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Dear Justice-Seeker,

I continue to hold all of you in prayer as we continue to work for justice in the midst of COVID-19. Tomorrow is election day and to be completely honest I am so anxious. I've already cast my vote weeks ago but the closer we have moved towards election day the more anxious I get. I hope that you have your plans in place to vote (if you haven't done so yet). I know many of you have volunteered to encourage voters in your community and across the country. You are writing letters, sending texts, making phone calls, and volunteering as poll workers or poll monitors. The staff at MFSA are making our election day self-care plans and we anticipate that we might not know the results of the election until later than usual. Here are some resources I will be using. 

• Leadership Resources As leaders we all need resources and support to help us lead through anxiety. 
• Podcast on anxiety What is actually going on in your brain when we are anxious and what we can do to help manage our anxiety. 
• Meditation I have not done intentional meditation work on a regular basis but I do hear that it is a very helpful tool. This app has created a series called Politics without Panic just for this election. 
• Cooking through the election. When I'm anxious I usually tend to reach for the ready-made or easy meal options. Knowing this, I will be prepping food for election week this weekend to make things easier on myself. I often get meal ideas from websites and I love this one because of their flexibility.

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.

Peace and Justice,

All Saints' Day

We mourn those we have lost.
Grant us the wisdom and courage to honor them
by living lives of faith, hope, justice, and love.

Support MFSA's Anti Racism Work

The national outcry of police violence and the recent awakening to systemic racism has brought national attention and renewed energy to the racial justice conversation and work. Systemic racism is not a new concept and the work to embed white supremacy within all the levels of our society did not happen overnight. It is so cleverly ingrained that it can be hard to spot and often when there are attempts to make real change like the call for right sizing police budgets, it is met with violent opposition. We must reflect on our actions and our inactions that have led to this point in our individual lives, churches, and our country.

The View from Bearden: James Cone, Black Suffering, and Theologizing Poetic Imagination

Join Union Theological Seminary on Wednesday, November 11 for the Inaugural James H. Cone Lecture, an "annual lecture in honor of Dr. James H. Cone, the father of Black Liberation Theology." This year's speaker, Dr. Anthony B. Pinn of Rice University, will lecture The View from Bearden: James Cone, Black Suffering, and Theologizing Poetic Imagination.

International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People

November 29 is International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. MFSA recognizes the ongoing injustice in the Holy Land where our Palestinian siblings live under an illegal occupation and apartheid state instituted by the Israeli government.  The struggle of the Palestinian people is one that is too often diminished or made invisible by the fierce efforts of the Israeli government lobbies and by fears of one being called anti-semitic.  MFSA will continue to co-host webinars with our partner, United Methodists for Kairos Response (UMKR), to continue to educate and advocate for justice. Haven't had a chance to watch all of our webinars? Did you miss one? We have recordings of all of them for your future use and reference. 

What kind of society do you want us to be?  What are you doing as the US stands at a crossroads of two kinds of society "injustice, supremacy, and patriarchy on one hand; and justice, compassion, and equality on the other hand"?  Join Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice (RCRC)'s Compassion School now.  A 10 week "go-at-your-own-pace, free virtual learning opportunity," Compassion School is a response to the current crises of the world including "a global pandemic, systemic racism, economic insecurity, corrupt leadership, and more," and it provides folks with the opportunity to learn in weekly lessons how to take part in building a “more compassionate and just society.”  Though the program began in October, the previous material is still available, and you are welcome to join the last three sessions this month.

Chapter Highlight: Oregon-Idaho MFSA

This summer, in the midst of a global pandemic, the consecutive murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery, sparked national protests and a renewed national conversation around systemic racism and white supremacy.

The Oregon-Idaho MFSA leadership shared a statement calling out systemic racism and demanding change, marched in their local protests, and are educating themselves to be better advocates for justice. They have put together a list of resources for chapters, congregations, and communities seeking to learn more and do more to dismantle systemic racism.

Justice-Seeking Community Highlight:

Walnut Hills UMC

Walnut Hills United Methodist Church in Urbandale, Iowa, lives into its mission statement, “A place to call home, where all are welcome, nourished spiritually, and sent forth to serve" by proactively welcoming and loving all people.  This radical welcome and love can be witnessed in Walnut Hills' involvement with the Iowa Sanctuary movement (ISM).  As a supporting member of the Iowa Sanctuary movement, Walnut Hills UMC is in solidarity with undocumented immigrants and their families.  Even more members of Walnut Hills volunteer regularly at the Iowa Justice for Our Neighbors clinics (JFON) by assisting folks seeking legal assistance with asylum and citizenship cases and by accompanying immigrants when they come to their ICE check-ins.

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

Save The Date: Giving Tuesday is December 1, 2020

MFSA has once again joined #GivingTuesday, a global day of giving that harnesses the collective power of individuals, communities, and organizations to encourage giving and to celebrate generosity worldwide. Giving Tuesday, a follow-up day to major shopping days Black Friday and Cyber Monday, is an opportunity to kick off the holiday season with generosity. On #GivingTuesday, December 1, 2020, consider giving to MFSA and help us meet our match of $5,000.

OUT: The National Cancer Survey

In September, the National LGBT Cancer Network launched Out: The National Cancer Survey. This anonymous survey will be utilized to "help inform cancer care for the estimated 81,000 LGBTQI+ people who are diagnosed with cancer every year."  Learn if you are eligible to contribute to this valuable survey.

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. VOTE VOTE VOTE - If you are not one of the 50+ million who have already voted, get to the polls November 3!  DO NOT MAIL IN YOUR BALLOT.  At the time of this newsletter's mailing, November 1, your mail in ballot may not arrive in time to be counted. Ensure your vote is counted: Mask up and go to the polls to either drop off your vote or vote in person.
2. Sign your name in the petition to say no to the USDA's plans that will cut the wages of farm workers.
3. Register for the November 11th Inaugural James H. Cone Lecture presented by Dr. Anthony B. Pinn, "The view from Bearden: James Cone, Black Suffering, and Theologizing Poetic Imagination."
4. 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."
5. Virtually attend the Compassion School offered by the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice and join the weekly discussion on RCRC's FaceBook page.
6. Demand justice for Jacob Blake.
7. Write a letter and join the grassroots organizing for the rights of refugees, asylum seekers, and immigrants.
8. 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."
9. Take free online university courses on systemic racism.
10. Host a virtual Card Writing Party to write and mail letters to immigrants in detention via The Casa Mariposa Detention Visitation Program.
11. 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. 
12. 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).
13. 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. 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
2. 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. 
3. Learn from the National Farm Worker Ministry's series on 2020's Harvest of Justice that highlighted stories and action items on farm workers and the environment.
4. MFSA released a Statement of Solidarity with the Filipino people condemning the continued Human Rights abuses in the Philippines and uplifting the Philippine Human Rights Act (PHRA).

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.