Passed by the 2004 ELCA Church Council.

To approve the following resolution:

Whereas
Whereas, the combatants in the civil conflict in Liberia signed a peace accord on August 18, 2003, creating an opportunity for the people of the country to rebuild relationships, communities, and their future as a country;

Whereas, the ELCA and its predecessor bodies have accompanied the Lutheran Church in Liberia and Phebe Hospital in decades of ministry prior to the war and throughout the 14-year civil conflict;

Whereas, the interim transitional period of 2004–2005 provides an opportunity for the Lutheran Church in Liberia to contribute actively to trauma healing, reconciliation, and recovery processes w ithin civil society and bring the w itness of the church to this process;

Whereas, through the Lutheran World Federation, in partnership with the Lutheran Church in Liberia, those who have been displaced by the war will be assisted in returning to their communities, to rebuild local economies, and to increase food production;

Whereas, the ELCA joins ecumenical and interfaith partners in responding to the need for reconciliation and peacemaking efforts, including the Women in Peacemaking Network, the Council of Churches in Liberia, and the Liberian Interfaith Council;

Whereas, the ELCA is collaborating with European church partners (Lutheran Church in Bavaria, Danish Evangelical Mission, and Church of Sweden) and related agencies (Lutheran World Relief, DanMission, Church Development Service/Germany, and Norwegian Church Aid) to accompany the Lutheran Church and Phebe Hospital in the rebuilding of their ministry with people returning to their homes;

Whereas, the Division for Global Mission, w orking with W orld Hunger Program partner units (Division for Church in Society, Division for Congregational Ministries, and Department for Communication) has launched a collaborative program of education, advocacy, and resource development to empower the ELCA’s members to participate in the rebuilding of Liberia; therefore, be it

Resolved
Resolved, that the Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:

1. Expresses its deep appreciation to Liberians who are taking leadership in the reconstruction of their country: the Lutheran Church in Liberia, Phebe Hospital, Women in Peacemaking Network, the Council of Churches in Liberia, and the Liberian Interfaith Council;
2. Expresses its commitment to walk with the Lutheran Church in Liberia in this process, in partnership with European churches, relief and development agencies (including Lutheran World Relief), and the Lutheran World Federation; and
3. Calls on members, congregations, synods, and church-related agencies and institutions to:

1. Learn more about Liberia, pa rticularly in light of the historical role of the U.S. in creating this nation, supporting its first government, and subsequent actions;
2. Make use of resources available through the special Liberia initiative of the ELCA (visit www.elca.org/liberia);
3. Monitor the peacemaking, reconciliation, and reconstruction processes and join the Division for Church in Society in advocating for U .S. policies and funding to advance the rehabilitation of Liberia, together with adequate U.N. support in this transitional period;
4. Contribute to the reconstruction of Liberia through ongoing mission support and World Hunger giving, plus “second-mile” support through the Stand With Africa campaign (Phebe Hospital Reconstruction) and ELCA International Disaster Response (assistance to displaced people); and
5. Pray for the people and the church in Liberia in this time of transition.