There are two annual conferences in the state of Connecticut, the New York Annual Conference (west of the Connecticut River)and the New England Annual Conference (East of the Connecticut River). Both annual conferences have MFSA chapters. Both chapters actions reflect the national priorities of MFSA: peace, poverty, people’s rights and progressive initiatives though we also work on issues specific to our local communities, state and annual conference.  We invite you to join with us as people of faith on this journey of justice.

New England Chapter

Chapter Contact Information
General Info: Don Rudalevige, president
drubale1@maine.rr.com
Membership: Robert Newell
rnewell@capecod.net

To learn more about the New England MFSA chapter visit www.nemfsa.org

Recent News:  Click here to read the October 12, 2009 New England Chapter Statement on Racism

New York Chapter Annual Conference 2009

On the legislative front, the New York MFSA chapter submitted resolutions on the following issues: human trafficking, energy use, torture and use of Fair Trade products within the conference, all of which were passed.  Two other resolutions concerning advocacy for the New York State Marriage Equality Law and support for those who dissent from the Book of Discipline were also adopted by the body.

MFSA-NY has joined the effort begun by NYAC Board of Church and Society to address immigration issues and helped to shepherd a resolution through Annual Conference that turned the currently ad hoc group on immigration into an official conference taskforce.

The 2009 recipients of the Gwen and C. Dale White award are Rev. Gilbert H. and Grace Caldwell.  Gil is one of the founders of the Black Methodists for Church Renewal and was its second national president.  He served the general church as the Associate General Secretary of the Commission on Religion and Race.  He was one of the organizers of the United Methodist of Color, committed to the full inclusion of all people in the United Methodist Church.  Grace Caldwell’s ministry has included teaching school for many years as well as raising two sons.  Both Gil and Grace have been blessings to the communities where they have served and to the national UMC.

The NYAC also allotted 90 minutes for the body to dialogue on homosexuality and inclusiveness in a session entitled, “The Beloved Community Speaks.”  Presentations from both the “evangelical” and “progressive” perspectives were given, interspersed with singing, prayer, and a time to speak both in small groups and on the floor of the conference.  MFSA-NY convener Kevin Nelson led the team presenting the progressive witness, which included 8 testimonies demonstrating the struggles of many persons—LGBT and straight, clergy and laity, parents and friends—with the exclusivity of the church on this issue.  Feedback from the experience was positive, with some suggesting that this model be used in other conferences and local churches for honest and open dialog amidst division.

One of the new initiatives undertaken by the New York chapter has been to participate in a dialogue with members of racial and ethnic communities of the NYAC around racism and gender equality.  This work is still in its beginning stages and has expanded to include gender issues.  The dialogue is born out of the concerns for racial justice and gender equality, inspired in part by Rev. Taka Ishii’s challenge last year at the MFSA dinner during Annual Conference.

For contact information for the New York MFSA chapter contact mfsa@mfsaweb.org.