Welcome from the Methodist Federation for Social Action California/Nevada Chapter.
In 1907 a group of twenty-five faithful Methodists met in Washington, DC and formed the Methodist Federation for Social Service, now the Methodist Federation for Social Action.
They believed that one could not serve God without serving the people of God, without pursuing social justice. Above it all they believed in peace and in a social order that reflects the Kingdom of God and not the power structure of oppression and exploitation.
The National MFSA priorities are:
PEACE
Nonviolence: MFSA sponsors “Creating A Culture of Peace” nonviolence training and action seminars.
Palestine and Israel: MFSA promotes a just and lasting settlement to the conflict in the Middle east through nonviolent action. MFSA is urging UM Agencies to selectively divest in companies that benefit from the occupation of Palestine.
POVERTY
Workers’ Rights: MFSA takes action to support the rights of workers to make living wage.
Budget priorities: MFSA advocates for adequate funding for housing, healthcare and education in the belief that security cannot be gained through military might.
PEOPLES’ RIGHTS
Full inclusion: With the reconciling Ministries Network, Affirmation, and Church Within a Church, MFSA is working for a church and society that are fully inclusive of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons.
Dismantling racism; MFSA supports the work of the general commission on Religion and race, and has joined pother progressive UM groups to explore the intersections of race, gender, sexual orientation and class.
PROGRESSIVE INITIATIVES
Coalition Building: MFSA is strengthening and building a progressive movement of UMs through Voices of Faith conferences and organizing at Annual, Jurisdictional, and General Conferences.
Monitoring the Conservative “Renewal” Movements in the UMC: MFSA raises awareness around activities of the conservative “renewal” movements within the UMC, some of which are actively pursuing the option of a schism within the UMC.
Through our 100 year history, MFSA has worked on several justice issues that we continue to monitor today including: civil rights, restorative justice, the rights of women and workers, environmental stewardship and reproductive choices.
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