2011 Metro DC Synod Assembly Resolution Summary as of April 19, 2011

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1 2011 Metro DC Synod Assembly Resolution Summary as of April 19, all currently still drafts -- Preventing Bullying, Harassment, and Related Violence encourages church leaders to speak out against bullying in all its manifestations and the establishment of partnerships between religious, social, and public organizations to address causes, effects and prevention of bullying, harassment and related violent acts in society. Human Rights Violations Against Oromo People requests congregations of Synod be encouraged to study the human rights situation faced by the Oromo people in Ethiopia, speak out against the violence and oppression and asks the Bishop to express the synod s concern over this situation to the US Secretary of State. Episcopal Representation on Synod Program Units directs the Synod Bishop to invite Episcopal Dioceses of Virginia and Washington to appoint liaisons to the synod s program units as part of our cooperative ecumenical work. Kairos Palestine Non-Violent Opposition requests Synod to receive the cry of Palestinian Christians in their plight against oppression and violence in their land; affirm the prophetic mission to speak Gospel in face of evil; asks the bishop to invite ELCJHL Bishop Younan to speak to rostered persons and synod congregations; memorializes ELCA CWA to also receive the cry of Palestinian Christians, to affirm path of non-violent resistance to oppression, and to direct ELCA offices, ministries and affiliated organizations to review investment decisions that might be construed as supporting those nations or corporations that violate human rights or international law within Israel and Palestine. Investment for Positive Change in Palestine memorializes CWA to encourage ELCA members, congregations, synods, and agencies to consider making positive economic investments in projects and businesses that peacefully strengthen the economic and social fabric of Palestinian society while at the same time avoiding any movement towards boycott, divestment and/or economic sanctions. Policies on Sexual Offenders and Child Protection requests thoughtful guidance and resources for congregations and leaders in handling returning sex offenders and child protection policies for ELCA congregations.

2 METROPOLITAN WASHINGTON, D.C. SYNOD ASSEMBLY National Conference Center in Leesburg, Virginia May 6-7, 2011 Reference & Counsel Number: Secretary s Number: Title: Advocating Against Bullying, Harassment and Related Violence Submitted by: Rev. Tom Knoll, Rev. Conrad Braaten, Rev. Karsten Decker, Rev. Renata Eustis, Rev. Sue Gaeta, Rev. Philip Gaines, Rev. Kathy Hlatshwayo, Rev. Bob Holum, Rev. John Kidd, Deacon Katherine Miller-Holland, Rev. Wendy Moen, Rev.Tom Omholt, Rev. Glen Sea, Rev. Norm Theiss, Rev. Mike Wilker, Augustana Lutheran Church Council, Christ Lutheran Church Council (16th Street), Luther Place Church Council Date Received: March 29, 2011 If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it. (1Cor. 12:26); and in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Social Statement on Education (2007, page 26) we declared, The ELCA expects communities of learning and teaching to be safe places. We recognize that school safety is an issue for all students, staff, and teachers. Unfortunately, incidents of bullying, intimidation, and other forms of violence are not unusual. We affirm that personal safety and security are essential for optimal teaching and learning;" and media attention has made us acutely aware of tragic consequences (including youth suicide) if steps are not taken to prevent bullying, harassment, and other related forms of violence; and according the US Health Resources and Services Administration ( people who have been bullied have a higher risk of depression, increased thoughts of suicide, decreased academic achievement, skip or drop out of school, and are more likely to retaliate using extreme violence. People who bully others have higher risk of abusing drugs and alcohol, are more likely to have criminal records, and are more abusive to romantic partners and children; and

