[Yhjusticenet] GC39 JGER related resolutions
Athabasca United Church
athabascaunitedchurch at telus.net
Thu Nov 9 19:45:36 EST 2006
I forward this as to what some of the actions and the response from the
Justice and Global and Ecumenical Relatons Unit.
_____
DRAFT 3
Resolutions adopted by 39 General Council 2006 related to work of the
Justice, Global and Ecumenical Relations Unit
Number
Title
Summary of Proposal
Lead Staff
Recommended Action/Program Implications
Comm Red
Lon 1
Recognition of Spouses of Overseas Personnel
Call on church to recognize unpaid spouses of overseas personnel
Patti Talbot
The General Council practice, for some 20 years now, has been to treat all
couples going overseas as joint appoinments recognizing both partners as
making an equal contribution. So there may be an information gap in the
request to "recognize unpaid spouses . of overseas personnel" . Carried -
direct the General Council Executive
Ham 3
Mandatory Training in Racial Justice for all United Church Ministry
Personnel
Kim Uyede-Kai
Carried - directed to General Secretary
Comm. Blue
M&O 8
Accountability for the Canada-Central America Four Free Trade Agreement
Call on federal gov't to make public the text of the free trade agreement
between Canada & 4 Latin America countries before ratification
Jim Marshall/Jim Hodgson
The specifics of this initiative are new, but it is in keeping with current
programming and existing general policy on trade agreements as seen in the
April 1991 GCE resolution on free trade and Mexico, the trade principles
affirmed by the 2000 General Council report to Seek Justice and Resist Evil:
Toward's a Global Economy for All God's People, and the April, 2004 GCE
report What Does God Require of Us?: A Declaration for Just Trade in the
Service of an Economy of Life calling for transparent trade negotiations.
Carried in omnibus motion - directed to General Secretary
TOR 9
Sovereign Control of Canadian Electricity
Call on federal government to exercise stronger public control of our energy
resources
David Hallman
The specifics of this initiative are new, but is in keeping with current
programming and existing general policy regarding stewardship of energy
resources as seen in the 37th General Council report Energy in the One Earth
Community in 2000. The first request in the proposal is contentious and
could be dropped as it calls on the church to support the 1988 NAFTA treaty
whereas the United Church raised grave questions about the treaty, see the
32 General Council resolutions on free trade in 1988. Nevertheless recommend
adoption. Carried with amendments - directed to General Secretary
ANW 11
Let's Make Child Poverty History
Call on federal government to increase Child Tax Benefit from $3,200
annually to $,4900.
Jim Marshall
This proposal is entirely within existing policy and programming as seen in
similar resolutions passed by the 38th General Council in 2003. Carried -
directed to General Council Executive with proposal in Nov
HAM 1
Reducing Child Poverty
Call on federal and provincial governments to address various justice issues
of part-time employment
Jim Marshall
The specifics of this initiative are new, but it is in keeping with current
programming and existing policy from General Council in 2003 on poverty
reduction and child poverty in particular. Carried in omnibus motion -
directed to General Secretary
TOR 3
A Call for the Restoration of Corporate Contribution to Canadian Society
Call on federal gov't for just corporate tax policy
Jim Marshall
Supports existing programming and policy, specifically taxation principles
affirmed by the 2000 General Council report to Seek Justice and Resist Evil:
:Toward's a Global Economy for All God's People. Carried with amendments -
directed to General Secretary
TOR 8
Protection of Canadian Sovereignty over its Energy and Environment
Call on federal and provincial govt's to impose a moratorium on Alberta tar
sands development.
David Hallman
There is no explicit United Church policy on tar sands development. The
proposal is consistent with general United Church energy policy as seen in
the 37th General Council report Energy in the One Earth Community in 2000,
but the specifics are far beyond anything the United Church has addressed.
Referral to General Council Executive in Nov with advice.
TOR 2
Call for a Canadian Energy Security Strategy that Meets the Interests of All
Canadians
Call on federal gov't to protect energy sources and develop a new energy
policy.
David Hallman
Some specifics of this proposal are new, general direction supports existing
policy and programming as seen in comprehensive energy policies adopted by
General Council in 1982 and 1997. Carried with amendments - directed to
General Secretary
ANW 6
Concerning Farm Income
Call on federal gov't to ensure farm income.
Richard Chambers
The specifics of this initiative are new, but the overall tenor is in
keeping with current programming and existing policy from the 33rd General
Council resolution on Family Farms in 1990. Carried with amendments -
directed to General Secretary
TOR 5
Gun Registry in Canada
Call on United Church to support Canadian Gun Registry.
Choice Okoro
This proposal is entirely within existing policy and programming as seen in
a similar resolution passed by the 30th General Council in 1984. Carried
with amendments - directed to the General Secretary
TOR 6
Gun Violence as a National Issue
Call on United Church to publicly address the root causes of gun violence.
