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Dear Justice-Seeker,

This issue of MFSAVoices is jam-packed with resources and information. So much so that it won't all fit in your email message so be sure to click view entire message at the bottom of this email to view the entire issue. Our newsletters are designed to be used all month long. So take a quick glance and take note of important dates to add to your calendar but also come back in the following weeks to work your way through the action items.  

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We continue to see the urgency of our work to make broad systemic change. Change that honors the dignity and worth of all people, puts people over money, and honors the earth and all her inhabitants. Since 1907, MFSA has been shining a light on injustice and organizing to change it.  

You make our collective work possible by your witness for justice every day in your church, community, and Annual Conference. MFSA does not receive any financial support from the United Methodist Church's giving channels. 100% of our budget is funded through your membership dues and your generosity in giving.

There are 22 days until General Conference

Methodist Federation for Social Action (MFSA) believes in the connection of the United Methodist Church and is committed to working toward a more justice-filled, inclusive, and equitable denomination at the upcoming General Conference. We Are working in coalition across our denomination to move our legislative priorities forward. Want to learn more please participate in a any and all of the webinars listed below. Three things to do to make a difference at this General Conference GC.

1. Share our resources with your delegation
2. Make a gift to MFSA to support our work at GC 
3. Volunteer at GC

Join MFSA and UMCJM for a special webinar to learn more about the Climate Justice Movement in the UMC and Climate Justice Legislation to General Conference.

Speakers:

Takundanashe Chinogwenya, Organizing Associate, holds a Bachelor of Social Science degree in Economics and Legal Theory and a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from Rhodes University, South Africa. Currently, she is pursuing a Master of Divinity, Social Justice Advocacy at Drew University, New Jersey.

Cathy Valesquez Eberhart, founder and coordinator of the United Methodist Creation Justice Movement, a national, grass roots organization that seeks to connect and support groups within the United Methodist Church and beyond for the work of creation care, justice and regeneration.

Nancy Blake, a United Methodist Elder who has served in rural and town churches in Northern Illinois since 1988. She co-chairs a new Northern Illinois task force focusing on eco-sustainability.

Reconciling Ministry Network Releases VBS Curriculum

Reconciling Ministry Network announced the release of JUST Like Me: an innovative and adaptable, multigenerational Vacation Bible School (VBS) curriculum for congregations and communities of all sizes.

JUST Like Me centers the deep and active faith lives of children and engages the real-world contexts in which children live. Built on theologies of inclusion, this unique curriculum uses First and Second Testament Bible characters to help students build vital social and spiritual skills to support active faith development.

Racial Audit Implementation Team 

In 2017, MFSA committed to becoming an intentionally anti-racist organization. We worked to recruit people of color (POC) to serve on our Board of Directors and staff. At the end of 2019 we continued on our journey towards becoming a more anti-racist organization by forming a Racial Audit Team and partnering with Crossroads Antiracism and Training, a non-profit that focuses on dismantling systemic racism and building anti-racist multicultural diversity within institutions and communities, to conduct a full organizational racial audit. This Racial audit was completed/adopted in Jan 2023 and presented publicly in Feb 2023. In June 2023 the MFSA Board of Directors created the MFSA Racial Audit Implementation Team to implement the recommendations of the Racial Audit. Our goal is to be better structured to perpetuate justice and equity throughout MFSA, our church, and our world.

Now's the Time for Action

Here are a few ways you can seek justice and work for broad systemic change:

1. Call for a ceasefire now 

2. Here is a list of products and services to boycott of companies that are supporting Israel's apartheid of Palestine.

3. Take the pledge to bring racial justice into our education system. From curriculum to student life, there is so much we can do to make schools a safe and equitable place for all children.

4. Support and protect families who face emotional, financial, and legal strains after being forcibly separated at the border.

5. Support studying and developing a system of reparations to make up for our many sins as a nation.

6. Protect public lands in Alaska today.

7. Call for independent oversight to Federal prisons to ensure justice comes first.

8. Demand Congress pass the Equality Act and expand non-discrimination protections for LGBTQIA+ people.

In Case You Missed It

1. First article in the MFSA Climate Teach in Series Climate Justice and MFSA.
2. Second Article in the MFSA Climate Teach in Series Climate Justice: Our Food Systems
3. Access the latest recording and resources from MFSA and UMKR's webinar, The Fierce Urgency of Now: Legislation for the United Methodist General Conference 2024

4. Visit the Racial Audit Report page on our website