3 our Lord Jesus Christ commanded us to love our neighbor as ourselves and even to include our enemies in such love (Luke10: 25-37); and the voice of the church addressing the intersection of race, economic status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, and physical ability is a powerful witness to the healing and life-affirming Gospel promise; therefore, be it that the ELCA Metropolitan Washington, D.C. Synod Assembly encourage congregations and pastors to speak against bullying and related forms of violence in preaching, teaching and in other appropriate forums in the life of the congregation; and be it further that Metropolitan Washington, D.C. Synod Assembly encourage new partnerships among congregations, synod offices and units, affiliated Lutheran ministries, and public organizations to support programs addressing bullying, harassment, and other related violence; and be it further that the Metropolitan Washington, D.C. Synod Assembly memorialize the 2011 ELCA Churchwide Assembly meeting in Orlando, Florida, to encourage, support, and publicize new partnerships in ministry that emerge in our church addressing the prevention of bullying, harassment, and related forms of violence.

4 METROPOLITAN WASHINGTON, D.C. SYNOD ASSEMBLY National Conference Center in Leesburg, Virginia May 6-7, 2011 Reference & Counsel Number: Secretary s Number: Title: -- Greetings Submitted by: Reference & Counsel Committee, Metropolitan Washington, D.C. Synod Date Received: April 6, 2011 other synods throughout the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) are gathering in assembly at the same time as the Metropolitan Washington, D.C. Synod meets in Assembly, and we are partners in the Mission of the Gospel with other synods of this church; therefore be it that the ELCA Metropolitan Washington, D.C. Synod Assembly direct the Secretary of the Synod to extend best wishes to the: ELCA Florida-Bahamas Synod ELCA Minneapolis Area Synod ELCA Southeastern Minnesota Synod ELCA Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod and express to them our greetings in Christ as they gather in assembly.

5 METROPOLITAN WASHINGTON, D.C. SYNOD ASSEMBLY National Conference Center in Leesburg, Virginia May 6-7, 2011 Reference & Counsel Number: Secretary s Number: Title: -- Human Rights Violations Against the Oromo People Submitted by: Congregation Council, Oromo Evangelical Church, Washington, DC Date Received: April 6, 2011 we are called to follow Jesus Christ to bring good news to the poor, to proclaim release to the captives, recovery of sight to the blind, and to let the oppressed go free (Luke 4:18),;and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) has repeatedly called upon its congregations to intercede for those around the world who are being subjected to systematic violation of human rights; and the Constitution of the Oromo Evangelical Church in Washington, DC, like the constitutions of many ELCA congregations, calls on members to serve in response to God s love to meet human needs, caring for the sick and the aged, advocating dignity and justice for all people, working for peace and reconciliation among the nations, and standing with the poor and powerless,... (ELCA Model Constitution for Congregations C4.02.d); and the Oromo people, who number thirty million within the territory of Ethiopia, have known more than a century of persecution at the hands of successive governments; and the people of the Oromia region of Ethiopia are presently being subjected to a massive campaign to deny their human and civil rights, including arbitrary detention, the torture of detainees, and extrajudicial executions; and Human Rights Watch, in a report released of April 6, 2011, called on the Ethiopian Government to immediately release those detained without charge during several waves of apparently politically motivated mass arrests of more than 200 ethnic Oromo Ethiopians ; and the U S Department of State, in its annual Human Rights report on Ethiopia (April 2011), has documented unlawful killings, torture, beating,

6 and abuse and mistreatment of detainees and opposition supporters by security forces... poor prison conditions; arbitrary arrest and detention, particularly of suspected sympathizers or members of opposition or insurgent groups and has called on the Government of Ethiopia to comply with its commitments under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, to cease its practice of jamming Voice of America broadcasts that seek to report on the present situation and its denial of access to federal prisons by the International Committee of the Red Cross; and the Oromo Evangelical Church of Washington, DC, as well as other Oromo congregations, stand ready to provide documentation and study materials on the present situation in Ethiopia through the Synod office; therefore, be it that the ELCA Metropolitan Washington, D.C. Synod Assembly encourage congregations of the synod to pray regularly for those in prison in Ethiopia and to devote time to studying the situation of the Oromo people; and, be it further that the Metropolitan Washington, D.C. Synod Assembly direct the bishop of the synod to send a letter to the U.S. Secretary of State expressing the synod s concern for the well-being of the Oromo people and requesting that all developmental and military aid to the Government of Ethiopia be tied to that government s compliance with internationally-recognized human rights agreements; and, be it further that the Metropolitan Washington, D.C. Synod Assembly memorialize the 2011 ELCA Churchwide Assembly meeting in Orlando, Florida, to undertake programs of education and advocacy on behalf of the human rights of the Oromo people. Sources 2010 Country Reports on Human Rights, April 9, 2011, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, United States Department of State; Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Amnesty International 2010; Ethiopia: Submission to the UN Committee against Torture, Human Rights Watch, Nov. 2, 2010 Ethiopia s Unsolved Oromo Question and Human Rights, Evangelischer Pressedienst, Nr. 51e, 9 December 2002; The New Rulers of Ethiopia and the Persecution of the Oromo, Evangelischer Pressedienst, Nr. 45e/96, 5 May, 1997 Ethiopia: Free Opposition Members: Human Rights Watch report April 6, 2011, Human Rights Report - Ethiopia; U.S. Department of State, April 8, 2011,

7 METROPOLITAN WASHINGTON, D.C. SYNOD ASSEMBLY National Conference Center in Leesburg, Virginia May 6-7, 2011 Reference & Counsel Number: Secretary s Number: Title: Investment for Positive Change in Palestine Submitted by: Rev. Scott S. Ickert, Resurrection Lutheran Church, Arlington, VA and Rev. Thomas A. Prinz. Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Leesburg, VA Date Received: April 5, 2011 the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) has declared its partnership in ministry with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land, stated its commitment to demonstrate balanced care for all parties in the conflict (2005 Strategy), and advocate for a viable, contiguous, independent Palestinian state and a secure Israel (2005 Strategy); and Palestinian civil society needs to develop the infrastructure of a viable state for the successful implementation of a political solution between the Palestinians and the Israelis; and in August, 2009, Prime Minister Salam Fayyad of the Palestinian National Authority detailed his working plan for developing the infrastructure and institutions of the future Palestinian State, including building government offices, a stock market, an airport, a free market economy, and an effective security apparatus 1 ; and these efforts appear to be bearing fruit in an economic boom in the West Bank, where the growth rate reached 8.5 percent in and expanded to an estimated 9 percent in the first half of ; and during this time there has been an increase in foreign investment in the West Bank, and Palestinian real estate developers have begun the first modern, planned Palestinian city north of Ramallah 4 ; and these positive trends are also being supported by some measures taken by Israel that enhance Palestinian economic activity and improve the security situation in the West Bank, 5 ; and

8 positive economic investment in Palestine is a more productive approach than boycott, divestment and/or economic sanction campaigns; and boycott, divestment and economic sanctions punish and blame one side in a complex conflict as if it bears all the responsibility for failing to reach a peaceful and just solution, thereby increasing the fear and isolation of the Israeli public and decreasing the likelihood of their being willing to take the risk inherent in any peace agreement; therefore, be it that the ELCA Metropolitan Washington, D.C. Synod Assembly memorialize the 2011 ELCA Churchwide Assembly meeting in Orlando, Florida, to encourage the church s members, congregations, synods, and agencies to consider making positive economic investments in those Palestinian projects and businesses that peacefully strengthen the economic and social fabric of Palestinian society while at the same time avoiding any movement towards boycott, divestment and/or economic sanctions. 1 Salam Fayyad, Ending the Occupation, Establishing the State, Program of the Thirteenth Government, Palestinian National Authority, August 27, 2009 (copy available at 2 International Monetary Fund, Macroeconomic and Fiscal Framework for the West Bank and Gaza: Fifth Review of Progress, Staff Report for the Meeting of the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee (Madrid April 13, 2010) (can be obtained at 3 International Monetary Fund, Macroeconomic and Fiscal Framework for the West Bank and Gaza: Sixth Review of Progress, Staff Report for the Meeting of the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee (September 21, 2010) (can be obtained at 4 See e.g.,portland Trust Palestinian Economic Bulletin (Nov. 2010), U.S. Senator John Kerry Visits The West Bank's First Planned Community (March 1, 2010) (can be obtained at Palestinenote.com). 5 State of Israel, Measures Taken by Israel in Support of Developing the Palestinian Economy and Socio-Economic Structure, Report of the Government of Israel to the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee (New York, September 21, 2010) (can be obtained at An economic growth rate in Gaza is also estimated at 16 percent in 2010 driven by the gradual easing of the blockade. (InternationalMonetary Fund, Macroeconomic and Fiscal Framework for the West Bank and Gaza: Sixth Review of Progress, Staff Report for the Meeting of the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee (September 21, 2010) (can be obtained at

