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 40th General Council 2009 direct the General Secretary, General Council, to: 1. encourage congregations to significantly reduce their environmental footprint
That the General Council, through the General Secretary, General Council, ask the Government of Canada, in particular the Ministry of Agriculture and Agrifoods, to carefully re-examine the proposals in Bill C-33 by conducting a comprehensive study of bio-fuel production which includes public consultations about the environmental and social impacts of bio-fuel production before establishing definite strategies with regard to mandating ethanol percentages in automotive fuels.
That the 40th General Council 2009 approve taking the actions requested in the following proposals, and direct the Executive of the General Council either: to take such actions; or where action is required by another body or officer, to oversee the implementation of such action.
That the 40th General Council 2009 direct the General Secretary, General Council, to urge federal, provincial and territorial governments to invest in wind and other forms of renewable energy immediately, in an amount comparable to other western nations.
In 2006, The United Church of Canada committed itself to becoming an intercultural1 church. In “A Transformative Vision for The United Church of Canada,” approved at the 39th General Council, the church declared that intercultural dimensions of ministries [will] be a denominational priority in living out its commitment to racial justice, where there is mutually respectful diversity and full and equitable participation of all Aboriginal, francophone, ethnic minority, and ethnic majority constituencies in the total life, mission, and practices of the whole church.” The church affirmed that this commitment will be a process — a prayerful journey of transformation — affecting all areas of the church’s life. The Executive of General Council, in 2007, reaffirmed intercultural ministries as a denominational priority for the church. The vision of an intercultural church calls all to move toward becoming mutually welcoming and racially just communities, and calls all people to be changed.
Support the substitution of nuclear power with alternative more benign, forms of renewable non fossil fuel based energy and urge Federal, Provincial and Territorial governments in Canada, to stop funding for new nuclear plants and dedicate the funds to alternative forms of renewable energy that do not contribute new greenhouse gas emissions, and impact to ecosystems and community health
That the 40th General Council 2009: 1. Recognises that global warming is unequivocal, threatens the world as we know it, is largely and increasingly caused by human agency, requires a paradigm change, and must be tackled on a priority basis, with special attention to the poor and most vulnerable everywhere;
That the 40th General Council 2009 direct the General Secretary, General Council to develop a study resource to encourage and enable congregations to: become aware of the local planning process.
Using United Church of Canada policies and work at General Council and Conference levels as guidance and support, to introduce the theological and ethical reflection and history of involvement in nuclear issues that has lead the United Church to view nuclear fuel waste within · the complex of problems in nuclear fuel production and use · the international problems of nuclear wastes, particularly with respect to Canadian exports · the risks of proliferation of military applications of radioactive materials · the question of the future of nuclear power
In the company of God and one another, our community can be transformative. Ethnic Ministries believes that God is calling us to transformation as individuals, as communities, and as church, with all the life-giving traditions, faiths, and cultures we have been gifted with for Godsmission
