Emergency resolutions for Synod consideration address immigration, humanitarian funding, genocide in Palestine

Five new resolutions will come before delegates at the upcoming General Synod 35 in Kansas City. They are now available for review.

These Resolutions of Witness each address current political and humanitarian concerns and were submitted by the May 31 deadline for late-arriving resolutions that could not have been anticipated by the original deadline.

In an additional update, one of the previously-listed proposed resolutions – entitled Ecumenical Engagement and Faithful Support for the Decriminalization of Entheogenic and Psychedelic Medicines – has been removed by the Committee on Disposition because it was not submitted with an authorized submitting body. While there were enough individual submitters listed on the resolution at the time it was submitted, the individuals named were not General Synod delegates or delegates-elect, which is required by the Standing Rules, according to David Anderson, staff to the resolution process.

Resolutions can still be submitted up until the start of Synod’s opening plenary on July 11 and must fall under the “could not have been anticipated” guidelines in the General Synod Standing Rules.

Emergency resolutions

Below is a condensed introduction to each of the late-arriving proposed resolutions. The complete list and full resolution texts are available on the General Synod website.

#8. Responding to the Federal Government’s Attack on Immigrants, Migrants, and Refugees

This emergency resolution denounces the federal government’s mass detention and deportation campaign, as well as the “egregious violations being committed against those being detained and deported.” It also denounces the government’s disregard of the civil and human rights of immigrants, migrants, and refugees, and the infringement on the religious rights of houses of worship to welcome and provide charity services to all people.

#9. Calling The United Church of Christ to Oppose the 2025 Immigration Rollbacks and Support Immigrants, Refugees, and Pacific Island Communities, while Amplifying Antiracist Work On Behalf of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color in Response to the Current Socio-Political Backlash

This emergency resolution calls on the UCC to strongly oppose immigration policy rollbacks of the 2025 Trump Administration and support and protect immigrant communities, with focus on antiracist efforts in response to the current socio-political backlash, and increased funding for the Council for Racial and Ethnic Ministries (COREM).

#10a. In Support of Restoration of Full Funding for the United States Agency for International Development

This emergency resolution calls for the restoration of funding and staffing to restore the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to full capacity, noting that reductions to the agency this year have and will harm humanitarian and development efforts, mostly in countries and populations most affected by global crises.

#10b. In Support of Restoration of Full Funding and Autonomy for the Voice of America

This emergency resolution is in support of Voice of America (VOA), an organization that has provided news and information to countries and regions, particularly where state-controlled media may limit access to diverse perspectives. It proposes that “VOA serves as a vital tool for disseminating accurate information and promoting democratic values globally.”

[Note that Resolutions 10a. and 10b. will go to the same committee given that they “they have the same submitter, and while the topics are different, the proposed actions both ask for restoration of previously-approved funding and declare the value of the programs as crucial for the international community,” Anderson said.]  

#11. Declaration for an End to Genocide in Palestine

This emergency resolution denounces the actions of the State of Israel in partnership with the United States government, “which in sum amount to genocide against the Palestinian people.” It calls on all settings of the UCC to act in solidarity with the Palestinian people considering the ongoing genocide being implemented by the State of Israel with the ongoing support of the U.S.

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