January 2020 MFSAVoices
Dear Justice-Seeker,
I pastor a growing, justice-seeking congregation in the South. Some in my congregation have been pushed to the margins by oppressive systems and theology and some have quite a lot of privilege—but they all are working together for our collective liberation. MFSA connects them with like-minded United Methodists so we can build power for change together.
I remember the first time I attended an MFSA gathering. It was such a gift to no longer feel alone—to know there were other people who believe working for social justice is an integral part of living out our faith as Christians. MFSA has formed me as a clergy person to follow Jesus to the margins into places like officiating same-sex weddings, offering sanctuary to immigrants facing deportation, and dismantling white supremacy and racism. I am still under complaint for standing with Nancy and Shannon as they said their marriage vows. I give to MFSA because they help me be a better justice-seeker.
Today, we as United Methodists are in different ways working to dismantle the systems of white supremacy, homophobia, patriarchy, capitalism, and colonialism. These systems do harm and contradict the Gospel. No matter the future of The United Methodist Church, these systems will continue to plague our church and world unless we do something about it. We, like The UMC, have structures and practices that perpetuate the very systems of oppression we are trying to dismantle.
MFSA is partnering with Crossroads, a non-profit that focuses on dismantling systemic racism and building antiracist multicultural diversity within institutions and communities, to conduct a full organizational racial audit. Our goal is to be better structured to perpetuate justice and equity throughout the MFSA network and whatever form the church takes next. And if we are successful we will be able to help the church through a similar process.
We will continue our critical justice work and organizing toward General Conference and plan to host national webinars on our GC priorities to better resource you as we collectively work toward our vision for the church. Make sure you are signed up for our newsletter for more information.
Will you join me in giving to the important work of MFSA? You make our collective work possible by your witness for justice every day in your church and community. MFSA does not receive any financial support from the United Methodist Church's giving channels. 100% of our work is funded through your generosity.
Please give generously so that we can work for our collective liberation together!
Sincerely,
Rev. Andy Oliver, MFSA Interim Board President
MFSA is hosting National Plumbline Calls in the coming months around various petitions and resolutions submitted to General Conference. As a multi-issue intersectional organization, MFSA will be working toward passing legislation that seeks justice and reduces harm. We will actively work against legislation that does harm and continues harm.
Our next call is on Filipino Human Rights where we will be joined by the International Coalition on Human Rights in the Philipines (ICHRP) US leadership.
When: Jan 9, 2020 08:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/v50pcOyqrz0rJevCrsQ4A2U2doVoLnCuHQ
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Just. Compassionate. Inclusive:
The Future of Michigan Methodism
“I am a commissioned elder and provisional member of the UMC and I am member of the LGBTQ community, that part is not so provisional. I come here today in the fullness of those two identities because God invited me to come and I said, ‘yes.’ … And you said, ‘yes.’” The Rev. Joan VanDessel, one of two openly LGBTQ candidates commissioned during the 2019 Michigan Annual Conference, shared these words during the open worship of “Just. Compassionate. Inclusive: The Future of Michigan Methodism.” Organized by the Michigan Conference MFSA, the Michigan Strategy Group, and the Michigan Statement team, the November 23 event gathered over 150 Michigan United Methodists from close to 60 congregations in person at University UMC in East Lansing and at three “streaming” sites across both peninsulas in Kalamazoo: First UMC, Marquette: Hope UMC, and Traverse City: Central UMC.
"The Dangers of NOT Being Political in Ministry"
By Deaconess Sharon McCart
Originally Shared by Cal-Pac Taskforce Philippines
I sat in a jump seat in the back of the van. There was nothing to hang on to, so I braced myself with my left foot hard on the floor and my right arm jammed against the window as we flew over the mountains of Negros at over 100 miles an hour, only slowing slightly around the hairpin turns.
Negros is an island in the Philippines, south of Manila. In the fall of 2018, nine farmers who were only trying to feed their families were shot and killed under the cover of night. They are memorialized as the Sagay Nine. They fought unsuccessfully to retain ownership of some small portion of their ancestral land. Seeing a very few acres unplanted by the sugar corporation, and being denied permission once again, they illegally planted on that land. For this, they were not asked to leave. They were not arrested for trespassing. They were murdered without warning, leaving their families bereft and without financial support.
GCORR presents a free online course
Implicit Bias: What We Don’t Think We Think
Based off of the popular Implicit Bias Workbook, GCORR has created an online course for anyone who is interested in learning and teaching others about implicit bias.
GCORR invites pastors, teachers, and anyone who is interested in learning and teaching others about implicit bias to take this free on-demand online course. This course is designed for you to take at your own pace and includes bonus content specifically for preachers.
On January 24 and 25, 2020, the Michigan Conference will be holding a Global Water Summit. This Global Water Summit will gather water advocates, experts, and engineers from across water insecure parts of the North Central jurisdiction and global connection to develop a strategy for United Methodist leadership for water security. Using a mixed presentation and workshop/discussion format, the Summit goes beyond typical workshops by having a tangible strategic output: a roadmap for mission partnerships and investment within the NCJ and with our siblings in Africa.
Learn more about the Global Water Summit, the workshop panelists and presenters, and register
As a former LGBTQ reverend in the UMC and an interdisciplinary scholar, Elyse Ambrose offers a unique lens to sexuality and gender justice in faith communities. Her trainings consider robust meanings of the word “inclusion” as participants examine biblical, theological, and ethical foundations of Christian approaches to sexuality and gender, and focus on aligning their praxes with just ways of relating.
She is available to visit your faith community for half-day trainings for spaces seeking to approach gender and sexuality in more intentional, intersectional, and justice-focused ways. Learn more about Dr. Ambrose and her work at elyseambrose.com.
