Call Your Representatives and Demand Accountability

We are reminded that respect for the office does not mean silence in the face of harm. Our democracy is under threat, and our most vulnerable communities are at risk. Now is the time to speak up—call your representatives and demand accountability.

When We Speak Truth to Power

Mark Gruber-Lebowitz is a hymnwriter whose work is shaped by a deep commitment to justice and a belief in the power of song to inspire change. His journey into hymn writing began unexpectedly during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, when he found himself reimagining familiar hymns with new, timely lyrics. Since then, he has composed over 50 hymns, each carrying a message of faith, inclusivity, and justice. His latest hymn, When We Speak Truth to Power, was inspired by a sermon from Episcopal Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde, who called on Trump to have mercy on the vulnerable. Moved by her words, Mark found himself reflecting on the gospel’s call to stand up for justice, and within a day, the hymn was complete.

Set to the familiar tune Lancashire (best known as the melody for Lead On, O King Eternal), When We Speak Truth to Power affirms that speaking out against injustice is an act of faith that glorifies God. It is a hymn of encouragement for all who seek to live out the gospel’s call to justice. Mark shared his story and blessing with Allendale UMC as they prepared to sing his hymn, offering it as a source of strength and hope in challenging times. Watch here.

Stories of Hope and Resistance

The church has long been a place where justice is not only preached but lived out in times of political and social upheaval. However, with the arrival of a new administration intent on rolling back hard-won rights and freedoms, faith communities across the country are refusing to remain silent.

This new section of our newsletter is dedicated to sharing the ways churches are standing firm in their commitment to justice. We're excited to highlight actions and movements within faith communities that resist oppression, embody radical hospitality, and insist on a future where love, dignity, and equity prevail.

Whether through direct advocacy, sanctuary efforts, mutual aid, or prophetic witness, these faith communities remind us that another world is possible—and we are called to help create it. If your church is engaged in work that challenges injustice and fosters hope—especially through acts of subversion and resistance against oppressive policies—we want to hear from you.

Here are some stories of hope and resistance:

MFSA Recognizes Bill Watts for His Outstanding Service to MFSA and Beyond

Methodist Federation for Social Action (MFSA) extends heartfelt gratitude to Bill Watts for his remarkable contributions as our Treasurer and Finance Chair since 2015. Bill's commitment to justice and equality, combined with his expertise and leadership, has left an indelible mark on our organization and the broader community.

Bill has been an integral part of MFSA for over a decade, actively serving the East Ohio chapter in various leadership roles, including...

#BoycottChevron for Human Rights and Planet Earth

Wednesday, March 12, 2025 - 10 AM Pacific, 1 PM Eastern, 8 PM Palestine

Presented by UMKR, MFSA, and Fossil Free UMC

Chevron supports Israel's apartheid regime and its genocidal war against Palestinians while also bringing environmental destruction to countries around the world.

Chevron runs natural gas extraction and pipelines off the shore of Palestine/Israel. Israel depends heavily on fossil gas for electricity, and Chevron is the largest producer for Israel, illegally exploiting Palestinian natural resources. Chevron is also providing millions of dollars in tax revenues to Israel. A major economic partner of the state, Chevron is directly implicated in Israeli apartheid and the genocidal assault on Gaza over the last 16 months. 

Chevron's partnership with Apartheid Israel reflects its behavior around the world. 

Chevron is one the most destructive oil companies, ravaging land, poisoning rivers and streams, destroying communities, and financing violence. The company’s activities have played a role in the destruction of marginalized people’s homes, resources, and livelihoods in at least 30 countries. Chevron has been sued repeatedly for its involvement in violence against indigenous communities, including at least 13 accusations of genocide and 17 accusations of torture. 

Ending Israeli apartheid and genocide is a climate justice issue. 

All over the world, the fight against colonialism and against corporations’ destruction of the planet are intrinsically linked.  

That is why the Palestinian BDS National Committee (BNC) has called on supporters of Palestinian rights worldwide to join climate justice movements in holding the fossil fuel giant Chevron accountable for helping to fuel both Israeli apartheid and global environmental destruction.

