Recent MFSAVoices Newsletters
MFSA News
Sanctuary is Hard
In 2017, the ministry team of Detroit:Central United Methodist Church voted to become a sanctuary church. We had an apartment in the church that wasn’t being used. How hard could it be? We found out the next year.
MFSA Co-Sponsors and Supports the Swift Passage of the Paycheck Fairness Act
“As members of a broad coalition of organizations that promote economic opportunity for women and vigorous enforcement of antidiscrimination laws, we strongly urge you to co-sponsor and push for swift passage of the Paycheck Fairness Act as a top priority of the 117th Congress.”
2021 Lenten Devotional - Ash Wednesday
After the dust has cleared, we will see the truth. The scales will fall from our eyes like ash, and we will see what we have done and what has been left undone.
Housing Justice on the Upper West Side NYC
The problems we face are real, and won’t be easily solved. But what a blessing to be in solidarity with other religious institutions, progressive neighbors, and the inspiring men of the Lucerne Hotel.
NCC MFSA and the Voices on Health Care NC
Among the challenges during the Covid-19 pandemic has been how to hold a conference in the era of social distancing. The North Carolina Conference chapter (MFSA-NCC) successfully tackled both the issue of health care and new technologies, producing a series of three webinars, Voices on Health Care NC, broadcast live, three evenings in October.
January 6 Reflections on this MLK day
White privilege and white supremacy cannot be the end of the narrative. We must face and peel back the messy, intersectional, layers of injustice rooted in white supremacy that dominates this world, this nation, our church, and our organization.
A 2020 Glance at Justice Seeking Communities
As we begin this new year of 2021, we celebrate the fruits and labors of our Justice Seeking Communities in 2020- being a witness and resembling the fundamental task of putting faith into action - and we pray that 2021 will continue to be a year filled with God’s justice.
2020 Advent Devotion 4
“Thank you for coming to visit us. Thank you for not abandoning us.” These were the words of a farm worker to me during a labor camp visit in North Carolina several years ago.
2020 Advent Devotional 3
284,440 people have died of COVID in the US at the time of writing. 2020 will forever be defined as the year of the Coronavirus pandemic. But, what we must recognize is that pre-2020, pre-COVID a deadly public threat was already at large: health care.
2020 Advent Devotional 2
As a Palestinian, I have been an eyewitness to the agonizing Israeli military occupation of Palestine and seen the immense effects of the unjust blockade of the Gaza Strip. I consider Zechariah’s psalm as my song and the song of every Palestinian.
NY MFSA Virtual Fall Banquet 2020
In October, the New York Chapter of MFSA held a virtual fall banquet featuring guest speaker Garlinda Burton, current interim general secretary and CEO for the General Commission on Religion and Race (GCORR).
It Takes a City: Witnessing the 2020 Election in Philadelphia
In this midst of this joy, the four of us who were gathered from the Arch Street team delivered and distributed masks, hand sanitizer, and bottled water to people in the crowd so that they could protest while mitigating the potential spread of coronavirus. We wanted to make sure that they knew that the church honored their right to vote and protest safely. And of course we made sure to contribute some dance moves, too.
2020 Advent Devotional 1
And the work as part of the Racial Audit team has reminded me again and again that this is not work to be done alone. This work requires all of us. All our experiences, skills, perspectives are needed. The work of building beloved community is done IN community with each other.
International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People
November 29 is International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People
Justice Seeking Community: Walnut Hills UMC
Walnut Hills UMC, a “place to call home, where all are welcome, nourished spiritually, and sent forth to serve.”
Oregon-Idaho MFSA: Black Lives Matter
Marching in solidarity because Black Lives more than matter.
OUT: The National Cancer Survey
National LGBT Cancer Network launches Out: The National Cancer Survey
East Ohio MFSA: “Race Matters: What Can I Do?”
East Ohio MFSA launches multi-week study addressing racial justice titled “Race Matters: What Can I Do?”
Justice Seeking Community: St. Paul and St. Andrew UMC
On National Voter Registration Day, St. Paul and St. Andrew UMC helps and encourages members of their community to vote.
Statement of Solidarity with the Filipino People
MFSA’s Statement on Solidarity with the Filipino People