This Library contains documents from all recent United Church governance meetings, including General Council and its Executive. It also includes “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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WHEREAS it has been demonstrated that overfishing of stocks of fish which straddle the 200 mile limit is seriously reducing the fish available to Canadian fishermen: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the 32nd General Council request the General Secretary to invite the Government of Canada, through the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, to take action to obtain international agreement on quotas for the various fish species.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the 32nd General Council requests the General Secretary of General Council to request the federal government to develop a white paper for discussion purposes on the impact of plant breeders’ rights legislation on Canadian and developing countries before proceeding further.
WHEREAS the prophets called God’s people to care for the refugees and sojourners in their midst: “Do not mistreat foreigners who are living in your land. Treat them as you would a fellow Israelite, and love them as you love yourselves. Remember that you were once foreigners in the land of Egypt” (Leviticus 19:33-34); and WHEREAS we name ourselves after the One who said “I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” (Matthew 25:35); and Refugees, Asylum
WHEREAS the 28th General Council (1980) expressed The United Church of Canada’s deep concern for the well-being of this and future generations and the belief that science and technology should serve the quest for a just, participatory and sustainable society; and where an ability to solve many of the problems associated with uranium mining/nuclear power has not been demonstrated;
support food aid for emergency needs but remain very cautious about supporting the use of food aid for other purposes, relying upon the wisdom of our partners in such instances, insuring that the root causes of under-development will be addressed and that the food aid will not have adverse consequences for long-term agricultural productivity Keywords: Economic security, Social Assistance Systems, Social Programs, Foreign Aid, Food Aid, Emergency Aid, Food Security
On the basis of letters from presbyteries and petitions from conferences to the 36th General Council, the Executive of General Council asked the Division of Mission in Canada to prepare a policy update on gambling in Canada. This policy was to address, in particular, the increasing use of gambling and gaming by governments to generate income. The DMC was asked to prepare an updated policy recommendation on gambling as a public policy issue for the April meeting of the GCE.
That the 32nd General Council receive the report Toward A Christian Understanding of Sexual Orientations, Lifestyles and Ministry along with the Dissenting Statements, as fulfilling the mandate given by the 30th General Council, 1984. [ROP 1988, page 96]
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.
