Rio Texas Methodist Federation for Social Action

The General Conference of the United Methodist Church meets every four years (quadrennium). Legislative changes are recorded in The Book of Discipline which is revised after each General Conference.  Non-legislative resolutions are recorded in the Book of Resolutions, which is published after each General Conference, and expire after eight years unless passed again by a subsequent session of General Conference.  The last General Conference was held in Fort Worth, Texas, in 2008.  The next General Conference will be April 25 – May 4, 2012 in Tampa, Florida.

The UM General Conference essentially sets all policies and direction of the denomination.  There currently exist certain aspects of the denomination’s policies that are opposed by progressive groups such as MFSA.  The General Conference in Tampa will be the place where such policies are changed or retained.  For information on GC, the legislative process, and proposed changes to the Book of Discipline and the Book of Resolutions, follow this link.

MFSA is offering three petitions to General Conference 2012 as an alternative vision to the “Call to Action” proposals. It is our hope that together we might find once again what it means to be a connectional people of God’s grace and love at work in the world.  Click here to view the 3 models of UMC structure before us: Current Structure, the Call to Action proposal, and A New United Methodist Administrative Order.

Once again the Methodist Federation for Social Action (MFSA), the Reconciling Ministries Network (RMN) and Affirmation will be coordinating housing and volunteer activities. Many plans are still being worked out.  Volunteer opportunities abound for progressive United Methodists who are committed to justice and are willing/able to attend General Conference in Florida.

Some SWTX members are planning to attend all or portions of General Conference.  If you are interested in attending or volunteering, go to the websites below or contact rcurry@austin.rr.com.

For more information, go to www.gc12.org, www.rmnetwork.org or www.mfsaweb.org.

Planning is under way for our Second Annual Peace and Justice Luncheon at the Southwest Texas Annual Conference in Corpus Christi, TX June 7 – 10.  The inaugural luncheon in 2011 attracted about 150 persons to hear Dr. Joerg Rieger of Perkins School of Theology.  The luncheon was a cooperative effort by our MFSA chapter, the Conference Board of Church and Society, and the conference’s Reconciling Ministries Team.

Our 2012 luncheon will be on Friday, June 8 at the Convention Center in Corpus Christi.  Our principal speaker will be Jim Winkler, General Secretary of the UMC General Board of Church and Society.

Our SWTX Chapter is also planning to once again sponsor an exhibit that will include MFSA information, an expanded display of the Shower of Stoles, and our traditional book fair.

We Need Your Books!

For the past few years, our MFSA chapter has been collecting gently used religious and spiritual books from our members and friends, and offering them for sale/donation at our Annual Conference booth.  We will do that again this year if we can collect enough books, so clean out your closets or shelves and bring them to chapter meetings.  Contact Rowland Curry (rcurry@austin.rr.com) if you need for us to pick them up.  Deadline is June 3.

The General Conference of the United Methodist Church meets every four years (quadrennium). Legislative changes are recorded in The Book of Discipline which is revised after each General Conference.  Non-legislative resolutions are recorded in the Book of Resolutions, which is published after each General Conference, and expire after eight years unless passed again by a subsequent session of General Conference.  The last General Conference was held in Fort Worth, Texas, in 2008.  The next General Conference will be April 25-May 4, 2012 in Tampa, Florida.

Planning is under way for our Second Annual Peace and Justice Luncheon at the Southwest Texas Annual Conference in Corpus Christi, TX June 7 – 10.  The inaugural luncheon in 2011 attracted about 150 persons to hear Dr. Joerg Rieger of Perkins School of Theology.  The luncheon was a cooperative effort by our MFSA chapter, the Conference Board of Church and Society, and the conference’s Reconciling Ministries Team.

Details of the event are still tentative, but we have received a speaking commitment from a very well-known Methodist – Jim Winkler, General Secretary of the UMC General Board of Church and Society.

Our SWTX Chapter is also planning to once again sponsor an exhibit that will include MFSA information, an expanded display of the Shower of Stoles, and our traditional book fair (so start saving books).