As more and more U.S. municipalities are taking up ceasefire resolutions, so too are religious groups. On the same day, January 28, two Minnesota UCC congregations passed resolutions calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza: First Congregational UCC in Northfield and Macalester-Plymouth United Church in St. Paul. That same week, the Board of Directors of the Central Pacific Conference, living into their pledge, as a Conference, to be Apartheid-Free, sent a letter to elected officials and local press calling for a ceasefire. You can access their letter here.

Below, for an example that other congregations might want to adapt for their context, is the text of Macalester-Plymouth’s resolution. 

Resolution Calling For an Immediate Ceasefire In Gaza

Passed on January 28, 2024

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”    Matthew 5:9                                                                                                                 

As each day in Gaza brings more tears, more grief, more death, the community of Macalester-Plymouth United Church in St. Paul, MN, at our Annual Meeting, January 28, 2024, cries “Enough! All the killing must stop!” 

We join other communities of faith as well as Pope Francis, Congresswoman Betty McCollum, and 153 nations of the UN in calling upon President Biden to use his immense diplomatic power to save Palestinian and Israeli lives. 

We call for a comprehensive, immediate and sustainable ceasefire in Gaza that will enable prompt release and distribution of adequate food, water, medical supplies, fuel, sanitation, and communications, and for the immediate and peaceful release of all hostages and prisoners held by both sides.

This call for action will be sent to President Joe Biden; Congresswoman Betty Mc Collum; Senator Amy Klobuchar; Senator Tina Smith; the Minnesota Conference of the United Church of Christ; Presbytery of the Twin Cities; the Palestine/Israel Network of the UCC (UCC PIN); and Presbyterian Peace Fellowship.

Reflections and Learnings

By the Rev. Don Christensen, member of Macalester-Plymouth and of the UCC PIN steering committee

Make the Circle as Wide as Possible. It is challenging to write a resolution with teeth that is respectful of the history and suffering of both Jews and Palestinians. Macalester-Plymouth’s resolution, like most, is imperfect in that respect. Yet it is critically important to me (and it is not easy!) to temper my passion for what I regard as “the truth” with humility and openness to the truth of others. We sought to take that stance with our resolution and to keep a wide circle.

During the same week that our congregation was considering our resolution, the Minneapolis City Council (4 Muslims on the Council, with a Jewish mayor) was debating their own ceasefire resolution which they subsequently passed. The mayor, however, vetoed it, saying, “I support a ceasefire in Gaza; I support a two-state solution. I do not support the current government of Israel; but I cannot accept the language of this resolution that calls for punishment and sanctions of Israel. I also am listening to my family and to my community.” While the Minneapolis City Council may yet override the mayor’s veto, it is not a resolution that was ‘widening the Circle.'

Was it worth it for our congregation to do this resolution? Absolutely! Bringing this resolution to our annual meeting helped to get people talking and engaged 150 of our members in wrestling with these issues. That process can be empowering for congregations. It reminds us that, with resolutions of witness, churches can have a role in shaping public policy. Through this resolution, our congregation is now able to amplify its message to our political leaders. So, as imperfect and clumsy as the process may be, I believe it is worth doing. And even more worth doing if we struggle to make the Circle of Truth as wide and inclusive as possible.