Calvin Synod Herald, 1973 (73. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1973-08-01 / 8-9. szám
4 CALVIN SYNOD HERALD In a compromise with those who did not want to see the present CCSA eliminated from the Constitution, the Synod voted to retain the Council in the Constitution as a body elected by the Synod, but transfer its functions and budget to the new Center by Jan. 1, 1974. In offering the plans for the new Center, the Executive Council called it “a new commitment to social education and action.” Coordination of national social action programs, provision of resources for local and conference action, increased use of expertise among the members and service in an “ombudsman” role for minority groups are among the stated aims. KINDRED CHAIRPERSON The language of the United Church Constitution and Bylaws got its first major overhaul as the Pilgrim Mothers moved into action. Line by line, the words that assume that all people are men were changed or removed from the document. “Chairman” becomes “chairperson” and “he” is changed to “he or she” or the title of the office is used. The preamble now reads this way: “The United Church of Christ acknowledges as its sole Head, Jesus Christ, son of God and Savior. It acknowledges as kindred in Christ all who share in this confession.” The Synod committed itself to and commended to every church, association and conference the “elimination of sex and race discrimination in every area of its life,” and called for a “deliberate effort” to employ more women on national and conference staff, as pastors, and as seminary administrators and faculty. PILGRIMAGE BY PLANE In a dramatic show of commitment to non-violent action, the Synod commissioned a plane load of 95 pilgrims — delegates and visitors to the Synod — to join Cesar Chavez and the United Farm Workers on the picket line in the vineyards of Coachella Valley in California. The action was taken by the Synod, following reports of violence instigated by Teamsters Union strike breakers, to “give physical and visible witness.” And the physical witness was visible to the whole Synod when the pilgrims returned from their day of picketing in 100 degree heat, tired and dirty but singing and clapping in the rhythms they learned from the Chicanos who welcomed them to the danger zone. And it was a danger zone, as leaders of the pilgrimage, Rev. Lawrence L. Durgin of New York City and Rev. Malcolm Bertram, Syosset, N.Y. reported. Incidents of violence were seen by the UCC members who represented twentyeight UCC conferences. Cost of the trip was met in part by the pilgrims, other delegates and visitors and from an offering at the Synod worship service in the Cathedral of St. Louis, Sunday, June 24. IN THE PILGRIM TRADITION The tradition of a free press which the English Puritans brought to New England’s shores was followed and expanded in the adoption of a statement on “Freedom of the Press and the Right of the People to Know.” The Synod voted unanimously to “preserve freedom of speech and of the press, to protect the people’s right to information on matters of public concern and to guarantee access to the means of communication for organizations and individuals.” Congress and the Federal Communications Commission were urged to “protect the integrity of the Fairness Doctrine” and “prohibit excessive concentration of ownership of mass media.” RIGHT TO DIE Another breakthrough on the Pilgrim way was adoption of a pronouncement on the right of a terminally ill patient to die with dignity. Proposed by the Council for Christian Social Action and somewhat modified by the delegates, the statement is designed to bring the theological perspective on dying into relation with the tremendous progress of medical science in recent decades. The right of the terminally ill to accept or refuse treatment which would prolong the “length of dying,” was affirmed. THE PILGRIM PROCESS A new adventure for the Synod delegates was “the process.” The Synod was divided into 39 small groups for study and action on as many issues. Before the five-day meeting was over the keywords “value rating,” “alternative proposals,” “computer printout” were familiar. All of the issues did not reach the Synod floor for a decisive vote. Some 20 were referred to the Executive Council for future consideration. Among actions taken, they: B Reaffirmed the position of the Eighth General Synod that instrumentalities should use the leverage of their investment to press American companies in South Africa to challenge “repressive and unjust conditions”; • approved in principle the report on ministries to military personnel and asked for a final report for the next Synod; 0 adopted a statement on economic justice including approval of a guaranteed annual income of $7,214 for a family of four and support for organization of household employees; • called for an end to bombing in Cambodia and reconstruction of Southeast Asia; • asked the Executive Council to provide bail for the eight young Blacks and one white woman who are in jail as a result of racial disturbances in Wilmington, N.C.; • reaffirmed the position on unconditional amnesty taken by the Seventh and Eighth Synods; • asserted the confidentiality of communications made to an ordained minister or lay pastor in his or her professional capacity; 0 called for a “high priority” for evangelistic witness as the “costly and joyous response of the people to God’s acts in Christ’; ® expressed concern for the moral breakdown in society; 0 opposed capital punishment and employment discrimination against ex-offenders, and • voted to supplement the pensions of ministers 70 and over with 30 years of dues-paying membership in the funds to bring them to $2,400. High points of the Synod were the passing of the moderator’s cross from the Rev. David G. Colwell to Judge Margaret A. Haywood, first black woman moderator of a major denomination; presentation of the Jackie Robinson Award to Mrs. Roberto Clemente, the Shinn Memorial Award to the wife of the late John Shinn, CCSA chairman; a special CRJ award and the Church Leadership Award to the Rev. Everett C. Parker for defense of citizen rights and racial justice in broadcasting — and every day the exciting worship services led by the Rev. Ms. Peggy Way with the “reverent jazz” of the Singing Stones.