Choice Okoro
The specifics of this initiative are new, but it is in keeping with current
programming and existing policy from General Council in 1984 on gun violence
and 2000 on racial justice. Carried with amendments - directed to the
General Secretary with proposal to GCE in Nov on racial justice education.
ANW 7
A Health Policy Framework for Public Health Care
Call on federal gov't to affirm universal health care and institute
assistance for drug costs
Jim Marshall
Supports existing programming and policy, specifically 1994 General Council
endorsement of universal health care and the Canada Health Act and 1997
General Council call for a Canadian drug plan. Carried in omnibus motion -
directed to General Secretary
M&O 9
Resources and Strategies to challenge homophobia in the Church
Call on the church to address homophobia
Choice Okoro
This proposal is entirely within existing policy as seen in the 37th General
Council resolution on celebrating the diversity of sexual orientations and
the 38th General Council resolution on equal marriage. Carried with
amendments - directed to General Secretary
M&O 7
Implementing Kyoto
Call on federal gov't and congregations to live into the Kyoto Protocal to
reduce greenhouse gas emmissions
David Hallman
Supports current programming and existing policy regarding Kyoto Protocal as
seen in the 37th General Council report Energy in the One Earth Community in
2000. Carried with amendments - directed to General Secretary
GCE 6
Living Faithfully in the Midst of Empire
Call on congregations to address convergence of economic injustice,
political, and military power that threatens humanity and all creation.
Gary Kenny
This initiative builds on the 37th General Council report To Seek Justice
and Resist Evil: Toward's a Global Economy for All God's People in 2000 and
the Oct, 2004 GCE resolution, Covenanting for Justice in the Economy and the
Earth. Proposed by GCE Cttme on Mission and Ministry. Carried with
amendments - directed to General Council Executive in Nov with proposal
ANW 13
Support for the Eight Millennium Development Goals Emanating from the United
Nations Millennium Declaration of 2000
Call on federal gov't to work towards realization of 8 United Nations
Millennium Development Goals
Jim Marshall
Strictly speaking this is a new initiative. General Council has not endorsed
the UN Millennium Development Goals. Existing church policy, especially 2000
General Council report to Seek Justice and Resist Evil: Toward's a Global
Economy for All God's People would support the tenor of the Goals thus
minimal impact on current programming. There is concern, however, about the
means by which the Goals might be achieved. For instance Goal 7 calls for
greater access to safe drinking water, but the United Church could not
support greater privatization of water sources to achieve this end. Carried
with amendments - directed to General Secretary
M&O 6
Mining Criteria for Canadian Companies in other countries
Call on federal gov't to ensure that transnational companies based in Canada
are held to the same human rights and environmental standards as domestic
companies
Bern Jagunos
This initiative builds on the 37th General Council report To Seek Justice
and Resist Evil: Toward's a Global Economy for All God's People, and the
April, 2004 GCE report What Does God Require of Us?: A Declaration for Just
Trade in the Service of an Economy of Life. Proposed by GCE Cttme on Mission
and Ministry. Carried in omnibus motion - directed to General Secretary
MNWO 6
Creation of a Department of Peace
Call on federal gov't to create peace department.
Choice Okoro
The specifics of this initiative are new, but it is in keeping with current
programming and existing policy from General Council in 1994 on peacekeeping
and rejecting war as an instrument of foreign policy. Carried - directed to
General Secretary
TOR 7
Pathways to Peace in the Holy Land
Call on congregations to participate in WCC week for peace in the Middle
East.
Wendy Gichuru
Supports existing policy and programming as seen in the 33rd General Council
resolution in 1990 encouraging congregations to inform themselves about the
situation in the Middle East and work for peace. Carried.
MNWO 7
Endorsement of the Joint Statement on Physical Punishment of Children and
Youth
Call on the United Church to endorse comprehensive statement that includes
changes to Criminal Code
Amy Crawford
This is a new initiative. The Joint Statement on Physical Punishment of
Children and Youth reflects United Church commitments to duty of care
regarding children, but the specifics are far beyond anything the church has
addressed including an amendment to the Criminal Code, none of which is
spelt out in the proposal. Carried with amendments - directed to the General
Secretary
M&O 5
Implementing The Refugee Appeal Division
Call on federal gov't to implement process for refugee appeals
Heather Macdonald
Supports existing policy and programming as seen in the 38th General Council
resolution making the same request in 2003. Carried in omnibus motion -
directed to General Secretary
M&O 4
Augmentation of Tax Credit for Charitable Donations
Call on federal gov't for higher credit for charitable donations from 29 to
45%
Jim Marshall
This is a new initiative. The Church has never called for a bigger break
for people making charitable donations. While enticing for the church, we
don't want to avoid our civic responsibility to pay taxes as affirmed by the
General Council's endorsement of the Moderator's Consultation on Faith and
the Economy in 2000. Defeated.
