Newark, New Jersey

Resolutions Passed by the Assembly

1. Amending the Language of the Act of Commitment

RESOLVED, that this 25th National Assembly of the Episcopal Urban Caucus modify the language of the Act of Commitment to reflect our recognition of the importance and impact of language as an expression of our commitment to justice inclusiveness, and be it further

RESOLVED, that the Episcopal Urban Caucus adopt a standard of inclusive language in materials and documents, such inclusivity to embrace images of God and of humanity and to reflect the values of the Act of Commitment.

2. Socially Responsible Investing

RESOLVED, that this 25th Episcopal Urban Caucus encourages dioceses and congregations with invested endowments to vote their shareholder resolutions in accordance with the social policies of the Episcopal Church.

3. Restorative Justice

RESOLVED, that the Episcopal Urban Caucus call upon Episcopal Church congregations to support, encourage and develop one-to-one mentoring programs with parishioners committing no less than one year in a juvenile residential treatment program.

4. U.S. National Health Insurance

RESOLVED, that the EUC endorses HR 676, the United States National Health Insurance Act (also called “Expanded and Improved Medicare for All”) which would create a simple payer health care program; and be it further,

RESOLVED, that the EUC work for endorsement of HR 676 by the Episcopal Church and encourage ecumenical and interfaith cooperation with the goal of obtaining passage of HR 676 by the Congress and its signing by the President; and be it further,

RESOLVED, that the EUC send a copy of this resolution to Congressman John Conyers (D-MI), to our members of Congress, and to the Government Relations Office of the Episcopal Church.

5. A Commission to Study Reparation for Slavery

RESOLVED, that the Episcopal Urban Caucus, meeting in Newark, New Jersey, February 26, 2005, endorses a federal Commission to Study Reparation Proposals for African Americans, which proposal is embodied in Congressman John Conyers’ bill, designated HR 40 since its initial introduction in 1989; and be it further

RESOLVED, that this meeting of the Episcopal Urban Caucus calls on the General Convention of the Episcopal Church meeting in June, 2006, and all of the dioceses of the Episcopal Church meeting in convention over the next year to carefully examine the issues of slavery and its legacy and how the Church can join in the effort for reconciliation and reparation; and be it further

RESOLVED, that all members of the Episcopal Urban Caucus be urged to send a copy of this resolution to their Senators and Congress persons.

6. Invitation to Bishops for a Just Society

RESOLVED, that the Episcopal Urban Caucus sends greetings to the Bishops for a Just Society gathered at Camp Allen, March 9 – 10 in conjunction with the House of Bishops meeting at Camp Allen from March 11 – 17, and be it further;

RESOLVED, that the Episcopal Urban Caucus meeting in Newark, NJ, February 23 – 26, invite the Bishops for a Just Society to share their thoughts and ideas with the Urban Caucus and invite them to join the Urban Caucus meeting in Seattle in 2006.

7. Bishop James Theodore Holly

RESOLVED, that Bishop (James Theodore) Holly be added by the Standing Liturgical Commission on Liturgy and Music to the Calendar of the Church year and “Lesser Feasts and Fasts” on November 8, in recognition of his contribution to the Episcopal Church, and that the Episcopal Urban Caucus ask the Standing Liturgical Commission on Liturgy and Music to bring the matter before the General Convention of the Episcopal Church in 2006.

8. Protecting and Strengthening Social Security

RESOLVED, that the Episcopal Urban Caucus calls for the protecting and strengthening of the Social Security system, and declares its opposition to proposals that would privatize, underfund, or otherwise threaten its viability; and be it further,

RESOLVED, that the EUC Board consider means of educating the members of the Episcopal Church about the threats to Social Security, and shall propose ways in which concerned Episcopalians, their congregations and dioceses, as well as the Episcopal Church nationally, can take action to protect and strengthen Social Security and be it further;

RESOLVED, that this resolution be sent to: the Executive Council, the Church Pension Fund, the Government Relations Office, the Standing Committee on Social and National Concerns and all dioceses.

9. Persuading Bishops to Attend EUC Assemblies

RESOLVED, that Bishops be persuaded to attend three EUC Assemblies prior to hosting an Assembly in their dioceses. (Referred to the Board of Directors)

Resolutions Passed by the Board of Directors

10. Ensuring the Protection and Safety of our Youth at EUC Assemblies

RESOLVED, that the Episcopal Urban Caucus Board of Directors mandate that every group of five youth attending an Urban Caucus Assembly be accompanied by one adult chaperone who must sleep in the same quarters as the youth and provide the Board with proof of certification that he/she has been trained through the Episcopal Church’s “Safe Church” Program.

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