Our West Ohio Annual Conference consisting of lay and clergy representing 1,150 United Methodist churches meets June 7 to 11 at the historic and scenic Lakeside grounds, in Lakeside, Ohio, along Lake Erie.
In addition to inspiring worship services, the ordination of Deacons and Elders, the approval of the conference budget, and times for learning and growth, Bishop Bruce Ough will preside over our legislative meetings. This year, we have nine recommendations to consider as an Annual Conference.
Please keep Faith Community's representatives, Joyce Smith, Mary Carol Short, John Sherer, and me in your prayers as we prepare to participate in this year's Annual Conference.
Beginning today and leading up to the beginning of Annual Conference, I will provide a recommendation each day so we can all begin praying and think about these issues that are before us. You are welcome to make comments on this blog regarding these issues.
RECOMMENDATION #1
Resolution on Healthcare
WHEREAS, Concern for health and health care has been central to the Jewish and Christian faiths from their beginnings. The Hebrew Scriptures address issues of sickness and healing. The Gospels report the ministry of healing by Jesus Christ, for whom healing, like salvation, was an expression of deliverance from sin and death. Jesus' message emphasizes wholeness as the will of God and encourages humans to seek and accept God’s gift of spiritual, mental, and physical health (Matthew 10:7-8).
WHEREAS, Holy Scripture makes the claim that actions required to achieve the goals of health involve both personal (Exodus 24:3; 1 Corinthians 9:24-27) and social (Ezekiel 34:4) responsibility. St. Paul, in turn, identifies "the cosmic powers of this present darkness" (Ephesians 6:12) as a source of much that is ill in this world, and encourages Christians to side with God against these powers. In all these times, the provision of health care has been an expression of the duty of hospitality (Matthew 25:36). Through the ages the Christian Church has expressed this duty through personal deeds of service and the creation of healing institutions.
WHEREAS, The United Methodist Church through its Social Principles (¶162V) has expressed its commitment to health care for all. John Wesley was always deeply concerned about health care, providing medical services at no cost to the poor and emphasizing preventive care. The first Methodist Social Creed (adopted in 1908) urged working conditions to safeguard the health of workers and community. Through its many hospitals and health-care facilities around the world, as well as public-policy advocacy for health, the United Methodist Church continues to declare its commitment to quality and affordable health care as a right of all people. (UMR 113)
WHEREAS, Access to quality affordable health care has reached crisis proportions in the world, impacting the well-being of God’s children of all ages, everywhere, but especially the most vulnerable, including the poor, the children and the aged. Today, health care is a major issue globally for the world's population. Key indicators of child mortality, poverty, environmental degradation, maternal health, the spread of communicable diseases and access to medicine constitute 6 of 8 United Nations Millennium Goals and tell of a world that is sickening to too many and brings the end of life too soon.
WHEREAS, In the United States, the number of persons without access to health insurance is 47 million and regrettably continues to grow; those who do have such access face a health care delivery system of increasing cost and diminishing quality.
And, WHEREAS, In Ohio, the economic downturn has led to an increased proportion of low and middle income citizens who cannot afford the cost of healthcare. 1.4 million Ohioans have no health insurance and 62% of Ohioans had some experience with being uninsured either through their own experience or through the experience of a household or family member. Millions more with health coverage are under-insured or reluctant to use their coverage because of high co-payments, deductibles and other cost sharing requirements.
The West Ohio Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church is compelled, based on our faith and in honor of our Wesleyan tradition, to act in the midst of this crisis.
THEREFORE, may it be resolved:
1. That as individuals we challenge ourselves to make a commitment to live healthier lives and work toward health care for all, and we encourage our clergy and lay employees to model health and well-being for our local church members, including keeping Sabbath rest.
2. That as members of West Ohio Conference, we call the General Agencies to work together comprehensively and strategically to insure that health and well-being are a priority both in the work that we do for members of our denomination and also for citizens across the world.
3. That as members of West Ohio Conference, we call upon our congregations to conduct Health Care Justice Sabbaths during the first weekend of January or another weekend of their choosing in which the theological, political, economic and medical issues involved in health care can be raised in sermons and discussions. A range of health care related works of mercy, from blood pressure screenings to blood drives, can benefit the community and should be offered.
4. That as citizens of the State of Ohio, we call upon the Ohio Legislative bodies to introduce and pass legislation to address health care for all in Ohio. We anticipate and support that a variety of regional approaches may result, and that this will provide an experience base that can be replicated in other regions of Ohio as well as the country as a whole. The Conference will offer opportunities for gathering as West Ohio United Methodists for legislative visits and for conversation around the relationship between advocacy and faith.
5. That as citizens of the United States, we call upon the United States Congress to introduce and pass legislation which will move us to universal health care on a single payer basis, consistent with UMC Resolution #3201 and to the extent this cannot be immediately achieved, to introduce and pass legislation which will move us toward this goal in increments, such as effective means of providing health care coverage to seniors, to the poor, to those who are employed but cannot access coverage, and to children; and to support state-level initiatives toward expanding healthcare coverage.
6. That as citizens of the world and advocates for the Kingdom of God, we call upon the United Nations, its constituent agencies, such as the World Health Organization and World Trade Organization, and member nations, to determine actions that will address the United Nations Millennium Goals and increase the quantity of health care services, particularly preventive and village-based health care services, throughout the world.
