Fossil Fuels and Climate Justice
Fossil fuels and climate justice. After a protracted debate on alternative recommendations for aligning the values of the PC(USA) with its investments in fossil fuels, the GA initially approved overture ENV-02 encouraging categorical divestment in fossil fuels and other efforts to respond to climate change. However, in a historic turnabout, the assembly reversed its decision, disapproving ENV-02 and approving ENV-06, which directs further engagement with greenhouse gas emitters and the fossil fuel industry.
What is MRTI?
MRTI. Mission Responsibility thru Investment. What is it?
To understand the divestment from occupier countries and fossil fuels and climate justice, we must first look at MRTI
A list of the companies in MRTI process.
What is MRTI and how does it work?
Mission Responsibility Through Investment (MRTI), was created in recognition of the PC(USA)'s unique opportunity to advance its mission faithfully and creatively through the financial resources entrusted it. MRTI implements the General Assembly’s policies on socially responsible investing (also called faith-based investing) by engaging corporations in which the church owns stock. Learn more about MRTI: http://pcusa.org/mrti
Prison Justice
GA unanimously passed DOE-02, encouraging ratification of a U.S. Constitutional amendment abolishing the exception clause in the 13th Amendment that allows any person convicted of any crime to be enslaved…
Prison justice. GA unanimously passed DOE-02, encouraging ratification of a U.S. Constitutional amendment abolishing the exception clause in the 13th Amendment that allows any person convicted of any crime to be enslaved, and also passed a commissioners resolution urging Presbyterians to call upon elected officials to enact legislative or administrative reforms ending prolonged solitary confinement in jails, prisons, and detention centers.
The rejection of Christian Zionism.
The Assembly decisively rejected Christian Zionism and called for a study document to be issued examining the ways that Christian Zionism has expanded since the 216th General Assembly (2004) adopted policy declaring that Christian Zionism is not consistent with the basic values of Reformed theology.
The rejection of Christian Zionism. The GA passed on consensus the update and expansion of the resolution confronting Christian Zionism approved in 2004. Through the Office of Theology, Formation and Evangelism, GA calls on the denomination to reject Christian Zionism in all its forms, acknowledge the expansion of Christian Zionism in all its forms, and issue a study document that addresses the expansion of Christian Zionism since the 2004 policy.
Christian Zionism Condemned
The Assembly decisively rejected Christian Zionism and called for a study document to be issued examining the ways that Christian Zionism has expanded since the 216th General Assembly (2004) adopted policy declaring that Christian Zionism is not consistent with the basic values of Reformed theology.
The overture adopted also calls on the PC(USA) to clarify, in liturgy and through education, the distinction between biblical Israel and the modern state of Israel, and to work with international partners who are confronting the spread of Christian Zionism in their own contexts.
Read the rationale and background for this action at pc-biz.org/search/3001235
Additional Studies and readings for congregations wanting to learn more
Changes to the Special Offerings
The four special offerings currently received by the PC(USA) will be reduced to three, and proceeds will be distributed to causes instead of programs.
Changes to special offerings. The four special offerings currently received by the PC(USA) will be reduced to three, and proceeds will be distributed to causes instead of programs. The changes in FIN-12, which take effect for the 2026 offerings, include eliminating the Pentecost Offering and moving the ministries it has supported to a restructured Christmas Joy Offering.