Join us on March 12 to learn how and why United Methodists and many others across diverse justice movements are answering the call to #BoycottChevron. 

Our panel will include leaders from Fossil Free UMC, the BDS movement, AFSC, and USCPR.

Speakers for this webinar include:

Sharon Delgado - the Convener of Fossil Free UMC and clergy in the California-Nevada Annual Conference. She is the author of The Cross in the Midst of Creation, Love in a Time of Climate Change, and Shaking the Gates of Hell.

Dov Baum - director of AFSC’s Action Center for Corporate Accountability and a co-founder of Who Profits from the Occupation and of the Coalition of Women for Peace in Israel. 

Olivia Katbi - the North America coordinator for the Palestinian BDS National Committee (BNC); she is also a leader in Portland Democratic Socialists of America.

Leah Muskin-Pierret - the Manager of Congressional and Grassroots Advocacy at US Campaign for Palestinian Rights (USCPR), and an activist in DC-Metro Jewish Voice for Peace and Collective Action for Safe Spaces.

Lisa Bender, Moderator of the webinar - co-chair of the Steering Committee of United Methodists for Kairos Response (UMKR) and the chair of UMKR's Boycott and Divestment committee.

2020/2024 Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church

The new Book of Discipline is now available at Cokesbury. Free digital versions are available too!

Here are some Key Changes to the Book of Discipline from General Conference 2024, many of which are issues we advocated for:

Removal of Harmful Language Related to LGBTQ+ People

• Removed language stating that "the practice of homosexuality… is incompatible with Christian teaching."
• Lifted bans on ordination and appointment of "self-avowed practicing homosexual" clergy.
• Eliminated charges against clergy for officiating same-sex weddings.
• Removed mandatory minimum penalties for clergy conducting same-sex weddings.
• Lifted prohibition on church funds supporting LGBTQ+ inclusion efforts.
• Allowed clergy in good standing to transfer across conference lines if their bishop cannot find an appointment.

Regionalization of The UMC

• Establishes Regional Conferences to give each area more autonomy in adapting the Book of Discipline to their context.
• Decentralizes the U.S. church and equalizes governance across global regions.
• Requires ratification by Annual Conferences before taking effect.

Revised Social Principles

• Removed harmful language stating that homosexuality is "incompatible with Christian teaching."
• Affirmed marriage as a sacred covenant between two consenting adults, regardless of gender.

Sacramental Rights for Deacons

• Deacons can now officiate Holy Communion and baptisms in their appointed ministry settings.

Racial Audit Implementation Team Update

The Racial Audit Implementation Team came into being almost one year ago. There are six members of the team, two of whom were part of the Racial Audit Team. Bridget Cabrera, our Executive Director, is also part of the team. The team has been challenged by a number of logistical things in the past year – finding dates in everyone’s busy schedules to meet monthly, taking time out to prepare for and attend General Conference in the spring, and working only by Zoom meetings. 

One of the things we discovered early in the process of working together was that we needed to build a strong level of trust among team members. The work we are doing requires a level of trust that makes it possible to say the difficult things that need to be said as we examine the themes of the audit. 

Right now, the team is in the midst of digging deeply into each of the six themes of the audit – examining what the themes say about MFSA, unpacking the language of the themes, and the ways in which these themes came into existence. What does the data tell us? And what do the stories about MFSA tell us? As we examine the themes, we are discussing how we might help the MFSA board and the MFSA chapters determine how to look at their work through the lens of these themes. We are also discussing what actions might work best for us to interrupt these themes in our organization. How might what we are discovering benefit from the recommendations for action provided by the racial audit team? 

As we continue this work, the Racial Audit Implementation Team will be providing additional reflections on the themes and what we are discovering and discussing. Just as the racial audit took longer to do than expected, we are finding that the implementation process is a much longer-term process than anticipated. We are moving at a speed that we believe provides the best possibilities for reducing further harm and for changing the nature of MFSA in the best possible ways.

by Co-Convener Rev. Karen Nelson

MFSA is now on Bluesky

We've noticed many of our friends and partners making the move to this platform, and we're thrilled to join the conversation there. Stay connected with us for updates, advocacy, and conversations that matter.

Connect with us @mfsavoices.org