KANSAS CITY, Mo., July 19, 2001 (PRIMEZONE) -- This week at the 23rd General Synod of the United Church of Christ (UCC) in Kansas City, the UCC became the first protestant denomination to create an organized campaign that asks its members to give their tax cut rebates to the poor.
After being moved and challenged by a letter from the Rev. Allen Myrick, retired UCC missionary to Africa, its five collegium officers were so moved that they each agreed to commit all or some part of their tax cut refunds to special offerings to benefit the poor. In his letter Myrick said, "I hope you will call to mind the growing gap between the rich and the poor, between those who are financially secure and those who are not -- a gap which exists in this country and around the world. Many children are hungry. Think too, beyond the borders of the U.S. of the millions of refugees from oppression, wars, and natural disasters. Some of us need the tax rebate. But in a world of such need, how many of us truly need it?"
Apparently the 749 delegates to the biennial General Synod agree with its collegium of officers. During the meeting, an unidentified husband and delegate sat holding a beautiful round-faced baby. Brushing his baby's cheek, he leaned over and said to his wife, "I suppose there are a lot of young children who will need this rebate more than our son."
The resolution was written sensitively to acknowledge that some who receive this rebate in the mail will need it.
The General Synod of the UCC speaks to, but not for, its 1.4 million members and 6,000 congregations. All of the bodies of the UCC covenant to hold each other's resolutions and pronouncements in high regard. July 2001
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