition #139, as listed on the Changes page, and take the actions contained therein. Dale Wiggins thanked Virginia Coleman for meeting the request of Saskatchewan Conference Commissioners to provide a replacement accountability report, re-inserting several sentences that had been deleted. nuclear, nuclear energy
Whereas climate change has been identified as a priority environmental issue by the 33rd and 34th General Councils of The United Church of Canada and by the World Council of Churches (January 1994 Central Committee); and
Having heard Petitions 128 & 130, and noted and given careful consideration to the following concerns: a) economic consequences of a phase down of the nuclear industry b) the loss of technology development and necessary materials in the area of nuclear medicine; c) support for the idea of a public review; and
Having considered that not all persons, including dairy farmers, are opposed to the use of the bovine growth hormone known as Bovine Somatotropin (BST); and, WHEREAS the motion proposes action that is in keeping with the ongoing work of The United Church of Canada; and WHEREAS the voice of the Church will serve to balance the presentation made to the government by agribusiness interests; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the 35th General Council of The United Church of Canada: