The Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy (ACSWP) recommends that the 212th General Assembly (2000) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) prepare to celebrate, reaffirm, and recommit to That All May Enter (Minutes UPCUSA, 1977, Part I, pp. 99-108) as the basis for a call to greater concern for the inclusion of all members in every aspect of the life and work of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
The 214th General Assembly (2002) approved this report, “We Are What We Eat,” that calls on the whole Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)-- rural, suburban, and urban--to participate in the current agricultural revolution that is effecting everyone who produces and consumes food. The interdependence between food producer and consumer is significant, although it is a linkage we don’t often acknowledge. Now, we have a unique opportunity to witness to the Good News of Jesus Christ through our daily food production and consumption decisions that will support sustainability, stewardship, compassion and community of all God’s creation.
The Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy (ACSWP) was asked by the 211th General Assembly (1999) to develop a resolution that addresses the need for advocacy on behalf of uninsured persons, especially those with low income or fixed income. The 214th General Assembly (2002) recognized that the church must provide not merely a moral whisper of conscience, but a chorus of voices raised in a call for immediate action.
The 200th General Assembly (1988) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) adopted a statement on "Prison Violence and Nonviolent Alternatives" that reaffirmed the theology of previous General Assemblies in urging that "individual Presbyterians and the entities of the General Assembly . . . advocate a social order where compassion and justice characterize efforts toward those in the criminal justice system." The statement went on to call for "changing a prison system that is based on the concept of punishment to one that encourages the restoration of the offender to the community and the development of alternatives to incarceration." The statement expressed …
The Minutes, Part I, Journal contains the proceedings of the annual meeting (before 2004) or biennial meeting (2004 and beyond) of the general assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). The Journal contains the minutes of the meeting (section one) – but also contains in section two the assembly committee reports (with reports from all the agencies of …
The 213th General Assembly (2001) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), in reliance upon God under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and in exercise of its responsibility to witness to the Lordship of Jesus Christ in every dimension of life, has approved this policy statement “Turn Mourning Into Dancing! A Policy Statement on Healing Domestic Violence.” It is presented for the guidance and edification of the whole Christian Church and the society to which its ministers; and will determine procedures and program for the Ministries Divisions and staff of the General Assembly. This policy statement is recommended for consideration and …
The 213th General Assembly (2001) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), in reliance upon God under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and in exercise of its responsibility to witness to the Lordship of Jesus Christ in every dimension of life, has approved this policy statement “Turn Mourning Into Dancing! A Policy Statement on Healing Domestic Violence.” It is presented for the guidance and edification of the whole Christian Church and the society to which its ministers; and will determine procedures and program for the Ministries Divisions and staff of the General Assembly. This policy statement is recommended for consideration and …
This year's update includes five categories of human rights' concerns to the attention of the General Assembly, for the most part, by our partner churches around the world. They are civil rights, political rights, economic rights, social and cultural rights, and religious rights.
The Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy (ACSWP) recommends that the 212th General Assembly (2000) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) prepare to celebrate, reaffirm, and recommit to to That All May Enter (Minutes, UPCUSA, 1977, Part I, pp. 99–108) as the basis for a call to greater concern for the inclusion of all members in every aspect of the life and work of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), and a call to broader concern for justice in our own and the wider communities.
The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) recognizes that the task of dismantling racism is a long-term struggle that requires discernment, prayer, and worship based action. As we move into the next millennium, congregations, presbyteries, and synods are engaging the problem of racism in unprecedented numbers. This is a significant development in the struggle for “racial” justice. In order to respond to this challenge, the 211th General Assembly (1999) approved this comprehensive policy document that will guide the church’s ministry of “racial” justice in the next century.