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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. COVID-19 continues to highlight the inequities in our society that has literal life or death consequences. 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.

Disability and Youth

Youth ministry and disability cultures are both marginalized sub-cultures.  Sharing part of his own story with disability, Michael Langford envisions what the Church might look like if it embraced all members of the community as vital participants at the table in order for us to be wholly the people of God.  Join us for this important discussion on Saturday, July 10th at 12pm ET / 9am PT.

Introducing Jewish Voice for Peace

Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) is one of our strongest allies in opposing the occupation of Palestine and has had an impact worldwide. They will tell us their story. We'll also hear from one of its most prominent members, Dr. Alice Rothchild, Harvard professor, filmmaker, and political analyst who will speak to the current situation in the Middle East.

Justice Seeking Community Highlights: FUMC Ann Arbor

FUMC Ann Arbor is welcoming and affirming of all persons. They are intentional in being inclusive of all races and ethnicities, sexual orientations, gender identities, ages and stages of life, abilities and disabilities, and socioeconomic backgrounds. They are grounded in the gospel of Jesus Christ, which tears down walls and builds up community. FUMC Ann Arbor is progressive, relevant, and committed to seeking peace and building hope through worship, service, social justice and education. No matter where you are on your faith journey, or how you worship, they hope all will feel welcome and included. 

If your church, small group, ministry group, or community is interested in becoming a Justice-Seeking Community, check out the Covenant and Application form.

An Update from Our Racial Audit Team

The MFSA Organizational Racial Audit Team, are excited to share that we are preparing the final tool of the Racial Audit: an organizational survey.  The previous tools were designed to identify the various ways in which white supremacy culture operates within the organization by examining behaviors, structures, programs, and policies of MFSA.  The survey will consist of asking a broad, representative sample of our constituents to identify patterns of white supremacy culture they see working in our organization.  Combining the qualitative data collected from the previous tools - research, interviews, and focus groups - and the quantitative data to be collected, the survey will enable the audit team to confirm major themes to be addressed within MFSA.

The survey will be distributed in two phases: (1) demographic survey and (2) content-based survey.  The purpose of the first phase, the demographic survey, is to gather information about our constituency.  The demographic survey ensures that we are not missing input from segments of our community. It will help us understand the way that our current demographic makeup matches or differs from our surrounding population.  In order to work with the most accurate data set of MFSA, this first phase will be sent as widely as possible.

The purpose of the second phase, the organizational survey, is to gain critical content.  This survey will include questions about patterns and themes of white supremacy culture that may be present in MFSA and will be sent to a randomized representative sample of those who respond to the demographic portion. Not everyone who fills out the demographic survey will receive the organizational survey.

The key to the success of the survey is broad participation among our members, friends, and associates.  It is especially important that we hear from people of color and communities most directly impacted by white supremacy culture in MFSA.  Please watch for the initial survey in the next few weeks, respond, and encourage others to respond.  It is essential that we have a high response rate in both phases.  Your input is vital because it will help shape the future of MFSA!

Central Texas MFSA & Rio Texas MFSA Hold Joint Picnic

Saturday May 22, members of the Central Texas MFSA and Rio Texas MFSA met together for a joint picnic, the first in-person gathering since the pandemic. Originally planned as an outdoors picnic, the weather forced the groups inside. The weather, however, did not bring down the nearly 30 members who celebrated seeing folks for the first time in the past year. The gathering took place at a significant location for both Annual Conferences, the Getsemani Center, formerly the Rio Grande Conference Church and now a First UMC Community Ministry Center. Members heard a report on the Texas Legislature that was in the final days of the session and were provided suggested contacts to reach out to and encourage in support or opposition of many pending bills.

