[ Resolution on the Family
Pledge of Non-Violence - Resolution in Support of Hate Crimes
Legislation - Resolution for
Implementation of General Conference Resolution - Resolution
Regarding Ministry for and With all Persons -
Resolution on Global Warming and Climate Change - Resolution on Protecting America's Heritage Forests -
Resolution on Universal Health Care ]
| Resolution on the Family Pledge of Non-Violence |
Submitted by the Board of church and Society
WHEREAS, we live in a violent world where even our schools and churches are no longer safe places, and,
WHEREAS, even our homes and families are not safe places, with at least 31% of American women reporting having been victims of domestic violence, according to a 1998 Commonwealth Fund survey and the Family Violence Prevention Fund, and
WHEREAS, this Conference Board of Church and Society has adopted peace as one of its priorities and made available resources from Families Against a Violent Environment and the Institute for Peace and Justice’s highlighting the "Family Pledge of Nonviolence" (enclosed),
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Wisconsin Conference of the United Methodist Church declare it’s support of the Families Against a Violent Environment and the Institute for Peace and Justice’s "Family Pledge of Nonviolence", and
THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that all of the local churches in our conference be encouraged to educate their members and publicize the pledge within their communities knowing that the Conference Board of Church and Society can and will help them by providing resources, and
THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that our local congregations work on intentional and focused efforts educating members about gun control legislation and contacting their legislators on gun control legislation.
Family Pledge of Nonviolence
Making peace must start with ourselves and our families. Each of us, members of the _____ family, commit ourselves as best we can to become nonviolent and peaceable people.
To respect self and others. To respect myself, to affirm others, and to avoid uncaring criticism, hateful words, physical attacks, and self destructive behavior
To communicate better. To share my feelings honestly, to look for safe ways to express my anger, and to work at solving problems peacefully.
To Listen. To listen carefully to others, especially those who disagree with me, and to consider others’ feeelings and needs rather than insist on having my own way.
To forgive. To apologize, and make amends when I have hurt another, to forgive others, and to keep from holding grudges.
To respect nature. To treat the environment and all living things, including our pets, with respect and care.
To Play Creatively.To select entertainment and toys that support our family’s values and to avoid entertainiment and makes violence look exciting, funny, or acceptable.
| Resolution in Support of Hate Crimes Legislation |
As a religious voice, the Wisconsin United Methodist Annual Conference states strongly that violence on the basis of sexual orientation, race, or gender is wrong, evil, and reprehensible.
WHEREAS, violent hate crimes continue in our society, including acts which claimed the life of a young korean United Methodist graduate student last summer,
WHEREAS, we affirm and promote the inherent worth and dignity of every person; and
WHEREAS, we commend the efforts of those individuals who dedicate their lives to causes of social justice and human rights; and
WHEREAS, we support actions that protect the individual’s rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, and
WHEREAS, HR 77 was referred to the Subcommittee on Crime on February 25, 1999 and has not yet been acted on, and
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that we hereby urge the passage of "The Hate Crimes Prevention Act" (HCPA), HR 77, and
THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all local
congregations within our conference sponsor a focused and intentional campaign working
toward passage of this bill through letter writing campaigns, telephone calling and other
such contact with legislators.
Rationale
The Hate Crimes Prevention Act (HCPA), HR, 3081 would amend current federal law (which permits federal prosecution of a hate crime only if the crime was motivated by bias based on religion, national origin, or color) to include real or perceived sexual orientation, gender, and disability so the FBI would be able to investigate and prosecute violent hate crimes against gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgendered individuals. Under this bill, hate crimes that cause death or bodily injury because of prejudice can be investigated federally, regardless whether the victim was exercising a federally protected right.
| Resolution for Implementation of General Conference Resolution |
WHEREAS General Conference overwhelmingly adopted in plenary session
(833 to 54) a "Resolution Regarding Ministry For and With All Persons" (see
full text following), and
WHEREAS General Conference overwhelmingly requested (766 to 172) the General Commission on
Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns to sponsor a series of dialogues during the
2001-2004 quadrennium on issues related to homosexuality and the unity of the church, and
WHEREAS it is obvious that the connection between being a faithful disciple of Jesus and
homosexual in orientation will not go away; even if every one prejoratively labeled as
"incompatible with Christaian teaching" were to tried and exiled from the
church, someone else would be born who would come to understand their discipleship and
their sexuality were not incompatible, and
WHEREAS The Wisconsin Annual Conference by its past adoption of self-identifying with
Reconciling and Welcoming ministries has come to understand that homosexuality and the
unity of the church cannot be separated,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, The Wisconsin Annual Conference, through its various Boards and
Agencies, will assist local congregations to be ready to welcome, nurture, and receive the
gifts of any sexual minority persons.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, The Wisconsin Annual Conference will add to its calendar
educational events pertaining to sexual minorities and faithful expressions of
Christianity sponsored by other COCU denominations.