9 METROPOLITAN WASHINGTON, D.C. SYNOD ASSEMBLY National Conference Center in Leesburg, Virginia May 6-7, 2011 Reference & Counsel Number: Secretary s Number: Title: Kairos Palestine Response Submitted by: Rev. Conrad Braaten, Lutheran Church of the Reformation, on behalf of the Middle East Working Group of the synod Global Mission Committee Date Received: March 30, 2011 in its Churchwide Strategy for Engagement in Israel and Palestine (2005) the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) makes known its intent to act and speak boldly, engaging in coordinated and strategic actions for the sake of both Israelis and Palestinians" a by "Intensifying ELCA Efforts to Support Advocacy by Members;" to "encourage and support ecumenical partnership" in the Middle East b ; and for Managing collective or personal investments with concern for their impact on the lives of all Holy Land peoples who suffer from the ongoing conflict, c ; and an ecumenical group of concerned Palestinian Christians has written the document, A Moment of Truth: A word of faith, hope and love from the heart of Palestinian suffering, [hereinafter Kairos Palestine ] d written first in Arabic to the people of the churches in their land, and subsequently supported by the patriarchs and heads of the thirteen historic churches in Jerusalem and the Holy Land in a united response e ; and Christians worldwide were moved to respond to the Kairos statement from Christians in South Africa about their oppression, and subsequent global expressions of solidarity helped end apartheid there through the nonviolent transformation of that society; and Kairos Palestine is not an in-depth analysis of the conflict, but is instead a call both to reject the oppression of the occupation itself and a strong affirmation that for followers of the Christ love puts an end to evil by walking in the ways of justice. f ; and Kairos Palestine is, in the words of Bishop Munib A. Younan of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL),

10 an expression of the aspirations of Palestinian Christians inspired by our common spiritual heritage. g ; and the ELCA has committed itself to nurturing a caring and respectful relationship with the Jewish community, we acknowledge the importance of Kairos Palestine's vision that we as Christians share with Jewish and Muslim religious and spiritual leaders, "that every human being is created by God and has been given equal dignity." h ; and ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson has called Kairos Palestine an authentic word from our brothers and sisters in the Palestinian Christian community and has termed the document primarily a word of hope in a time of overwhelming pessimism in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, a pessimism that could lead to despair, i and Bishop Hanson has further affirmed, Their hope, their affirmation of love for every person, and their nonviolent resistance to the occupation inspire us to continue to do what we can to stand with our companions and partners seeking a just and lasting peace for all in the region. j ; and the Metropolitan Washington, D.C. Synod Assembly in May 2010 resolved to call upon and urge all of its congregations, laity, and clergy to (1) Read and discuss the Kairos Palestine document, (2) Seek ways to achieve a deeper understanding of the Israeli - Palestinian conflict, and (3) Seek ways in which they can act to help end the occupation, bring about justice for all, and foster reconciliation among all the people of the Holy Land; and the synod s Middle East Working Group has made available resources and education to synod congregations through several workshops and mailings; therefore, be it that the ELCA Metropolitan Washington, D.C. Synod Assembly publicly receive the Kairos Palestine document as an authentic perspective of Palestinian Christians on the state of affairs in their homeland, and as an expression of their commitment to finding peace, justice, and reconciliation with their brothers and sisters through the way of the Christ we follow together; and be it further that the Metropolitan Washington, D.C. Synod Assembly, in solidarity with the churches in Palestine and the Church of Christ throughout the world, affirm the Kairos Palestine belief that The mission of the Church is prophetic, to speak the Word of God courageously, honestly and lovingly in the local context and in the midst of daily events. k ; and be it further