Submitted by:
West Ohio Healthcare Ministries Team and Let Justice Roll Team
Resolution on Healthcare
WHEREAS, Concern for health and health care has been central to the Jewish and Christian faiths from their beginnings. The Hebrew Scriptures address issues of sickness and healing. The Gospels report the ministry of healing by Jesus Christ, for whom healing, like salvation, was an expression of deliverance from sin and death. Jesus' message emphasizes wholeness as the will of God and encourages humans to seek and accept God’s gift of spiritual, mental, and physical health (Matthew 10:7-8).
WHEREAS, Holy Scripture makes the claim that actions required to achieve the goals of health involve both personal (Exodus 24:3; 1 Corinthians 9:24-27) and social (Ezekiel 34:4) responsibility. St. Paul, in turn, identifies "the cosmic powers of this present darkness" (Ephesians 6:12) as a source of much that is ill in this world, and encourages Christians to side with God against these powers. In all these times, the provision of health care has been an expression of the duty of hospitality (Matthew 25:36). Through the ages the Christian Church has expressed this duty through personal deeds of service and the creation of healing institutions.
WHEREAS, The United Methodist Church through its Social Principles (¶162V) has expressed its commitment to health care for all. John Wesley was always deeply concerned about health care, providing medical services at no cost to the poor and emphasizing preventive care. The first Methodist Social Creed (adopted in 1908) urged working conditions to safeguard the health of workers and community. Through its many hospitals and health-care facilities around the world, as well as public-policy advocacy for health, the United Methodist Church continues to declare its commitment to quality and affordable health care as a right of all people. (UMR 113)
WHEREAS, Access to quality affordable health care has reached crisis proportions in the world, impacting the well-being of God’s children of all ages, everywhere, but especially the most vulnerable, including the poor, the children and the aged. Today, health care is a major issue globally for the world's population. Key indicators of child mortality, poverty, environmental degradation, maternal health, the spread of communicable diseases and access to medicine constitute 6 of 8 United Nations Millennium Goals and tell of a world that is sickening to too many and brings the end of life too soon.
WHEREAS, In the United States, the number of persons without access to health insurance is 47 million and regrettably continues to grow; those who do have such access face a health care delivery system of increasing cost and diminishing quality.
And, WHEREAS, In Ohio, the economic downturn has led to an increased proportion of low and middle income citizens who cannot afford the cost of healthcare. 1.4 million Ohioans have no health insurance and 62% of Ohioans had some experience with being uninsured either through their own experience or through the experience of a household or family member. Millions more with health coverage are under-insured or reluctant to use their coverage because of high co-payments, deductibles and other cost sharing requirements.
The West Ohio Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church is compelled, based on our faith and in honor of our Wesleyan tradition, to act in the midst of this crisis.
THEREFORE, may it be resolved:
1. That as individuals we challenge ourselves to make a commitment to live healthier lives and work toward health care for all, and we encourage our clergy and lay employees to model health and well-being for our local church members, including keeping Sabbath rest.
2. That as members of West Ohio Conference, we call the General Agencies to work together comprehensively and strategically to insure that health and well-being are a priority both in the work that we do for members of our denomination and also for citizens across the world.
3. That as members of West Ohio Conference, we call upon our congregations to conduct Health Care Justice Sabbaths during the first weekend of January or another weekend of their choosing in which the theological, political, economic and medical issues involved in health care can be raised in sermons and discussions. A range of health care related works of mercy, from blood pressure screenings to blood drives, can benefit the community and should be offered.
4. That as citizens of the State of Ohio, we call upon the Ohio Legislative bodies to introduce and pass legislation to address health care for all in Ohio. We anticipate and support that a variety of regional approaches may result, and that this will provide an experience base that can be replicated in other regions of Ohio as well as the country as a whole. The Conference will offer opportunities for gathering as West Ohio United Methodists for legislative visits and for conversation around the relationship between advocacy and faith.
5. That as citizens of the United States, we call upon the United States Congress to introduce and pass legislation which will move us to universal health care on a single payer basis, consistent with UMC Resolution #3201 and to the extent this cannot be immediately achieved, to introduce and pass legislation which will move us toward this goal in increments, such as effective means of providing health care coverage to seniors, to the poor, to those who are employed but cannot access coverage, and to children; and to support state-level initiatives toward expanding healthcare coverage.
6. That as citizens of the world and advocates for the Kingdom of God, we call upon the United Nations, its constituent agencies, such as the World Health Organization and World Trade Organization, and member nations, to determine actions that will address the United Nations Millennium Goals and increase the quantity of health care services, particularly preventive and village-based health care services, throughout the world.
Submitted by:
West Ohio Healthcare Ministries Team and Let Justice Roll Team
Thanks for posting this. It is interesting to see what other Annual Conferences are talking about.
ReplyDeleteI've posted a list of some Resolutions and Petitions coming before the Western PA Annual Conference this year on my blog. http://rbflabs.wordpress.com/2009/05/28/wpaumc-ac-2009-preview/
You're welcome rb! I appreciate you sharing your web blog with me. Have an inspiring and meaningful conference. I'm orginally from the Central PA conference.
ReplyDelete