RESOLUTION REGARDING MINISTRY FOR AND WILL ALL PERSONS
| Resolution Regarding Ministry for and With all Persons |
| Adopted by General Conference 2000 |
WHEREAS, we affirm our belief in the inestimable worth of each
individual, because we are human beings created by God and loved through and by Jesus
Christ, and we affirm all persons as equally valuable in the sight of God (Preamble to
Social Principles and para. 65 and 66, 1996
Book of Discipline); and
WHEREAS, baptism is God's gift of unmerited grace through the Holy Spirit
and marks the entrance of persons into the church and its ministries of love, justice, and
service (para. 310, 1996 Book of Discipline); and
WHEREAS, we affirm that through baptism God has made us members of one
Body of Christ so that all who follow Jesus have spiritual gifts to share for the common
good (1 Corinthians 12:4-27); and
WHEREAS, in addressing the nurturing function of Christian fellowship,
our United Methodist Social Principles assert that human sexuality is a
complex gift of which we have limited understanding (para. 65G, 1996 Book of Discipline);
and
WHEREAS, we believe that homosexual persons no less than heterosexual
persons are individuals of sacred worth and that all persons need the ministry and
guidance of the church in their struggles for human fulfillment, as well as the spiritual
and emotional care of a fellowship that enables reconciling relationships with God, with
others, and with self (para. 65G, 1996 Book of Discipline); and
WHEREAS, an individual confronting his or her own minority sexual
orientation and/or that of a close family member, friend, or associate often experiences
isolation, confusion, and fear when he or she needs information, guidance, and support
("Teens at Risk," 1996 Book of
Resolutions); and
WHEREAS, we recognize that teens dealing with questions about sexual
orientation are at a greater risk for suicide ("Teens at Risk," 1996 Book of
Resolutions); and
WHEREAS, the teachings and actions of Jesus demonstrated radical
inclusion of those rejected by mainstream society; and
WHEREAS, a resolution was adopted at General Conference 1996 which issued
a call on our churches to reach out in love and compassion to all persons, regardless of
sexual orientation, becoming beacons of love in a stormy sea of hatred, discrimination,
and violence ("Call for a Rebirth of Compassion," 1996 Book of Resolutions); and
WHEREAS, we are called to renew our commitment to become faithful
witnesses to the gospel, not alone to the ends of the earth, but also to
the depths of our common life and work (Preamble to Social Principles);
Therefore, be it resolved, that the United Methodist Church dedicate itself to a ministry
of Christ-like hospitality and compassion to persons of all sexual orientations, and to a
vision of unity through openness to the spiritual gifts of all those who have been
baptized into the Body of Jesus Christ. Such ministry and openness may include: welcoming
sexual minorities, their friends, and families into our churches and demonstrating our
faith in a loving God; a willingness to listen and open our hearts to their stories and
struggles in our churches, districts, annual conferences and General Conference;
encouraging study and dialogue around issues of sexuality; and praying for all those who
are in pain and discord over our Christian response to this controversial issue.
| Resolution on Global Warming and Climate Change |
Whereas, Psalm 24 confirms that "the earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it," and Romans 8 declares that, "the creation waits with eager longing for the revelatin of the children of God… in hope that the creation itself will be set free from it’s bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God," (Romans 8:19-21) and
Whereas, each year nearly seven billion tons of heat trapping carbon ends up in the earth’s atomosphere, which contributes to the rise in the earth’s temperature, and to the eleven hottest years on record occuring between 1980 and 1999, and
Whereas, recent data strongly indicates that global warming has rapidly accelerated in the last three years, and events that may be, in part, related to the rapid growth are multiplying in both intensity and prevalence, and
Whereas, US per capita energy use is approximately twice that of the industrialized nations of Western Europe and Japan, and in relation to densely populated nations, is twelve times that of China, and twenty times that of India, so, while other nations use has remained flat, US use has increased by 15%, and
Whereas, 2500 of the world’s leading atmospheric scientists agree that failure to curb automative and power plant emissions will change the earth’s climate, and trigger more extreme weather, such as floods, droughts, and deadly heat waves which will damage cropland and forests, raise the sea level, flood coastal areas, and severely affect human, animal, and plant health, and
Whereas, God calls people of faith to participate in the restoration of creation, which we can begin to do by using less energy in our churches and homes, by using energy more efficiently, and by shifting from reliance on fossil fuels to use renewable energy sources.
