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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.

Post General Conference Reflection: Divine Invitation to unwrap the GC Outcomes

by Deaconess Leah Wandera

“…..Uwrap him and let him loose”. John 11:44 ( The Message version)

After my two years of serving as a global mission fellow, I was deeply convinced that I wanted to continue serving God. Not anywhere else but in the United Methodist Church. For your information, I was not born a United Methodist, you may wonder why I had this deep conviction. In 2006 when my family was forcefully moved from our rural home in Busia to Nairobi, my schooling was cut short because my younger siblings and I had been chased away from school too. I was in grade 8 and my education continuity highly depended on this year. But here I was, forced to leave because of what my father believed in. He had become a “metho-nerd”. While he had changed from being a pastor of an Anglican Church to a UMC, my mother and us (children) were still Anglican. But by the virtue of his change, we became the victims of denial and rejection of the extended family who saw UMC as a devil worshiping church. To summarize my long life experience, we were evicted from home, that led to our house being burned down.

The United Methodist Church in Kayole Nairobi, became our only hope. A shelter when we needed one.. As a teenager who saw her academic life strangled, I questioned God why this had to happen. But it is during this time of brokenness that I developed a personal intimate relationship with God. It is during this time that I had a sacred voice calling me into the work of love and justice. In finding spiritual peace, I saw the need for social peace. Therefore, my presence at the General Conference from May 20th 2024, cemented my conviction that I have always had. To serve as a Deaconess in the UMC.

Frontline, Fence Line, and Shoreline Communities

by Taku Chinogwenya

Who is affected by climate change?

We are all affected by climate change in our environment in different ways. This article looks at three types of communities that are affected disproportionately by the impacts of climate change, namely frontline communities, fence line communities and shoreline communities. When looking at environmental justice, it is essential to know who the vulnerable members of the community are and how best they can be assisted.

Frontline communities

Frontline communities are communities that are affected by climate change and environmental issues at higher rates than other communities.[1] They would often have contributed the least to the causes and are often incapable of resolving the resultant issues because of financial constraints, lack of political power to implement change or because of their marginalized and vulnerable status in society. This disproportionate impact of climate change usually affects communities of people of color and indigenous communities. This is often referred to as environmental racial. People of low income are also disproportionately affected. Here we can see the intersection of various social justice issues such as race and economic justice. It also affects the future generations that have not played a part in causing the climate crisis but will have to face the impacts of a devastated, sick and destroyed earth. They may not be able to enjoy the same resources and beauty that nature has to offer because of our irresponsible acts.

While we have changed the laws in the United Methodist Church, we have only deleted language and laws that actively discriminate against LGBTQIA+ people. We still need to actively work in our annual conferences and churches to implement these new changes and work to move our church further. In the United States and all over the world LGBTQIA+ people are still discriminated against. Many states are passing bill against our trans siblings and rolling back protections. Our work for full inclusion is far from over. Help us advocate for LGBTQIA+ people within the Church and in our wider society by giving a donation for our Give OUT Day fundraiser today! We have a $1,000 goal and have  to go.

You can donate online via the link below or by a check. Write "Give Out Day" in the memo and send it to:

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

Director of Congregational and Community Development Position at Arch Street UMC

In this shared position, the Director of Congregational and Community Development will engage the
congregation and its community partners in developing and implementing faith strengthening,
community building and justice-seeking activities on behalf of Arch Street United Methodist Church
and its non-profit partner, The Center-Philadelphia. Using pastoral care and community organizing
strategies, the Director of Congregational and Community Development will engage congregants
and community members in creating engaging worship, creative small groups, sustainable
connections and justice-seeking education. The Director of Congregational and Community
Development must be committed to working in solidarity with Serenity House Community Center
(SHCC), The People’s Garden community and Grace Cafe. The People’s Garden, SHCC and Grace
Cafe are extension ministries of Arch Street UMC/ The Center-Philadelphia. The Center Philadelphia
is the non-profit organization of Arch Street UMC. Arch Street UMC is a Sanctuary Church, a
Justice-Seeking Congregation and a Reconciling Congregation committed to grassroots faith-based
movements for social change.

National Farmworker Ministry Webinar Tuesday, June 11 at 2pm

Farm worker issues are immigrant issues and vice versa. Many of our nation’s farm workers lack authorization and do not have a reasonable path to citizenship. Sadly, the varied immigration status of farm workers and their families make them even more vulnerable to exploitation and abuse. Learn more by joining Migrant Justice and NFWM on Tuesday, June 11 at 2pm for their free webinar about the impact of immigration on farm workers. The webinar will be available in English and Spanish.

We encourage you to register even if you can not attend as we will be sending a recording of the webinar to all who registered.

Resources from our partners the United Methodist Creation Justice Movement

As we slip into summer, our partners United Methodist Creation Justice Movement offer the June 19 Creation Justice Movement Cafe as a space to explore resources for inspiration and reflection. In particular, we are excited to feature Leah Rampy, speaker, retreat leader and author of Earth & Soul: Reconnecting Amid Climate Chaos. Join them June 19th, 2024 10am PT / 11am MT / 12pm CT / 1pm ET. 

Also check out their study guide for Creation Justice Legislation passed at General Conference.

Racial Audit Implementation Team Update

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. Tell President Biden to Recognize Palestinian Statehood NOW! Sign the Petition

2. Amend the Farm Bill

3. Call for a ceasefire now 

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

5. 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.

6. Protect Anti-Corruption human rights defenders in Africa.

7. Ask Congress to expand access to medical care as one way to fight back against racial inequality.

8. The House has passed the reauthorization of The Fredrick Douglas Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Reauthorization Act. Now the Senate needs to do the same. Let them know to pass this vital legislation.

9. We must continue to protect people seeking asylum. With anti-immigrant sentiment still high among part of the country it is vital we ensure our laws protect those coming here to escape dangerous situations. 

10. Push the Federal Government to take more actions to stop pipeline leaks and protect the environment.

In Case You Missed It

1. Read all of the MFSA Plumbines from the Postponed 2020 General Conference 
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