For many years, MFSA has produces "Plumblines," in-depth analysis of issues and petitions/resolutions to General Conference. While they are not inclusive of every petition sent to the General Conference, they cover many of the topical areas important to the Methodist Federation for Social Action and our partner organizations. Although not all of the Plumblines are completed, you can find them at www.plumblines.org. Updates are being made daily!  

Once you arrive in Tampa, please report to the Love Your Neighbor Coalition Office on the 14th Floor of the Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel or to the Love Your Neighbor Tabernacle across the street from the Tampa Convention Center. Volunteers who have noted they are coming may check in at either location and complete a volunteer form. Hospitality volunteers should make their way to the Tabernacle for further instructions. Legislative monitors should meet at the Tabernacle on Tuesday, April 24 at 5:15pm for Legislative Orientation.  

Tips for Tampa: Bring Business Casual clothing, especially if you will be interacting with delegates on a regular basis. Hospitality volunteers working around food should wear close-toed shoes and arms should be covered. Pack a hoodie for a flash-mob type witness in response to violence. Finally, drink lots of water - MFSA will have reusable water bottles available. Donations are always welcome to underwrite the cost of the bottles.   

LOCALLY we join Floridians in challenging the construction of a 1,500 bed immigrant detention facility by Corrections Corporation of America (CCA) in Broward County, Florida which will damage people's lives and the fragile environment. We celebrate a recent legislative victory halting the privatization of Florida jails.

NATIONALLY we call for divestment from private prisons. We call for federal legislation to ensure legal status for undocumented immigrants and to reunite families, eliminating the rationale for detention centers. We join the Detention Watch Network's Dignity not Detention Campaign in calling for an end to the mandatory detention of non-citizens and an end to Department of Homeland Security policies and programs that use the criminal justice system to target people for detention and deportation. (www.detentionwatchnetwork.org) 

GLOBALLY we challenge the detention of tens of thousands of migrants around the world who have committed no crime, simply because they are out of status. We oppose the growing reach of CCA and GEO in private detention centers around the world.

Join MFSA and other members of the United Methodist Task Force on Immigration for Profit from Pain is Inhumane: Dignity Not Detention. We will gather at the Sail Pavillion in front of the Tampa Convention Center on Saturday, April 28 from 12:30pm-1:30pm. If you are planning to be at General Conference and would like to volunteer to assist with this action please email Jen Tyler, Associate for Movement Building.