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Five new resolutions are set to be presented at the upcoming General Synod 35 in Kansas City. These Resolutions of Witness, addressing current political and humanitarian issues, were submitted by the May 31 deadline for late-arriving resolutions that could not have been anticipated earlier.
A previously listed resolution titled "Ecumenical Engagement and Faithful Support for the Decriminalization of Entheogenic and Psychedelic Medicines" has been removed by the Committee on Disposition. According to David Anderson, staff to the resolution process, it was not submitted with an authorized submitting body. Although there were enough individual submitters, they were not General Synod delegates or delegates-elect as required by the Standing Rules.
Resolutions can still be submitted until the start of Synod’s opening plenary on July 11 if they meet the “could not have been anticipated” guidelines in the General Synod Standing Rules.
The five proposed resolutions include:
1. Responding to federal government actions against immigrants, migrants, and refugees. This resolution denounces mass detention and deportation campaigns and violations against those detained and deported. It also criticizes disregard for civil and human rights of these groups and infringement on religious rights of houses of worship providing charity services.
2. Opposing 2025 immigration rollbacks under the Trump Administration while supporting immigrant communities, with a focus on antiracist efforts amid socio-political backlash. The resolution calls for increased funding for the Council for Racial and Ethnic Ministries (COREM).
3. Restoring full funding for USAID to support humanitarian and development efforts affected by recent reductions in funding and staffing.
4. Supporting restoration of full funding and autonomy for Voice of America (VOA), emphasizing its role in providing news where state-controlled media may limit access to diverse perspectives.
5. Declaring an end to genocide in Palestine, denouncing actions by Israel with U.S. support that amount to genocide against Palestinians. It calls on all settings of the UCC to act in solidarity with Palestinians.
David Anderson noted that Resolutions 10a (USAID) and 10b (VOA) will go to the same committee due to having the same submitter despite differing topics but similar proposed actions regarding restoration of funding.
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