WHEREAS: The United Methodist Social Principles (paragraph 161 K) state that “we are equally bound to respect the sacredness of the life and well-being of the mother and the unborn child,” and

WHEREAS: The Untied Methodist Social Principles (paragraph 161 K) state that “we recognize the tragic conflicts of life with life that may justify abortion, and in such cases we support the legal option of abortion under proper medical procedures by certified medical providers,” and

WHEREAS: The United Methodist Social Principles (paragraph 161 K) further state “the Church shall encourage ministries to reduce unintended pregnancies such as comprehensive, age-appropriate sexuality education, advocacy in regard to contraception, and support of initiatives that enhance the quality of life for all women and girls around the globe,” and

WHEREAS: The United Methodist Social Principles (paragraph 161 K) state “a decision concerning abortion should be made only after thoughtful and prayerful consideration by the parties involved, with medical, family, pastoral, and other appropriate counsel.” and

WHEREAS: On June 24, 2022, the Supreme Court of the United States overturned Roe v. Wade which for fifty years has given pregnant people in the United States the right and power over their own bodies to choose, in consultation with their medical professionals, the best way forward when facing difficult decisions regarding pregnancy, and

WHEREAS: It is a statistical certainty that people in our churches have themselves made the decision to have an abortion or know people who have had abortions, and

WHEREAS: Reduced access to reproductive care disproportionately harms poor people and communities of color, and

WHEREAS: In 1967, 21 clergy, including 6 Methodist clergy, published their names in the New York Times offering to help women find safe abortions care at a time when abortions were illegal in much of the country, one of the first acts of the Clergy Consultation Service, which eventually became a nationwide network of more than 1000 clergy helping to save the lives of countless American women,

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the New York Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church expresses outrage with the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade and the adverse impacts this decision will have on women, children, and youth throughout the United States, and

FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED that the New York Conference of the United Methodist Church calls on its congregations to have well-facilitated conversations about abortion care, prioritizing compassion over judgement, and

FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED that the New York Annual Conference secretary send a copy of this resolution to each member of the federal Congressional delegations that represent our annual conference region.

Submitted by: Methodist Federation for Social Action New York Chapter, Deaconess Megan Hale, Rev. Vicki Flippin, Rev. Ed Horne, Rev. Limina Grace Harmon, Rev. George McClain, Rev. Tilda Norberg, Rev. Paul Fleck, Rev. Jeff Wells, Rev. Melissa Hinnen, Deaconess Mary Ellen Kris, Rev. Martha Vink, Patricia Knebel (United Women in Faith Conference President), Rev. K Karpen, Rev. Sara Goold

Click here to add your signature