NBA Involved in Three GA Resolutions
The National Benevolent Association—with New Life in Christ Christian Church, Mission Behind Bars and Beyond, and Sugarbush Christian Church—co-sponsored GA-1525: A Call to End Solitary Confinement. This accepted Item for Reflection and Research invites our Church to study and discern how to respond to this disturbing practice. The NBA Prison and Jail Ministries Affinity Group, coordinated by Rev. Dean Bucalos, continues to provide resources supporting restorative and rehabilitative practices. From the statement in support of GA-1525: “We believe that a call to end the prolonged use of solitary confinement will be the outcome reached by our churches…part of a movement for wholeness in a fragmented world.”
The Assembly also adopted Revised GA-1521: Substitute Resolution from the General Board on Gun Violence. This Sense-of-the-Assembly resolution calls the Church to promote dialogue, cooperation, advocacy, and action to reduce gun violence through non-violent conflict resolution and reconciliation across cultural divides. More than 50 people have expressed interest in this issue, and the NBA will be working with ministry partners on next steps in response to the resolution’s passing.
Additionally, the Assembly adopted GA-1523: Becoming a People of Welcome and Support to People with Mental Illness and/or Mental Health Disorders. This Sense-of-the-Assembly resolution calls the Church to support individuals who struggle with mental health challenges, as well as their loved ones and caregivers. A research and design team for the NBA Mental Health and Congregational Life Affinity Group will begin meeting in the coming weeks to map the landscape for the new group.
To learn about or become part of the NBA’s affinity groups related to Prison and Jail Ministries or Mental Health and Congregational Life, please contact Rev. Monica Wedlock Kilpatrick, director of the Disciples Care Exchange and NBA Affinity Group Ministries, at mkilpatrick@nbacares.org or (314) 993-9000 ext. 4733.
