A Resolution of Witness and Declaration for An End to Genocide in Palestine
The congregation of Parkside Community Church, Sacramento California, at its duly called congregational meeting on November 16, 2025, has adopted the following Resolution of Witness and Declaration for an End to Genocide in Palestine:
We affirm that all are made in God’s image and are deserving of life free from oppression, persecution, and violence.
We denounce all acts of the U.S. Government and the State of Israel that contribute to a continuation of the genocide of the Palestinian people.
We affirm that the ongoing genocide of the Palestinian people perpetrated by the State of Israel and supported by the U.S. is a humanitarian crisis that calls for immediate action.
We reject any theology or ideology including Christian Zionism, Supercessionism, antisemitism, anti-Arab, anti-Palestinian, or anti-Islam bias that would privilege or exclude any one nation, race, culture or religion within God’s universal economy of grace.
We affirm the obligation of the U.S. to recognize international law, immediately cease all sales and transfers of military arms and financial support to the State of Israel, and use all legal and diplomatic tools to help bring about a permanent peace which includes: protection of the rights of Palestinians to live in their homeland free from violence, to uphold their human rights, to be released from military occupation, the rights of refugees to return to their homes, and their right to self-determination.
We affirm the obligation of the State of Israel to immediately end the attacks on Palestinians, end military occupation, and to expedite critical aid to enter Gaza, and pay restitution to the Palestinian people.
We reject the idea that any criticism of policies of the State of Israel is inherently antisemitic, and we oppose the efforts of U.S. federal and state governments to limit free speech.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all settings of the United Church of Christ be encouraged to receive this Resolution as a prophetic call and commit to:
Stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people and to denounce the ongoing genocide whether that be through the context of public witness, legislative advocacy, legal action, or non-violent direct action.
Call on our government to cease providing financial sponsorship, military arms, and political cover to the State of Israel for acts of genocide.
Denounce hate and violence in all its forms including that rooted in Islamophobia, anti-Palestinian and anti-Arab bias, and antisemitism, as contrary to the teachings of Jesus and the love of God for all humanity. Share this declaration, pray, and speak within our congregations and communities about the genocide in Palestine.
Things in Gaza are happening quickly and it is hard to keep up with the information coming from that region. Let alone what we can do to be a part of the peace process. Fortunately, the UCC Palestine Israel Network has an informative and helpful website and newsletter to stay up to date. Below are links to their website and to subscribe to their e-newsletter.
Parkside’s Land Acknowledgement
The land on which we gather is the traditional and ancestral land of the Nisenan people, whose headquarters are in Nevada City and whose traditional homeland includes both banks of the Sacramento River, spanning a large area of central California. The Sacramento Region has long been a gathering place for many Native groups, including the Nisenan as well as the Valley and Plains Miwok. The Nisenan peoples had their federal recognition taken away from them in 1958. We support their current advocacy efforts to reclaim it. The Nisenan people are the original stewards of this land, and their legacy continues to shape the present and future. We seek to support their efforts toward justice and healing.
Truth and acknowledgement are integral to building connection across all barriers of heritage and difference. We begin this effort by honoring the truth of the past that has been hidden and we are committed to working with Native people for a better future. The Nisenan as well as the Valley and Plains Miwok continue to celebrate vibrant cultural events like the annual Harvest festival and art exhibitions in Nevada City.
