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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.

The Work of the Wear Orange Campaign Continues

Every day, 120 Americans are killed by guns. During the weekend of June 2-4th, Americans honor the victims and survivors of gun violence by wearing orange. MFSA Board members, staff, and Program Council members participated in the Wear Orange campaign to raise awareness of gun violence within their communities. The work of raising awareness is only one side to advocacy work. We also need to take action. MFSA has put together a list of fives actions that you and your congregations can do today to take action on advocating for gun control within your communities. 

Thank You for Your Support of Give OUT Day

Thank you to all of our supporters who donated to our Give OUT Day fundraiser. We are grateful for your contributions. Your gift will help MFSA continue to advocate for LGBTQIA+ people within the Church and throughout society. 

If you missed Give OUT Day, you can still donate using the link below or by sending a check by writing "Give Out Day" in the memo and sending to:

MFSA National Office 996 Maine Ave SW #307 Washington, DC 20024

Support for Women Who Pastor

With the news coming out of the Southern Baptist Convention of the SBC voting to ban female pastors from the denomination, a considerable outcry flooded social media. But as Rev. Shayna Jo Wible points out, even the denominations who ordain women clergy still struggle with sexism and misogyny. Her reflection on Young Clergy Women International's website is a powerful read.

Catch Up on Any UMKR Webinars You've Missed!

We are taking a brief break for the summer, so there will be no UMKR and MFSA webinars this July. However, this is the perfect time to catch up on any Palestine Liberation webinars that you have missed. You can find all of our UMKR webinars under the resources page of MFSA's website. 

Florida Annual Conference Ordains Three
Openly LGBTQIA+ Clergy

We are thrilled that Florida Annual Conference ordained three openly out LGBTQIA+ clergy during their Annual Conference session! There is still much work to do to make our Church a fully inclusive place for all, but as Florida MFSA leader Rev. Kipp Nelson says in this interview with NBC Miami, our LGBTQIA+ siblings are loved by God. 

Support Mayor Patrick Braxton's Federal Civil Rights Lawsuit

Newbern, Alabama, a town with a population of 275 people, had its first-ever election in 2020. Patrick Braxton became Newbern's first Black mayor. The town’s previous mayor, Haywood “Woody” Stokes III, had failed to file the necessary qualifying paperwork to run for the town’s top office. Stokes and members of the majority-white town council decided to hold their own unpublicized, unofficial election where Stokes was "elected" mayor of Newbern. It has been three years, and Mayor Braxton has still been locked out of town hall to perform his mayoral duties. 

You can help Mayor Patrick Braxton by contacting the Department of Justice. Encourage the DOJ to look into and address this federal civil rights lawsuit immediately. You can contact the DOJ here: bit.ly/3qZgcIc

MFSA Organizational Racial Audit Report

You have been hearing updates for the last three years on MFSA's work conducting an Organizational Racial Audit. We are pleased to announce that we have completed the Organizational Racial Audit and want to share it with you-individuals, churches, and other organizations. 

Read the Executive Summary, Full Audit Report, and watch the Justice-Seeking Movement wide presentation of the MFSA Organizational Racial Audit Report on the new Racial Audit Report page on our website.  

Now's the Time for Action

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

1. Trans people's rights and dignity are being targeted across the United States. Write to your elected officials in Congress, encouraging them to protect trans people's right to access good medical care.
2. Residents in Jackson, Mississippi, do not have access to clean water. Sign the Jackson Community Bill of Rights to demand that government officials are held accountable for the misinformation that led to this water crisis and supply residents with the resources they need now for access to clean water. 
3. One way to address the racial wage gap in America is by canceling student debt. Contact the Biden Administration to urge presidential action on canceling student loan debt. 
4. The U.S. Supreme ruled in favor of the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), rejecting all the constitutional challenges, ensuring protections for Native families. The work is far from over. States still continue to remove Native children from their families and tribes at alarmingly high rates. Contact your state legislature to ensure that each state passes an ICWA law.  
5. The Florida Department of Education claims that the AP African-American Studies course taught in Florida high schools is against the law. Take action by holding the Florida Department of Education accountable and ensuring that they cannot modify or censure any of the curriculum. 
6. Sign this petition from the NAACP that demands that Congress pass swift police reform, ensuring protection for Black Americans.
7. Write to your senators asking them to pass the Equality Act now. The Equality Act addresses modern forms of discrimination, including against all women, people of color, and LGBTQ people in areas of life.
8. Contact your state and local representatives to encourage them to vote no on any proposed drag bans in your state.
9. Book bans are on the rise in America. Show your support for your local public librarians by writing some words of encouragement.
10. Join the fight against anti-trans discrimination by learning what anti-trans legislation is proposed in your state and access information to contact your state legislator. 

In Case You Missed It

1. Access the latest recording and resources from MFSA and UMKR's webinar, "Knowing the Nakba: The Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine to Create the State of Israel"
2. Visit the Racial Audit Report page on our website. 
3. Access all five sessions in the Stealing the Earth webinar series, and explore the Dismantling the Doctrine resource list.