SA07.05.14 Resolution against Torture
VOTED
Whereas,
all human beings are created in the image of God and therefore have the
inalienable right to be treated with dignity;
Whereas,
the Constitution of the
Whereas,
the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that no one shall be subjected
to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment;
Whereas,
voluminous and credible reports in the media and by human rights organizations
verify that officials of the United States have engaged in torture and other cruel, degrading and inhuman
treatment in Iraq, Afghanistan, Guantanamo, and in secret prisons elsewhere,
therefore, be it
Resolved by this Assembly of the South
Central Synod that we strongly renounce the use of torture at any time, in any
place, and under any circumstances and call upon every
Resolved that this Assembly calls for the establishment
of a bi-partisan, independent commission (similar to the 9-11 commission) which
will investigate allegations of torture; and be it further
Resolved that the practice of extraordinary
rendition (“outsourcing” torture to another country) be ended immediately; and
be it further
Resolved that the more than 430 remaining
“enemy combatants” some of whom have been held prisoner for five years at
Guantanamo, Cuba be afforded due process rights including notice of the charge
against them, legal representation, and a fair trial: and be it further
Resolved
that the Bishop send this resolution to the President, Vice-President, and
Secretary of Defense, all members of the Wisconsin congressional delegation, to
the ELCA bishops of Wisconsin, and to all congregations of the South Central
Synod; and be it further
Resolved
that congregations of this Synod be encouraged to discuss the issue of torture
and make their own beliefs known to their elected representatives; and be it further
Resolved
that the GCM Peace through Nonviolent Action Team be requested to report on the
implementation of this resolution at the 2008 Synod Assembly.
ADOPTED
SA07.05.16
Resolution on the
VOTED
Whereas
our faith teaches us to value and respect all human life and to see in each
human being the image of God for whom Jesus Christ died, and
Whereas,
taking this teaching seriously and seeking to live it out requires us to
advocate that the earth’s resources be used to support and nurture human life,
not destroy it, and
Whereas,
war inflicts great suffering on human beings and destroys both human life and
the earth on which human beings depend for sustenance, and
Whereas,
the history of the 2oth century has proven that there powerful and less
destructive alternatives to war that have proven their effectiveness by
overthrowing dictatorial regimes, liberating oppressed groups and furthering
the cause of justice and truth, and
Whereas,
following the horrors of World War II the human community created the
international institutions that are a part of the United Nations system to deal
with problems that could no longer be solved by individual nation states,
therefore be it
Resolved
that this Assembly oppose any escalation of the
Resolved
that this Assembly urge the government of the
Resolved
that this Assembly urge the government of the
Resolved
that this Assembly memorialize the ELCA to take similar action on the war in
Resolved
that the Bishop be requested to communicate this resolution to all members of
the
Resolved
that congregations of the Synod be encouraged to discuss the points made in
this resolution, share arguments for and against them, and make their opinion
known to their congressional representative and senators; and be it further
Resolved
that the Peace through Nonviolent Action committee be requested to report on
the implementation of this resolution at the 2008 Synod Assembly.
ADOPTED
SA07.05.17
Resolution on Ex-Offender Employment
VOTED
Whereas,
in the last decade the prison population in Wisconsin has more than doubled,
growing from 11,000 inmates to nearly 23,000, primarily due to legislation that
has increased penalties for non-violent offenses and proscribed harsh maximum
sentences for use or possession of small amounts of controlled substances and
for addiction-related offenses, and
Whereas,
the growth in the numbers of people incarcerated in Wisconsin results in
thousands of people reentering their communities each year bearing the label of
ex-felons, stigmatized for serving a year or more in prison and mandated by
parole guidelines to locate housing and find gainful employment, and
Whereas,
even the most motivated ex-offender job seekers find it very difficult to find
any type of work much less stable employment which would meet the financial
obligations of supporting themselves or a family and of paying restitution
costs and fees to the state, and
Whereas,
despite Wisconsin law barring employers from considering criminal records for
offenses substantially unrelated to the specific requirements of a job, few
employers call back or offer jobs to applicants with criminal records,
especially if they are African-American, Hispanic, or Native American, and
Whereas,
the ELCA social statement, “Freed in Christ: Race, Ethnicity, and Culture,”
states that:
“From
age to age, the Church proclaims Christ, who was crucified for our trespasses
and raised for our justification” (Romans
“This
church will support legislation, ordinances, and resolutions that guarantee to
all persons equally:
·
civil rights,
including full protection of the law and redress under the law of
discriminatory practices;
·
opportunity for
employment with fair compensation, and possibilities for job training and
·
access to public
transportation and accommodation,”; therefore, be it
Resolved,
that the South-Central Synod of Wisconsin encourage its business owner and
operator members to comply with state employment law and give fair
consideration to former offenders in hiring decisions; and be it further
Resolved,
that the South-Central Synod of Wisconsin and member congregations recognize business
owner and operator members who employ former felons and honor them as members
of a Christian Employers Honor Role and recognize them as community leaders who
hire offenders and provide job training and opportunities for skill-building
and advancement; and be it
further
Resolved,
that the bishop advocate and that members and congregations of the
South-Central Synod of Wisconsin be encouraged to advocate with state and
federal officials for expansion of educational opportunities and job training
within jails and prisons and tuition assistance for those who have completed
their sentences so that former offenders have reasons to hope as they work to
rebuild their lives and vocations.
