Highlights of MFSA Chapter Voices and Witness
Present at 2001 Annual Conferences

Across the country chapters of MFSA were visible and vocal in their Annual Conferences in May and June of 2001. While MFSA chapters are now actively represented in 38 Annual Conferences and in every jurisdiction, many chapters were not allowed to have displays or distribute any information on behalf of MFSA because of conference rules regarding caucus groups. Of the chapters that were able to have conference tables, many chapters provided new MFSA brochures, copies of the Social Questions Bulletin, and local chapter information. Annual Conference is a time when many chapters hold their yearly gathering, often hosting speakers, honoring people for their service, and visioning upcoming events, actions and strategies for the next year.

Many creative and powerful witnesses occurred. The “We Will Not Be Silent” resolution was heavily supported by MFSA chapters in the Western Jurisdiction. Chapters such as Oregon-Idaho, Rocky Mountain, California-Pacific, and California Nevada either directly sponsored petitions or were active in working with coalitions and supporting the resolution. From their efforts specifically in California-Pacific and Oregon-Idaho, the call for a special session meeting of the Western Jurisdiction passed and MFSA chapters in the Western Jurisdiction are now organizing to meet and work more in collaboration with each other at the jurisdictional level.

During the Yellowstone Annual Conference, about 30 people gathered for the MFSA organizational meeting and showed great enthusiasm for forming a chapter in their conference. The Yellowstone organizing chapter recently held a planning a retreat and will be a great asset to the MFSA presence in the West. The Oregon-Idaho chapter through their commitment to farm worker justice continued to support the boycotting of NORPAC and many chapter members participated in the National Walk for Farmworker Justice. Part of their focus on economic justice included a keynote address by Lutheran pastor Rev. Alexia Salvatierra of CLUE (Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice). As a chapter, Oregon-Idaho members also provided nourishment for the mind, soul, and body with their fundraiser booth of refreshments and used books.

The California-Nevada chapter was instrumental in the passing of the conference resolution opposing the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) in its current form. The resolution calls on the U.S. Trade Representative to withdraw from any further negotiations on the proposed FTAA until there has been full public disclosure of its proposed text, open public debate, and a place at the negotiating table for representatives of the diverse sectors of civil society who would be affected by this agreement. As part of the direct action of the resolution, the resolution calls churches and church members to become educated about the FTAA, NAFTA, the WTO, and other trade agreements, lobby State Legislators and U.S. Senators and Representatives, urging them to oppose both Fast Track and FTAA, join in coalitions with community groups who are organizing opposition to the FTAA, and make meeting space for such groups available, and purchase Fair Trade Coffee and other products as they become available through fair trade networks.

In the Southeastern Jurisdiction, the Western North Carolina MFSA chapter had a wonderful turnout for their Annual Conference luncheon which was also attended by the conference preacher and Bishop Kammerer. MFSA’s presence was an active testament to the theme of the Annual Conference “Do Justice”. The WNC MFSA conference display included giving away water to symbolize the “thirst for righteousness” as well as education materials and resources. There was also a “Women in Black” demonstration for solidarity with those facing oppression in Palestine in which MFSA members participated and a petition passed on the Death Penalty.

Two members of the MFSA chapter in Florida introduced a resolution at the Florida Annual Conference concerning capital punishment that passed. At the Annual Conference dinner, the Florida MFSA chapter hosted over 100 people and listened to the words of Bishop Llyod Knox who shared with them inspiration to “keep on keeping on and do it in love”.

The first time Annual Conference MFSA dinner was a success at the Tennessee Annual Conference. Over 45 people gathered to hear Tom Gray speak about gambling and to discuss with each other how to further develop an MFSA presence in the TN Annual Conference. Through many efforts a MFSA conference resolution against gambling passed with overwhelming support.

On Memorial Day evening, the Arkansas MFSA Chapter hosted the Rev. Dr. and Mrs. Philip Wogaman of Washington, DC. Dr. Wogaman, visiting Little Rock for a series of lectures entitled "Christian Ethics and Social Justice", was a guest of Pulaski Heights United Methodist and their Forum series of adult studies. In this setting, Dr. Wogaman told stories about the rich history of MFSA from it's beginning to the present. He also commented on events at last years General Conference in Cleveland, Ohio. Dr. Wogaman concluded the evening by answering questions from the group and discussed issues confronting the UMC and MFSA and the work to be done. The newly formed Arkansas Chapter is a combined group from two annual conferences, North Arkansas Conference and Little Rock Conference. These two conferences are in the process of merging into one group. MFSA now has over 100 persons involved from across the state.

Back to Chapter News article list