2022 Resolutions
Resolution 2022-01: “Reclaiming Peace”
General Church Budget Implications: None
East Ohio Conference Implications: Yes
Rationale:
“We believe war is incompatible with the teachings and example of Christ. We therefore reject war as an instrument of national foreign policy. We oppose unilateral first/preemptive strike actions and strategies on the part of any government. As disciples of Christ, we are called to love our enemies, seek justice, and serve as reconcilers of conflict. We insist that the first moral duty of all nations is to work together to resolve by peaceful means every dispute that arises between or among them. We advocate the extension and strengthening of international treaties and institutions that provide a framework within the rule of law for responding to aggression, terrorism, and genocide. We believe that human values must outweigh military claims as governments determine their priorities; that the militarization of society must be challenged and stopped; that the manufacture, sale, and deployment of armaments must be reduced and controlled; and that the production, possession, or use of nuclear weapons be condemned. Consequently, we endorse general and complete disarmament under strict and effective international control.” [From The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church, “The World Community”] section VI of the “Social Principles,” paragraph 165 BOD (2017-2020)
This resolution calls on United Methodists of the East Ohio Conference to reject and denounce war, either as an aggressor or as retaliation to aggression. That we might personally and collectively commit to the priniciples set forth in The Book of Discipline regarding war, and that we might follow the teachings and example of the prince of peace, Jesus himself crucified, for and because of the hate and hositility of human aggression.
Whereas: since the beginning, God provided abundant life among humans to live in harmony, but greed, jealously of others’ successes, and selfish desire for control caused suffering, pain, and alienation from God, from the human family, and from community;
Whereas: jealousy, greed, anger, and personal desire result from a sense of entitlement, self-importance, and self-rightness all of which prompts a sense of deserving privilege, favor, resources, and even hoarding those from others;
Whereas: God has faithfully provided spiritual leaders and prophets to instruct, warn, guide, and lead us, “showing” and teaching us to live in harmony, to be ‘right with’ our brothers and sisters, and to share the resources for abundant life, eg. food, water, safety, land, leadership;
Whereas: Jesus, the foretold “Prince of Peace,” welcomed the stranger, fed the hungry, cared for the outcast, the stranger, the neighbor as our family;
Whereas: for 2,000 years new ‘disciples’ and visionaries have modeled, taught, and guided humans to know God’s love as a lived model for the health and welfare of peaceful co-existence;
Whereas: even as The UMC itself faces internal conflicts and separations of ideology and affirmed beliefs, our shared history of peace and unity in Christ’s larger Church calls us to respect, care for, and affirm one another, in Christ;
Whereas: the 20th C. communities and the earth itself faced unimagined destruction as more lethal weapons escalated human hostilities into “world war,” and some feared annihilation because, as stated in the preamble to the UDHR: “Disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind.” (The Preamble to the UDHR)
Therefore, be it resolved that members of this conference read and reflect on individual and collective responses and responsibilities of The United Methodist Church’s position regarding conflict, war, and the necessity for relationships grounded in love that respect and restore peace.
Additional Resources & References: Justice and Law (BOD)
Persons and groups must feel secure in their life and right to live within a society if order is to be achieved and maintained by law. We denounce as immoral an ordering of life that perpetuates injustice and impedes the pursuit of peace. Peoples and nations feel secure in the world community when law, order, and human rights are respected and upheld.
Believing that international justice requires the participation of all peoples and nations, we endorse the United Nations, its related bodies, the International Court of Justice, and the International Criminal Court as the best instruments now in existence to achieve a world of justice and law. We commend the efforts of all people in all countries who pursue world peace through law. We endorse international aid and cooperation on all matters of need and conflict. We urge acceptance for membership in the United Nations of all nations who wish such membership and who accept United Nations responsibility. We urge the United Nations to take a more aggressive role in the development of international arbitration of disputes and actual conflicts among nations by developing binding third-party arbitration. Bilateral or multilateral efforts outside of the United Nations should work in concert with, and not contrary to, its purposes. We reaffirm our historic concern for the world as our parish and seek for all persons and peoples full and equal membership in a truly world community.
