10 Sep GS 2022 art 167

Posted at 17:51h in CanRC, GS 2022 by

GS 2022 Article 167 – URCNA (United Reformed Churches in North America)

1.   Material

  • 1.1    Report of the CCCNA (8.2.11.1) on the URCNA.

2.   Admissibility

  • 2.1    The report was declared admissible.
  • 2.2    The submissions were declared admissible.

3.   Decision

Synod decided:

  • 3.1    To mandate the Committee on Ecumenical Relations (CER):
    • 3.1.1   To continue Ecclesiastical Fellowship (EF) with the United Reformed Churches in North America (URCNA) according to the adopted rules;
    • 3.1.2   To encourage the churches to continue to foster relationships with local URCNA churches; these activities could include, but are not limited to, pulpit exchanges, joint community and mission projects, and study opportunities;
    • 3.1.3   To submit its report to the churches six months prior to the convening of the next general synod.

4.   Grounds

  • 4.1    Re. 3.1.1. and 3.1.2:
    • 4.1.1   Geographical and cultural challenges continue to be something of a hindrance as many URCNA churches (especially in the USA) have little contact or familiarity with the CanRC; however, we give thanks that:
      • 4.1.1.1   The URCNA Committee for Ecumenical Relations and Church Unity (CERCU) reiterated their commitment to working towards greater unity and expressing that unity in concrete ways;
      • 4.1.1.2   In view of the phase 2 relationship between the URCNA and the CanRC, the CERCU continues to follow its mandate;
      • 4.1.1.3   The “hold” adopted by Synod Wyoming 2016 of the URCNA is not the end of moving forward in federative unity, but during this time (of at least six years) there remains opportunity for one or more of the URCNA churches to suggest ways to move forward in our relationship;
      • 4.1.1.4   The CERCU is sending a survey to their churches seeking a response to concerns (theological, church-political, historical-cultural) they may have regarding unity;
      • 4.1.1.5   At the grassroots level, unity is frequently expressed by marriage among each other’s members and by attendance of students at each other’s schools.
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