United Church Social Policy Positions

Statement of Beliefs

We believe we are all equal before God.

We believe racism is a sin and violates God's desire for humanity.

We believe racism is present in our society and in our church, and throughout time has manifested itself in many forms in varying degrees.

We believe that the struggle against racism is a continuous effort. Therefore our anti-racism policy statement is only a first step. It provides the basis for the creation of a church where all are welcome, where all feel welcome, and where diversity is as natural as breathing.

We believe change is possible. We believe in forgiveness, reconciliation and transformation and the potential to learn from stories and experiences.

We believe we are all called to work against racism and for a society in which the words of the Gospel are realized among us.

We believe in a vision of society in which these words of the Gospel are realized:
It is through faith that all of you are God's people in union with Christ Jesus. You were baptized into union with Christ, and now you are clothed, so to speak, with the life of Christ. So there is no difference between Jews and Gentiles, between slaves and free persons, between men and women; you are all one in union with Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:26-28)

The United Church of Canada

1. Participate Fully

1. Encourages the full participation of Aboriginal and First Nations peoples and people of racial and ethnocultural minority within The United Church of Canada at every level of the church, particularly decision-making bodies, by:
   1. Facilitating equitable participation of all people within decision making processes in the church.
   2. Encouraging the effective participation of Aboriginal and First Nations peoples and people of racial and ethnocultural minorities in decision-making processes, and in leadership and mentoring roles within the church.
   3. Ensuring that various types of resources (i.e., human, media and financial) are in place to support Aboriginal and First Nations peoples and people of racial and ethnocultural minorities as they assume these positions.
   4. Adopting and applying just and equitable hiring and employment policies and practices.
   5. Making an active effort to recruit and hire Aboriginal and First Nations persons and persons of racial and ethnocultural minorities for various positions within the church, especially in communications, education, and professional development.
   6. Encouraging and supporting Aboriginal and First Nations peoples and people of racial and ethnocultural minorities to undertake theological studies.

2. Organize for Diversity

2. Supports anti-racism work and promote positive relationships among the diverse racial and ethnocultural groups within The United Church of Canada, by:
   1. Including anti-racism activities and focus (co-ordination, resources, advocacy and support functions), within staff portfolios at all levels of the church.
   2. Through the interdivisional core staff team, encouraging, monitoring, reporting and fostering self-assessment of anti-racism work across the church.
   3. Developing, compiling and making available education resources on anti-racism, cross-cultural relations and realities and conflict resolution at various levels of the church.
   4. Encouraging the use of curriculum materials that are set in diverse racial and ethnocultural contexts.
   5. Including diverse Aboriginal, racial and ethnocultural content and approaches to learning in church curricula.
   6. Encouraging the review of worship and Christian education resources, and other visual and written materials at all levels of the church from an anti-racism perspective (See the anti-racism education resource, That All May Be One, compiled by the Education Working Group).
   7. Providing training and continuing education in anti-racism for students, staff at theological colleges, volunteers, clergy, local regional and national staff and summer camp staff.
   8. Enhancing our worship and ministry by using sources and interpretations from racial and ethnocultural minority experiences, theologies and analyses.
   9. Enriching our worship and ministry through the use of diverse racial and ethnocultural music, song, images of God, stories and practices.
   10. Including preaching exchanges and joint worship services among groups of different races, ethnicity, language and culture.
   11. Encouraging clergy, staff and other participants in the church to bring people together from the church and the surrounding community to enhance mutual understanding across race, ethnicity and culture.
   12. Encouraging the establishment of local, regional and national networks to share experiences and successes.

3. Act Justly

3. Will endeavour to act justly within its own structures, courts, policies and practice, by:
   1. Applying an anti-racist lens in practising ethical and just financial stewardship.
   2. Reviewing the candidacy, settlement and post-settlement processes for clergy to ensure that they are supportive and non-discriminatory.
   3. Developing and publicizing the availability of policies and procedures to address complaints and conflicts with respect to racism
   4. Helping people to become aware of and support others in accessing church and public services/processes when rights are violated by acts of racism.
   5. Helping those who have committed acts of racism to recognize the sin of racism and to be transformed.
   6. Working to create or maintain just relations with persons of racial and ethnocultural minority.
   7. Working to create or maintain just relations with Aboriginal and First Nations peoples.

4. Speak to the World

4. Supports anti-racism work within broader society, by:
   1. Monitoring, evaluating and advocating with respect to human rights and equity legislation, regulations, policy and practice.
   2. Monitoring, evaluating and advocating portrayals of Aboriginal and First Nations peoples and people of racial and ethnocultural minority in the media.
   3. Monitoring and responding to racist coverage of local and global events, and editorials and commentaries covered or not covered by the media, ensuring the media either through the presentation of facts or through innuendo does not inflame, provoke, or support racist sentiments.
   4. Providing the anti-racist voice for those who cannot respond for fear of retribution.
   5. Urging all levels of the church to speak out against human rights violations, including instances of racial injustice.
   6. Participating in wider society initiatives that address anti-racism, human rights and social justice issues.
   7. Participating in wider society initiatives that promote mutual understanding among groups of different race, ethnicity and culture.

General Council: 37th General Council, 2000
Record of Proceedings Page Ref. 2000 ROP, pp. 724-726.