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Volume XI
Issue 1
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29 January 2016
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After whirlwind trips to Chicago and Portland last week, I am noticeably aware that The United Methodist Church's General Conference will begin in just a little over 4 months. I'm going to be honest, friends, it's going to be a difficult time. A lot of the work we do as MFSA, and as part of the Love Your Neighbor Coalition will happen on the ground, and so we'll need your support: donations, volunteers, witnesses, and, as always, prayers. We will be there to proclaim loudly, "we are justice-seeking people of faith!"
Indeed, the witness of the Methodist Federation for Social Action extends beyond General Conference. While we prepare for Portland, we are also continuing to witness to Congress, the Supreme Court, local Annual Conferences, city councils, and in the corners of society where voices for justice seek amplification.
How are you using your voice? Where are the places where the voice of justice-seekers needs amplified? How can the Methodist Federation for Social Action help you say loudly and proudly, "I am a justice-seeking person of faith!"?
Seeking justice, In faith,
Chett Pritchett Executive Director
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National Weekend of Prayer: Whole Women's Health
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 The Methodist Federation for Social Action is glad to co-sponsor the National Weekend of Prayer for Reproductive Justice with our partner, The Religious Institute. From February 26-28, faith communities around the United States will participate in a weekend of prayer for reproductive health, choice, and justice, leading up to the the March 2 Supreme Court hearing of Whole Women's Health v. Cole, one of the most important reproductive health cases since Roe v. Wade.
Please consider engaging your congregation in prayer sometime during the last weekend of February. Sign up here - and thank you for witnessing that people of faith believe reproductive health care, including abortion, should be safe, local, and legal.
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| United Methodist Pensions Divest from Israeli Banks |
The Pension and Health Benefits Fund of The United Methodist Church has declared the five largest Israeli banks off limits for investment and has divested from the two it held in its portfolios. This is the first time a major church pension fund has acted to preclude investment in Israeli banks that sustain Israel's illegal occupation of Palestinian land.
For more information, check out the press release from United Methodist Kairos Response.
It's also important to remind the General Board of Pension and Health Benefits we are thankful for their work - which is not yet complete. Our friends at Jewish Voice for Peace has made it easy to send a note of thanks.
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Volunteer for General Conference
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Once you've signed up as a volunteer for the Love Your Neighbor Coalition, you'll be contacted by the housing coordinator for start the process of securing housing at the Coalition hotels in Portland.
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MFSA ON THE ROAD
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Sunday, February 7: Dumbarton UMC, Washington, DC; "General Conference: What to Expect and What Not to Expect"; Chett Pritchett, executive director, presenting.
Tuesday, March 29: Wesley Chapel, West Virginia Wesleyan College, Buckhannon, WV; Chett Pritchett, executive director, preaching
Wednesday, April 13: Craig Chapel, Drew Theological School, Madison, NJ; Chett Pritchett, executive director, preaching
Friday, April 22 - Sunday, April 24: Foundry UMC LGBTQ Retreat, Rehoboth Beach, DE; Chett Pritchett, executive director, leading
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Justice in the News
Job Postings
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