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Volume X
Issue 11
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28 September 2015
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What a week in Washington! First, Pope Francis came to town. Then the President of China. Now Vladimir Putin. I'll admit it: I was a little star struck by the Pope. Indeed, his presence was potentially life-changing for thousands of Catholics and non-Catholics alike. His words were thoughtful and caring - unlike many so-called "Christian" voices we hear today. It is almost like he made it to be cool to be a person of faith in contemporary American again.
But you and I know that being a person of faith and conviction doesn't always make us "cool." In fact, seeking justice almost always puts as at odds with "the cool kids." This summer, Lutheran pastor Emily Scott, preached to the ELCA youth rally about the conundrum of being a Christian and doing justice: "Just because the world works in my favor, doesn't mean it works in everyone's favor."
Beyond my initial reflections since the papal visit, I have been taking seriously the Pope's silence about reproductive health and LGBTQ persons. It's often the same silence I experience from leaders in The United Methodist Church. For many of us, we think silence means support. We take the crumbs of silence when our United Methodist bishops and our General boards and agencies are quiet. Yes, we need to break through the differences that separate us, but we must also expect faith leaders to use their voice in both the spiritual and public sphere. We can no longer expect crumbs to feed the world.
Seeking justice,
Chett Pritchett Executive Director
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MFSA Board Nominations
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 MFSA's Board of Directors has opened the process for nominations for board members. Those with fundraising and communication skills are especially encouraged to apply. Once applications are received, the board's Nominating and Governance Committee will make recommendations to the board for a decision at their fall board meeting in late October.
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PINK OUT FOR PLANNED PARENTHOOD THIS TUESDAY!
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Today, 44 faith leaders let Congress know that people of faith stand with Planned Parenthood and other reproductive health care centers. Tomorrow, you can stand with Planned Parenthood and let the world know that it is unjust and immoral to defund health care centers which serve 2.7 million people a year. Here are 5 ways to show your support for Planned Parenthood tomorrow:
1. WEAR PINK on 9/29
2. #PinkOut Your Profile Pic today: http://ppact.io/changeprofilephoto
3. Attend an event on 9/29:
https://istandwithpp.org/index.php?cID=231#event-list
4. Join the Thunderclap today: http://ppact.io/PinkThunderclap
5. Post a #PinkOut Selfie on Sept. 29:
No link needed, you know what to do.
It's time to:
Listen to over a million Americans who are sick and tired of the relentless attacks on reproductive health care.
Listen to the one in five American women who has received care at a Planned Parenthood health center.
Tell anti-abortion extremists and politicians that we are everywhere and we will not let them use fraud and deception to shut down the health centers so many women rely on for care.
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AN ACT OF LOVE: A DOCUMENTARY
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An Act of Love,
a documentary about The United Methodist Church, Frank Schaefer, and his trial(s), will have its world premiere at the Mill Valley Film Festival on October 9th & 12th. Mill Valley is an amazing festival, sponsored by the California Film Institute. If you have family or friends in the San Francisco Bay Area, be sure to let them know! Tickets are on sale here. Each screening will include a Q&A with director Scott Shepherd, producer Kate Logan, Frank Schaefer, and Tim Schaefer. You might even see appearances with MFSA executive director, Chett Pritchett, and Love Your Neighbor Coalition Coordinator, Rev. Steve Clunn, not to mention many others who work for LGBTQ justice in The United Methodist Church.
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WELCOME, IRENE!
|  Please welcome our new intern, Irene DeMaris. Irene is a current Master of Divinity student at Seattle University, School of Theology, with only a few classes left to go.
Before seminary, she worked as the Program Assistant for Youth & Young Adult Ministries at the Pacific Northwest Conference and is also certified candidate for ministry as a deacon. Her passions lay in creating a just society, especially with women's reproductive justice. She lives in Seattle where she is involved in her faith community, Valley & Mountain.
In her capacity as an intern with MFSA, Irene will have three focus areas: 1) assisting with General Conference volunteer; 2) organize a new Chapter in the Pacific NW Conference; and 3) research and organize for reproductive health, choice, and justice. She will be working remotely in Washington State and communicating with the DC office on a regular basis. Welcome, Irene! |
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MFSA ON THE ROAD
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Sunday, October 4: First UMC of Trenton, MI; Chett Pritchett, executive director, preaching, 10am
Sunday, October 4: Detroit Chapter MFSA Fall Gathering, 6pm; Chett Pritchett, executive director, speaking
Sunday, October 11: First UMC, Schenectady, NY, 10am; Chett Pritchett, executive director, preaching
Saturday, October 24 - Monday, October 26: MFSA Program Council and Board of Directors meeting; Washington, DC
Saturday, November 7: Fellowship of Reconciliation's Centennial Anniversary Multifaith Service, Riverside Church, New York, NY, 3pm; Chett Pritchett, executive director, participating
Saturday, November 14: East Ohio MFSA Fall Meeting, Brecksville UMC. Rev. Steve Clunn, Coalition Coordinator, speaking.
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Justice in the News
Job Postings
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