These are the motions to go before the General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches in April 2022 (“the GA”). As a congregation, we will discuss how we want to vote before 19th April 2022 (the start of the GA). If you’ve got questions, email us at: info@newcastleunitarians.org.uk, or call: 07506 255 731. See you soon!

1. FROM TWELVE FULL MEMBERS – “A WELL-FUNDED NHS”
   That this General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches supports a well-funded NHS, free at the point of use and considers that the increased use of the private sector in delivery of NHS healthcare, benefitting shareholders at the expense of patients, is ethically reprehensible.
   We therefore call on the UK Government to make a renewed commitment to a well-funded NHS free at the point of use and to abandon plans and practices which further divert public resources to private healthcare companies.

2. FROM THE FOY SOCIETY – “TRANSGENDER RIGHTS”
The General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches:
a) Affirms with joy that each person’s understanding and statement of their own gender identity is a matter of conscience;
b) Affirms that transgender rights are human rights;
c) Joins the British Medical Association, the Trades Union Congress and others in civil society in urging the adop tion of a self declaration model for gender recognition by the UK and devolved governments; and
d) Requests that the Chief Officer lobby for this model in response to UK or devolved government consultations and on any other suitable occasion.

3. FROM EAST MIDLAND UNITARIANS – “BRANDING”
That this General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches regrets the lack of consultation over the rebranding exercise and requests that the Executive Committee (EC) consults the constituent congregations and fellowships on whether to introduce the new logo or retain the traditional Chalice Design adopted in 2007 in the interests of maintaining a consistent denominational identity.

4. FROM BRISTOL FRENCHAY – “WE THE PEOPLES CAMPAIGN”
That this General Assembly of Unitarian & Free Christian Churches:
a) endorses a World Citizens Initiative “We the Peoples Campaign”;
b) joins with campaigns and petitions of other Faith groups who support this initiative.

Here is the background information: