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RMSWO Home

Rocky Mountain Synodical
Women's Organization

2004 Convention Resolutions

The following resolutions were passed during the 2004 Fall Business Convention of the Rocky Mountain Synodical Women's Organization, held Sept. 24 - 26, 2004 in Albuquerque, NM:

Immigration | Sudan | Disabled Delegates | Study on Sexuality

Resolution 1 - Immigration

Whereas	thousands of immigrants are being imprisoned indefinitely instead of being deported due to their inability to secure travel documents; and this despite a Supreme Court decision to the contrary;
Whereas	approximately 80% of immigrants in Department of Homeland Security detention are not being represented by legal counsel;
Whereas	detention splinters families, causing needless suffering and trauma -- children separated from parents and husbands from wives;
Whereas	many legal and permanent residents face mandatory detention and deportation;
Whereas	women make up about 7% of the overall detained population and are often detained with general criminal populations and denied services like translation;
Whereas	a mother may be placed in a county jail while her child is shipped to a facility in another state;
Whereas	immigration detainees often suffer hardships such as over-crowding, poor medical care, lack of outdoor recreation, inappropriate use of solitary confinement; verbal and physical abuse; therefore,
Be it resolved that	Women of the ELCA encourage partnership with Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services and its affiliates (and any other like agencies) - and seek greater opportunities to learn, serve, and advocate for refugees and immigrants; and
Be it further resolved that	Women of the ELCA in all its expressions advocate that facilities used for detention including prisons, contract facilities, government-operated (DHS) sites, and private facilities adhere to the minimum detention standards that were previously established by the INS with guidance from the American Bar Association.
Submitted by	Carol Germ, Heather Whited, and Leslie Whited-Vance

Resolution 2 - Sudan

Whereas	Women of the ELCA is committed to promoting healing and wholeness in the world;
Whereas	in the past twenty years more than two million people have died as the result of war in Sudan;
Whereas	there are still acute humanitarian crises in Sudan; therefore,
Be it resolved that	the Women of the ELCA Rocky Mountain Women's Organization (RMSWO) will pray for peace in Sudan;
Be it further resolved that	the Women of the ELCA Rocky Mountain Women's Organization (RMSWO) become more informed about Sudan, its history, our Christian sisters and brothers who are suffering, and become "engaged in ministry and action" as suggested by Lutheran World Relief, the Lutheran Office of Governmental Affairs, ELCA International Disaster Response, and other agencies involved in providing advocacy and aid
Submitted by	Judy Dunlavy

Resolution 3 - Disabled Delegates

Whereas	the Rocky Mountain Synodical Women's Organization (RMSWO) was notified by the Assistant to the Director of the Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (Women of the ELCA) that executive action has determined that disabled delegates may attend the 2005 Triennial Convention funded by the Women of the ELCA but have precluded companion assistance due to funding restraints;
Whereas	this decision was made without consulting past or present disabled individuals participating in the Women of the ELCA and based on uninformed opinions of need or lifestyle;
Whereas	synods have been informed that the representation of a disabled delegate will be permanently withdrawn at such time as a synod does not take advantage of sending a disabled delegate to each Triennial;
Whereas	the purpose of the Women of the ELCA and its Mission Statement proclaim the intent to empower, support, and promote the wholeness of all women of ability, color, ethnicity, and disability; Therefore,
Be it resolved that	the executive action by nullified as stated and brought under review and reformulation so that disabled delegates by virtue of their needs as disabled persons are not summarily removed from voice or vote at Triennials;
Be it resolved that	that disabled persons from ALL interested disability groups be included in the reformulation process to define commonalities and differences regarding meeting their needs while allowing for effective and informed representation in meeting the promises and goals of this women's organization;
Be it resolved that	that creative but sound methods be explored, devised and implemented to cope with budgetary restrictions, issues of safety, personal welfare, and effective, efficient functioning as a disabled representative;
Be it resolved that	that ALL synods participating in the Women of the ELCA as Synodical Women's Organizations be informed in writing of the reformulated and revised policy and implementation plan approved by the involved disabled support team and adopted by Women of the ELCA
Submitted by	Anneta L. Pennington

Resolution 4 - Study on Sexuality

Whereas	"as a community of women," we have committed ourselves to "grow in faith ... and promote healing and wholeness in church, society, and the world;"
Whereas	one of the functions and responsibilities of the Women of the ELCA is to "equip participants and encourage all to grow as whole persons, value themselves and others, articulate and act upon their faith, and witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ;" Therefore,
Be it resolved that	that all women of the ELCA be encouraged to participate in the studies of "Journey Together Faithfully," to prayerfully consider what God is calling us to do through this study and to voice our comments by providing feedback through response forms to the ELCA Study on Sexuality; (November 2004 deadline)
Be it further resolved that	that the local, regional and churchwide expressions of the Women of the ELCA hold in prayer all persons involved in the study and the decision-making throughout this coming year -- that regardless of decisions made we can be witnesses to our unity through Christ Jesus by supporting the decisions that may be made and not creating separation or division within the ELCA
Submitted by	Judy Dunlavy