11 that the Metropolitan Washington, D.C. Synod Assembly direct the bishop of the synod invite ELCJHL Bishop Munib Younan (President of the Lutheran World Federation) to speak to the pastors and congregations of our synod, and be it further that the Metropolitan Washington, D.C. Synod Assembly memorialize the 2011 ELCA Churchwide Assembly meeting in Orlando, Florida, to 1. call upon and urge all of its congregations, laity, and clergy to read and discuss the Kairos Palestine document. 2. receive the Kairos Palestine document as an authentic word of the Palestinan Christian perspective on the state of affairs in their homeland and of their commitment to finding peace, justice, and reconciliation with their brothers and sisters through the way of the Christ we follow together. 3. affirm the path of non-violent resistance to oppression which Kairos Palestine has set forth as the means by which the Body of Christ is called to act and live. 4. direct appropriate churchwide units to review how investment funds managed within the ELCA, including ELCA Foundation and ELCA Board of Pensions, might be construed to support activities that violate international human rights and international law within Israel and Palestine, and report back to the congregations of the ELCA through The Lutheran magazine. a ELCA Churchwide Strategy for Engagement in Israel and Palestine (2005), I. A. b ibid. II.B. Accompaniment. 2.a. c ibid. II.B. Advocacy. 4.f. d e Statement issued December 15, 2009 f g News Release, ELCA News Service, December 11, 2009 h 8 i In Response to the Kairos Palestine Document Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Office-of-the-Presiding-Bishop/Messages-and- Statements/ aspx j ibid. k ibid

12 METROPOLITAN WASHINGTON, D.C. SYNOD ASSEMBLY National Conference Center in Leesburg, Virginia May 6-7, 2011 Reference & Counsel Number: Secretary s Number: Title: -- Representation of Episcopal Dioceses on Synod Program Units Submitted by: Office of Ecumenical Affairs, ELCA Metropolitan Washington, D.C. Synod Date Received: April 6, 2011 The Episcopal Church, USA (ECUSA) and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) entered into a full communion agreement (Called to Common Mission) in 2000; and The Diocese of Virginia, ECUSA and the ELCA Metropolitan Washington, D.C. Synod have participated in the writing of and remain signatories to the 1991 Lutheran, Anglican, Roman Catholic, United Methodist Covenant (VA LARCUM); and this covenant commits the signatories to close consultation and cooperation at all levels of local church life; and The Diocese of Virginia, ECUSA, The Diocese of Washington, ECUSA and the Metropolitan Washington, D.C. Synod have maintained a Lutheran Episcopal Coordinating Committee since 1996, and have conducted annual and now semi-annual meetings between the bishops of these judicatories; and The Diocese of Virginia, ECUSA, at its 216 th Annual Council on January 22, 2011 adopted a resolution to invite the Metropolitan Washington, D.C. Synod to name liaisons to its Diocesan Committees; therefore, be it that the Metropolitan Washington, D.C. Synod Assembly direct the synod s bishop to invite The Episcopal Diocese of Virginia, ECUSA and The Episcopal Diocese of Washington, ECUSA to appoint clergy/lay persons in their respective Dioceses as liaisons to the synod s program units in furtherance of our full communion relationship.