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GENERAL CONFERENCE INFORMATION
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| Volume VII Issue 3 |
3 February 2012
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Greetings!
Last weekend, MFSA's Board of Directors met in Austin, Texas. We dreamed. We planned. We prayed. We shared the bread and cup with each other. Most importantly, we built upon the momentum that has been building in our National Office, our Chapters, and throughout The United Methodist Church for a just and fair society.
This dreaming and planning and praying doesn't just take place at meetings, but also in worship, serving together, or one-on-one conversations. And this work doesn't just happen in the United States. Over the next few weeks the Connectional Table will be holding Pre-General Conference briefings in Central Conferences.
Haniel Garibay, Cross-Cultural Coordinator, will be present at the briefing in Manila, The Philippines; Rev. Richard Bentley, Cross-Cultural Coordinator, and Jen Tyler, Associate for Movement Building, will be present at the briefing in Harare, Zimbabwe. Prayers for safe travel and strengthened relationships are most welcome!
Working cross-culturally for peace and justice had previously been a dream for MFSA. Now, thanks to vision, implementation, and funding, such a dream is now a reality.
Want to learn more about our dreams? Check out our blog entry by Heather Kramer.
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 Preparing for General Conference
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Restructuring the Church
Months before the 2012 General Conference, delegates to The United Methodist Church's top lawmaking body got a hint of the debate to come regarding restructuring the denomination. More than 300 delegates, communicators and agency staff gathered Jan. 19-21 for the Pre-General Conference News Briefing at the Tampa Convention Center, where discussions of the proposed changes dominated conversation.
The main piece of legislation - the result of the multiyear Call to Action process - would consolidate nine of the church's 13 general agencies into a new United Methodist Center for Connectional Mission and Ministry under a 15-member board.
Read more here...
Also read about MFSA's proposal here and here.
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Hawkins' View
Erin Hawkins, General Secretary of the General Commission on Religion and Race, has begun a blog series leading up to General Conference 2012. She asks three critical questions in her inaugural blog post. Read her blog to discover these questions and journey together as we seek answers.
Where are the Young Adult voices? Jeremy Smith at HackingChristianity.net states, 'One of the recommendations from the Call to Action is the re-distribution of funds to young adults (those under 35 years old), $5million dollars of the first amount of money saved to go to them. That's a great gesture and will certainly be put to good use. It makes me wonder, though, if the Call To Action values ministry to young adults rather than ministry with young adults. Are we included in the conversation or are we just being "ministered to?"' Read more about this and other UMC-related questions at his blog. |
| Ecumenical Advocacy Days |
Mark your calendar! March 23-26, 2012. Come to Washington, DC for Ecumenical Advocacy Days. Join with Christians across the country for worship, workshops, fellowship, and lobbying for global peace with justice.
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Sparks: Thoughts from OnFire - the young united methodist justice movement
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Spark12 is a new program for young adult social justice. Read Jen Tyler's blog post about her experience in helping form this new movement in The United Methodist Church!
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Who is OnFire? We are United Methodist young adults reclaiming our Wesleyan heritage of spiritual and social transformation. We are empowering young adults to impact our church and our world. OnFire organizes as the young adult chapter of MFSA. Check out our blog at: www.umonfire.blogspot.com. If you are interested in contributing to the OnFire blog, please contact Shannon Sullivan. |
Chapter Happenings
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EAST OHIO: East Ohio's Spring Renewal event will be Saturday, February 11 at University Circle UMC in Cleveland. To register or for more information visit the event website.
MISSISSIPPI: The newly formed Mississippi Chapter met on Tuesday, January 21 at 6pm at Parkway Hills UMC in Madison, MS. They held a "White Elephant" Sale to raise funds for the Chapter which garnered over $400 for chapter activities.
BALTIMORE-WASHINGTON: Chapter Meeting on Saturday, February 11 at 10am at Community UMC in Crofton, MD. Also, BWC Legislative Advocacy Day on Wednesday, February 15, beginning at 8am at Asbury UMC in Annapolis, MD.
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Does your Chapter have information to share? An upcoming event or participation in an action or campaign? Email mfsa@mfsaweb.org and we'll try and get it in the next E-News!
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Progressive Ponderings
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Social Media Corner
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Be A Tweeter!
Want to help MFSA in the Twittersphere? Post the following tweet:
I'm United Methodist and I support @MFSAVoices alternative to the Call to Action. http://www.mfsagc12.org/ #umc #mfsa #gc12 #gc12love
On Facebook, but haven't followed us yet? Click here, then click "Like!"
Already following us? Share with your friends by scrolling down the left side of the Facebook page. Select "Share" and you can either share our page on your Facebook wall or send a private message inviting your friends!
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MFSA National Office. 212 E. Capitol Street, NE, Washington, DC 20003
Phone: 202-546-8806 Web: www.mfsaweb.org
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