| |  | | | 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. Gmail users—move us to your primary inbox - On your phone? Click the 3 dots at the top right corner, click "Move to" then "Primary"
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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. | | | | | |  | Vote Your Values Methodist Federation for Social Action (MFSA) believes that voting is one of the most powerful ways we can live out our faith and values. This "Vote Your Values" resource calls upon people like you to reflect deeply on how your vote can support justice, equity, and the common good. Grounded in the principles of inclusion and solidarity, this focus highlights seven core areas where our values intersect with today’s most pressing issues: - Equity and Justice
- Climate and Creation Justice
- Inclusion and Accessibility
- Diversity and Representation
- Democracy and Human Rights
- Reconciliation and Accountability
- Peace and Conflict Resolution
Each of these values reflects the heart of our Christian faith—a commitment to love our neighbors, care for the Earth, and stand in solidarity with the marginalized. As you consider your ballot, we invite you to think about how your vote can help build a more just, inclusive, and compassionate world. | | | | | | | |  | Sacred Votes: A Guide to Election Participation, Justice, and Social Transformation This comprehensive voter toolkit is designed to equip us with the tools and knowledge necessary to engage in the electoral process faithfully and effectively. As we approach this critical election season, the importance of civic and voter engagement cannot be overstated. The choices we make at the polls have the power to shape our communities, influence justice, and transform society. As people of faith, our responsibility to participate in the democratic process is deeply intertwined with our call to love our neighbors and seek the common good. Given the seriousness of this election, a comprehensive toolkit has been thoughtfully compiled by The United Methodist Church General Board of Church and Society, The Baltimore-Washington Annual Conference, and Strengthening the Black Church for the 21st Century. This resource guide is designed to equip us with the tools and knowledge necessary to engage in the electoral process faithfully and effectively. The voter toolkit available for free. | | | | | | | |  | Help Support Our Justice-Seeking Work Dear Justice-Seeker, Over the last 117 years, Methodist Federation for Social Action (MFSA) has strived to uphold the core values of the Christian and Wesleyan tradition, values that compel us to seek justice, promote equity and equality, and embody love and compassion in our church and our world. As we reflect on the challenges that our world continues to face, we are reminded of the critical importance of our work. Poverty, inequality, climate change, discrimination, and countless other social injustices remain stubbornly present. These issues demand our continued unwavering commitment to make a difference. I'm so grateful that we do this work together. Because of your generosity we continue to be able to advocate for more... | | | | | | | |  | Webinar: Palestine Is Calling... An Urgent Appeal for Faith-Inspired Solidarity Wednesday, November 13, 2024
10am Pacific/1pm Eastern (US, Canada), 5pm GMT, 8pm Palestine Presented by United Methodists for Kairos Response (UMKR) and Methodist Federation for Social Action (MFSA) UMKR and MFSA present the compelling experiences of United Methodist and Baptist laity and clergy who have recently visited some of the most troubled spots in Palestine/Israel and who bring us Palestine’s urgent call for solidarity and support. Opening with a basic introduction to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, its recent history, and current realities, the webinar will close with a wide range of recommendations for responding to that call, wherever we are and with whatever means we have. Hear from a panel of justice advocates who know Palestine/Israel well and who have been recent eyewitnesses to the worsening conditions on the ground across historic Palestine. They bring us their first-hand experiences of providing a protective presence at key locations of conflict and creating a bold public witness of faith-based solidarity, a witness intended to be shared in our churches and our communities. Joining us also will be Omar Haramy, the Executive Director of Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center in Jerusalem, speaking about the purpose and power of these ongoing solidarity trips that Sabeel is organizing with diverse faith partners. Our panel’s trip was co-sponsored by Sabeel, Rabbis for Ceasefire and Christians4Ceasefire and included Buddhists and Hindus as well. These presenters also carry with them and bring to us the fear and frustration of Palestinians who see their lives are not valued by a neglectful world community and who despair of the global church’s seeming silence and inaction. This webinar will challenge us to answer Palestinians' urgent call to solidarity, offering manifold ways that we can be justice-seekers and peacemakers: acting as individuals and in community, within the church and in our society, locally, nationally, and globally. | | | | | | | | | | Pressure Elected Officials to Block Weapons for Genocide Within the next few weeks, we have a narrow window to block the $20 billion weapons deal to Israel that the Biden administration approved in August.
Blocking this weapons deal and placing an immediate arms embargo on Israel, as required by U.S. law, could not be more urgent.
This is the worst stage of the genocide yet. Israel is starving and slaughtering Palestinians en masse in northern Gaza, and burning alive Palestinians like 19-year-old Sha'ban al-Dalou at Al Aqsa Martyrs Hospital.
We know anti-Palestinian dehumanization runs deep in Congress and some members may not be moveable. But for every member of Congress who is moveable at this moment, it remains critical that they hear from justice seekers like us. | | | | | | | | | | Ratification Process for Constitutional Amendments Announced The United Methodist Church has announced a timeline for ratifying proposed constitutional amendments from the 2020/2024 General Conference. This involves verifying annual conference contacts and establishing the reporting process for vote outcomes. Ballots will be distributed by January 31, 2025, and the Council of Bishops will finalize the ratification based on the conference votes. | | | | | | | |  | Save the Date! Giving Tuesday is December 3rd On December 3, 2024, MFSA will be participating in #GivingTuesday, a global day of generosity! We invite you to join us in our ongoing mission to advocate for justice, compassion, and systemic change. Your support on this day makes it possible for us to amplify voices, challenge inequities, and build a more inclusive faith community.
Several generous donors will match the first $6,000 raised for Giving Tues. You can give through social media on Facebook and Instagram from Nov 26 - Dec 10, online through the link that will be shared during that time, or by check with Giving Tues written in the memo:
Methodist Federation for Social Action
996 Maine Ave SW #307
Washington, DC 20024 Let’s come together to make an impact. Stay tuned for more details on how you can be part of this vital work! | | | | | | | |  | 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. | | | | | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | |  | | | | | | | | | Contact Us Methodist Federation for Social Action
996 Maine Ave SW #307
Washington, District of Columbia 20024
(202) 240-2546
bridget@mfsaweb.org | | | | | | | |