Submitted by: East Ohio Methodist Federation for Social Action
Resolution 2022-02: “Support of the Protocol of Reconciliation and Grace Through Separation”
General Church Budget Implications: None
East Ohio Conference Implications: Yes
Rationale:
The irreconcilable differences in The United Methodist Church (hereafter “UM Church”); have undermined the health and vitality of local churches. The differences also threaten the effectiveness and existence of its various general boards and agencies. The very public debate over our differences has also tarnished the reputation of The UM Church and the Church catholic. While other Protestant denominations facing a similar situation have engaged in rancorous and costly civil litigation over property and assets, our hope is to end our dispute in a spirit of reconciliation and grace as we part ways from one another. The Protocol of Reconciliation and Grace through Separation, provides a way for the people of The UM Church to act with integrity as we seek to live out our different visions of ministry. This resolution, while not binding, indicates the East Ohio Annual Conference’s support for the plan negotiated by a diverse group of UM Church leaders called the Protocol of Reconciliation and Grace through Separation (hereafter the “Protocol”).
Whereas: in 2019, the late Bishop John Yambasu called together a diverse group of United Methodist leaders, presided over by the renowned attorney Kenneth Feinberg, negotiated an agreement (the Protocol) providing for an amicable and orderly separation of The United Methodist Church;
Whereas: irreconcilable differences among the people of The UM Church have created a stalemate leading to declines in church membership, average worship attendance, financial support, and mission vitality;
Whereas: the UM Church’s very public dispute has tarnished the reputation of the UM Church and the Church catholic;
Whereas: the Protocol has been endorsed by nine major advocacy groups representing various perspectives, including Africa Initiative, Reconciling Ministries Network, The Confessing Movement, Mainstream UMC, Good News, UMAction, UMCNext, Uniting Methodists, and the Wesleyan Covenant Association;
Whereas: resolutions endorsing the passage of the Protocol have been passed by annual conferences across the country, including North Georgia, Mountain Sky, Baltimore-Washington, California-Pacific and Northwest Texas;
Whereas: the members of the team that negotiated and produced the Protocol included eight active Bishops of The UM Church, including past and current Presidents of the Council of Bishops (Gregory Palmer, Kenneth Carter, Cynthia Fierro Harvey, and Thomas Bickerton) ; and,
Whereas: the Protocol’s implementing legislation has been submitted to the Commission on General Conference by several annual conferences pursuant to ¶ 507 of The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church.
Therefore, be it resolved that the East Ohio Annual Conference hereby supports and urges its General Conference delegates to vote for the passage of the Protocol of Reconciliation and Grace Through Separation when said legislation comes before the next General Conference session or before a special called General Conference session.
Submitted by:
Churches: Cambridge Christ Administrative Council, Easton Chapel Administrative Board, Mt Zion (Carroll), and Herrington–Bethel Administrative Board.
East Ohio United Methodist Laity: Betty Wilson, Rick Corder, Bill Hudson, Jason Nies, Debbie Sponseller, Judy Shaffer, Richard Oyler, All Hershberger, Zana Boals, Rebecca MvFarren, Susan Coker, Fred Hofacre, Karl Evans, Elaine Fahrni, Harold Fahrni, Bonnie Nickles, Shirley J. Trent, Karen Hamilton, James E. Hamilton, Maria Craft, Christopher Craft, Linda Motts, John Motts, Katie Briestensky, Wendy Thomas, Dale Kandel, Karen Nieschwitz, Carolyn Nichols, Roberta Lang, Michey Scott-Foith, Patricia A. Donald, Sharon Krabill, Elnor Miller, Larry L. Miller, Tammy Enlow-Babos, Gary p. Babos, Eleura R. Finley, Cheryl Shillig, Frank C. Hann, Irene R. Warnock, David L. Royer, Janet Krabill, Janice Lingenhoel, Kara Lynn Sprankle, Grace Meadows, Rodney Nichols, Nancy King, Bonnie Clark, Ruth Schmucker, Roger Schmucker, Gary A. Clark, Zach C. Hawk, Brad Kandel, Krystal Kandel, Monica Street, Emily Street, Levi Motts, Mike Gotschall, Emily Swope, Loree Work, Jeff Work, Gary Quinn, Eldon Brugger, Shari Brugger, Darlene Rohrer, Steve Schmucker, Coleen Edwards, Nancy Swanson, Tracy Swanson, David Snyder, William D. Cress, Pamela J. Cress, Patricia S. Wolfe, Cori Huthmacher, Wayne Huthmacher, Anne Gotschall, Holly J. Grant, Rob Yoder, Rita Yoder, Janice Street, Ted Street, Bruce A. Lautzenheiser, Susan G. Lautzenheiser, James Gotschall, Linda Gotschall, Pam Himes, Nancy J. Bosler-Roberts, Jeffrey D. Moore, Cynthia R. Moore, Alan Warnock, Sylvia A. Alpeter, Kathryn Gerber, Thelma Wise, Kelly Province, Mike Province, Linda Garner, Virginia Shearer, Beverly Bellinger, Robert Sheldon, Constance Sheldon, Catherine Wagmiller, Eugene Wagmiller, David S. Brewer, Sandra Brewer, Linda Mayes, Barbara Stephens, Thomas L. Davis, Daune E. Ingram, Cheri R. Miller, and Daniel C. Miller.
