Veterans’ Day is not just a day to say thank you and to pray for our veterans and their families. For us as a UCC congregation it is a call to action. In 2013 General Synod voted to recognize the need for compassionate care and healing to our veterans:
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THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Twenty-ninth General Synod of the United Church
of Christ challenges all of the United Church of Christ congregations to express compassionate
care and healing ministry to all our veterans and their families through education and the
development of sensitivity to the issues of soul healing and spiritual care.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Twenty-ninth General Synod of the United Church of
Christ encourages “local church” awareness and reaching out to local Veterans Administration,
Veterans Service Commission, support of Veterans Courts, through the compassion that is rooted
in the teachings and example of Jesus.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Twenty-ninth General Synod of the United Church of
Christ encourages the Office of the Local Church Ministries to partner with the Soul Repair
Center of Brite Divinity School in the development of resources for use by our military
chaplains, Veterans Administrations Chaplains and our local congregations to express
compassionate care and a healing ministry to our veterans and their families.
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the Twenty-ninth General Synod of the United Church of
Christ challenges the members and local churches of the United Church of Christ to serve
veterans with healing care beyond established medical and military protocols and seek ways to
welcome our veterans home, through worship, fellowship, pastoral care and advocacy to
reintegrate them in our communities, and help to bring peace to veterans, their families and the
world.
What are ways you can think of St. John’s United Church of Christ should heed this call?