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General Board affirms mission imperatives, discusses vital issues July 26, 2000 Disciples News Service Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

INDIANAPOLIS (DNS) -- General Board members of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), meeting here July 22-25, affirmed a revised set of mission imperatives, did additional planning around the six vital issues, and endorsed resolutions supporting the independence of East Timor and ending U.S. naval operations in Vieques, Puerto Rico.

The pronouncements on East Timor and Vieques are emergency resolutions that were forwarded to the General Board by the 1999 General Assembly. The initiative on East Timor asks U.S. and Canada church and government bodies to support the country's efforts at self- determination and to ensure that Indonesia acknowledges and ratifies the election results.

Board approves two emergency resolutions

The General Board approved two emergency resolutions fowarded to the plenary body by the 1999 Cincinnati General Assembly.

The resolutions ask the denomination to support actions related to the independence of East Timor and an ongoing struggle to end U.S. naval operations in Vieques, Puerto Rico.

The initiative on East Timor asks U.S. and Canada church and government bodies to support the country's efforts at self-determination. In August 1999, East Timor voted to formally break its ties with Indonesia, which annexed the island in 1975. The resolution also asks U.S. groups to ensure that Indonesia acknowledges and ratifies the election results.

In addition, church and governmental development agencies were challenged to assist with the country's rebuilding effort by responding to its emergency and economic development needs.

The Disciples of Christ, through its Northwest region are in an ecumenical partnership with the Protestant Church in East Timor. The Disciples and U.S. partner, the United Church of Christ, are in partnership with the Protestant Evangelical Church of Timor in West Timor, Indonesia.

The General Board's actions regarding both issues will be reported to the 2001 General Assembly, meeting in Kansas City, Mo.

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