ADOPTED
SA07.05.11 Recognition of Lutheran Campus Ministry’s
Centennial in 2007
VOTED
Whereas,
Lutheran Campus Ministry will be celebrating its Centennial throughout the ELCA
in 2007; and
Whereas,
Lutheran Campus Ministry began with the call of Rev. Howard Gold to the
University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1907; and
Whereas,
Lutheran Campus Ministry in Madison, Whitewater and Platteville continue to be
an active presence and important part of the life of Lutheran students
attending our university campuses; therefore be it
Resolved,
that the South-Central Synod of Wisconsin recognize 2007 as the year to
celebrate the 100-year heritage of Lutheran Campus Ministry, and be it further
Resolved,
that congregations be encouraged to make known the value of Lutheran Campus
Ministry to their members and college-bound students; and be it further
Resolved,
that congregations support Lutheran Campus Ministry, staff, students and
faculty through prayer, visits, care packages and invitations to campus
ministry staff and student groups to participate in Sunday worship services; and be it further
Resolved,
that all interested persons be encouraged to participate and attend the
Centennial Celebration Festive Worship and Evening Banquet at the Monona
Terrace in Madison, WI on Saturday, June 30, 2007, with ELCA Presiding Bishop
Mark Hanson and Professor Martin E. Marty; and be it further
Resolved,
that
ADOPTED
SA07.05.12 In Support of Synod Lutheran Campus Ministry
VOTED
Whereas
the young people in our congregations are both a treasure to our communities
and our congregation’s gift to the future of our Church, and
Whereas the great majority of these
young people are attending institutions of higher learning, many of them living
away from home, and
Whereas
it is imperative that congregations provide spiritual nurture to these young
members of the community wherever they may be. Therefore be it
Resolved
that the 2007 Synod Assembly encourage every congregation in the South-Central
Synod of
1. To encourage and facilitate
the Synod Fund for Campus Ministry.
2. To gather the names of all
students in the congregation who are attending
institutions of higher learning and forward
those names and campus addresses
to campus ministry sites and congregations
in their new locale.
3. To assist congregational
staff in the development of a “Sending Service” in
early
August of each year.
4. To maintain a loving contact
with all students by soliciting the support of
groups
within the congregation to send each student a care package at least
once a year.
