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1 THE BOOK OF RESOLUTIONS OF THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 2012 Copyright 2012 The United Methodist Publishing House. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted to any general agency or annual conference of The United Methodist Church or to any local United Methodist church to reproduce, in whole or in part, up to five (5) resolutions from The Book of Resolutions on any one topic in any single publication or electronic product for the purpose of study, worship, or advocacy, provided: Each use shall contain the words used by permission and shall contain the symbol, the date, and The United Methodist Publishing House, as follows: Copyright 2008, The United Methodist Publishing House, used by permission. Resolutions may be offered on the Web or in any electronic format for up to ninety (90) days. This grant of permission shall not apply to any work that is offered for a fee or with any cost to the user, other than a fee for the costs of mailing or duplication. Uses that do not comply with these provisions may still be permitted after application to The United Methodist Publishing House at permissions@abingdonpress.com or by mail to Permissions Office, The United Methodist Publishing House, 201 8th Avenue South, Nashville, Tennessee or faxed to Scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are taken from the Common English Bible. Copyright 2011 by the Common English Bible. All rights reserved. Used by permission. ( Scripture quotations noted NRSV are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. Used by permission. Scripture quotations noted RSV are from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1946, 1952, 1971 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked NKJV are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTER- NATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Scripture quotations marked KJV are from the King James or Authorized Version of the Bible. Scripture quotations marked (GNT) are from the Good News Translation in Today s English Version Second Edition 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission. The Social Principles placed throughout this book are from The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church, Copyright 2012 by The United Methodist Publishing House. Used by permission. This book is printed on elemental, chlorine-free, acid-free paper. ISBN PACK Discipline and Resolutions ISBN CD-ROM Edition (with Book of Discipline) ISBN MANUFACTURED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

2 CONTENTS User s Guide Social Creed Companion Litany Social Principles Preface and Preamble I. THE NATURAL WORLD The Social Principle The Resolutions Energy Energy Policy Statement US Energy Policy and United Methodist Responsibility Nuclear Safety in the United States Environment Cease Mountaintop Removal Coal Mining A Dioxin-Free Future Environmental Justice for a Sustainable Future Environmental Law: The Precautionary Principle Environmental Racism Environmental Stewardship God s Creation and the Church Law of the Sea Protection of Water

3 Contents Recycling and the Use of Recycled Products Resolution on Global Warming II. THE NURTURING COMMUNITY The Social Principle The Resolutions Christian Education Christian Education Faith Communities on Campus Support Campus Ministers Family Adoption in a Global Context Support for Adoption Support for Clergy Families May as Christian Home Month Responsible Parenthood Gender-Selective Abortion Putting Children and Their Families First Nurturing Marriage and Family Human Sexuality Church to Be in Ministry to Persons of All Sexual Orientations Opposition to Homophobia and Heterosexism Response Team Ministry for Sexual Misconduct Sexual Misconduct Within Ministerial Relationships Eradication of Sexual Harassment in The United Methodist Church and Society Sexual Ethics as Integral Part of Formation for Ministerial Leadership Intolerance/Tolerance Being the Church Amid Disagreement

4 Contents Pornography Pornography and Sexual Violence Prevention of the Use of Pornography in the Church Spirituality Support Chrysalis at All Levels of the Church Support the Walk to Emmaus at All Levels of the Church Lay Responsibility for Growth of the Church Suicide Teen Sexual Identity and Suicide Risk III. THE SOCIAL COMMUNITY The Social Principle The Resolutions Accessibility/Equal Access Accessibility Grants for Churches United Methodist Implementation of the United Nations Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons With Disabilities and the Americans With Disabilities Act Assisting Personal Mobility The Church and Deaf Ministries Steering Committee Aging Abuse of Older Adults Aging in the United States: The Church s Response Older Adult Recognition Day Mission and Aging of the Global Population Alcohol and Other Drugs Alcoholic Beverage Advertising at Sporting Events

5 3042. Alcohol and Other Drugs Keep Children and Youth Free From Alcohol and Other Drugs Drinking on Campus A Call to Action on Alcohol Black Americans Black Family Life African American Methodist Heritage Center (AAMHC) Resourcing Black Churches in Urban Communities Black Leadership Observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day Support Reparations for African Americans Children Child Care and the Church Church Support of Caregivers of Children Eradicating Abusive Child Labor Reducing the Risk of Child Sexual Abuse in the Church Child Soldiers Children s Sabbath Prohibit Corporal Punishment in Schools and Child-Care Facilities Discipline Children Without Corporal Punishment The Girl Child Church and Community Development National Cooperative Ministry Leadership Support for Multicultural and Global Churches Facilitation of Cooperative Ministry Throughout the Church Church and Community Workers Church and Community Workers Support Mission Initiatives Communities of Shalom Mission Personnel in the United States

