United Methodists Gather in Portland for General Conference BriefingFrom Reconciling Ministries Network Flashnet (1/26/2016)In January, nearly 400 delegates, agency representatives, and communicators gathered in Portland, Oregon for a briefing on General Conference legislation and practices. Alongside other important legislative conversations on fossil fuels, global restructuring, and an alternative legislative approach, discussion of policies regarding LGBTQ persons were front and center. The Commission on General Conference, which plans the legislative gathering, hopes its Group Discernment Process might provide a template for dealing with other contentious issues in the life of the church. On Friday, January 22nd, the gathered heard a panel on “Conversation about Topics Related to Human Sexuality.” Dr. Dorothee Benz, representative of MIND in NY, opened by reminding those listening that a more apt title for the panel would be “Whether and how The UMC will continue discriminate against LGBTQ people.” The diverse panelists were given the opportunity to share their convictions, answer questions, and respond to one another. Dr. Benz was a courageous presence on the panel as the only queer voice. She used the opportunity not only to share about her own call to ministry being denied in the church, but to also lift of up the stories of LGBTQ asylum seekers facing violence in their home countries and youth struggling with suicide because of church teachings. Benz was also able to articulate a precise and compelling explanation of why acts of Biblical Obedience are the most authentic way forward for those who are invested in justice for LGBTQ persons in The United Methodist Church. The full panel is now available for viewing here. We invite you to tune-in to this important conversation and then visit our website to tell your delegates to let them know your own conviction, story, and response. Successful panels are important for expanding education and building relationship, but after over forty years dialogue and discrimination, #ItsTime for change. http://us1.campaign-archive1.com/?u=38f2eb8a4757127e09ba18224&id=c86dfea480&e=ea209fd75b General Conference 2016 News: http://www.umc.org/who-we-are/general-conference-2016-news |
Gather at the River a Success!
September 3, 2015 — Rio Texas MFSA| For many months, we on the planning team had wondered if folks would be willing to come to San Antonio in the middle of a Texas summer to attend this event. The answer was a resounding “yes” as 700 gathered at Travis Park UMC for this wonderful weekend! |
More Photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/swtexasmfsa/albums/72157655763941734
Videos: https://www.rmnetwork.org/newrmn/category/gather-at-the-river/gather-videos/
The Lee and Mae Ball Award
September 2, 2015 — Rio Texas MFSAIn the 1950s, the Methodist Federation for Social Action came under attack during the days of the Red Scare and McCarthyism. Labeled “Methodism’s Pink Fringe” by an essay in Reader’s Digest, the Federation was asked to no longer be the Church’s voice for social justice.
With no apportionment funds from the general Church and no strong support from the denomination, MFSA was kept alive by the work of Lee and Mae Ball.
Noting the importance of an independent advocate for social change in the Church, Lee and Mae led MFSA by knocking on parsonage doors, participating in civil rights protests, corresponding with prison inmates, and publishing a newsletter, the Social Questions Bulletin (SQB). All of this laid the ground work to help the Federation become stronger for years ahead.
Lee and Mae Ball were never content to remain within the walls of a Church building because they knew they could only find Jesus in the company of the poor and oppressed. They engaged those who were “spiritual, but not religious” long before the Church had words to describe such a belief. And so today, the Methodist Federation for Social Action recognizes those individuals who have that same Spirit for peace with justice, for being the Church beyond the walls, and lifting up the best practices of the Methodist Federation for Social Action.
The 2015 Ball Award recipient has been a life-long advocate for justice and peace, through the church and in the community. In the mid 60s he was one of the pastors named by the National Council of Churches to go to Mississippi to help with the freedom schools and voter registration. He was an early protester against the Vietnam war, and has demonstrated against the B1 bomber, nuclear weapons, war in general, the coming of a drone base to Des Moines and on many other peace issues, and has been arrested several times for his witness. He worked with Rabbi Jay Goldberg and Roman Catholic Bishop Maurice Dingman to create a Peace Garden in the premier park in downtown Des Moines. More recently he was the driving force to be sure that Peace Garden was remembered and restored as the city did a major remodel of that park.
The Methodist Federation for Social Action is proud to present The Ball Award to Rev. Chet Guinn of Des Moines, Iowa. The award was presented to Chet at Gather at the River in San Antonio, TX. Thank you, Chet Guinn, for all you do to make the city of Des Moines, the state of Iowa, and the United Methodist Church a place where peace with justice is central to the minds of all people!