ADOPTED
SA07.05.13 A Faithful Response to Global Climate
Change
VOTED
Whereas,
God has created us and all that exists, given and preserved our bodies and all
necessities for life, and protected us “out of pure, fatherly, and divine
goodness and mercy” [The First Article:
On Creation, Luther’s Small Catechism] and God has declared all of
creation to be “very good” [Genesis 1:31]; and
Whereas
God has called us to be faithful stewards, and we have understood our vocations
to Care for Creation with Vision, Hope, and Justice [1993 ELCA social
statement], in ways that protect the fruitfulness and viability of the Earth
and the sustainability of human communities; and
Whereas,
scientific consensus warns that humankind’s deep dependence on the use of
fossil fuels contributes to and is accelerating global climate change and
global warming that is expected to cause severe and disruptive changes to all
of creation through more frequent extreme weather events, rising sea levels,
more frequent deadly heat waves, increasing extinction of species, spread of
tropical diseases, and displacement of human communities; and
Whereas,
faithful members of caring Lutheran congregations who take action now to reduce
the use of fossil fuels and emissions of carbon dioxide can help to mitigate
and lessen the ultimate severity of the effects of global warming and provide a
more hopeful future for our children and our children’s children, therefore, be
it
Resolved,
that the leaders, congregations, and members of the South-Central Synod of
Wisconsin become informed of the problem of global warming and respond by
taking advantage of available educational resources such as the Lutheran School
of Theology in Chicago/Greater Milwaukee Synod’s manual for a Green
Congregation Program, and the Wisconsin Climate and Energy Campaign/Lutheran
Office for Public Policy in Wisconsin’s “Climate CAFÉ” discussion and action
kit, and be it further
Resolved,
that we will undertake actions, individually, and in our congregations, to
reduce and improve our use of energy through the increased use of energy
efficient lights, appliances, heating/cooling systems, and vehicles,
and be it further
Resolved,
that we will utilize programs such as the Wisconsin Climate and Energy
Campaign’s “Energy Collaborative” and the state of Wisconsin’s Focus on Energy
program that assist congregations to become better and more efficient energy
stewards through retrofitting and conservation, and programs to offset carbon
emissions, and be it further
Resolved, that we will advocate for policies in the state of Wisconsin and in
Washington, DC, that assist the state and nation’s transition to clean,
renewable, and efficient energy use, and be it further
Resolved, that this synod memorialize the 2007 Churchwide Assembly to take
action so that the ELCA offices and national church work toward eliminating
their carbon footprint and increasing awareness of the ways to reduce global
warming among members, congregations, and synods of the ELCA.
ADOPTED
SA07.05.15
Resolution on Peace and Justice in
VOTED
Whereas,
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America at its 2005 Churchwide Assembly
urged synods, congregations and institutions of the Church to participate in
the ELCA campaign Peace Not Walls: Stand for Justice in the Holy Land; and
Whereas,
the humanitarian catastrophe among Palestinian people has continued to grow at
an alarming rate as a result of the building of
Whereas,
nearly 70% of the Palestinian population is living below the poverty level and
malnutrition is rapidly becoming a crisis; and
Whereas,
the Christian population in the Holy Land, the birthplace of Jesus and the
center of his earthly ministry is steadily decreasing under the pressure of the
Israeli military Occupation of the West Bank and Gaza; and
Whereas,
the work of the Lutheran World Federation at
Whereas,
the plight of Palestinian people is not well understood; and
Whereas,
Jesus calls his Church to stand with the poor and oppressed and raise a voice
against injustice; and
Whereas,
the
Resolved that congregations of the
South-Central Synod of
Resolved
that congregations of the South-Central Synod of
Resolved
that congregations of the South-Central Synod of Wisconsin consider ways to
support the ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Jordan and the Holy
Land (ELCJHL) in Palestine and the work of the Lutheran World Federation and
Augusta Victoria Hospital in Jerusalem;
and be it further
Resolved that congregations of the Synod be encouraged
to advocate on behalf of a US Middle East policy based on commitment to human
rights, justice and economic well-being for Palestinians and Israelis and
support for Israeli and Palestinian groups and individuals involved in
nonviolent struggle for peace and justice in Israel/Palestine.
ADOPTED
SA07.05.18 An
Affirmation of Welcome and Inclusion of All People
VOTED
Whereas,
Scripture records that no label or human distinction divides the members of the
body of Christ as witnessed by
Whereas,
Lutheran confessions and doctrine bear testimony to the truth that all people
are called to the hearing of the word and partaking of the sacraments to
receive God’s grace; “For Christ, in whom
we are chosen, offers his grace to all people in the Word and holy sacraments,
and he earnestly desires that people should hear it.” (Formula of
Whereas,
the ELCA adopted a Social Statement on Race, Ethnicity, & Culture
(Churchwide Assembly, 1993) declaring, “We
of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America have recognized ourselves to be
in mission and ministry in a multicultural society, and have committed
ourselves to welcome cultural diversity.”, and
Whereas,
there is a growth of ministry to minority groups, identified by racial
distinction, disability, gender, family status, and sexual orientation, among
others, in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and these groups will
continue to be a part of the ministry and mission of this church, and
Whereas,
many congregations, clergy, and lay members of the South-Central Synod of
Wisconsin have expressed a deep concern for inclusion of all people in the life
of the church, therefore, be it
Resolved,
that the South-Central Synod of Wisconsin of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of
America adopt the following Affirmation of Welcome and Inclusion as an
official statement of the mind and belief of the church:
“The
South-Central Synod of Wisconsin (ELCA) welcomes all people without regard to
race, family, or economic status, gender, disability, age, or sexual
orientation and invites and encourages all people to participate fully in the
life and work of the church and its expressions.”, in accordance with all ELCA
policies, procedures, and publications; and be it further,
Resolved,
that this statement be given prominent recognition in all Synodical
communications, and periodical republishing to the membership of the synod; and
be it further,
Resolved,
that this statement be circulated to the congregations of this synod by
pastoral letter of the Bishop wherein congregations are asked to study and
carefully consider adoption of similar statements as an avenue of ministry.
