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GENERAL CONFERENCE INFORMATION
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| Volume VII Issue 2 |
19 January 2012
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Greetings!
It's 72° today in Tampa, Florida. The entire MFSA staff is here for UMCom's Pre-General Conference Briefing. We're making connections with delegations, Boards and Agencies, and Caucus Groups. We're also experiencing the amazing hospitality that Tampa has to offer! From the airport shuttle to the hotel staff, Tampa has opened her arms wide to welcome us. We can't wait to share that welcome with others in April! Please consider joining us to share this hospitality by volunteering!
When we're not in official briefing activities, we're also meeting with staff at the host hotel, signing a contract with caterers for low-cost meals, finding a locally-owned office supply store, and most importantly, scoping out a laundromat (two weeks is a long time without clean clothes!).
We'd love to have you join us for Mission Trip: Tampa. If you can't volunteer, there are other ways to help: There's a saying that "What Happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas," but What Happens in Tampa Changes the United Methodist Church! |
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 Changing the Church
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Phone Banking for Palestine
United Methodist Kairos Response (UMKR) is an international movement in the United Methodist Church responding to the "Kairos Palestine Document," an urgent plea from Christians in the Holy Land for decisive action supporting a just peace in Israel/Palestine. On Tuesday evening, January 17, the MFSA National Office co-hosted a phone bank with UMKR to call all US-based General Conference delegates in order to gauge support for divestment petitions that have been sent to General Conference. Another phone bank is schedules for early February. If you live in the Washington, DC area (or know someone who does), check out UMKR's Facebook event. MFSA's Alternative Structure Proposal With topics ranging from "Difficult Conversations" to "Call to Action Alternatives," UMCom's Pre-General Conference Briefing continues to be filled with opportunities to engage in conversations around topics central to the work of MFSA. Central to these discussions are MFSA's Alternative Proposal to the "Call to Action." In a recent article from United Methodist News Service, MFSA's Executive Director, Jill A. Warren, and Coalition Coordinator, Rev. Steve Clunn, advocate a different view of congregational vitality that takes into consideration the diversity within and outside the United States and create greater accountability for decision making. Read the entire article here. |
| Legislative Priority: Non-Violence and Bullying | The California-Pacific MFSA Chapter introduced a resolution which was passed at their Annual Conference calling upon General Conference to encourage congregations, annual conferences, bishops, boards and agencies to
- take a stand against bullying in all forms
- endorse a zero-tolerance within their sphere of influence for bulling in any form
- publicize this position through the use of websites, emails, printed materials and verbal announcements
- stand together with anyone or any group being bullied or scapegoated
To read more about this resolution, and other legislative priorities of the Common Witness Coalition, click here!
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Sparks: Thoughts from OnFire - the young united methodist justice movement
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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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FLORIDA: The Florida MFSA Chapter met on Wednesday, January 18 at Hyde Park UMC in Tampa. MFSA staff was present, as was Rev. Amy Stapleton of the General Commission on Religion and Race to talk about proposed changes in denominational structure, including how the Florida Chapter can engage in conversations with their delegates on the topic.
MISSISSIPPI: The newly formed Mississippi Chapter will be meeting on Tuesday, January 21 at 6pm at Parkway Hills UMC in Madison, MS. They plan to talk about General Conference, Immigration, and the Personhood Amendment. There will also be a "White Elephant" Sale to raise funds for the Chapter.
SOUTHWEST TEXAS: The Southwest Texas Chapter has taken on the awesome task of hosting the MFSA National Board Meeting the weekend of January 27-29 at St. John's United Methodist Church in Austin. Many thanks to our gracious hosts!!
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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 and UM Kairos Response in the Twittersphere? Post the following tweet:
I support divestment from companies who profit from Palestinian Oppression. https://www.kairosresponse.org/Sign_Petition.html #umc #gc12 #mfsa #umkairosrep
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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