Christian Citizenship Department

Chairman: Elenid Jones

Secretary: Emlyn Davies

The Department was established as part of the new constitution of the Union (1990). Its main purpose is to examine the role of the Christian church in relation to a number of social concerns: from Free Trade to the consequences of urban development, from HIV/AIDS sufferers to stewardship of creation.

The Department is also, in partnership with Christian Aid, responsible for leading the Union’s appeals. Congregational churches have acted on behalf of Sudan (1998), the peoples of the Occupied Territories (2004) and South Africa (2008-9).

This year, 2009 :

• New campaign to raise Fair Trade awareness amongst churches.
• Gaza : Appeal to Israeli ambassador for his government to allow access from humanitarian aid.
• South Africa Appeal : Churches will be asked to renew efforts to meet the appeal target of £12 per member.
• Seminar on social issues : concern about alcohol and drug abuse etc. to be discussed at seminar in Aberystwyth in September.