Petition to the General Conference, 2004,
The United Methodist Church

In accordance with the instructions for preparation of petitions,
the following is submitted for action by the General Conference, 2004.

PAGE NUMBER: Page 1 of 2

SUGGESTED TITLE/SUBJECT MATTER: The Church and People with Mental, Physical and/or Psychological Disabilities

PETITION CONCERNS: Resolution #110

FINANACIAL IMPLICATIONS: None

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PETITION TEXT:

Resolution (previously adopted 1984 and amended and re-adopted 1996) with the following changes:

We call United Methodists to a new birth of awareness of the need to accept, include, receive the gifts of, and respond to the concerns of those persons with disabilities, such as mental, physical, psychological and neurological conditions, disabilities, including their families.

Because the experience of disabilities is included in all racial, social, sexual, and age groupings, and this experience is common to every family and at some time in every life;

And because a large part of the ministry of our Lord focuses on persons with disabilities such as mental, physical, psychological, and/or neurological disabilities;

And because the body of Christ is not complete without people of all areas of life;

And because we cannot afford to deny ourselves fellowship with these persons and must intentionally develop more healthy attitudes and behavioral responses to people with disabilities;

And because there exist inadequacies in the church and in society with regard to concerns for the rights of people with disabilities, utilization of talents, and their full participation within the life of the church and society.

And because of more suffering and exclusion from the fellowship of the church of persons with mental, physical, and/or neurological psychological disabilities;

And believing that the church is most faithful to the teachings and example of Jesus when it expresses love in concrete ways in a mutual ministry with those who are outcasts, neglected, avoided, or persecuted by society;

And believing in the legacy of John Wesley, Phillip Otterbein, and Jacob Albright, who held that vital piety flows into compassionate ministry;

And knowing that prevailing societal norms unduly glorify the conditions of youthful beauty, mental alertness, and material affluence to the exclusion and avoidance of those whose disabilities put them outside these norms, … (resolution continues with no changes)

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DATE: November 24, 2003

SUBMITTED BY: Kathryn J. Johnson, on behalf of

PETITIONER IDENTIFICATION: Methodist Federation for Social Action
(endorsing petition as authored by GBCS)

TELEPHONE: 202-546-8806
FAX: 202-546-6811
E-MAIL: kj@mfsaweb.org

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