Rio Texas MFSA Has Strong Presence at Inagural Rio Texas Annual Conference
June 18, 2015 — Rio Texas MFSAYour Rio Texas MFSA Chapter volunteers were very active during the inaugural Rio Texas Annual Conference in Corpus Christi. We again worked with the Rio Texas Reconciling Ministries Team to establish a hub of conversation and information. There was a book fair, where your donated books were offered in exchange for contributions. There were exhibits and information on our MFSA chapter and our partner organizations, Texas Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty and the Austin Regional JFON (Justice for our Neighbors). And, we gave away pens, bookmarks, pins, candy, and bumper stickers!
Many of our MFSA chapter members and supporters were delegates, and we had at least 20 other volunteers who contributed their time and travel expenses to be a part of this powerful witness. Thanks to all who helped with this effort!
Our space in the vendor hall provided information about MFSA and other social justice organizations. The book fair offered conference attendees an opportunity to browse for their favorite authors and subjects, or to find something new and interesting to read.
Peace and Justice Luncheon – Wellsprings of Justice – Bishop Minerva Carcaño Keynote Speaker
June 18, 2015 — Rio Texas MFSAAbout 270 people attended the luncheon entitled “Wellsprings of Justice,” featuring Bishop Minerva Carcaño. In 2004, Bishop Carcaño became the first Hispanic woman to be elected to the episcopacy of The United Methodist Church. She serves as the official spokesperson for the United Methodist Council of Bishops on the issue of immigration. Bishop Carcaño is a fierce advocate for human rights and social justice. A native of Edinburg, TX, she spent her early years aspiring to make a difference in the lives of persons who faced poverty and discrimination.
She shared with us poignant stories of children who have come across our borders, the dangerous conditions under which they were forced to leave their homes, and their arduous journeys to travel to the United States. But, instead of finding safe harbor, tens of thousands of children have gotten caught in a political limbo while our nation debates their fates.
All children have basic human rights, no matter what they look like or where they come from. Bishop Carcaño encouraged us to get involved with efforts to help these immigrants. Of special interest to her is the work of Justice for Our Neighbor (JFON). JFON is a ministry of hospitality that welcomes immigrants by providing low cost legal services and engaging in advocacy for immigrants’ rights.
MFSA donated $500 to Austin Region JFON in honor of Bishop Carcaño, and in addition, over $800 in donations for JFON were collected at the luncheon, for a total donation of over $1,300. To learn more about Austin Region JFON or to donate, go to http://www.jfonaustin.org/.
Bishop Carcaño Speaks to a full house about immigration, a topic that is dear to her heart.
MFSA Justice Awards
June 18, 2015 — Rio Texas MFSATwo awards were given at this year’s luncheon. Each award recipient receives a plaque and a certificate, and a $100 donation is made to the National MFSA Office in the name of the honoree(s).
The Building a Just Community Achievement Award for Justice recognizes congregations that have made a substantial contribution to creating a more just community. This year, MFSA recognized one congregation for becoming affiliated with the Reconciling Ministries Network. A Reconciling Community is one which makes space at the table for all God’s children by explicitly welcoming lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and striving to transform the church into a full expression of Christ’s inclusive love. This year’s recipient of the Building a Just Community Congregational award is Saint John’s UMC – Austin.
Members of Saint John’s UMC Austin were presented with the Building a Just Community Achievement Award for Justice in recognition of their commitment to full inclusion in the UMC and the world, and for their actions this year to affiliate with the Reconciling Ministries Network. Twenty-six members of the Saint John’s congregation were in attendance. Rev. Paul Escamilla accepted the award for Saint John’s. http://stjohnsaustin.org/content.cfm?id=531
The Genesis Award recognizes groups or individuals who have recently begun a journey creating a more just community, and who have made an outstanding contribution.
Rev. Richard Bates presented MFSA’s 2015 Genesis Award to Reece Paz, representing the PLUM Cares programs of Parker Lane UMC Austin. PLUM Cares is a collection of non-profits and community projects centered at Parker Lane UMC in Austin. View the list of projects at: http://www.plumcares.org/on-going-efforts-and-non-profits.
Annual Conference 2015
May 6, 2015 — Rio Texas MFSA
MFSA will have a strong presence at the 2015 Rio Texas Annual Conference, June 11-14, in Corpus Christi. We will be present in the following ways to: · Share space in the vendor hall with the Rio Texas Reconciling Team · Share ideas and educational materials with others about social justice ministries · Offer tables full of books for browsing and taking (donations accepted) · Cosponsor the 5th annual Peace & Justice Luncheon with the Rio Texas Conference Transforming Communities Vision Team · Welcome a United Methodist champion for social justice, Bishop Minerva Carcaño, Bishop of the California-Pacific Conference of the UMC (see below) |
If you’d like to be part of this, please let Anne Mund, our chapter president, know by email ennadnum@hotmail.com. Opportunities are available to help even if you can’t attend any of the events.
