- Encouraging the Use of Educational Materials relate to Domestic Violence and Intimate Partner Violence

Book of Discipline (¶): 161.H / 1

Book of Resolutions paragraph (¶): n/a

Conference Committee/Agency responsible for implementation if passed: Conference Secretary

Financial Implications: None

Rationale:

Since the last publication of the Book of Resolutions and Book of Discipline, the United States’ Center for Disease Control has released information through their publication “The National Intimate Partner 8 and Sexual Violence Survey: 2016/2017 Report on Intimate Partner Violence4” indicating that almost 1 9 in 2 women (47.3% or 59 million) in the United States and more than 40 percent (44.2% or 52.1 million)

10 of U.S. men reported contact sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking victimization by an 11 intimate partner at some point in their lifetime.

On a global scale, for the year ending March 2022, the Crime Survey for England and Wales estimated that 1.7 million women and 699,000 men aged 16 years and over experienced domestic abuse in the last year. This is a prevalence rate of approximately seven in 100 women and three in 100 men for that 16 single year.5 In addition, while numbers are not equally reported with the same statistical standards 17 across various cultures and communities, the World Health Organization has stated that slightly less 18 than one in three women (30%) have experienced sexual violence.6 It can be inferred that this issue is global in nature and should be addressed more thoroughly by our Book of Resolutions and our Book of

Whereas The United Methodist Church is already on record as stating: “We recognize that family violence and abuse in all its forms verbal, psychological, physical, sexual is detrimental to the covenant of the human community.” (2016 Book of Discipline ¶ 161.II.H)

Whereas The United Methodist Church is already on record naming sexual violence and abuse as sins and pledging to work for their eradication (“Domestic Violence and Sexual Abuse,” 2000 Book of

Resolutions; “Violence Against Women and Children,” 2008 Book of Resolutions).

Whereas The United Methodist Church is called to express itself both carefully and clearly in matters that affect all people of sacred worth which includes both those who experience and perpetrate acts of contact sexual violence, physical violence, and or/stalking victimization. (2016 Book of Discipline ¶

161.II.H)

Whereas it is statistically probable that whenever any given United Methodist Church within the United

States gathers more than 40% of people in that community may have experienced (or may experience in the future) contact sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking victimization regardless of their gender, sexual, and/or cultural identities. It is also statistically probable that whenever a congregation

4 https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/nisvs/NISVSReportonIPV_2022.pdf

5https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/crimeandjustice/articles/domesticabusevictimcharacte risticsenglandandwales/yearendingmarch2022#sex

6 https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/violence-against-women of The United Methodist Church gathers around our world, around 30% of the women gathered within 1 our communities may have potentially experienced gendered violence. 2

Whereas there may be cultural norms and mores that allow certain aspects of these actions to go 3 unreported or unspoken due to the gender, sexual, or cultural expectations placed on individuals of 4 sacred worth by forces outside of those individuals both within and without church communities. 5 6

Whereas there are places within our Church and cultural spaces where the silence is deafening, 7 especially when there are often comorbid conditions that can further complicate conversation (i.e., 8 mental illness, addiction, toxic expectations, etc.) 9 10

Whereas there should be places within our Church where individuals can find support, affirmation, and 11 resources from the church community during moments when abuse may be clouding the ability to 12 research church stances, affirmations, resolutions, and resources. 13 14

Therefore, be it resolved that the Upper New York Conference encourage the General Board of Higher 15 Education and Ministry provide resources to clergy and laity to educate individuals and interested groups about the issues surrounding Intimate Partner Violence, Domestic Violence, and gendered violence.

The resources would prepare those who use the resource to recognize signs that these issues may be present within their ministry or community contexts. Furthermore, it would provide those individuals with specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and timely ways that they can support people in the midst of these situations whether they are subjected to such experiences or perpetrating such behaviors.

These resources would be prepared in such a way that individuals within both ministries and communities can respond when such situations arise, both in the short term and over the long term. outside of those trained that long term success is often greatly aided through referring individuals church community, to trained individuals and support groups that are prepared to assist or engaging in such acts as they recover and journey towards wholeness.

Be it also resolved, the Upper New York Conference encourage the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry to invite church agencies, bishops, superintendents, senior pastors, and ministry team leaders to encourage individuals under their supervision and care to learn about these resources as a potential component for their ongoing continuing education.

- Upper New York Where Sanctuaries are Safe and Free from Firearms

Book of Discipline (¶): none 1

Book of Resolutions paragraph (¶): None 2

Conference Committee/Agency affected by/responsible for implementation if passed: All local churches

Financial Implications: None

Brief Rationale: 7

To follow the example and footsteps of Jesus and with the marked increase in gun violence, The United 8 Methodist Church needs to make a statement through our actions to ban the possible use of guns within our and Conference owned properties.

Whereas the number of gun violence deaths from Jan. 1 to March 6, 2023 total 7507 in the United States.1

Whereas the number of teenagers killed by gun violence since Jan. 1 to March 6, 2023 total 262 in the

United States.1

Whereas there have been 102 mass killings in the United States from Jan. 1 to March 6, 2023.1 17 18

Whereas we have been called to pray for and support the victims, the families, the friends, and even the perpetrators of these crimes.

Whereas The Upper New York Annual Conference has been called to pray for the safety of the children and people at risk who enter our sanctuaries, our buildings, and our programs and have been moved to enact “Safe Sanctuary Policies” that all The United Methodist Churches and programs are compelled to adhere to.

Whereas in 2016 The United Methodist Book of Resolutions, #3428 states that one way to prevent gun violence is “7. For United Methodist congregations to display signs that prohibit carrying Guns onto church property.”

Whereas we hear the call in Isaiah 2:4 “And God shall judge among the nations and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.”

Whereas in Matthew’s Gospel chapter 26 verse 52 Jesus commands his followers to “put your sword back in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword.” Clearly denying the use of violence to end violence or to defend from violence.

Whereas it is a purpose of The United Methodist to become once again a beacon to all people that, within our buildings and on our properties, is a place and programs that are free from violence and free from fear.

Whereas we have prayed to God for guidance and need to respond to God’s call and God’s answer to our prayers to be a shining example of a people who chose to live by our faith and not by the threat of returning violence for violence.

Whereas there is a need for The United Methodist Church to become better known as a haven, a safe 1 place from all gun violence for all people in all neighborhoods; wherever there are a people known as

United Methodist who refuse to rely on firearms for protection but who rather rely on their faith in God as the only alternative.

Therefore, be it resolved that no firearms will be allowed within the sanctuaries, the buildings, or any of the programs, or any of the lands owned by local churches or the Conference facilities, programs, or land.

With the exception of persons who are required by their vocation to carry weapons when on or off duty.

Therefore, be it further resolved that all churches and Conference sites shall post clear and visible signage that firearms are strictly forbidden on any of our properties or programs.

Therefore, be it further resolved that each District of the Upper New York Annual Conference shall ensure that all local congregations and programs within their Districts shall adhere to this resolution.

1 - Data drawn from the Gun Violence Archive based in Washington DC.

Submitted by unanimous vote of the Social Holiness Team on March 9, 2023.

(518) 390 0883