[10-1-02]

In its meeting on September 24, 2002, the Presbytery of Hudson River passed unanimously this statement:

Motion to the Presbytery of Hudson River: September 24, 2002 PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

That it adopt the following letter to the General Assembly Council, the Peacemaking Program, and to the other presbyteries of the metropolitan area:

Dear Friends:

We ask the General Assembly Council, the Peacemaking Program and our neighboring presbyteries to find ways to strengthen the Presbyterian United Nations Office in staff, in visibility and in connection with the many UN-related people in our congregations.

In this time of continued violence in Palestine/Israel and the strong possibility of war with Iraq, the need for solid diplomacy and international understanding seems very clear. The specific body delegated by international law to be a center for this international peacemaking work is the United Nations, with degrees of coordination with NATO and other multi-lateral institutions.

Since its inception (and even before, in Woodrow Wilson's vision of the League of Nations), Presbyterians have been involved in guiding and strengthening the United Nations, most concretely through our United Nations Office at the Church Center on UN Plaza. Thus, as the denominational program considers new staffing options in the UN Office, we would like to help ensure a faithful and effective presence of our church, through educational programs, timely consultations and conferences, visits to congregations and presbyteries. Certainly, before staff profiles or patterns are reduced, we would like to see dialogue with presbyteries in our area and our synod.

Grace and Peace in Christ's Mission,

(Signed by Clerk Harriet Sandmeier)

The Presbytery of Hudson River

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