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
That the General Secretary, General Council, create resources for people of all ages for the purpose of: • recognizing homophobia • changing our behaviour and establishing just relationships and that attention be given to strategies for intervention and support on behalf of those who are caught in situations of homophobic abuse, In co-operation and consultation with Affirm United/S’affirmer Ensemble. sexuality, gay, lesbian, bisexual
When the 38th General Council-the highest decision-making body of The United Church of Canada-decided in 2003 to ask the federal government to recognize same-sex marriage in the marriage legislation, it was acting on a lengthy history of earlier actions. The purpose of this paper is to describe the United Church's historical and theological understanding of marriage. Our theological understanding of marriage is informed by . people, the very neighbours Jesus has invited us to love . scripture, which grounds our faith and our understanding of the nature and purpose of marriage . history, which affirms the importance of marriage as a social institution · social expectations, which regard marriage as a contractual relationship governed by legal sanctions and customs . marriage as sacred covenant, a means of God's grace not only for the marital partners but also for their offspring and for the wider community
In August 2000, the 37th General Council of The United Church of Canada overturned a policy that had been on its books since 1960 which stated that homosexuality is a sin. It reaffirmed that human sexual orientations and gender identities (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, and heterosexual) are gifts from God, calling them “a part of the marvellous diversity of creation.” This resource was developed by the Justice, Global, and Ecumenical Relations Unit of The United Church of Canada, in response to this and other resolutions of the 37th and 38th General Council which called on the church to work for the civil recognition of same-sex partnerships, and to recognize them in church documentation and services of blessing, and for the recognition of them in federal marriage legislation.
Having heard Petition 66, therefore be it resolved that the 38th General Council find a way, on our behalf, to express our sincere regret to these women and express our sorrow for the loss of their leadership to the church.
WHEREAS The United Church of Canada states that "we are called to be the Church, to Celebrate God's presence, to live with respect in Creation, to love and serve others, to seek justice and resist evil…"; and WHEREAS Bill C-250 has passed first reading which will add sexual orientation to the list of grounds on which hate propaganda is prohibited; and gay, lesbian, bisexual, same, sex, union
The Business Committee recommended that in response to Petitions #125, #126, #127 and #128, the 37th General Council: 1. Renounce the 1960 statement that homosexuality is a sin. 2. Encourage courts, congregations and members to learn ways
WHEREAS The United Church of Canada has a long history of critiquing unrestrained capitalism and advocating a humane and just economic system; and
WHEREAS The United Church of Canada has an ethical investment policy which screens against investment in alcohol, military products or tobacco products; and
That the 39th General Council 2006 1. Receive for information the report on Ethical Investment for Peace in Palestine and Israel. 2. Direct that the report inform the purpose statement(s) to be developed by this General Council. 3. Through the General Secretary, General Council invite the membership, congregations and organizations of The United Church of Canada to contribute to the realization of a just peace in Palestine and Israel through:
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the 37th General Council 1. commit The United Church of Canada, through its ongoing work with coalitions, support advocacy urging the Government of Canada to include the following principles drawn from “Alternatives for the Americas” in all trade negotiations: 1a: Democracy and participation: Citizens should actively participate in the formulation, implementation and evaluation of any trade agreements. 1b: Sovereignty and social welfare: Individual countries should maintain the power to take care of their citizens in the short and long term.