A Seed with Anchors:
A Reflection on Ecumenical Advocacy Days

By Yeo Jin Yun

The keyword that hooked me to participate in Ecumenical Advocacy Days (EAD) the first time around was the word Advocacy.  As a Peace and Conflicts Studies and Asian Studies double major looking forward to graduation, I knew that the advocacy world could be a potential career path for me, and I excitedly said yes to Ecumenical Advocacy Days.  Not only would the EAD programming provide the necessary education so I knew what to advocate around, but it would also provide me with a basic 101 on advocacy and lobbying.  Unfortunately, my small college group had to skip the final lobby day due to our school schedule.  It was an anticlimactic end to my EAD experience, but it planted a seed for my interest in advocacy work.

Six years later, I’ve been serving as a Global Mission Fellow US-2 at MFSA, an organization dedicated to the work of advocacy, and this past spring, I was able to have my second round participating in Ecumenical Advocacy Days.  Due to the pandemic, this year’s event was all virtual.  Initially concerned about spending four days on a platform similar to zoom, I was pleasantly surprised by my overall positive experience.  As a shy person, having intentional virtual meeting rooms for folks to connect and work together was a blessing.

As many of you know, June is pride month, a month dedicated to celebrating the LGBTQ+ community as well as fighting for LGBTQ+ rights. We are participating in Give Out Day, a campaign dedicated to raising funds for non-profits engaged in LGBTQ+ justice work. Consider making a give to MFSA on the last day of our Give OUT Day, today July 5th!

Now's the Time for Action

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

1. Join the #WelcomeWithDignity movement by signing the pledge to reimagine the way our country and our communities treat people seeking safety.
2. Contact your Senators and Representatives to pass common sense legislation that saves the lives of farm workers like the Asunción Valdivia Heat Illness and Fatality Prevention Act.
3. Call on U.S. Secretary of State Tony Blinken to demand Israel stops all plans of illegal expulsions and forced displacement of Palestinians homes and families in Jerusalem and the West Bank.
4. In solidarity, join workers demanding $15/hr and tell McDonald’s to raise wages now.
5. Check out what military acquired by your local law enforcement, and sign the petition to demanding more police transparency.
6. Contact your elected officials and demand Congress cut funding for ICE and CBP and defund hate.
7. Tell your Member of Congress to support the Accessible, Affordable Internet for All (AAIA) Act, an act that can help bridge the digital divide that disproportionately impacts Black, Latinx, Indigenous, rural, or low-income people.
8. Write to the leadership of the township of Fairfield, CT to contact Sturm Ruger, the largest firearm manufacturer in the United States with headquarters in Fairfield, and demand the company suspend weapon and bullet sales to Israel.
9. Contact your elected officials to take an intersectional response to the incidents of AAPI hate and to center the needs of those most impacted, Asian American women and elders.
10. Check the State Voting Bills Tracker to find out if your state lawmakers have introduced one of the 253 bills aimed at suppressing voting rights, and contact your state lawmakers to demand they support voting rights.
11. Sign the petition and tell Congress to abolish the federal death penalty.
12. Check out the BDS Toolkit and learn what economic actions you can take to fight along the side of Palestinians and their struggle.
13. 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.
14. Write a letter and join the grassroots organizing for the rights of refugees, asylum seekers, and immigrants.
15. 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."
16. Take free online university courses on systemic racism.
17. 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. 

In Case You Missed It

1. Watch the recordings of the #DecisionDay Virtual Rally and Town Hall.
2. Access the Colors of Pride Juneteenth virtual celebration.
3. Watch the recording of the Showing Up for Racial Justice webinar on White Supremacy Culture Characteristics
4. Check out Tema Okun's new website "White Supremacy Culture"
5. Access the latest webinar and resources from MFSA and UMKR's webinar "Waking the World"
6. Watch the recording of MFSA and Association of Ministers with Disabilities's webinar titled "A Conversation on 'A Healing Homiletic Preaching and Disability' "
7. Watch the discussion with the I’m Black. I’m Christian. I’m Methodist. writers and editor Rudy Rasmus, moderated by M. Garlinda Burton.

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.