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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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.
The Anti-Racism Implementation Working Group was to serve as a resource group to develop an implementation plan for the vision and priorities in the DMC's Anti-Racism Task Group Report, and to evaluate ongoing work.
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
The United Church of Canada has recently declared its commitment to working towards the elimination of racism. The way in which we begin to put this commitment into action is the subject of this policy statement.
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:
Life is a gift from God and elicits our respect, awe and reverence. We are one Earth community, one human family and we share one destiny. We cherish and respect the rich diversity of life and celebrate the beauty of the Earth. For us, as members of one family, love and caring are the basis of our relationships with one another and with nature. The Earth community is a sacred trust. We recognize God's call to live in harmony with this total community, to draw on the Earth's sustenance responsibly, and to care for it that all may benefit equitably now and in the future.