MFSA Annual Conference Luncheon
May 6, 2015 — Rio Texas MFSA
Wellsprings of JusticeFriday, June 12, 2015 – Noon American Bank Convention Center Corpus Christi, Texas 5th Annual Peace and Justice Luncheon Sponsored by Methodist Federation for Social Action, Rio Texas Chapter & The Rio Texas Conference Transforming Communities Vision Team Featuring Bishop Minerva Carcaño
We are very pleased to have as our speaker Bishop Minerva Carcaño, who is currently serving as Bishop to the Los Angeles Area, the California-Pacific Conference. Bishop Carcaño became the first Hispanic woman to be elected to the episcopacy of The United Methodist Church in 2004. She is a fierce advocate for human rights and social justice. A native of Edinburg, TX, Bishop Carcaño spent her early years aspiring to make a difference in the lives of persons who faced poverty and discrimination. Not forgetting her roots and early hopes, her ministry has always involved work with the poor, with farm workers, immigrants, and refugees, even as she encourages congregations to work ecumenically and to be active in community organizing. Of her tireless work, she has said, “The road of ministry has not always been easy, but it has always been an incredible blessing, and it has always been home.” Join us for this on-site luncheon. In addition, we will honor the recipients of the MFSA “Building a Just Community” Awards. The luncheon flyer is available: https://riotexasmfsa.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/mfsa_luncheonflyer2015.pdf Luncheon Registration Information Cost: $12.00 in advance (by June 6) – Check or cash Need Spanish Translation? $15.00 at the door (limited number available) Or, pay by credit card* https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wellsprings-of-justice-tickets-15882596273 |
*Credit Card fee of $1.65 will be added to the cost ($13.65 total)
Book Fair At Annual Conference
May 6, 2015 — Rio Texas MFSA
| MFSA is collecting books for a book fair at annual conference
The Rio Texas Chapter of MFSA will again sponsor a Book Fair at Annual Conference in June. We ask members and friends to box up their gently used religious and spiritual books, and we haul them to Corpus Christi. It becomes like a treasure hunt at our tables! People contribute to us according to what they think the books are worth to them. It has been quite successful for the past 6 years, but to make it happen, we need your books! |
Contact Rowland Curry rcurry@austin.rr.com and we will arrange to pick them up.
Rio Texas MFSA and Reconciling Team Offer Scholarships
May 6, 2015 — Rio Texas MFSA|
The Rio Texas MFSA Chapter and Reconciling Ministries Team will offer financial assistance for deserving Rio Texas youth, young adults and adults who would like to go to the Gather at the River Conference in San Antonio, but cannot attend due to financial circumstances. The amount that we can give depends on the amount we raise for this purpose. If you or your congregation would like to contribute to this effort, there are two ways to donate. You may send a check to the MFSA treasurer, Janice Curry, 1509 Mearns Meadow Blvd., Austin, TX 78758. Make the check to Rio Texas MFSA and write Gather 2015 scholarships on the memo line. Or, you may donate online at http://www.gofundme.com/riotexasgather15. If you are interested in applying for one of these scholarships, please download the application at https://riotexasmfsa.org/2015/04/03/gather-2015-scholarships-for-rio-texas-applicants/ and apply by May 30. |
Bolz-Weber To Speak At Annual Conference In Houston
May 6, 2015 — Rio Texas MFSA
The Breaking the Silence Dinner at Texas Annual ConferenceFeaturing the 8th Annual John Fellers Lectureship Speaker: REV. NADIA BOLZ-WEBER Monday, May 25, 2015 Dinner begins at 5:00 p.m. Registration Fee: $25 per person Scholarships are available. For information, contact Rev. Glynden Bode at glyndenbode@gmail.com Rev. Nadia Bolz-Weber is the founding pastor of House for All Sinners and Saints in Denver, CO. She is author of Salvation on the Small Screen? 24 Hours of Christian Television and the New York Times best selling theological memoir, Pastrix: the Cranky, Beautiful Faith of a Sinner & Saint. Her writings can be found in the Christian Century, The Lutheran Magazine and Patheos.com. She is an ordained pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). |
Rio Texas Methodist Federation for Social Action 