Calvin Synod Herald, 1973 (73. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1973-01-01 / 1. szám
8 CALVIN SYNOD HERALD APPLAUDED Roman Catholic Bishop Patrick Flores’ declaration that the unique task of the Church to be one of liberation, HEARD Imamu Amiri Baraka’s impassioned appeal that the churches follow their commitment to the revolutionary life of Jesus and explain his own philosophy of revolution. WARMLY RECEIVED debate between conservative-evangelical theologian, Dr. David Hubbard and a liberal theologian, Dr. Colin Williams which INDICATED that the gap betweeen the two major expressions of Protestantism in the U. S. is narrowing WAS CHALLENGED by Anthropologist Margaret Mead to clarify the environmental deterioration as local churches continue their ageold task of feeding the hungry and caring for the suffering WAS ASKED by Dr. George Rupp to be more concerned about church investment policies, place a moratorium on church construction and equalize salaries for church employees HEARD Dr. Preston Williams propose redistribution of resources and a controlled economic growth. SOUNDED A call to member churches to hold services of thanksgiving and penitence on the signing of a Vietnam ceasefire. URGED In a five-point resolution on foreign policy that the nation demilitarize itself, that defense industries swing production over to peaceful purposes, that war policies be re-examined and revised, that Congress reassert its role in U. S. commitments overseas, that an NCC document on war crimes be shared with churches for study. SHARED IN the hope of the nation that current talks will bring about a cease-fire in Vietnam, and CONDEMNED continued heavy U. S. bombing assaults. CALLED ON U. S. government and industry to end all forms of support for “unjust minority regimes of Southern Africa.” EXPRESSED Concern for the rights of Vietnam war veterans involved in U. S. conspiracy charges growing out of anti-war demonstrations in Miami Beach last summer. RECOMMENDED that the churches mount an all-out campaign to sponsor medical aid to Vietnam war victims. URGED Member communions in the NCC to work and pray for peace with justice in the Middle East. THREW Its support behind justice goals for farm workers via the nation-wide iceberg lettuce boycott. ENCOURAGED Churches and the medical profession to mount a massive education campaign exposing the dangers of drugs and alcohol abuse. SUPPORTED The rights of children, urging policies of quality developmental child care services rather than custodial forms. ASKED The new Governing Board to develop policy that would support efforts to help government help educate the poor. COMMENDED The World Council of Churches for calling a global church conference dealing with threats to human rights. SOUGHT To “rouse the people of the churches” to wrestle with urgent problems in welfare policy and to seek reforms. REQUESTED The Governing Board to develop support for education of pastors and other church workers overseas. NOTED Evidence of racial tensions in naval installations and PRAISED those civilians and military leaders who have “redoubled their efforts to achieve racial justice” in the Armed Forces. PLEDGED Their best efforts as leaders of churches to promote ways to find lasting peace with justice in Northern Ireland. DISCUSSED All they’d heard in some eighty small groups, and in ten different minority caucuses — blacks, Africans, Asians, Latins, Indians, women, local and regional ecumenists, Middle-East and inter-religious. RECEIVED The collated collection of what the caucuses proposed as well as what the small groups of board members had proposed, and ACCEPTED a decision to await an evaluation at the next Governing Board meeting. This was the last General Assembly of the National Council of Churches. Hereafter, its basic policy will be set by its semi-annual Governing Board. Its 49-member Executive Committee will carry on policy between board meetings.
