wfn.org | Newsline: Resolution on Slavery is passed by Church of the Brethren Conference

["COBNews Newsline" <cobnews@brethren.org>]

Newsline: Church of the Brethren News Service -- July 21, 2008
Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford, News Director
800-323-8039 ext. 260 -- cobnews@brethren.org

RESOLUTION ON SLAVERY IN 21st CENTURY PASSES AT
BRETHREN CONFERENCE

(July 21, 2008) Elgin, IL -- A "Resolution on Slavery in the 21st
Century" has been adopted by the Church of the Brethren, during
meetings of the denomination's Annual Conference in Richmond, Va.,
on July 15.

The resolution reaffirms the historic opposition of Brethren to slavery,
and references Luke 4:18-19 as a gospel mandate. It notes that the
church "has spoken out strongly and repeatedly in opposition to slavery
and the slave trade, passing antislavery resolutions in 1797, 1812, 1813,
1837, 1845, 1853, 1854, and 1857."

Although slavery is illegal in every nation, the paper calls people of  faith
to work against the many forms of slavery that continue, such as child
labor, sexual slavery, and debt bondage. The resolution confesses "our
complicity in the global network of slavery through consumption of
goods and services...produced by slave labor." The Church of the
Brethren makes a commitment to education and action through the
resolution, and invites Brethren organizations and members to join in the
work along with ecumenical and interfaith partners.

The resolution first appeared as a paper of the Church of the Brethren
General Board, which brought the document to the Conference for its
approval.

The delegate body adopted the document as an Annual Conference
statement, including an amendment made by the Standing Committee of
district delegates adding a phrase "to change our personal lifestyle  habits
that support it (slavery)."

A Church of the Brethren Study and Action Guide on Modern-Day
Slavery provides resources to accompany the resolution. Go to
www.brethren.org to download the online resources.

The Church of the Brethren is a Christian denomination committed to
continuing the work of Jesus peacefully and simply, and to living out its
faith in community. The denomination is based in the Anabaptist and
Pietist faith traditions and is one of the three Historic Peace Churches.  It
celebrates its 300th anniversary in 2008. It counts more than 125,000
members across the United States and Puerto Rico, and has missions and
sister churches in Nigeria, Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and
India.

># # #

>For more information contact:

>Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford
>Director of News Services
>Church of the Brethren
>1451 Dundee Ave., Elgin, IL 60120
>800-323-8039 ext. 260
>cobnews@brethren.org

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