Rio Texas Methodist Federation for Social Action

Three Building a Just Community awards were given by the MFSA chapter.

The Genesis Award was given to Rev. Carole Lahti for work done by Justice For Our Neighbors (JFON) of South Texas program.  This program, sponsored by UMCOR, provides free, high-quality immigration services, education, and advocacy.

The Community Achievement Award was given to Rev. John Elford and the University United Methodist Church of Austin.  University UMC conducts a large number of social justice and assistance programs, and became affiliated with the Reconciling Ministries Network in 2011.

MFSA’s Lifetime Achievement Award was given to Jo Anne Wilshusen, 84, of Corpus Christi.   Throughout her life, her involvement in local, district, conference, national, and international activities has been paramount and reflective of her focus on social justice and “all of God’s children.”  She has been elected a delegate to five different General and Jurisdictional Conferences, and was the first Chair of the Conference Committee on Status and Role of Women.

More photos can be found at:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Southwest-TX-Chapter-MFSA/208934022460155?sk=photos

In addition to the MFSA chapter awards, the Conference Peace with Justice Coordinator Susan Aguilar presented three of the recipients of Peace with Justice Grants.  Rev. Carole Lahti of Pharr UMC was again recognized for their efforts in the Justice for Our Neighbors program that provides advocacy and assistance to our immigrant neighbors.

Rev. Kent Kinard was recognized for the Green Bridges Community Youth Garden at Chapel Hill UMC in San Antonio.  This valuable program aids youth so that they can work in the garden and develop positive experiences with creation and the community as they perform community service hours assigned to them by the Juvenile Probation Department.

Additionally, the SWTX Conference is supporting a restorative justice program that provides meaningful employment to ex-offenders of the law. This worthwhile program, Redemptive Employment, is associated with Parker Lane UMC in Austin.  Rev. Abby Parker was on hand to describe this program to the gathering.

The keynote speaker for the luncheon was Jim Winkler, General Secretary of the UMC’s General Board of Church and Society.  Mr. Winkler called for an emphasis on social justice in our denomination and in our nation.  According to Jim, “…we’re terrific at feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and sheltering the homeless.  But when it comes to calling for a living wage, health care for everyone, and affordable housing—addressing systemic injustice, that is—we fall short not as a denomination, but in most of our local churches. The thing is you see, we don’t like to make people unhappy.  We think justice is not spelled j-u-s-t-i-c-e but j-u-s-t-n-i-c-e.”  Mr. Winkler concluded, “But, if our children and grandchildren will have a decent future it will be because we changed the very direction of the United States to one committed to cooperation, justice, and peace.  I am committed to that struggle and I ask you to join me in it.”

The United Methodist Church’s quadrennial General Conference took place in Tampa, Florida from April 24 to May 4.  Austin members of our SWTX-MFSA Chapter who were in attendance for a portion or all of the conference were Robbie and Tom Ausley, Richard Bates and Joe Santoyo, Joy Butler, Janice and Rowland Curry, Deana Henry, Sid and Angela Hall, David Mauzy, Anne Mund, Anita Privett, Sarah Howell (Delegate) and Jay Brim (Delegate).

What can we say?  Despite the efforts of hundreds of Love Your Neighbor Coalition leaders and volunteers, social justice issues got beat up pretty badly at this GC, and it could have been worse if not for our efforts.  In our Tabernacle, we sang, prayed, planned, took Communion, heard inspiring messages, met new friends, and ate well.  Across the street, we had songs, flash mob dances, street theater, candlelight vigils, silent witnesses, non-so-silent protest demonstrations (no arrests!).  On Sunday, the Coalition presented a wonderful worship service featuring Rev. Dr. James Cone, author of “The Cross and the Lynching Tree”.  In the meeting rooms and plenary hall, we were subjected to hateful language and found ourselves losing ground instead of making inroads to a more inclusive church.  By the first week’s end, it was clear that we needed to switch to defense to block further erosion of social justice.  At one point, a proposal to add language to the Social Principles that “God’s grace is available to all – nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus” passed – but only by 56%!  [Read that last sentence again!]  In the end, a great number of petitions and resolutions that would have done even further harm were not considered on the plenary floor as time ran out.

The restructuring of the UMC ran into its own problems.  Three major plans – the Call to Action, MFSA Plan, and “Plan B” were all defeated in committee, leading to the development of “Plan-UMC”, which was passed by the conference.  However, based on an appeal by the LYN Coalition, the UMC’s Judicial Council ruled with 5 hours left in the conference that Plan-UMC violated the UMC’s Constitution.  So the organization of the UMC continues as before.

