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IN THIS ISSUE
GC16 Scholarships Available
SCOTUS Action
March for Palestine
Daily Lenten Reflections
MFSA On The Road
Progressive Ponderings:News and Job Openings
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Volume XI 
Issue 3 

4 March 2016 

 

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Spring is approaching in the Northern hemisphere. It's slowing changing from winter grey into vibrant hues. I even saw daffodils trying to peek through the ground this morning. Indeed, change is all around us.

You'd think that people engaged in the movement for social change would find it easy to embrace institutional change. But it's not always that simple. Even though we are in a time of sweeping social changes, it's always important to remember that change doesn't come without challenges. I mean, look at The United Methodist Church. Social and political changes give us pause; structural change of the institution give us weeping and gnashing of teeth. 

This weekend the Board of Directors of the Methodist Federation for Social Action will be gathering to engage in a time of visioning and guidance for what our organization and movement for justice might become. Such visioning is not always easy - nor should it be. I covet your prayers for these passionate leaders as they travel to Washington, DC and wrestle with important questions as we look beyond General Conference, beyond our current structures, and work to build a stronger movement of justice-seeking people of faith.

Seeking justice, In faith,

Chett Pritchett
Executive Director

General Conference Leadership Development Scholarships Available
The Love Your Neighbor Coalition and the Oregon-Idaho Conference of The United Methodist Church with generous support from The Collins Foundation are excited to provide Leadership Development Scholarships for General Conference 2016 when it meets May 10-20 in Portland, Oregon.
 
Scholarship recipients are paired with seasoned legislative advocates who have already been trained and are well-versed in the workings of General Conference. Applicants need to commit to being in Portland May 8-20, participating in advance reading and telephone conferences, and following the guidance of the legislative coordinators. The scholarship will provide funding for travel and lodging for the young adult advocates.
 
Sixteen recipients in total will be selected, with at least six of those recipients coming from the Oregon-Idaho Conference. Learn more on the LYN Coalition website or by contacting Chett Pritchett, Methodist Federation for Social Action Executive Director at [email protected]. PLEASE SHARE WIDELY!


SCOTUS Action: Abortion, Contraception

March is an important month at the Supreme Court for those concerned with reproductive health, choice, and justice. Just this past week the Court heard oral arguments in the case of Whole Women's Health v. Hellerstedt, seeking to overturn Texas HB2 which would place an undue burden on clinics providing abortion care.

March 23 will present another opportunity for voices of faith to be raised in support of reproductive health, choice, and justice. This time in the case of Zubik v. Burwell, in which the court will hear the argument for religious exemption when it comes to contraceptive coverage under the Affordable Care Act. We cannot be fooled into believing "religious freedom" isn't code for "right to discriminate. MFSA has joined in an amicus brief in support of women's access to contraception.
MFSA Co-Sponsor of March of Palestinian Support; March 20 in Washington, DC
The National March and Rally to Support Palestine on Sunday, March 20 is timed to coincide with the opening of the convention of AIPAC, the American Israeli Public Affairs Committee. We will gather in front of the White House for a rally at 12:00 Noon and at 1:00 p.m. we will march to the site of the conference.
 
JOIN US IN DC to Stand with Palestine, say NO to colonialism, destruction of homes and communities, and the Apartheid Wall, and say YES to the right of Palestinian refugees to return home. We must stand together to reject the efforts by the Israeli state and settlers to abuse, violate and evict the Palestinian people.
 
Speakers include Dr. Cornel West, Eugene Pruyear, Rev. Graylan Haglar, and many other activists, writers, and filmmakers.
 
RSVP here and check out the busses coming from afar for this rally. Let us know you'll be in attendance by emailing [email protected]
Daily Lenten Reflections
Sarah Cobb, MFSA intern from Wesley Theological Seminary, has coordinated a daily Lenten devotional. Devotionals with Scripture, reflection, prayer, and a parting question will be posted on the MFSA website and on Facebook at 9pm every evening. (We apologize for any tardiness!) It is our hope that your Lenten devotional reading will be a form of evening prayer and reflection on your day. If you would like to write one of the devotionals, please feel free to contact Sarah at [email protected].

MFSA On The Road
Tuesday, March 29: Wesley Chapel, West Virginia Wesleyan College, Buckhannon, WV, 11am; Chett Pritchett, executive director, preaching
 
Wednesday, April 13: Craig Chapel, Drew Theological School, Madison, NJ, 11:20am; Chett Pritchett, executive director, preaching

Friday, April 22 - Sunday, April 24: Foundry UMC LGBTQ Retreat, Rehoboth Beach, DE; Chett Pritchett, executive director, leading
PROGRESSIVE PONDERINGS
Methodist Federation for Social Action
212 East Capitol Street, NE
Washington, DC 20003
202.546.8806