Statement of CommitmentFollowing the meetings last autumn and subsequent discussions, the following statement of suggested personal and corporate commitments was put before the Church Meeting in October 1999. It was suggested that the statement, together with the Church's Mission Statement, might be used by church members and by the church as a body as part of their New Start for the new millennium.
Suggested personal commitments for the New Millennium1. To study the scriptures, using the International Bible Reading Association guide or some other Bible reading notes, and to pray regularly, using the prayer manual of either the Methodist or the URC Church. 2. Money: To give a tenth of after-tax income to charity and to invest ethically (e.g. through Shared Interest). 3. Shopping: To shop fairly, buying from the church Traidcraft stall and choosing Fairtrade marked products in shops. 4. Caring for God's world: To reduce pollution, e.g. by sharing cars and by recycling.
Suggested church commitments for the New Millennium1. To invest ethically, holding 10% of funds in Shared Interest and the balance in ethically screened funds. 2. To review social concerns quarterly, and pro-actively address them, beginning by urging an amnesty for anyone still facing deportation from the UK on January 1st 2000 who has lived here for three years. This suggestion was accepted by the Church Meeting. There will be opportunities to discuss these commitments in more detail in future. In the meantime, church members might want to adopt the personal commitments as their own as part of their New Start for the Millennium. The Elders will be discussing how best to take forward the suggested corporate commitments for the church as a whole.
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