Sweat-free Purchasing

The Resolution “Calling the United Church of Christ to Declare Itself a ‘Fair Trade’ Denomination” was adopted by General Synod XXV in 2005. The resolution's primary focus is fairly-traded coffee but it also encourages churches to offer “other fairly traded products at official meetings and functions.” It suggests that churches might purchase “fairly traded certified products, first as an education project and second as a mission project to help their members learn the potential negative impacts of some global economic practices, and how our small economic choices can adversely affect peoples’ lives in other countries.”

Also in 2005, General Synod XXV also adopted the resolution “In Support of Making Fast Food Fair Food:The Next Step." The General Synod called for reforms in agriculture and a new model of corporate responsibility toward farm workers -- an end to sweatshops in the fields.

The Resolution “For the Common Good,” adopted by General Synod XXV in 2005, called on all settings of the UCC to “do justice and promote the common good by working actively to: ensure full employment, dignity on the job, living wages, and sufficient income for everyone.” 

General Synod XXIV adopted a Pronouncement in 2003 that addressed globalization: “A Faithful Response: Calling for a More Just, Humane Direction for Economic Globalization." All settings of the UCC are urged “in their roles as consumers to give priority in decision-making choices to justice concerns, for example, in not purchasing clothes and other consumer goods produced by sweatshop labor.”

The Resolution “Calling for a More Just, Humane Direction for Economic Globalization,” adopted by General Synod XXIII in 2001 called for the Pronouncement (mentioned just above) and also stated: “Be It Further Resolved that local church members prayerfully consider becoming involved and/or more deeply involved with campaigns that seek a more humane form of globalization which lifts persons and the environment over markets and profits, including such things as the continuing Jubilee debt cancellation campaign and the campaign against sweat shops.”