wfn.org | [PCUSANEWS] ACSWP examines referrals from the General Assembly

[PCUSA NEWS <PCUSA.NEWS@ECUNET.ORG>]

Note #8629 from PCUSA NEWS to PRESBYNEWS:

05058
January 31, 2005

ACSWP examines referrals from the General Assembly

Problem pregnancies, trade and China among issues on the committee's plate

by Evan Silverstein

SAN FRANCISCO - The Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy (ACSWP)
gathered here recently for a meeting to organize work mandated by last
summer's 216th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

	The committee also discussed referrals from other Assemblies during
the Jan. 19-22 meeting. Issues before the group ranged from problem
pregnancies and pay equity to trade and serious mental illness. (Full story).

	ACSWP, which develops social witness policy for GA consideration, was
holding its first regular meeting since the Assembly in Richmond, VA. The
committee took no official action, however, on any item.

	"The first meeting immediately after every General Assembly is a time
when we have a major focus on receiving the new assignments that have come
in, clarifying where we are, works in progress, and then prioritizing them,"
said the Rev. Nile Harper, ACSWP's chair, who is from the Minneapolis, MN,
area. "We're looking at the human resources available, looking at the
financial resources available, looking at the timelines that have been given
to us by the General Assembly."

	Committee members also met jointly with two other Presbyterian groups
- the Advocacy Committee for Racial Ethnic Concerns (ACREC) and the Advocacy
Committee for Women's Concerns (ACWC) - to explore how the trio could work
together more closely.

During the meeting ACSWP members:

China/Taiwan
	Reviewed a GA referral directing ACSWP, in consultation with the
PC(USA)'s Worldwide Ministries Division, ACREC, the National Ministries
Division and the Presbyterian United Nations Office, to continue monitoring
issues surrounding Taiwan and China and to report to the 217th General
Assembly in 2006 with any findings and possible recommendations for future
action. The response is also to include information or recommendations
concerning relations between the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan and the China
Christian Council, the Republic of China (Taiwan), and the People's Republic
of China.

Social Insurance
	Discussed a referral from the 216th General Assembly on "Economic
Security for Older Persons." ACSWP, in consultation with the PC(USA)'s Office
of Health Ministries, was asked to review this position paper in order to
update changes in laws affecting mandatory retirement, Social Security and
pension policies;  re-examine the interpretations of some of these policies;
and report to the 217th General Assembly in 2006. ACSWP's work would also be
linked to the Office of Theology and Worship and the Presbyterian Washington
Office. The policy was originally approved by the PC(USA)'s 195th General
Assembly in 1983.

Social Creed
	Discussed a GA referral directing ACSWP and the Office of the General
Assembly to initiate ecumenical conversations and studies in preparation for
the centennial of the 1908 Social Creed of the Churches of Christ in the
U.S.A.

	The 1908 "social creed" is a statement of social principles created
by a number of Protestant denominations in a cooperative effort led by
Presbyterians. Over the years churches acting on the creed's 14 principles
have promoted improved wages, regulation of sweatshops, Sabbath rest from
work, abatement of poverty, and the beginning of provisions for old-age
pensions.

	The GA asked ACSWP to initiative a survey of key Christian principles
to guide 21st-century Presbyterians and others in addressing major and
potential future social-justice concerns, such as a lack of health care
coverage, outsourcing of jobs to countries without human rights or
environmental safeguards, and the impact of growing economic inequity on this
country's democracy.

	ACSWP is also to consult with appropriate PC(USA) agencies to develop
recommendations for the 217th General Assembly in 2006 concerning the
possible goals, basic commitments and effectiveness of an updated social
creed for the 21st century.

Trade and Monitoring
	Discussed a referral from the PC(USA)'s 208th General Assembly in
1996 for ACSWP to monitor the implementation and consequences of the recent
international agreements and mechanisms for expanding world trade, such as
the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the World Trade
Organization (WTO), with special concern for the effects of trade on the
poor, natural environment, local communities, and the distribution of power
among those involved with economic development. ACSWP  is to report
periodically to the GA and its relevant agencies on its findings and their
implications for the further development of policy on international trade and
the church's advocacy on trade issues in the public arena.

The Nature and Value of Human Life
	Discussed a referral from the 212th General Assembly in 2000 that
called for updating the "Nature and Value of Human Life" study paper adopted
by the 121st General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States
in 1981. The study paper asserts that human life is a value of the first
order and human beings are God's representatives in the care and protection
of the entire created order.

Problem Pregnancies
	Discussed a referral from the 212th General Assembly in 2000
directing ACSWP to monitor the implementation of the problem pregnancies and
abortion policies of the PC(USA)'s General Assembly Council entities.

To subscribe or unsubscribe, please send an email to
pcusanews-subscribe-request@halak.pcusa.org or
pcusanews-unsubscribe-request@halak.pcusa.org

To contact the owner of the list, please send an email to
pcusanews-request@halak.pcusa.org