Therefore Be it Resolved that the congregations of the Wisconsin United Methodist Annual Conference be encouraged to educate themselves and their members on how to become energy stewards in their churches, workplaces, and homes, and to study the Bible, and include God’s concern for creation in worship and prayer, and
Be it Further Resolved that the Wisconsin United Methodist Annual Conference urge and assist congregations to participate in the "Interfaith Global Warming Network" and "Climate Change Campaign 2000" of Wisconsin Interfaith IMPACT, and in the Energy Stewardship Program (formerly the Energy Star Churches Program) for congregations, and
Be it further Resolved that the Wisconsin United Methodist Annual Conference and it’s congregations commit to working vigorously to slow the impact of global global warming through environmental advocacy at the state and federal levels of government, including support for US ratification in 2000 of the Kyoto Protocal of 1997, an amendment to the UN Framework on Climate Change adopted by 160 nations at the Rio Earth Summit in 1992; and support for substantially raising the average fleet fuel energy requirements for all vehicles, including Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs), and light trucks not presently included in these fuel efficiency limitations.
| Resolution on Protecting America's Heritage Forests |
Whereas, the stewardship of the planet to which God has called humanity from our beginning includes speaking as voices for creation itself, event unto all future generations, and
Whereas, our National Forests include some of the last untouched wild forests in America provide clean drinking water and flood control to nearby communities and waterways, provide habitat for one quarter of America’s endangered species, and provide vast resources for the outdoor recreation of Americans, and
Whereas, 51% of National Forest land has already been logged or developed; one-third of our Heritage Forests (unprotected wilderness areas of 1,000 acres and greater within our National Forests) are unprotected from logging, mining, road-building and other damaging development; and two-thirds of the remaining 4% of America’s ancient forest are located within boundaries of our National Forests; and
Whereas, the Forest Service has cost taxpayers at least $200 million a year for road construction of nearly 440,000 miles of road – enough to encircle the planet 17 times – to help logging trucks gain access to ever more remote areas of our National Forest, and
Whereas, the current federal administration has placed an 18-month moratorium on new road construction (which began March 1, 1999) in our National Forests, during which time long term Heritage Forest policy will be developed to permanently protect our remaining forest wilderness, and
Whereas, loopholes in the moratorium have alerady allowed roads and development in almost 25 million acres of our National Forests, and the US Forest Serfice itself is focusing its efforts more on how to build better roads rather than how to protect roadless areas, and the US Forest Service may seek to exclude Pacific Northwest Forests, and the Tongass National Forest from protection.
Therefore Be It Resolved, that this Annual Conference urges Vice President Gore, the US Forest Service and the US Congress to adopt policies and regulations that permanently protect all of America’s Heritage Forests – roadless areas 1,000 acres and larger in our National Forests – from logging, road-building, mining and other development and damaging activities, and
Be it Futher Resolved, that the US Forest Service, US Department of Agriculture, Land Grant and other public universities, and various conservation agencies, work with the lumber industry to develop truly sustainable methods for harvesting lumber and other wood products.
| A Resolution on Universal Health Care |
Whereas, the United Methodist Social Principles (para. 66Q) states, "Health care is a basic human right … [and] we also recognize the role of government in ensuring that each individual has access to those elements necessary to good health.;" and
Whereas, the United Methodist Church officially states that we "support all movement toward the provision of quality health care, regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, and economic status;" and support "discussions … about new and progressive methods of providing health insurance to the otherwise; uninsured;" (Book of Resolutions 1996, ;. 216f) and
Whereas, over 70% over American voters support some type of comprehensive and universal health care, but there is wide disagreement on the methods proposed to achieve that goal, and
Whereas, there is a national effort known as the "Universal Health Care 2000 Campaign (U2K)" as the first step to solve America’s health care crisis by uniting these concerns to make this a central issue in the 2000 presidential and congressional cmpaigns while not taking any stand on the means and
Whereas, the United Methodist General Board of Church and Society has endorsed this campaign; and
Whereas, the Wisconsin Conference Board of Church and society has endorsed and joined this campaign, and
Whereas, Jesus showed compassion in healing all kinds of people, made healing a central part of his ministry, and said, "In as much as you do it to the least of these, you do it unto me," and as his disciples, we can do no less.
THEREFORE
The Wisconsin Conference of the United Methodist Church endorses the Universal Health Care 2000 Campaign (U2K) to make the need for universal health care a central issue of the 2000 presidential and congressional campaigns in order to move America toward a health care system that provides comprehensive, quality, affordable and accountable health care for all.