Our
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United Church of Christ
General Synod Resolutions and Pronouncements
The following resolutions and pronouncements were passed by the General
Synod of the United Church of Christ in the years indicated. The General Synod,
composed of delegates from congregations throughout the United States, convenes
biannually to determine church policy and conduct the business of the United
Church of Christ.
Freedom of Choice Concerning Abortion: A Proposal for Action—1971
Calls for action and education leading to the repeal of legal prohibitions of
physician-performed abortions.
General Synod re-affirms the right of women to freedom of choice with regard
to pregnancy—1973, 1977, 1979
Civil Liberties Without Discrimination Related to Affectional or Sexual
Preference—1975
Proclaims the Christian conviction that all persons are entitled to full civil
liberties and equal protection under the law.
Human Sexuality and the Needs of Gay and Bisexual Persons—1975
Expresses support for Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual persons in professional church
leadership. Commissions a study concerning human sexuality and the theological
basis for a Christian ethic concerning sexuality.
Recommendations in Regard to the Human Sexuality Study—1977
Adopts "Human Sexuality: a Preliminary Report," in addition to 18 specific points.
Urges support for sexuality education in schools, adult education programs,
social welfare agencies, medical services and communications media.
Deploring the Violation of Civil Rights of Gay and Bisexual Persons—1977
Deplores the use of scripture to generate hatred and the violation of civil
rights of gay and bisexual persons.
Resolution on Freedom of Choice—1981
Opposes the passage of constitutional amendments and legislation that would
revoke the freedom to choose abortion.
Institutionalized Homophobia Within the United Church of Christ—1983
Calls for the elimination of institutionalized homophobia in all its forms.
In Response to the Concerns of Same-Gender Oriented Persons and Their Families
Within the United Church of Christ—1983
Reaffirms the United Church of Christ's commitment to family ministry to all,
regardless of family composition.
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)—1983
Calls for research, education and legislation to address the AIDS epidemic.
Recommending Inclusiveness on Association Church and Ministry Committees
Within the United Church of Christ—1983
Calls for continuing education to increase understanding of gay and lesbian
persons and their commitment to the Christian faith. Recommends openness to
the nomination and election of lesbian and gay laypersons and clergy to church
and ministry committees.
Report of the Task Force for the Study of Human Sexuality—1983
Receives the report of the Task Force for the Study of Human Sexuality. Urges
the support of educational programs teach about human sexuality and to end sexual
violence.
Calling on United Church of Christ Congregations to Declare Themselves Open
and Affirming—1985
Encourages congregations to adopt a policy of non-discrimination against lesbian,
gay and bisexual people, and to adopt a Covenant of Openness and Affirmation
of persons of lesbian, gay and bisexual orientation.
Resolution on Pornography—1987
Articulates the General Synod's abhorrence of pornography. Urges ministry to
victimizers and victims of violence, pornography and sexual abuse.
The Right to Privacy—1987
Affirms the right to privacy for all adults in their private, consensual and
sexual relationships, free from government intrusion. Urges work for legislation
that guarantees the civil liberties of all without regard to sexual orientation.
Sexuality & Abortion, A Faithful Response—1987
Reaffirms the right of women to reproductive choice. Urges the UCC to provide
educational resource to help reduce unplanned pregnancies and to encourage responsible
sexual behavior.
Health and Wholeness in the Midst of a Pandemic—1987
Calls for HIV/AIDS education for all; government funding of HIV/AIDS research,
service, education, treatment and prevention; and sexuality education programs,
beginning early in elementary school.
Sexual Harassment in the Church—No Longer Nameless—1989
Calls upon the United Church of Christ, its member congregations, and other
UCC institutions to undertake educational programs on the issue of Christian
ethics dealing with sexual harassment and abuse within pastoral, professional
and personal relationships in the church.
General Synod reaffirms the United Church of Christ's support for a woman's
right to choose a safe, legal abortion—1989
Deploring Violence Against Lesbian and Gay People—1989
Calls for education and legislation to end violence against lesbian and gay
people, as well as other oppressed groups.
Responding to AIDS: An Audit of AIDS Discrimination in the United Church
of Christ—1989
Directs the Executive Council of the United Church of Christ to conduct a church-wide
audit to evaluate the nature and degree of AIDS discrimination within the church.
Calls for the alleviation of discrimination discovered as a result of the audit.
Responding to AIDS: Endorsement and Enactment of the "Ten Principles for
the Workplace"—1989
Endorses a list of ten principles designed to guarantee the workplace rights
of people with HIV/AIDS.
Affirming Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Persons and Their Ministries—1991
Affirms, celebrates and embraces the gifts of ministry of lesbian, gay, and
bisexual persons. Calls upon congregations, associations and conferences to
adopt an "Open and Affirming" policy and to extend welcome and support to openly
lesbian, gay and bisexual ministerial students and candidates.
Virginia Privacy Laws—1991
Calls upon the Virginia Legislature to repeal the Virginia sodomy laws and other
laws directed at persons specifically because of their sexual orientation.
Calling on the Church for Greater Leadership to End Discrimination Against
Gay and Lesbians—1993
Calls for legislation, education and leadership to end the legal sanctioning
of discrimination against gays and lesbians.
Faithfulness in Committed Relationships—1997
Reaffirms that the standard for sexual and relational behavior for members of
the United Church of Christ is fidelity and integrity in marriage and in other
covenanted relationships, or singleness, and in all relationships of life.
Female Genital Mutilation—1997
Condemns the practice of female genital mutilation in the United States and
abroad.
The full text of each listed resolution can be obtained from the United
Church of Christ's Office of the Secretary, (216) 736-2100. The United Church
of Christ General Synod has also passed resolutions related to Women's Rights—contact
the UCC Coordinating Center for Women at (216) 736-2150 to obtain a listing.
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