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'Til all the jails are empty and all the bellies filled;
'Til no one hurts or steals or lies, and no more blood is spilled:
God has work for us to do.
'Til God's will is done and all things are made new,
God has work for us to do.

- Mark Miller  

Dear Justice-Seeker,

This year has been brutal. The COVID-19 pandemic has laid bare the festering wounds of those on the margins caused by years of bandages applied by those with privilege. It has exposed the ways our White-dominant congregations and organizations have failed to be an obedient church by perpetuating White supremacy within our own walls. We are confronted with a reality of not hearing and responding to the cries of the oppressed.

Many have placed their energy into working for change through the election. Elections matter and this election reinforced that there is even more work to do to make liberation real in the lives of the oppressed. God has work for us to do. 

As we look at our church and society, we can point to clear examples of blatant and intentional harm. We must name that harm as evil but we cannot let that naming be the only work we do. We must do the work to examine, repent, and create new practices that interrupt this harm. This self-work is urgent. It cannot wait for the pandemic to end or for normalcy to resume.

Lives and liberation are at stake. That is why you have helped MFSA focus on an audit of ourselves to uproot the racism we have perpetuated. That is why you have helped MFSA facilitate conversations condemning modern-day apartheid in Palestine. That is why you have been at the center of the continued effort to rid our denomination of LGBTQ discrimination. That is why you have moved your people to be Justice-Seeking Congregations and Communities. That is why you have worked in your communities for justice.

Giving financially to MFSA is not simply a donation—it is an investment that yields a return in the lives of people! It produces pathways for waters of justice to flow again! It builds equity in our relationships with one another and in our world! I hope you will join us in participating in this work through your giving. Too much is at stake not to.

'Til age and race and gender no longer separate;
'Til pulpit, press, and politics are free of greed and hate:

By praying through our doing, and singing though we fear,
By trusting that the seed we sow will bring God's harvest near. 

God has work for us to do.
'Til God's will is done and all things are made new,
God has work for us to do.

- Mark Miller

Seeking Justice Together, 
Rev. Andy Oliver, Interim Board President
Bridget Cabrera, Executive Director

MFSA does not receive any financial support from the United Methodist Church's giving channels. 100% of our work is funded through your generosity.

Webinar: A New Congress, A New Administration
New Opportunities for Palestinian Rights!

The Association of Ministers with Disabilities is holding the 2021 Virtual Annual Gathering with the theme of Prophesying to Power: The Intersections of Ableism and Racism on January 14, 15, and 16.  "Join us to hear a keynote address from Kendrick Kemp and his work on Liberation Theology of Disability. The keynote will be moderated by AMD member Rev. Russell Ewell. Other highlights of this year's conference will be a pre-conference discussion led by Rev. Letiah Fraser on Advocacy 101 and sermons from Bishop Peggy Johnson of the Eastern Pennsylvania and Penn-Del Conferences and Rev. Justin Hancock of the North Texas Conference of the UMC."

BDS Toolkit

Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions: Resisting Apartheid & Racism

Educational Opportunity:
Certification in Ministry with People with Disabilities

Be a Disciple is offering a Certification in Ministry with People with Disabilities that starts in January 2021. Broken down into four 6-week courses, the certification will provide a space for individuals to explore scripture, theology "from the perspective of people with disabilities," examine "church buildings, website, worship and even your budget to see how you can expand open hospitality to people with disabilities." The first course titled "Disability, the Bible, and the Church" begins January 18!

Chapter Highlight: East Ohio

Race Matters: What Can I Do?

East Ohio MFSA, supported by EOC Multicultural Vitality and other East Ohio Social Justice Boards and members who developed, promoted, and offered a weekly zoom study in order to further develop their understanding and analysis of systemic racism and white supremacy. Through the study, they developed a collection of resources. 

Justice-Seeking Community Highlight
A 2020 Glance at Justice Seeking Communities

At the beginning of 2020, our Justice Seeking Communities began the year by participating in writing weekly devotions for the Season of Lent. The Lenten Devotional series provided us with another tool to prepare our hearts, minds, and souls for Ash Wednesday. What we couldn’t anticipate or prepare for was the Coronavirus pandemic that would become one of the defining characteristics of 2020.

If your church, small group, ministry group, or community is interested in becoming a Justice-Seeking Community, please click the link and check out the JSC Covenant: https://bit.ly/2HUTgA1

Now's the Time for Action

Now is the time to continue to push for broad systemic change. Here are a few ways you can seek justice in these uncertain and difficult times:

1. Check out the BDS Toolkit and learn what economic actions you can take to fight along the side of Palestinians and their struggle.
2. Learn how you and your ministry can truly embody open hospitality by enrolling in Be A Disciple's courses and getting a Certification in Ministry with People with Disabilities.
3. Join the Coalition of Immokalee Workers and students around the U.S. and send an email to major U.S. food delivery services to "stop doing business with Wendy's until the hamburger giant ensures enforceable protections for farmworkers' human rights by joining the Fair Food Program."
4. Manufacturing in an illegal Israeli settlement is a war crime.  Tell General Mills to stop making Pillsbury products on stolen Palestinian land by signing the petition, sending an email to the CEO, and #BoycottPillsbury.
5. Call your Senators and demand Congress provide support and Covid relief for the US Postal Service.
6. Sign your name in the petition to say no to the USDA's plans that will cut the wages of farm workers.
7. Contact your elected official to sponsor the Philippine Human Rights Act (PHRA).  If passed, the PHRA "will block all forms of U.S. aid to both the army and police of the Philippines until human rights conditions are met."
8. Demand justice for Jacob Blake.
9. Write a letter and join the grassroots organizing for the rights of refugees, asylum seekers, and immigrants.
10. Sign the petition and join Palestinian Cry for Hope: a Call to Decisive Action, a global movement set by Kairos Response that "rouses churches to action and awakens civil society to the reality of Palestinian suffering."
11. Take free online university courses on systemic racism.
12. Host a virtual Card Writing Party to write and mail letters to immigrants in detention via The Casa Mariposa Detention Visitation Program.
13. Call your legislators (202-224-3121) and advocate for permanent federal paid sick leave, expanded unemployment benefits, SNAP increases, and a moratorium on evictions, utility shut-offs, and payments. 
14. Use your voice and sign the petition calling on Congress for a moral response to COVID-19.  The current legislation doesn't do enough to address the extent of the crisis (universal health care, living wages, worker protection, adequate income, and anti-poverty programs to name a few).
15. Sign the petition: Demand state and federal lawmakers end the use of private prisons and protect incarcerated people from COVID-19.

In Case You Missed It

1. Access all MFSA 2020 Advent Devotions: Advent Devotion for Week 1, Advent Devotion for Week 2, Advent Devotion for Week 3, and Advent Devotion for Week 4
2. Hear from a Palestinian Christian family on what it is like to celebrate Christmas in Bethlehem in the time of COVID-19.
3. Learn about the history and current efforts of the United Methodists for Kairos Response from the virtual UMKR 10th year anniversary celebration.
4. Virtually complete the at-your-own-pace Compassion School offered by the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice.
5. Learn about Kairos Palestine and the Global Church from Rifat Kassis, General Coordinator for Kairos Palestine and co-author of the Kairos Palestine document, and David Wildman, Middle East Area Liaison and Representative to the United Nations for the United Methodist Church
6. MFSA has a new website! www.mfsaweb.org Our new site has a new and improved resource section, along with the ability for you to renew your membership through your chapter directly on our site. 

We at MFSA encourage you to be a witness and a good neighbor. Please continue to do your part in flattening the curve by practicing physical distancing.