LON 6
Violence as a National Issue
Call on the church re public advocacy to address gun control.
Choice Okoro
Some specifics are new in this proposal, but supports existing policy as
seen in a similar resolution passed by the 30th General Council in 1984.
Carried with amendments - directed to the General Secretary.
N&L 1
Violence as a General Council Issue
Call on the church re public advocacy to address gun control and support
marginalized communities.
Choice Okoro
Some specifics are new in this proposal, but supports existing policy from
General Council in 1984 on gun violence and 2000 on racial justice. Carried
with amendments - directed to the General Secretary.
GCE 13
Water Life Before Profit
Call on congregations and gov'ts to be better stewards of water advocate
against privitization
David Hallman
This initiative builds on the 38th General Council resolution on water in
2003. Proposed by GCE Cttme on Mission and Ministry. Carried with parts 4,5,
6 directed to General Secretary.
M&O 1
Water: Life Before Profit
Call on federal gov't to protect public water sources
David Hallman
Supports current programming and existing policy as seen in the 38th General
Council resolution on water in 2003 and April, 2006 GCE proposal to the 39th
General Council. Carried - directed to General Secretary
TOR 11
Water as a Human Right
Call on federal gov't to declare water a human right
David Hallman
The specific proposal of declaring water a human right is new, but supports
current programming and existing policy as seen in the 38th General Council
resolution on water in 2003 and April, 2006 GCE proposal to the 39th General
Council. Carried - directed to General Secretary.
LON 4
Water a Gift for All
Number of initiatives in support of current water campaign.
David Hallman
Supports current programming and existing policy as seen in the 38th General
Council resolution on water in 2003 and April, 2006 GCE proposal to the 39th
General Council. Carried with amendments - directed to General Secretary,
with inclusion in his accountability report to Nov GCE on water projects we
support globally.
JGER Report
Ethical Investment for Peace in Palestine and Israel
Call on the church to, where appropriate, invest, or divest to promote peace
in the Middle East.
Wendy Gichuru
The Oct. 2005 GCE directed the General Secretary to bring a report to 39th
General Council on ethical investment in Palestine and Israel with an
emphasis on pro-investment or reinvestment. Carried with amendments -
directed report to into purpose statement, proposal to Nov GCE .
COMM. GREEN
GCE 8
Circle and Cross: Relationship of The United Church of Canada to Aboriginal
Spirituality
Call on church to affirm various processes to share spiritualities in
affirmation of aboriginal spirituality.
Gail Allan
April, 2006 GCE proposal to the 39th General Council. Carried with proposal
to come to Nov GCE
GCE 9
"That We May Know Each Other"
Call on church to affirm statement and framework for Christian - Muslim
relations
Gail Allan
April, 2006 GCE proposal to the 39th General Council. Carried with proposal
to come to Nov GCE
GCE 15
Ecumenical Shared Ministries
Call on church to take various actions in support of ecumenical shared
ministries
Gail Allan
April, 2006 GCE proposal to the 39th General Council. Carried.
GCE 14
Anglican - United Church Dialogue
Call on church to affirm Anglican - United Church dialogue
Gail Allan
April, 2006 GCE proposal to the 39th General Council. Carried with
accountability report to come to GCE (in General Secretary's report?)
GS 29
National Extra Appeals
Call on church to channel all requests from "Extra Appeals" through CGE
Gary Kenny
The proposal makes no reference to Emergency Appeals. Currently Emergency
Appeals in response to global disasters is under reviews, but do not go
through GCE. Neither carried or defeated?, but Referred to General Council
Executive
MTU 3
The Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples
Call on church to adopt the recommendations of the 1996 Royal Commission on
Aboriginal Peoples
Choice Okoro
The United Church already endorsed the recommedations of the Royal
Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at GCE in Nov, 1996. The United Church
developed a comprehensive statement of endorsement and distributed it to all
congregations. Carried.
SK 4
Consistency in Same-Sex Marriage Policy
Call on all congregations to provide services for same-sex marriage.
Choice Okoro
The proposal does not conform to United Church current policy. All
congregations are entitled to form their own policies about not only who
they will marry, but bury, baptize etc. This is a reflection of our
congregational ethos that local communities are entitled to determine
aspects of their common worship life. Took no action.
GCE 16
Partnership of the Aboriginal Peoples in Healing the Church and The World
Call on the church to an equal and joint partnership with Aboriginal Peoples
of the United Church.
Choice Okoro
April, 2006 GCE proposal to the 39th General Council. Carried with
amendments.
Green 6
Return of aboriginal lands on which church buildings currently now sit
Choice Okoro
Carried
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: /pipermail/yhjusticenet_yellowheadpresbytery.org/attachments/20061109/c6ef91bf/attachment-0001.html
More information about the Yhjusticenet
mailing list