2008 Journal Cover Pages.pub - Wisconsin Conference United ...

2008 Wisconsin Conference JournalWhereas, that resolution established a Task Force to implement the Wisconsin AnnualConference’s participation in the Global AIDS Fund, andWhereas, the terms of that resolution addressed our involvement in the currentquadrennium (2004-2008), andWhereas, the AIDS epidemic continues to threaten the well-being of our sisters andbrothers in Wisconsin and around the world, andWhereas, our General Conference leadership is sufficiently concerned about thecontinuing crisis to convene a pre-General Conference briefing on April 22, 2008 –Lighten the Burden II , andWhereas, Bishop Linda Lee has expressed a desire for an ongoing HIV/AIDSprevention and awareness effort in Wisconsin,THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Wisconsin’s Bishop re-appoint and givedirection to the task force for the 2009-2012 Quadrennium, taking into considerationany pertinent action of the 2008 General Conference, andBE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that funding for administering the work of theTask Force be under the Board of Global Ministries designated funds from the 25%retained by the Annual Conference, as directed by the Global AIDS Fund initiative, thusnot affecting conference apportionments.Conference Action: ApprovedAction Item 17:Submitted by:Resolution on “A Jesus Christmas”Board of Church and SocietyWhereas the United States represents 5% of the world’s population and consumes30% of its resources;* andWhereas high levels of U.S. consumption of energy and resources contributesdisproportionately to global environmental degradation; andWhereas having more money or more material goods does not increase happiness**;andWhereas Jesus emphasized a non-materialistic lifestyle (Matthew 6:19-21, Matthew6:24, Matthew 6:25-34); andWhereas John Wesley warned of the dangers of greed to holiness and spiritual health,and emphasized “stewardship that centers on care for the poor as a means of grace”(2004 Book of Resolutions #211, on “Greed”); andWhereas John Wesley urged his followers to “earn all you can, save all you can andgive all you can;” andWhereas our popular culture encourages us to celebrate the birth of Jesus by spendingmoney and postponing paying for our purchases well into the New Year through theliberal use of credit cards; andWhereas in 2006 savings rates for Americans was at its lowest level since theDepression***;154 Items Requiring Conference Action