The Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy (ACSWP), through comment on a report from the Office on Theology and Worship, announced its intent to proceed with development of policy for the General Assembly on end of life matters, including euthanasia and assisted suicide.

Little congregational response to study paper on the end of life
The Office of Theology and Worship reported having received seven additional responses to a study paper on this subject which they distributed in 1995. The total responses have been fewer than two dozen from our more than 11,000 churches. Recognizing how few responses had been received from congregations, the General Assembly acted instead to adopt the recommendations of a commissioner's resolution. CR01-22, calls for a national dialogue on theological issues at the end of life, followed by similar dialogues in churches and presbyteries in the years following.

Dialogues will focus on development of pastoral resources
The purpose of the dialogues, according to the G.A. action, will be to compile and make available resources to the whole church. The Office of Theology and Worship is to prepare a compilation of resources expressing "a biblical ethic on the end of life, and pastoral and palliative care based on the biblical ethic." The resources are to be made available as an aid to pastoral teaching and care.

The action also deferred any possibility of policy development until 2006.

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