Rio Texas Methodist Federation for Social Action

This year’s award recognizes a couple who have recently started a restorative justice program in the Eagle Pass region, for teenagers who have gotten caught up in the drug trade that flourishes on the Texas-Mexico border.   This year’s award is given to Reverend Becky Baxter Ballou and Mr. Bruce Ballou for their work in helping establish the Border Hope Residential Center, which serves Maverick County, one of the poorest in the nation.

The Congregational Award recognizes a congregation which has made a substantial contribution to creating a more just community.  This year, MFSA recognizes two congregations for becoming affiliated with the Reconciling Ministries Network – which only a handful has done in the Southwest Texas Annual Conference.  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.

In 2011, Grace UMC, in the Austin District, began its journey down the pathway of righteousness. Through Bible study, congregational conversation, and other forms of dialog and communication, Grace discerned they were being led to publicly show their support for those who have long been marginalized, by becoming affiliated with the Reconciling Ministries Network.  The award was presented to Rev. Linda Kessie representing the Grace UMC congregation.

Travis Park UMC, in the San Antonio District, began its journey in the year 2000 to become a Reconciling Community.   After setbacks and further discernment, their congregational emphasis shifted from just welcoming all persons, to being advocates for justice and policy change, the Church Council overwhelming approved becoming a Reconciling Community in 2008.  This award was presented to Rev. Monte Marshall, representing the Travis Park congregation.

The Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to someone who has demonstrated a lifetime of service to the world through the church.  This year’s honoree is Ms Dalila Cruz of Austin Saint John’s UMC.  Dalila grew up in the Rio Grande Conference.  She has worked for the UMC General Commission on Religion and Race, the General Council on Ministries, MARCHA (Metodistas Asociados Representando la Causa Hispano Americana – the Hispanic Caucus of the UMC), and the National Women’s Division of the UMC.  Dalila also served for two quadrennia for the National Council of Churches USA and also for the General Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns for a number of years.  After retiring from the Women’s Division in 1996 she returned to San Antonio and became very active with her local home church of La Trinidad, working with the local Metro Alliance.  Dalila served most recently in Office of the General Secretary of the 2012 General Conference.

CNN will be airing the film Girl Rising this Sunday, June 16 at 8 p.m. CT.  World Vision is a film partner, and the CNN version will feature the story of a World Vision-sponsored girl: Azmera from Ethiopia.   Azmera is one of several girls from around the world featured in Girl Rising, a film highlighting the obstacles girls face in the pursuit of education.  Named one of the “hottest cause documentaries in years” by the New York Times, Girl Rising is directed by Academy Award nominee, Richard E. Robbins, and includes the voice talents of Hollywood stars Liam Neeson, Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Cate Blanchett, Selena Gomez, Salma Hayek, Alicia Keyes, and Kerry Washington.

More information about the film available at:  http://girlrising.com/see-the-film/

Racial bias has no place in the administration of justice – tell that to Harris County, Texas. Duane Buck, sentenced to death in Harris County in 1997, may soon be at risk of execution despite the fact that his death sentence is the clear product of racial discrimination.

A powerful new video – narrated by former Texas Governor Mark White and featuring interviews with Texas civil rights leaders, legislators, the surviving victim in Mr. Buck’s case, one of the trial prosecutors, and Mr. Buck’s family members – exposes the outrageous discrimination in Mr. Buck’s case.

Watch “A Broken Promise in Texas: Race, the Death Penalty and the Duane Buck Case” today and share it with your social media networks.

The video’s release comes at a critical juncture as Mr. Buck awaits a ruling from the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals on his petition for a new, fair sentencing hearing.

As the video shows, at Mr. Buck’s 1997 capital sentencing hearing in Harris County, the trial prosecutor elicited testimony from a psychologist that Mr. Buck posed a future danger because he is black. The prosecutor relied on this testimony in arguing in favor of a death sentence. The jury then found Mr. Buck would be a future danger and sentenced him to death.

Three years later, then-Texas Attorney General (now U.S. Senator) John Cornyn identified seven cases in which Texas improperly relied on testimony linking race to future dangerousness, including Mr. Buck’s. The Attorney General promised not to oppose new sentencing hearings for these seven defendants. Texas upheld this promise in all of the cases – except for Mr. Buck’s.

It is high time for Texas to keep its promise and ensure that Mr. Buck receives the fair, colorblind sentencing that all defendants deserve.

This is more than just another conference.  Join hundreds of others getting involved in the movement for LGBTQ inclusion in the United Methodist Church through worship, conversation, and action.

National 4-H Youth Conference Center
Chevy Chase, Maryland
(just outside of Washington, DC)

Meet & Hear Words of Inspiration by:

Rev. Dr. Pamela Lightsey
Rev. Vicki Flippin
Marcus Briggs-Cloud
Joseph Tolton
Rev. Dr. Karen Oliveto
Bishop Melvin Talbert
Bishop Mary Ann Swenson
Rev. Dr. Cheryl Anderson

And more!

More details and registration at:

www.rmnetwork.org/CQ13

Make Plans To Join Us!

Friday, June 7, 2013 – Noon

American Bank Convention Center
Garrett Pre-Function Area
Corpus Christi, Texas

A Peace & Justice Luncheon Sponsored by

Southwest Texas Conference Board of Church & Society

Methodist Federation for Social Action, SWTX Chapter

Featuring

           Rev. Lorenza Andrade-Smith

Rev. Andrade-Smith is a UMC pastor, who is living on the streets in solidarity with the poor.  Her mission is to minister with the poor and marginalized, advocating for systemic changes.  You can follow her ministry journey on Facebook at:

https://www.facebook.com/lorenza.andradesmith

Join your friends for this on-site luncheon.  In addition, we’ll honor the recipients of the MFSA “Building a Just Community” Awards.

Luncheon Registration Information

Cost:   $12.00 in advance (by June 1) – Check or cash

            $15.00 at the door (limited number available)

Or, pay by credit card* – http://www.eventbrite.com/event/5854598261

For the full luncheon invitation, go to our website link.