6 3108. Use of Church Facilities by Community Groups Volunteers in Mission Cultural Issues Affirming the Use of Diverse Languages in the United States and Opposing a Constitutional Amendment Making English the Official Language Expansion of Inclusive Language Support for Five Ethnic National Plans The Church s Response to Ethnic and Religious Conflict Holocaust Memorial Day (Yom HaShoah) Prejudice Against Muslims and Arabs in the USA Ecumenical Issues Called to Be Neighbors and Witnesses: Guidelines for Interreligious Relationships Guidelines for Cooperation in Mission Encounter With Christ in Latin America and the Caribbean Resolution of Intent: With a View to Unity Resolution on the National Council of Churches Strengthening Bridges Receive Guidelines for Ministering to Mormons Who Seek to Become United Methodists Organization Memberships: Pan-Methodist Full Communion Education Education: The Gift of Hope The Right of All to Quality Education Equity in Access to High School Education DREAM Act Genetics New Developments in Genetic Science

7 3182. Human Cloning Stem Cell Research Repentance for Support of Eugenics Health Care Health Care for All in the United States Health and Wholeness Maternal Health: The Church s Role Support for the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice Faithful Care for Persons Suffering and Dying Protecting Children From Mercury-containing Drugs Quality in United Methodist Health Care United Methodist Response to Hospital Mergers Hispanic Americans Rio Grande Conference Annual Conference Strategic, Comprehensive Plans for Hispanic/Latino-Latina Ministries HIV and AIDS A Covenant to Care: Recognizing and Responding to the Many Faces of HIV/AIDS in the USA World AIDS Day Observance The Church and the Global HIV/AIDS Pandemic United Methodist Global AIDS Fund Endorsing 20/20: Visioning an AIDS-Free World Housing and Homelessness Homelessness in the United States Housing in the USA Immigration Welcoming the Migrant to the US Sons and Daughters of Our Fathers

8 3283. US Immigration and Family Unity Faithfulness in Response to Critical Needs Mental Health Abusive Treatment Methods for Persons With Mental Disabilities The Church and People With Intellectual, Physical, Psychological, and/or Neurological Disabilities Ministries in Mental Illness Healing of Post-Abortion Stress Church Relations: Native Americans Comity Agreements Affecting Development of Native American Ministries Confession to Native Americans Healing Relationships With Indigenous Persons Trail of Repentance and Healing Native American Ministries Sunday Native American Young Adults in Mission Culture and Tradition: Doctrine of Discovery Native American History and Contemporary Culture as Related to Effective Church Participation Native American Religious Freedom Act Regarding Native American Culture and Traditions as Sacred The Protection of Native American Sacred Sites Native American Tribal Sovereignty Return to the Earth Treaty Obligations With Native Americans Education: Increased Support for Programs Impacting Native American Higher Education

9 Health Care: Health Care for Native Americans Organ and Tissue Donation Organ and Tissue Donation Population World s Population and the Church s Response Racism A Charter for Racial Justice Policies in an Interdependent Global Community Act of Repentance for Racism Affirmative Action Annual Conferences, Districts, and Local Congregations Responsibilities for Eradication of Racism Membership in Clubs or Organizations That Practice Exclusivity White Privilege in the United States Rural Issues Call to the Churches for Renewal of Rural Ministries Rural Communities in Crisis Support and Protection of Rural People Support for All Who Minister in Rural Settings Ministries of Rural Chaplains Urban Issues Pathways to Transformation Violence Grieving and Repenting From Acts of Hate and Violence Resisting Hate, Fear, and Scapegoating; and Transforming the Context of Hate in the United States

10 3423. Violence Against Women and Children Violent Video Games Prohibition of Bullying Gun Violence Women Affirmation for United Methodist Women Every Barrier Down: Toward Full Embrace of All Women in Church and Society Eradication of Sexism in the Church The Status of Women Young People Local Church Support for Young People IV. THE ECONOMIC COMMUNITY The Social Principle The Resolutions Appalachia Appalachia: A Call to Action Boycotts Guidelines for Initiating or Joining an Economic Boycott. 522 Consumption Tobacco Marketing United Methodist Church Use of Fair Trade Coffee and Other Fair Trade Products Education The Methodist Global Education Fund for Leadership Development

11 4032. In Support of Hispanic/Latino Undocumented Students The Black College Fund Gambling Gambling Global Economic Justice The United Methodist Church, Justice, and World Hunger Economic Justice for a New Millennium Global Debt Crisis: A Call for Jubilee Pathways to Economic Justice Bread for the World Covenant Church Greed Protecting Health Care, Labor, and Environment in Trade Negotiations Privatization Global Economy and the Environment Global Living Wage Enabling Financial Support for Domestic Programs Create a Worldwide Peace Economy Investments Investment Ethics Divestment and Sudan Native Americans Economic Development for Native American People Poverty Principles of Welfare Reform Statement of Concern on Poverty Society of St. Andrew

