These links are to older issues that we followed as an office at one time, and also to issues that are of importance, but are not in the scope of the OSJ to follow at this time.  We post them here for your information.

• Aboriginal Justice
• Anti-Racism
• Life Issues

Aboriginal Justice

Guide us, God, so that ancient wrongs may be redressed, broken promises forgiven, and a new covenant forged.

The CRC in Canada has been ministering to the needs of urban Aboriginal people for almost 30 years, through first one, and then a second and third Aboriginal ministry centre in Winnipeg, Regina, and Edmonton respectively. We celebrate God's goodness in blessing these centres and we are thankful for the powerful impact they have in their communities. Learn more on the denominational website.

In the Christian Reformed community, we celebrate relationships of healing and encouragement between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people and we lament those places where justice is not served. Click on the links below to learn more about this issue.

• Celebration
• Lament
• Aboriginal Justice Resources

National Aboriginal Justice Day (Canada) is June 21.

Anti-Racism

The Christian Reformed Church was established in the United States and Canada by Dutch immigrants who brought with them a heritage that is still a deep-rooted part of our church community.

It is clear, however, that God's children are people of all races, colors, and cultures, and the CRC is actively striving to reflect the diversity of our world and among God's people.

Please visit the CRC's Office of Race Relations to learn more and connect with others in this important ministry.

Life Issues

Hot topic issues of life and death ethics - stem cell research, the death penalty - are not included in the mandate of the OSJ, which focuses mostly on a small set of justice issues that relate to root causes of poverty and hunger. However, because justice issues of life and death are, rightly so, of great importance to the CRC and broader church community, we have provided a few links here that we thought might be valuable resources.

• CRC Positions on Euthanasia
• Synod 2003 report from the Committee to Examine Life Issues Raised by Bioscience and Genetic Engineering (PDF, 2.7mb): Starting at pdf page 265
• Responses to that report (PDF, 960k): Starting on pdf page 82
• The Committee for Contact with the Government (Word, 72k) (CRC-Canada) has been monitoring reproductive technology issues like stem cell research and cloning for some time. During 2002 a task force helped CCG to develop a brief and presentation concerning proposed legislation around this issue.
• Many churches have groups that work on life issues; sometimes the social justice or social action committee will take on these issues. Talk to your social action committee or church leadership to see what opportunities are available in your church or community.
• Life issues and up-to-date legislative action opportunities are available on sites like the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada, and the National Right to Life Committee.