Resolution 2022-03: “End the Death Penalty in Ohio”
General Church Budget Implications: None
East Ohio Conference Implications: Yes
Whereas: The United Methodist Church strongly opposes capital punishment and believes the death penalty denies the power of Christ to redeem, restore, and transform all human beings;
Whereas: 134 people are on Ohio’s death row as of May 2021;
Whereas: Ohio has executed 56 human beings made in the image of God since 1999;
Whereas: for every 8.3 people executed in the United States, 1 person has been exonerated;
Whereas: the State of Ohio has had 11 exonerations;
Whereas: Black defendants are much more likely to be recommended for the death sentence than a White defendant, especially if the victim is White;
Whereas: a bipartisan team in the Ohio Statehouse has introduced Senate Bill 103 and House Bill 183 in both the Ohio House and Ohio Senate;
Therefore, be it resolved that the East Ohio Annual Conference:
- send a letter to Gov. Mike DeWine thanking him for delaying executions in Ohio, including a copy of the UMC Social Principle regarding the Death Penalty, and expressing our commitment to end the Death Penalty in Ohio;
- send letters of thanks and support of the proposed legislation, including a copy of the UMC Social Principle regarding the Death Penalty, to the bipartisan cosponsors of Senate Bill 103 and House Bill 183, both of which abolish the death penalty in Ohio;
Therefore, be it further resolved that the East Ohio Annual Conference send a letter to the Ohio Council of Churches and Rev. Dr. Jack Sullivan, thanking them for representing our judicatory through testimony in the Ohio legislature.
Therefore, be it further resolved that churches in the East Ohio Annual Conference be encouraged to prayerfully consider studying our Social Principle on the Death Penalty and consider talking to their representatives about this issue of faith.
Submitted by: East Ohio Conference Multicultural Vitality and Supported by East Ohio Methodist Federation for Social Action
Resolution 2022-04: “Supporting the Christmas Covenant”
General Church Budget Implications: None
East Ohio Conference Implications: Yes
Whereas: the connectional ties between the church in the United States and the Central Conferences is of sacred worth, and is vital to the ministry and work of the global United Methodist Church.
Whereas: delegates and leaders from Africa, the Philippines, and Europe worked together towards a response to how we move forward as a global church.
Whereas: delegates and leaders from Central Conferences rarely submit legislation to General Conference.
Whereas: the creation of a U.S. Regional Conference and conversion of the Central Conferences to Regional Conferences, as outlined in the Christmas Covenant help to establish structural parity throughout the global church.
Whereas: the creation of a U.S. Regional Conference, as outlined in the Christmas Covenant will align and establish the governance necessary to allow the church to accommodate ministry across various contexts, and more effectively make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
Whereas: the Cavite Annual Conference in the Philippines endorsed and submitted the petition to the General Conference and Annual Conferences in the SEJ and SCJ have affirmed the petition.
Therefore, be it resolved that we urge the East Ohio Annual Conference to support the Christmas Covenant.
Therefore, be it further resolved that we, the East Ohio Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church support the Christmas Covenant legislation in full, including the creation of a US Regional Conference.
Therefore, be it further resolved that we, the East Ohio Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church, recognize and support the leadership of our Central Conferences in the creation and furtherance of the Christmas Covenant legislation.
Therefore, be it further resolved that the conference secretary shall send copies of this resolution to all delegates to General Conference from the East Ohio Annual Conference, and urge them to support the Christmas Covenant and to make such legislation a priority for the East Ohio AC delegation at General Conference in 2024.
Therefore, be it further resolved that the conference secretary shall send copies of this resolution to the Commission on the General Conference, and urge them to take such action as is necessary for the full consideration of legislation related to the Christmas Covenant from the Philippines Cavite Annual Conference by a Committee of the Whole, and the General Conference in 2024.
Submitted by: East Ohio Methodist Federation for Social Action
Resolution 2022-05: “Advocating for the Human Rights of Palestinian Children and Families
Living Under Israeli Military Occupation”
General Church Budget Implications: None
East Ohio Conference Implications: Yes
Rationale:
In April 2021, Rep. Betty McCollum (MN-4) introduced a landmark piece of legislation to the U.S. Congress: H.R. 2590, Defending the Human Rights of Palestinian Children and Families Living Under Israeli Military Occupation Act.