ADOPTED
SA07.05.20 A
Memorial Responding to the Decision of the Discipline Hearing Committee
A vote could not be determined by voice so Bishop
Carlson asked the assembly to use their cards to vote.
VOTED
Whereas, the 2005 ELCA Churchwide Assembly urged every
part of the ELCA to “concentrate on finding ways to live together faithfully in
the midst of disagreements, recognizing the God-given mission and communion
that we share as members of the body of Christ”: and
Whereas, the discipline hearing committee constituted
to consider charges against Pr. Bradley E. Schmeling suggested that synod
assemblies memorialize the 2007 Churchwide Assembly to request that the
Committee on Appeals reconsider and revise the document Definitions and Guidelines for Discipline and that the appropriate
Churchwide unit reconsider and revise the document Visions and Expectations and the policy on reinstatement to the
rosters of this church (Decision of the Discipline Hearing Committee, p. 13);
and
Whereas, if permitted to decide the case only under
the standards in chapters 7 and 20 of the ELCA Constitution, the discipline
hearing committee “would find almost unanimously that Pastor Schmeling is not
engaged in conduct that is incompatible with the ministerial office, and would
find with near unanimity that no discipline of any sort should be imposed
against him” (Decision of the Discipline Hearing Committee, p. 12); and
Whereas, the documents known
as Definitions and Guidelines[1]
may be amended by the Committee on Appeals, subject to approval by the
Church Council, while the documents known as Vision and Education,[2]
as well as the policies on reinstatement to the rosters of this church,[3]
may be amended by the Vocation and Education unit, with review by the
Conference of Bishops and adoption by the Church Council; and
Whereas, the Churchwide
Assembly, as the highest legislative authority of the ELCA, can “request or
direct” that the steps be taken for the development by the Committee on Appeals
and adoption by the Church Council of an amendment to Definitions and Guidelines for Discipline; and for the development
by the appropriate churchwide unit, review by the Conference of Bishops, and
adoption by the Church Council of an amendment to Vision and Expectations (ELCA Church Council, Minutes of April
9-11, 2006, p. 90, explanation by Secretary Almen): now, therefore, be it
Resolved, that this Synod
Assembly submit the following memorial for consideration by the 2007 ELCA
Churchwide Assembly; and be it further
Resolved,
that the 2007 ELCA Churchwide Assembly direct the Committee on Appeals to
develop an amendment to the documents known as Definitions and Guidelines that
removes provisions precluding “practicing homosexual persons” from the rosters
of this church; and be it further
Resolved,
that this Churchwide Assembly direct the Vocation and Education unit, in
consultation with the Conference of Bishops, to develop an amendment to the
documents known as Vision and
Expectations that removes provisions
requiring persons who are “homosexual in their self-understanding” to “abstain
from homosexual sexual relationships”; and be it further
Resolved,
that this Churchwide Assembly direct the Vocation and Education unit, in
consultation with the Conference of Bishops, to develop an amendment to the
policies on reinstatement to the rosters of this church that permits the
reinstatement, without the usual requirement of five consecutive years without
call, of persons who have resigned or been removed from the rosters solely
because they are in a mutual, chaste, and faithful committed same-gender
relationship; and be it finally
Resolved,
that this Churchwide Assembly direct the Church Council to take the actions
necessary to amend Definitions and
Guidelines, Vision and
Expectations, and the policies on
reinstatement to the rosters of this church in conformity with the amendments
developed (pursuant to the preceding directions) by the Committee on Appeals
and Vocation and Education unit.
ADOPTED