7th Session of the Upper New York Conference June 2‐4: Journal Vol. 1
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UNYAC2016.9 – UNYUMC Responds To Gun Violence Total Number of Pages: 3 “Book of Resolutions”: #3426 (revised and readopted in 2008) Conference Committee/Agency, et al. that would be affected by/responsible for implementation if passed: Financial Implications: none Rationale: United Methodists across the Upper New York Conference seek to follow the Spirit of Jesus who cares about the wellbeing of communities and all of their members. Therefore, we are deeply concerned about the suffering and human loss caused by reliance on violence to solve conflicts and the minimally regulated availability of fire arms. As faithful Christians we take action, both individual and sociopolitical, to immerse ourselves and our culture in Jesus’ compassionate way. Whereas, “Violence, and more particularly violence to children and youths, is a primary concern of United Methodists. We recognize and deplore violence which kills and injures children and youths. In the name of Christ, who came ‘and proclaimed peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near’ (Ephesians 2:17) and challenged all his disciples to be peacemakers (Matthew 5:9), we call upon the church to affirm its faith through vigorous efforts to curb and eliminate gun violence.” (Resolution #3426, Gun Violence, Adopted 2000, Revised and Readopted in 2008); and Whereas, there is manifest documentation of the breadth and scope of individual, family, and community disaster caused by the use of small arms provided by reports of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, Mayors Against Illegal Guns, Law Center for Prevention of Gun Violence, Small Arms Survey, The World Health Organization, The UN Studies of Small Arms Violence and similar agencies, as well as our personal experience, supporting the significantly high incidence of death and severe injury in places where guns are readily available compared to places where guns are not readily available; and Whereas, by word and example, Jesus embraced non‐violence as a way of life. He took up a cross rather than a sword. He admonished His disciples to put away their swords. He embraced the practice of hospitality and a creative love of one’s enemies. Therefore, be it resolved that the Upper New York Conference of The United Methodist Church lift up in each congregation a vision of “a more excellent way” by calling on appropriate bodies within the church to recall and adhere to resolution #3426 [or its successors] from “The Book of Resolutions” which states, “reflecting that the traditional role of The United Methodist Church has been one of safety and sanctuary, every United Methodist Church is officially declared a weapon‐free zone,” [no matter what local legislation may provide to the contrary] (see also ¶162, “Social Principles”); and Be it further resolved that the Upper New York Conference begin in 2016 to provide materials for local congregations to prayerfully and actively make preventing gun violence a regular part of congregational worship, conversation and prayer times. Jesus’ compassionate love calls for gun violence to be worshipfully and theologically reflected on, and we encourage congregations to frame conversations theologically by utilizing resources such as “Kingdom Dreams, Violent Realities: Reflections on Gun 55