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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. Gmail users—move us to your primary inbox
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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. |
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Advent Devotion 2
Seasons: Movement in Justice
Luke 1:51-53, Isaiah 55:10-12 By: Rev. Dr. Nathan Hosler
Seasons move and we move through them. I am writing this from the season of autumn in Washington DC—leaves changed and mostly fallen. Looking towards the Church season of Advent. The cyclical nature of season’s change overlaying the religious season. Anticipating changes—both expected and what is yet unknown. Even when we “know” what is going to happen we don’t quite know—or at least don’t quite know everything. We know that in Advent we await the coming of a baby—and we even know the name of that baby and that this baby will be heralded with cries of “Peace on earth!” Harvest comes again and there are peppers and potatoes and apples to be picked by people the sustenance of the peoples. The movement repeats. However, there is an anticipation, an excitement about the possible. What will the Divine do in our midst? How might we be invited into participation in the struggles and celebrations of justice. The young Mary, upon hearing the news, proclaimed the joyful overthrow of the powerful and the oppressor. Yet, clearly, this has not (yet) become a fully experienced reality.
“[The Mighty One] has shown strength with (their) arm;
(they have) scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
52 (They have) brought down the powerful from their thrones
and lifted up the lowly;
53 (They have) filled the hungry with good things
and sent the rich away empty.
Though the movement through season—church and land—is predictable, this is neither static nor quite the same. In addition to joyful changes and glad expectation, there are the changes caused by human- caused harms. Climate change leads to disruptions which force people to flee. Wars displace and economic policies made faraway, push families and communities to uproot and move. This movement one of possibility but also fear.
Mary and Joseph, soon to be mama and papa of Jesus, are made to move and be counted by the occupying empire so that they can be controlled—their resources extracted. The movement of the baby,
into the world through pain, brings joy. Birthing justice, inviting us to be midwives of justice—to systems that care for land and people. For an economics of healthy soil and protections for farmworkers.
As we move toward, into, and through this season, may our anticipation lead to joy—lead to justice.
For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven
and do not return there until they have watered the earth,
making it bring forth and sprout,
giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
it shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose
and succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
For you shall go out in joy
and be led back in peace;
the mountains and the hills before you
shall burst into song,
and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
Isaiah 55:10-12 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. |
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Rev. Dr. Nathan Hosler is the director of the Church of the Brethren’s Office of Peacebuilding and Policy based in Washington, DC and is a pastor at the Washington City Church of the Brethren congregation on Capitol Hill. He serves on the boards of the National Farm Worker Ministry, National Council of Churches, Creation Justice Ministries, and Heifer International. He holds a BA in Biblical Language, MA in International Relations, and a PhD in Theological Studies (Theological Ethics), and a Professional Certificate in Macroeconomics. |
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Palestine is a Climate Justice Issue Emergency!
The world's climate and environmental crisis touches every corner of the globe. The people of the world are truly "in this together." However, some are being hit harder and sooner. The most vulnerable and marginalized populations of the world are bearing the brunt of climate change and suffering daily environmental injustice.
Nowhere is that more true than in Israel/Palestine.
For Palestinians, climate change is not just a natural phenomenon, but a political one. Israel‘s regime of occupation and apartheid, which denies Palestinians the right to manage their land and resources, greatly heightens the impact of the climate crisis for Palestinians, making them more vulnerable to all climate-related conditions.
Today, after a century of unbridled colonialism, the historically green and fertile land of Palestine has lost much of what it once offered the world, and environmental conditions continue to deteriorate rapidly. Massive destruction of agricultural land, rampant pollution of indigenous communities' farmland and local water sources, denial of essential health infrastructure, wide-scale water deprivation, over-exploitation of natural resources, dangerous dumping and processing of waste in occupied territory...the list goes on and on.
Yet Israel cultivates an image worldwide as an environmentally conscious, “green” society. It is even considered to be an environmental leader for the world.
The reality is dramatically different.
Join us to learn the environmental reality in Israel/Palestine today, what is being done by the land's indigenous protectors. and what we can do to support their efforts.
We are honored to have one of Palestine's leading voices on Palestinian activism and resistance, Mazin Qumsiyeh, who is also an authority on the natural world of Palestine and environmental justice. Dr. Qumsiyeh is the founder and director of the Palestine Museum of Natural History and the Palestine Institute for Biodiversity and Sustainability at Bethlehem University.
He is also the author of several books, including Sharing The Land Of Canaan: Human Rights and the Israeli-Palestinian Struggle and Popular Resistance in Palestine: A History of Hope and Empowerment, and he has been called "the most important chronicler of contemporary popular resistance in Palestine."
When we gather online with Mazin Qumsiyeh in early November, representatives from around the world will be meeting in Egypt for the United Nations' global climate conference, COP27. As we will see on November 9th, the fight for climate justice for all is directly connected to the Palestinian struggle.
Palestine is a climate justice issue.
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It's not too late to give! It's not too late to give and help us reach our goal of $5,000. Your gifts enable us to continue the work of educating, advocating, and organizing Justice-Seeking People of Faith to take action within the church, the nation, and the world.
Through the generosity of several donors, the first $5000 will be matched through December 6! There are multiple ways to give, you can give by FB fundraiser, by check with Giving Tuesday in the memo, or by clicking on the link below. Checks can be sent to: MFSA 996 Maine Ave SW #307 Washington, D.C. 20024 |
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National Farm Worker Ministry Announces a New Staff Position The National Farm Worker Ministry is seeking a Director of Farm Worker Advocacy to join their team. This is a full-time position for someone who has strong advocacy skills, cultural sensitivity, capacity for collaboration with farm worker organizing groups as well as allies, good written and oral communication skills including public speaking, a cooperative spirit, and a desire to create impact alongside farm workers. Salary range is $45,000-$52,000 plus benefits. This position is fully bi-lingual for English and Spanish. Email admin@nfwm.org to request a full job description. To apply for the position, email a letter of intent and a resume to the email address above or mail these to NFWM, P.O. Box 10645, Raleigh, NC 27605. References are not necessary unless contacted. NFWM is based in Raleigh, NC but this position may be done remotely. Hours are flexible but traditional business hours are preferred (8:00-4:00 or 9:00-5:00 or 10:00-6:00). National Farm Worker Ministry is a faith based organization committed to getting people of faith and conscience involved in the farm worker movement. NFWM seeks to create a diverse work place and encourages all interested individuals to apply. As an equal opportunity employer, NFWM will consider any person qualified for this position without regard to the person’s race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, mental ability or physical ability. Preference will be given to applicants who have experience in faith based settings. Position will be filled when an appropriate candidate is found. |
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Contact Us Methodist Federation for Social Action
996 Maine Ave SW #307
Washington, District of Columbia 20024
(202) 240-2546
bridget@mfsaweb.org |
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