RESOLUTION ADOPTING POLICIES OF OPENNESS AND AFFRIMATION AND OF INCLUSIVE NONDISCRIMINATION FOR THE UNITED CHURCH ON THE GREEN

WHEREAS, the Apostle Paul said that, as Christians, we are many members, but we are one body in Christ (Rom.12: 4), and Jesus calls us to love our neighbors as ourselves (Mk. 12:31) without being judgmental (Mt. 7:1-2) nor disparaging of others (Lk. 18:9-14); and

WHEREAS, recognizing that many persons of lesbian, gay and bisexual orientation are already members of the church through baptism and confirmation and that these people have talents and gifts of offer United Church of Christ, and that UCC has historically affirmed a rich diversity in its theological and biblical perspectives; and

WHEREAS, the Tenth through Fifteenth General Synods have adopted resolutions encouraging the inclusion, and affirming the human rights, of lesbian, gay, and bisexual people within the UCC; and

WHEREAS, the Executive Council of the United Church of Christ adopted in 1980 “a program of Equal Employment Opportunity which does not discriminate against any employee of applicant because of …sexual orientation”; and

WHEREAS, the American Psychiatric Association has, in 1973 adopted a resolution, based on through studies showing that homosexuality is not a matter of choice, that it occurs in very early stages of a person’s development, that it is present in all societies at an estimated six to ten percent of the population, therefore declared that “Homosexuality per se implies no impairment of stability, reliability, of general social or vocational capabilities” and should not be regarded as a psychiatric disorder, but simply as one form of sexual behavior; and

WHEREAS, the American Bar Association in 1989 called for all levels of government to enact legislation prohibiting discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations based on sexual orientation; and

WHEREAS, THE American Federation of Teachers, the National Educational Association, the National Federation of Priests’ Councils, the American Jewish Committee as well as the National Council of Churches have passed resolutions condemning discrimination against homosexuals; and

WHEREAS, many parts of the church have remained conspicuously silent despite the continuing injustice of institutionalized discrimination, instances of senseless violence and setbacks in civil rights protection by the U.S. Supreme Court; and

WHEREAS, the church has often perpetuated discriminatory practices and been unwilling to affirm the full humanness of clergy, laity and staff with lesbian, gay and bisexual orientation, who experience isolation, ostracism and fear of (or actual) loss of employment; and

WHEREAS, we are called by Christ’s example, to proclaim release to the captives and set at liberty the oppressed (Lk. 4:18); and

THEREFORE, be it resolved that the United Church on the Green adopt the following:

COVENANT OF OPENNESS AND AFFIRMATION

We know, with Paul, that as Christians, we are many members, but are one body in Christ – members of one another, and that we all have different gifts.  With Jesus, we affirm that we are called to love our neighbors as ourselves, that we are called to act as agents of reconciliation and wholeness within the world and within the church itself.

We know that lesbian; gay and bisexual people are often scorned by the church, and devalued and discriminated against both in the church and in society.  We commit ourselves to caring and concern for lesbian, gay and bisexual sisters and brothers by affirming that:

• We believe that lesbian, gay and bisexual people share with all others the worth that comes from being unique individuals;
• We welcome lesbian, gay and bisexual people to join our congregation in the same spirit and manner used in the acceptance of any new members, and we offer all members the services of covenant and the various celebrations which express our on-going life of faith; and
• We recognize the presence of ignorance, fear and hatred in the church and in our culture, and covenant to not discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation, nor any other irrelevant factor, and we seek to include and support those who, because of this fear and prejudice, find themselves in exile from a spiritual community;
• We seek to address the needs and advocate the concerns of lesbian, gay and bisexual people in our church and in society by actively encouraging church instrumentalities and secular governmental bodies to adopt and implement policies of nondiscrimination; and
• We pledge to protest any intimidation, harassment, neglect, or violence against any group in this society, with special attention to those who have often been victims such as gay or lesbian persons, people of color, ethnic groups, the elderly, children, and persons with handicaps, as well as to advocate the basic civil rights of all persons in such areas as employment, housing and legal protection.
• We join together as a covenantal community, to celebrate and share our common communion and the re-assurance that we are indeed created by God, reconciled by Christ and empowered by the grace of the Holy Spirit.

And THEREFORE, be it further resolved that the United Church on the Green adopt the following:

INCLUSIVE NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY

We do not discriminate against any person, group or organization in hiring, promotion, membership, appointment, use of facility, provision of services or funding on the basis of race, gender, and age, sexual orientation, faith, nationality, ethnicity, marital status, or physical disability