12 Stewardship Issues in the Church Living Wage Model Provide Financial Incentives for Clergy in Churches With Small Membership Stewardship Education for Small Membership Churches United States Economic Issues Guidelines for Social Security Reform in the United States Workers Rights Concern for Workers Task Force Environmental Health and Safety in Workplace and Community Rights of African American Farmers Rights of Farm Workers in the US Rights of Workers Smithfield Foods, Inc. and Union Organizing V. THE POLITICAL COMMUNITY The Social Principle The Resolutions Basic Freedoms Taking Liberties: On the Stifling of Dissent Church and State Church Is a Weapon-Free Zone Church-Government Relations On Humility, Politics, and Christian Unity Guidelines for Charitable Choice Programs

13 Criminal Justice Equal Justice Grand Jury Abuse Justice With Young Persons Mission Plan for Restorative Justice Ministries In Opposition to Capital Punishment Seek Moratorium on Capital Punishment Texas Death Penalty Education Public Education and the Church Evolution and Intelligent Design Military Service Prayer and Support for Members of the Armed Forces and Veterans Military Service Regardless of Sexual Orientation Military Conscription, Training, and Service Political Responsibility Electoral Campaign Finance Reform United States Legislative Issues Call for Comprehensive Immigration Reform Establish US Department of Peace Right to Privacy Support Legislation Prohibiting Malicious Harassments Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Regulation of Tobacco Voting Representation for People in the District of Columbia Puerto Rican Political Prisoners Filipino Veterans Equity Act of

14 Contents 165 VI. THE WORLD COMMUNITY The Social Principle The Resolutions Education Africa University Global Mission and Ministry Global Ministries and Mission Society Celebrating Diversity Within the Global Methodist Family Justice and Law Church Supports Global Efforts to End Slavery Compensation for Comfort Women Abolition of Sex Trafficking Global Racism and Xenophobia: Impact on Women, Children, and Youth Globalization and Its Impact on Human Dignity and Human Rights International Day of Prayer United Methodists Sharing the Vulnerability in the Process of Alteration Global Migration and the Quest for Justice End Exploitation by United Nations Personnel Responsible Travel Holy Land Tours US Power and Responsibility in the World US Training on Global Human Rights Oppose Food and Medicine Blockades or Embargoes Guidelines for the Imposition of Sanctions Understanding Globality in the United Methodist Tradition

15 Asia: United States-China Political Relations Caribbean: Ending the Colonial Status of Puerto Rico Political Status of Puerto Rico US Policy in Vieques End the US Embargo of Cuba Pacific Islands: Atomic Testing on the Marshall Islands: A Legacy Western Hemisphere: United States Role in Colombia United States-Mexico Border Border Ministry in the Western Jurisdiction Nations and Cultures Africa: Africa Reconstruction and Development Democratic Republic of Congo: A New Beginning Bringing Justice to Gatumba Genocide Liberia Sudan: A Call to Compassion and Caring Asia: Taiwan Security, Stability, and Self-Determination Support of Taiwan Restore Freedom and Independence/Autonomy to the Land and People of Tibet East Turkistan Self-Determination and Independence Relations With Democratic People s Republic of Korea. 802 Caribbean: Haiti Reconstruction and Development

16 6102. Violence Against Children in Latin America and the Caribbean Latin America and the Caribbean Middle East: Opposition to Israeli Settlements in Palestinian Land United Nations Resolutions on the Israel-Palestine Conflict Saying No to Violence in Middle East Conflict Pacific Islands: East Timor: Action Still Needed End Impunity in the Philippines Philippines Statement Against Extrajudicial Killings in the Philippines West Papua Peacemaking A Call for Peacemaking Justice, Peace, and the Integrity of Creation Seeking Peace in Afghanistan The United Methodist Church and Peace A Call for Peace March Political and Social Unrest Young People s Statement on War and Peace In Defense of International Law and Cooperation: Cornerstone of Multilateralism In Support of the United Nations Korea: Peace, Justice, and Reunification Prayer for Military Personnel and for Peace in Iraq Interfaith Advocacy in Support of Israel/ Palestine Peace Pursue Formal Peace Talks in Philippines War and the Military War and Peace With Iran, North Korea, and the World

17 6142. Support and Services for US Military and Rebuilding Iraq Okinawa: Removal or Reduction of US Military Bases Reduction of US Military Personnel in Okinawa Rape in Times of Conflict and War Nuclear-Free Pacific The Abolition of Torture Opposition to Torture Rejection of Unilateral First-Strike Actions and Strategies Crimes Against Humanity, Genocide, and War Crimes Support for the Land mine Treaty Ban Cluster Bombs Mission and Ministry: X. OTHER RESOLUTIONS Commitment in Mission and Ministry A Commitment to Unity in Mission and Ministry Request for Study: Ethics of Embryonic Stem Cell Research United Methodist Guidelines: Biblical Language Use of the Name: The United Methodist Church in Periodicals and Advertisements Meeting Times Church Participation by a Registered Child Sex Offender Guidelines: The UMC and the Charismatic Movement Proper Use of Information Communication Technologies Cultural Competency Training Support for Clergywomen Expanding Outreach to Men and Youth

18 Worship and Liturgy: By Water and the Spirit: A United Methodist Understanding of Baptism This Holy Mystery Alphabetical List of Resolution Titles Scripture References in Resolutions New Resolutions Deleted and Expired Resolutions Index