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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In 1988, the United Church’s 32nd General Council made two decisions about sexual orientation, church membership and leadership. General Council declared that:
WHEREAS the ministry and compassion of Jesus was extended to the marginalized, as seen in Luke 10:25-37, when Jesus was asked “Who is my neighbour?” by a teacher of the law and he answered him by telling the parable of the Good Samaritan; and WHEREAS the AIDS crisis challenges us profoundly to be the church as a healing community; and WHEREAS as a member of the World Council of Churches, the United Church is called upon to:
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the 63rd Annual Meeting of the British Columbia Conference of The United Church of Canada petition the General Council to urge the Canadian Government to: 1 Rescind its endorsement of the marketing guidelines of the Canadian Infant Formula Association; and 2 Communicate this request to the Hon. Jake Epp, Minister of National Health and Welfare; 3 Urge congregations to write their member of parliament to affirm the request in No. 1.
Having heard petition #81, the Sessional Committee No. 11 recognizes the theological rationale and preamble, but offers the following resolution: 1 That the General Council of The United Church of Canada reaffirm The United Church of Canada’s previous statements concerning anti-semitism. 2 Review our actions and acknowledge the silence of our church during the years 1933-1945 in relation to the Holocaust in Europe. Racism, Justice, Anti-Semitism, Holocaust, Jews, Theological Education, Ecumenical, Interfaith, Religious, Religion, Ethno-cultural
WHEREAS various individuals and organizations in Canada are publishing and distributing “hate literature” against Jews and other racial and ethnic groups; WHEREAS such writings and distribution of racist ideas and material are in direct opposition to the spirit of Jesus Christ who taught love, reconciliation and the brotherhood/sisterhood of the human family; Racism, Justice, Anti-Semitism, Holocaust, Jews, Ecumenical, Interfaith, Ethno-cultural
That the 31st General Council endorse the work presently being done by the (church) in urging all levels of government to redirect cutbacks so that programs designed to help the poor and underprivileged both in Canada and abroad are not subject to funding cuts or closure and encourage the (church) to continue this work on our behalf.
THAT this 31st General Council: 1 INSTRUCT the Investment Committee through the Division of Finance to divest the church of all investments in corporations and companies having direct equity investment* in South Africa until power is shared democratically among all peoples of South Africa; and
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the 31st General Council requests the General Secretary of the General Council to inform the government of Canada that The United Church of Canada is opposed to a general free trade agreement with the United States, preferring a sector-by-sector approach for agriculture and fisheries. This would preserve existing trade arrangements and at the same time provide opportunities for expanded markets.
Across Canada, hundreds of farm families find themselves face-to-face with ruin, caught up in the nation’s worst agricultural economic crisis since the Great Depression of the 1930s. Increasingly, Canadian farmers are trapped in a vicious squeeze exerted by high costs of production, high interest rates, declining land values accompanied by low prices for their produce. As of June 1985, some 34 per cent of all farmers were suffering moderate or severe financial stress accompanied by an even more serious level of emotional stress.
WHEREAS the development and build-up of conventional and nuclear armaments continues unabated, threatening our hope for a future, and placing the fate of the earth in serious jeopardy; and