The United Methodist General Board of Church and Society has joined over 170 human rights and faith-based organizations in endorsing H.R. 2590. Those endorsements include: The Episcopal Church, The Presbyterian Church (USA), The United Church of Christ, The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the National Council of Churches USA, Church World Service, Pax Christi USA, American Friends Service Committee (AFSC), United Methodists for Kairos Response (UMKR), Jewish Voice for Peace, American Muslims for Palestine, and IfNotNow.
This bill “seeks to promote justice, equality and human rights for Palestinian children and families by prohibiting Israeli authorities from using U.S. taxpayer funds to detain and torture Palestinian children, demolish and seize Palestinian homes, and further annex Palestinian Land in the occupied West Bank,” in violation of international law.
Israel is the only country in the world that systematically prosecutes children in military courts. Each year approximately 700 Palestinian children enter the abusive Israeli military detention system; a UNICEF report has described the problem as “widespread, systemic, and institutionalized.” Children as young as twelve have been subjected to arrest and imprisonment. Children are often held and interrogated for hours or days with no attorney and without the presence or knowledge of their parents. A large majority of these children report severe physical and emotional abuse during their detention.
The United Methodist Book of Discipline in the Social Principles clearly affirms the rights of children: “children have the rights to food, shelter, clothing, health care, and emotional well-being….In particular, children must be protected from economic, physical, and sexual exploitation and abuse.”
Furthermore, United Methodists have repeatedly adopted resolutions and endorsed measures to protect the rights of Palestinian children, at both the general church and annual Conference levels.
The United Methodist Church also has affirmed the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which says “No child shall be subjected to torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment,” and “the arrest, detention or imprisonment of a child shall be in conformity with the law and shall be used only as a measure of last resort and for the shortest appropriate period of time.”
For decades, Israel has relentlessly perpetrated the seizure and destruction of Palestinian property and the forcible transfer of civilians in the Israeli-controlled Palestinian territories, in violation of international and humanitarian law. In 2021, Israel demolished more than 850 Palestinian homes and other structures in the West Bank including East Jerusalem; over 1100 Palestinians lost their homes, including more than 400 children. At the beginning of 2022, thousands of Palestinians in East Jerusalem are living under imminent threat of losing their homes to demolition or to expulsion and replacement by settlers.
Israel continues to aggressively expand its illegal settlements in Palestinian territory with thousands of additional living units per year. Since the Israeli military occupation of the West Bank began in 1967, Israel has moved 700,000 or more Israeli citizens illegally into the occupied Palestinian territory.
In 2020, Israel stated its goal to formally and permanently annex to itself large segments of the West Bank to make way for more illegal settlements, in flagrant violation of international law. United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, declared this would not only seriously damage peace efforts, but would have a “disastrous impact on human rights.”
The United Methodist Church has long and adamantly opposed Israel’s colonization and annexation of occupied Palestinian territory, restating that firm position for decades in the resolution “Opposition to Israeli Settlements in Palestinian Land.”
In May 2021, the United Methodist General Board of Church and Society joined over 100 faith and social justice organizations in calling on the Biden Administration to condemn Israeli government plans to forcibly displace Palestinians to further their illegal annexation and ethnic cleansing of occupied East Jerusalem.
Therefore, be it resolved that the East Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Church joins the United Methodist General Board of Church and Society, as well as numerous other Christian denominations and organizations, in endorsing H.R. 2590, Defending the Human Rights of Palestinian Children and Families Living Under Israeli Military Occupation Act.
Therefore, be it further resolved that the East Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Church calls upon all clergy and laity of the Conference to educate themselves about the plight of Palestinian children and families living under Israeli military occupation and the reasons for Christians to oppose U.S. funds being used to detain, torture, and imprison Palestinian children in military detention, to subject Palestinian families to widespread home evictions and demolitions, and to annex Palestinian territory.
Therefore, be it further resolved that the East Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Church encourages all clergy and laity of the Conference to write, call, or meet with their legislators in Congress, to urge their Representative to co-sponsor H. R. 2590 and to urge their Senators to introduce, co-sponsor, and support a companion bill to H. R. 2590.
Therefore, be it further resolved that the East Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Church directs the Conference Secretary to write to all legislators representing the region of the Conference in the U.S. Congress, informing them that the Conference has endorsed H.R. 2590 and that the Conference urges them to co-sponsor and support H.R. 2590 in the House of Representatives or to introduce, co-sponsor, and support a companion bill in the Senate. A full copy of this resolution should be provided with that correspondence.
Submitted by: East Ohio Methodist Federation for Social Action
