2022 Resolutions & Memorials

Sanctions the formation of an Oregon Synod Antiracism Resources Network (Network) that will be formed, led, and directed by volunteers from member congregations throughout the synod. The Network will:

• Share information and offer support for antiracism education and activities to congregations throughout the synod to live out the ELCA’s commitment to becoming an anti-racist church, and
• Identify educational resources to study and understand the history of white supremacy, racism, systemic racism and how these evils affect every aspect of our lives together, and
• Encourage congregations within the synod to engage in ecumenical partnerships in antiracism education, such as partnering with the Episcopal Church to engage the resource, “Sacred Ground: a Film-based Dialogue Series on Race and Faith”, and Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon’s Reckoning with Racism, and
• Assist congregations in ways to use these resources to deepen the commitment toward transformation into a reflection of the inclusive and equitable reign of God, and
• Report back to the synod on the efficacy of these efforts and progress made toward holding ourselves accountable to our commitment to becoming an antiracist church.

2022 Antiracism Resources Network

The Oregon Synod have an in-person Assembly every third year (when possible, as dictated by state and national conditions, i.e., state of emergency such as pandemic or other disasters) and an electronic Assembly in the other two years. Nothing in this resolution precludes the Synod Council of the Oregon Synod from calling a special meeting of the Assembly in exigent circumstances as necessary, such as an out-of-sequence Bishop Election, and

• the years of in-person Synod Assemblies correspond with years in which Bishop elections are held, and
• that a Continuing Resolution S7.01.A22. be added to the synod constitution spelling out the above two items, and
• that in years of online Assemblies, a Synod Day of Learning be held to supplement the online Assembly work with workshops and learning events, and
• that the Oregon Synod budget include a carryover line item that funds Synod Council expenses for Assembly, which will be held in a restricted fund for use in the year in which in-person Assembly is held, and
• that congregations of the Oregon Synod also be encouraged to create a carry-over fund for the purpose of funding sending voting members, pastors and deacons to the in-person and electronic Assemblies, with the goal of spreading the higher in-person costs over a three-year period.

2022 Type of Assembly Meetings

Encourages all ELCA members, associated organizations, and partners to

• become educated about the Indigenous peoples who thrived, prior to European contact, on the land they currently inhabit; and to learn about, and learn from, the Indigenous peoples who currently live within at least 100 miles of that land
• support creative programs resulting in reparations for stolen lands” in partnership with Indigenous peoples, including returning land (and any structures built on it) to Native tribes, and when direct return is not feasible or desirable by the tribes, to return the proceeds from the sale of land to the Native American Ministry Fund or other local Native-led ministries or organizations

2022 Reparations and Land Return Memorial

The Oregon Synod must act on our knowledge and certainty that Christian faith and inclusiveness is about lived commitment, not simply right belief, and the Synod Council encourages the Oregon Synod staff to

• bring a perspective of diversity, equity, and inclusion when assisting a congregation throughout the call process, and tools and strategies to encourage each congregation in their efforts to create a hospitable and supportive environment, toward a more consistently inclusive mobility or call process.
• include reflections on the impact of such efforts in their reports to the Synod Council
• listen to suggestions from BIPOC laypersons, BIPOC clergy and the Synod Reparations team, when they routinely update the Oregon Synod Transition Manual, to compile and codify a set of practical and actionable changes, based on information and stories from or about the under-represented, designed to equip congregations in creating a more hospitable and supportive environment.

2022 Inclusive Call Process Resolution

Instructs the Churchwide Organization to

• call upon the leadership of the United States of America to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50% by 2030, generate 100% of its power from clean renewable sources by 2035, and achieve net zero emissions by 2050
• continue to equip and encourage congregations, synods, and associated ministries to advocate that the United States of America reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50% by 2030, generate 100% of its power from clean renewable sources by 2035, and achieve net zero emissions by 2050
• encourage congregations and synods to advocate for a just transition away from greenhouse gasses where at least 40% of public funding goes towards projects that directly benefit Indigenous, Black, People of Color, and communities impacted by poverty that bear a disproportionate cost of pollution and climate change already
• support these actions through continuing its investments in staff, education, tools and resources that equip congregations and Synods to accomplish this goal and leverage knowledge, skills and experience across the church

It also calls for:

• Congregants, rostered leaders, and bishops be encouraged to further educate themselves to the urgency of the climate emergency both locally and globally as well as to the local and global opportunities a just transition will create
• Rostered leaders and bishops will be encouraged to lift up loving our neighbor in response to the climate emergency through their preaching at least once a month
• Synod and The Churchwide Organization will encourage and cooperate with Lutherans Restoring Creation and other faith-based and secular organizations that share our commitment to the protection and restoration of the natural world while doing justice for all.

OR Synod Memorial Just Transition Greenhouse Gases