July 2020 MFSAVoices
Dear Justice Seeker,
MFSA continues to be committed to becoming a more anti-racist organization. In order to make change in our church and world, we must first make change within ourselves. We have begun our Organizational Racial Audit work which will help us seek out and investigate the ways MFSA is complicit in disrupting white supremacy within our organization (National Office, Chapters, Members, policies, etc.). We are excited to introduce the Co-Moderators of the MFSA Organizational Racial Audit Task Force (see below) and will be sharing updates on our work regularly. Our hope is to do our work in public and share with you what we are learning.
We continue to see the urgency of our work to make broad systemic change that honors the dignity and worth of all people, that 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. This is the work of MFSA. Since 1907 we have 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.
A Message from the Racial Audit Task Force Co-Moderators
My name is Pat Stewart and being on the Racial Audit Task Force for MFSA is a wonderful opportunity. It allows me to work with others to help bring to light the policies of this organization and the United Methodist Church. Sometimes the policies seem logical and practical but when you examine them closely, emotional harm has been done. It is an honor to work with MFSA on issues of justice and fairness. I believe we can do better at matching our group purpose with our individual actions. I look forward to working with the task force, staff and facilitator to make things happen.
- Pat Stewart, She/Her/Hers, MFSA Racial Audit Task Force Co-Moderator, MFSA Board of Directors, and Program Council Representative (Rio TX)
Late last year, I attended an MFSA Program Council meeting as a representative from the Iowa chapter. There I heard from Executive Director Bridget Cabrera and Board President Andy Oliver about an initiative of the Board to examine and address the influence of racism in the institution of MFSA. They explained that as a predominately white institution in America, MFSA and the organization's culture was indefinitely shaped by racism. To proactively transform the organization, MFSA was creating a task force to (1) identify the ways in which racism is ingrained in our institutional thought, policy, and action and (2) form prescriptions to change ourselves from the inside out. Soon after the Program Council meeting, I was invited to join the Organizational Racial Audit Task Force.
I was pleased to be asked and prepared for a three-day training with Crossroads, the organization that is guiding our process. As a white person, I was challenged to think more critically about the way racism and white supremacy functions to benefit me. The trainers provided a powerful framework for seeing the structures of power and control that employ race, as well as gender identity, class, sexual orientation, ability, and other identities, to oppress people and communities at the “margins” for the benefit of the privileged “center.”
Before engaging in this audit process, I felt that I was aware of injustice and active in resisting it. Already I am discovering layers of implicit bias and ways that I have been complicit with and benefitted from white supremacy that I was previously unaware of. Even more, I’m starting to recognize the ease with which institutions like the church, police, education, and economics, are employed to maintain power imbalances for my benefit. I am beginning to see the difficulty of rejecting and deconstructing the systems of white supremacy and, am gaining clarity about the great importance of overthrowing these systems which work together to distort our lives and undermine our common well-being.
I look forward to the ways in which this process will shape me personally and will position MFSA to work for justice with greater integrity and in deeper solidarity with our partners. I encourage you to pray for the audit team and our staff, and I encourage you to continue to nurture in yourself the capacity to “resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves.”
- Rev. Sean McRoberts, They/Them/Theirs, MFSA Racial Audit Task Force Co-Moderator and MFSA Program Council Representative (Iowa)
MFSA and UMKR Webinar Wed. July 8, 2020 01:00 PM EDT
Holy Land Tours: How to organize, promote, or participate in comprehensive pilgrimage tours: “Come and meet the people.”
Speakers:
The Rev. Joan Deming
Elias Ghareeb
Janet Lahr Lewis
Bridget Cabrera, MFSA Exec. Dir.: Host
The Rev. John Wagner, UMKR co-chair: Moderator
Chapter Highlight - Iowa MFSA
Covid Connections
By David Shogren, Iowa MFSA SQB Editor
The dilemma facing MFSA and the church at large pits the survival of institutions, even those working for justice, against the risk of death for individuals as the human need for personal social contact eventually comes to the fore. What does justice mean in this trying time?
MFSA’s Organizing Principle (at the end of the article) applies here. In a sense Covid-19 has provided a unique perspective of ”blest be tie that binds our hearts in Christian love.” We have the opportunity in relative isolation to reflect on our mutual needs, wants and dreams, to realize more fully that we are all building blocks, all members of a common body, all united in love and bestowed with dignity by God’s grace. Many celebrated Holy Week and Easter in physical isolation from believers, a first as we worshipped together apart, boundary free via Internet.
Where are you most keenly feeling/yearning for a new day of justice and holy social action?
Justice-Seeking Community Highlight
Neighborhood Church
On June 13, 2020, Neighborhood Church, a Justice-Seeking Congregation in Atlanta, GA marched with the North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church to stand #UnitedAgainstRacism. This is their statement:
"We heard powerful stories of family members from churches in our conference who had been lynched, were reminded of churches who shut their doors on Black people in our not-too-far-back history, and confessed together that whiteness has been normalized for far too long.
This morning, we wake up to the news that another Black man has been shot and killed by police, this time in our own city of Atlanta. We pray for the family of this man - we pray for justice, and we continue to act for justice.
If you're still looking for a place to start with your work of anti-racism, please check out neighborhoodchurchatl.com/antiracism. It's just a start, but it's not nothing. Racism will only end by anti-racism. And we have much work to do. Reach out if you want to chat - we'd be happy to be in conversation with you!
To our Black and brown friends - we continue to see you and hear you. We love you and will continue to do our long-overdue work of educating ourselves. We will continue to fight alongside you, following your lead. 🖤🤎"
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
July 26, 2020 marks the 30th anniversary of the passing and signing of the American with Disabilities Act (ADA). A Civil Rights law, the ADA not only prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities but it assures folks with disabilities are given equal opportunities. We celebrate the 30th year of ADA, and at the same time, we recognize that in 2020 the reality is that individuals with disabilities still face discrimination.
Click here to learn how you can celebrate the 30th anniversary of the ADA,
and click here to learn more about Disability Rights in the era of COVID-19.
Image Credit: ADA National Network (adata.org)
Rev. Dr. Richard “Dick” Harding
June 16, 1926 – May 16, 2020
The world lost a giant of a man on May 16th in the passing of Rev. Dr. Richard "Dick" Harding. Even though he was nearly 94 years old, there is a sense of disbelief at the news of his death. “It hardly seems possible to envision the world without him in it,” said one of those whose life he influenced.
Originally from East Boston, Dick was a United Methodist minister, a humanitarian, and an activist. An active member and supporter of MFSA for decades at both the national and Annual Conference levels, Dick was passionate about human rights and community. He was active in the Civil Rights and anti-war movements as well as the supporting LGBTQIA justice. Dick was one of the founders of the Reconciling Retired Clergy of the New England Conference.
I first met Dick when I was a teenager and he was part of a team of people traveling throughout our Annual Conference conducting “Consultations on Racism.” From that point on, Dick became a role model and mentor for me. It turns out he was a role model and mentor to countless others as well.
Personal testimonies abound:
“I first met Dick when I was an atheist selling books at a church event. He came to me amid quiet, and gave me a book of Walter G. Mueller's writings. I treasure it; the book rests next to my Discipline and hymnal. But his smile, intentionality, and presumption that I had something to offer (what?!?) were an even more powerful gift. I've never been the same.”
“I learned again and again and again from him, even in his retirement, that if you're not raising up the next generation, you're not fully following Christ. It was enough to make me run headlong into the arms of the church. In a very real way, he was my first mentor in the faith.”
“Not only was he kind and fierce, but he also was a great mentor to younger church leaders.”
“A true giant and an inspiration to so many of us. What a legacy he leaves. May we who continue to serve grab ahold of that baton and run, run, run!”
“I was one of the scores of Dick's mentees. I will always remember his granting of space to folks to express themselves and grow.”
“…. he had a way of interacting that made me feel like I had a special place in his heart. If only I can live like he did, and make those who come after feel as honored and valued. Encourager and mentor for so many of us.”
“My most vivid memories of Dick are from after he retired when he would stand up at Annual Conference with that fierce smile and a chuckle in his voice, to remind us where justice was calling us to be accountable.”
With a passion for inclusion and justice, Dick was always showing up on the side of the angels, which is exactly where he probably is right now, sitting at some angel bar, cracking jokes and making sure there's room for everyone at the table.
WE LOVE YOU DICK AND WILL MISS YOU TERRIBLY!
Kathryn
Rev. Kathryn Johnson, former executive director of MFSA and clergy member of the New England Annual Conference
If you would like to celebrate the life of a Justice-Seeker please send notifications and information to communications@mfsaweb.org.
MFSA Joins Call for Divestment of Police Resources and Reinvestment in Communities
Black people have been killed, Black people are dying at the hands of police, our country is in crisis, and we all need to take action. We cannot sit on the sidelines, we cannot acquiesce, and we cannot assign responsibility to others. We, as leaders in the LGBTQ movement, must rise up and call for structural change, for divestment of police resources and reinvestment in communities, and for long-term transformational change. Now is the time to take action, and this letter amplifies our strong calls for urgent and immediate action to be taken.
Ongoing police brutality and systemic racism has plagued this nation for generations and has been captured on video and laid bare to the public in the United States and around the world. In 2019, more than 1,000 people were killed at the hands of the police. We mourn the unacceptable and untimely deaths of Michael Brown, Tamir Rice, Sandra Bland, Philando Castile, Eric Garner, Stephon Clark, Freddie Gray, George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Mya Hall, Tony McDade, Rayshard Brooks and many more who were gone too soon.
Now's the Time for Action
Now is the time to continue to push for broad systemic change, whether that looks like filling out the 2020 U.S. Census or contacting your lawmakers! Here are a few ways you can step up and seek justice in these uncertain and difficult times:
Grow in your personal learning or as a community with a group study by taking advantage of free online university courses on systemic racism.
Use your voice, and vote in this November's election. Click here to make sure you're a registered voter, and check your state's election site for specific instructions on any changes to when, where, and how you can vote this year.
Watch the MFSA and UMKR's joint call on the Israeli annexation of Palestinian land and review the list of action items lifted up during the call to actively oppose the apartheid in Palestine and Israel.
Demand justice for the killings of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd. Sign the petitions #JusticeForBre, #JusticeForAhmaud, and #JusticeForFloyd to ensure individuals involved in their deaths are held responsible.
The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe is currently facing the potential loss of what is left of their homelands, land that the People of the First Light have occupied for over 12,000 years, due to a recent decision made by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. The Inter-Ethnic Strategy Development Group (IESDG) has shared a Call to Action opposing the Disestablishment of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe. Sign the petition to stand with the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe.
Join United Methodist Women to put pressure on your members of Congress to pass the moratorium, or temporary ban, on water, power and broadband shutoffs during this pandemic.
The pandemic marginalizes those already most marginalized in society. Host a virtual Card Writing Party to write and mail letters to immigrants in detention via The Casa Mariposa Detention Visitation Program.
Sign the petition and demand the release of Palestinian children in Israeli prisons and detention centers. Learn more about this campaign: No Way to Treat a Child
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.
Complete the 2020 Census. It literally takes up 10 minutes of your time, but it will define public policies for the next 10 years.
So much of this country is in an economic free-fall in response to COVID-19 while many Americans were already at rock bottom before the virus hit. 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).
Our taxpayer dollars should be invested in healthcare, not harm. Right now, we're paying for the Israeli blockade on the Gaza Strip instead of healthcare for all. That means Palestinians in Gaza are facing the COVID-19 pandemic with an Israeli-manufactured and U.S.-funded health catastrophe. Contact your elected officials.
In Case You Missed It
As a partner of the Poor People's Campaign, MFSA participated in hosting the June 20, 2020 digital Mass National Poor People's Assembly and Moral March on Washington. Click here to learn more about the event and of what's next in organizing and mobilizing.
Click here to get the recording of the MFSA and UMKR's joint call on the Israeli annexation of Palestinian land and a list of action items you can take to actively oppose the apartheid in Palestine and Israel.
Click here to watch MFSA and UMKR's joint call highlighting three Methodist Mission Workers and their experiences of COVID-19 in Palestine
An article on MFSA and ICHRP's joint call on the impacts of the Coronavirus in the Philippines.
While many states have begun to end sheltering in place orders and Trump is encouraging churches to open their doors for in-person worship, we continue to encourage you to do no harm. Many states and politicians are encouraging churches to open and worship in person. We continue to urge you to act with an abundance of caution and care for your community. We know that enclosed spaces are not safe to gather and the virus can be spread more easily by singing.
We believe that the church has an obligation to remain faithful and act with love, and in this time of pandemic, to act with love is to stay home and save lives. Closing the physical church doors does not mean that the church is closed. The Body of Christ does not dissipate because we cannot congregate together physically.
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 and worship from home.
#MFSAVoices #JusticeSeeking #StayHomeSaveLives