Some helpful links to review the details:

http://www.umc.org – UMC web site

http://www.gc12.org – Love Your Neighbor Coalition web site

http://www.mfsaweb.org – MFSA web site

http://www.rmnetwork.org – RMN web site

http://www.gc12.org/blog/altar-for-all-the-video/ – Great sermon by Bishop Talbert

http://www.mindny.org/2012/05/general-conference/ – Great summary by Dr. Dorothee Benz

http://www.umc-gbcs.org/site/apps/nlnet/content.aspx?c=frLJK2PKLqF&b=8082625&ct=11746523 – GBCS Summary

http://www.facebook.com (Southwest-TX-Chapter-MFSA) – SWTX MFSA Chapter facebook site with pictures and video (use the link at the bottom of this newsletter)

Growth Through Justice

All are invited to attend the Second Annual Peace and Justice Luncheon at the Southwest Texas Annual Conference in Corpus Christi, TX on Friday, June 8.  The luncheon is a cooperative effort by our MFSA chapter, the Conference Board of Church and Society, and the conference’s Reconciling Ministries Team. The theme for this year’s luncheon is “Growth Through Justice”.

We are honored to have Jim Winkler, General Secretary of the UMC General Board of Church and Society, as our speaker at the 2012 Luncheon.  Mr. Winkler has served as general secretary of the General Board of Church & Society (GBCS), the international public policy and social justice agency of The United Methodist Church since November, 2000.  As the chief executive of the board, Jim leads a staff of 22 who seek the implementation of the Church’s Social Principles through education, witness, and advocacy.  The board carries out a wide-ranging ministry of peace and justice throughout the world with offices in Washington, DC and New York City.

Mr. Winkler is a member of the Justice and Advocacy Commission of the National Council of Churches of the United States of America, a member of the steering committee of the Campaign for Health Care Now, a board member of several organizations including the Faith and Politics Institute, Churches for the Middle East Peace, and Africa Action.

Jim Winkler is the son, brother, nephew and great grandson of United Methodist preachers and United Methodist Women. He studied history at the University of Illinois and George Mason University. After graduation from college, Jim served as a short-term missionary with the Pacific Conference of Churches in Suva, Fiji. At the Board of Church and Society he held the position of Seminar Designer, Director of Annual Conference Relations and Assistant General Secretary of Resourcing Congregational Life before his nomination as General Secretary.

For more details of the luncheon and the registration form,

Please contact Janice Curry jlcurry@austin.rr.com

Or, download the form at https://riotexasmfsa.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/luncheonflyer2012.pdf

Or, download from the Pre-Conference Report on page 134: http://www.umcswtx.org/download/2012%20Pre_Conf%20Report%204_27_12-1%20WORD%20FINAL%20WEB%20REDUCED%20%2004.27.12.pdf?inline

Training and Helping with Monitoring at Annual Conference

The Commission on the Status and Role of Women (COSROW) and the General Commission on Religion and Race (GCRR) are co-sponsoring a new monitoring tools training.  Our shared goal is to provide our annual conference leaders more constructive & comprehensive data toward intentional, invitational inclusivity in our churches. “Holding Up the Mirror” training will be from 9-12 on Thursday June 7th in Corpus Christi at the Convention Center, which hosts our Annual Conference every year (1901 N. Shoreline Blvd).  We will ask all the trained monitors to select various events at Annual Conference where they will serve as monitors!

What is a Monitor?  A monitor is aware of the life and commitment of the United Methodist Church to full and equal participation by all.  A monitor acts to promote that participation. Training will encourage: Respect, love, healthy conflict management and healthy relationships, using sound biblical and theological foundations.  Diversity is not to be “tolerated” but sought, affirmed, and developed as a benefit to the whole group.  It is not about “political correctness,” but about justice.

And, if you attend Annual Conference, you can also help with the MFSA/RMN booth and attend the Church and Society/MFSA/RMN Social Justice Luncheon with a wonderful speaker, Jim Winkler of Church and Society!

For more information, please contact Deana Henry or Pat Stewart .

We Need Your Books for MFSA Fundraising!

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.  Please contact Rowland Curry (rcurry@austin.rr.com) who will arrange to pick them up.  The deadline is June 3.