Presbytery Council Report – 37
Ecumenical and Inter-religious Work Group Call Papers
December 13, 2005 Presbytery Assembly

The Fourth Presbyterian Church of Chicago

Overture to the 217th General Assembly from the Session

Preface

“How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity.” (Psalm 133:1)

Whereas, the Session of the Fourth Presbyterian Church of Chicago has adopted a resolution expressing its intention to propose through the Presbytery of Chicago that should the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), as a result of the General Assembly’s action, sell any of its holdings in any corporation doing business with Israel, whatever proceeds are realized from the sale of those holdings will be reinvested in corporations doing business in the region whose activities benefit the human condition; and

Whereas, the Fourth Presbyterian Church of Chicago advocates the positive approach of investing for peace in entities doing business in Israel and Palestine, using an investment criterion which can be embraced by all people, being guided by the prophetic injunction for justice (Amos 5:24 ‘Let justice roll down like waters’) and the Talmudic concept of “tikun olam” – to repair the world; and

Whereas, the human mission to repair the world articulated in Jewish scriptures is also of a piece with the theological views of other faiths, including our own Christian faith, regarding humankind’s responsibilities for justice and peace; and

Whereas, numerous opportunities to help carry out and encourage the mission abound in Israel and Palestine;

Therefore

The Session of the Fourth Presbyterian Church of Chicago submits the following OVERTURE to the Presbytery of Chicago, seeking adoption and submission to the 217th General Assembly.

OVERTURE:
That if, as a result of the action of the 216th General Assembly taken July 1, 2004 (paragraph 7 of Overture 04-32) referring to Mission Responsibility Through Investment Committee (MRTI) with instructions to initiate a process of phased, selective divestment in multinational corporations doing business in Palestine, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) should sell any of its holdings in any corporation doing business in Israel, whatever proceeds are realized from the sale of those holding be reinvested in corporations or other entities in Israel and Palestine whose work reflect the Hebrew injunction “tikun olam” – ‘to repair the world.’

Adopted by the Session October 14 2005
Clyde O. Bowles, Clerk of Session
John M. Buchanan, Moderator

Adopted by Chicago Presbytery December 12, 2005
To be forwarded to General Assembly