05-01 Resolution on Departing in Peace (formerly Resolution 04-02, postponed from 2004 assembly) - FAILED
RESOLVED that the New England Synod of the ELCA memorialize the 2005 national assembly of the ELCA to designate an office, or make other necessary provisions, to accommodate the departure of those laity, clergy or congregations, that, because of the decisions made on the issues regarding human sexuality, choose to leave the ELCA for the sake of good conscience. Be it further
RESOLVED that this be done in ways that do not add to the pain already present in making such a difficult decision of conscience, but that it be done in fraternal love.
05-02 Resolution on Rejecting of the ELCA Task Force on Sexuality's Recommendations - FAILED, 388 to 98 by paper ballot
RESOLVED that the New England Synod of the ELCA memorialize the 2005 Churchwide Assembly to reject the recommendations of the Task Force for ELCA Studies on Sexuality; And be it further
RESOLVED that the New England Synod of the ELCA memorialize the 2005 Churchwide Assembly to vote on the two issues the Task Force considered:
1 - whether to bless committed same-sex relationships; and
2 - whether to ordain, consecrate, or commission people in such committed
relationships.
05-03 Resolution on Adoption of ELCA Church Council Proposal on Sexuality - APPROVED, 386 to 74 by paper ballot
RESOLVED, the 2005 New England Synod Assembly memorialize the 2005 Churchwide Assembly to adopt the three proposals set forth by the ELCA Church Council in its April 2005 meeting.
05-04 Resolution on ELCA Engagement in Israel and Palestine - APPROVED
RESOLVED that we of the New England Synod, a companion synod to the ELCJHL (Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jerusalem and the Holy Land), join our voices with the ELCA global mission board which called on the Church Council to be "a bold and urgent voice" to the U.S. government, encouraging the government to exercise its "substantial influence on the State of Israel" to end construction and remove all existing sections of the wall. In addition, be it
RESOLVED that the New England Synod of the ELCA support:
1. Financial appropriations directly from the U.S. government to the Palestinian Authority - with full accountability - for the building of a viable society and state.
2. The affirmation of the "Churchwide Strategy for ELCA Engagement in Israel and Palestine" passed by the Division for Global Mission and the Division for Church in Society by the Church Council and that it be conveyed to the 2005 ELCA Churchwide Assembly with a resolution to call on "all expressions of the ELCA to participate in the emerging campaign for peace with justice in Israel and Palestine," highlighted by a campaign, "Peace not Walls: Stand for Justice in the Holy Land," designed to "energize" members of the church to build relationships with companions in the Middle East - particularly with the ELCJHL - and help the ELCA live out its commitment and call to be a "public church."
3. Approaches, appeals, and conversations with persons and organizations in the Jewish community in the hope of strengthening the practical constituencies and coalitions for peace and justice in the Holy Land; and to that end joining our outrage at the cruelty, theft, and suffering wrought by Israel's wall upon Palestinian ground to a compassionate understanding of Israeli fears and an acknowledgement of the legitimate security rights of Arabs and Israeli's alike.
4. The continued active accompaniment of the Lutheran church in the Holy Land through worship, prayer and advocacy.
5. The continuation of the tax exemption to Augusta Victoria Hospital.
05-05 Resolution on Ending Hunger as Core Conviction - APPROVED
Resolved, that the New England Synod make ending hunger a core conviction of its ministry and mission; and be it further
Resolved, that this synod memorialize the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in all of its expressions - congregations, synods and churchwide - to make ending hunger a core conviction for this church at the 2005 Churchwide Assembly; and be it further
RESOLVED, that what ending hunger as a "core conviction" means for a congregation is that as a regular dimension of its ministry and mission it
· Engages in local efforts to feed the hungry and promote community economic development
· Initiates with other congregations, especially with full communion partner congregations, advocacy of laws and policies to end hunger in the local community
· Supports advocacy of laws and policies to end hunger on the state, national, and global levels (for example, through the initiatives of Bread for the World and the Lutheran Office for Governmental Affairs)
· Contributes generously to the World Hunger Appeal of the ELCA; and be it further
Resolved, that what ending hunger as a "core conviction" means for a synod is that as a regular dimension of its ministry and mission it
· Equips congregations in their efforts to feed the hungry and promote community economic development on the local level
· Initiates with the leaders of other judicatories, especially with full communion partners, advocacy of laws and policies to end hunger on the state, national, and global levels (for example, through the initiatives of Bread for the World and the Lutheran Office for Governmental Affairs)
· Encourages congregations to contribute generously to the World Hunger Appeal of the ELCA; and be it further
Resolved, that what ending hunger as a "core conviction" means for the ELCA churchwide is that as a regular dimension of its ministry and mission it
· Equips congregations in their efforts to feed the hungry and promote community economic development on the local level
· Supports synods in their efforts to end hunger on the state, national, and global levels
· Initiates with the leaders of other church bodies, especially with full communion partners, advocacy of laws and policies to end hunger on the national and global levels (for example, through the initiatives of Bread for the World and the Lutheran Office for Governmental Affairs)
· Encourages seminaries to include advocacy of justice for the hungry as a focus of curriculum
· Instructs the leaders of the ELCA World Hunger Appeal to give leadership to these efforts
· Continues to undertake relief efforts and implement sustainable development in partnership with Lutheran World Relief, the Lutheran World Federation, and in cooperation with other people of faith in situations of extreme hunger; and be it further
Resolved, that this synod memorialize the Church Council of the ELCA to make ending hunger a core conviction of the ELCA in the strategic planning process leading to any possible churchwide restructuring proposal; and be it further
Resolved, that this synod memorialize the ELCA to engage in a process together with the Lutheran World Federation and bring a proposal to the Lutheran World Federation's Eleventh Assembly to make ending hunger a core conviction of the Lutheran World Federation.
05-06 Resolution in Support of Augsburg Fortress - APPROVED
RESOLVED, that ELCA members, congregations and related institutions of the New England Synod carefully consider the stewardship aspects of their purchases of faith formation, worship and church supply resources; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the members, congregations and related institutions of the New England Synod consider Augsburg Fortress resources for quality, price and level of service whenever purchasing decisions are made, and actively seek to support this ministry whenever resources are comparable in quality and price.
05-07 Resolution of Thanksgiving - APPROVED
Resolved, that this New England Synod in Assembly June 2-4, 2005, hereby gives thanks to God for those who have served it in these days and in the year past; and that such thanksgiving be expressed also as particular gratitude to the Synod Staff, to Bishop Margaret Payne and her associates, Mark Winzler, other officers and Synod Council, Dorothy Graham, to Bishop David Strobel, Pastor Kirk Byron Jones, Pastor Russell Siler, Pastor Timothy Keyl, Lee Hilliard, Christine Hayward, and to all the leaders and the many volunteers who have so graciously given of themselves during this time of meeting.
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