Methodist Federation for Social Action

National MFSA Board of Directors Meets at Historic UM Camp and Prepares for a Progressive Presence at General Conference

Release: October 31, 2003
For Immediate Release
Contact: Kathryn Johnson, kj@mfsaweb.org
202-546-8806

WASHINGTON, DC -- Meeting at historic Camp Aldersgate in Little Rock, Arkansas from October 23-26, the board of directors of the Methodist Federation for Social Action (MFSA) set plans in place to support progressive delegates and legislation at General Conference 2004.

On Friday evening of their meeting, board members heard local United Methodists recount the time, during some of the most tension-filled days of the civil rights movement, when black children and white children were able to come together at the camp.

Inspired by this history of the camp, MFSA board members were pleased to learn that the camp had been founded by United Methodist Women and currently has a thriving ministry for children with special needs. The general sentiment of the board was expressed in the words of Co-President the Rev. Marcia Hauer who, upon learning of the history and current ministry of the camp, said, “It makes one proud to be a United Methodist.”

During the board meeting, activities of the past year were reviewed and future plans set in place. MFSA board members reflected on the role of MFSA within the denomination, and focused particularly on the work of MFSA in relation to General Conference in the Spring of 2004.

MFSA, an independent caucus group within the denomination, serves as a “connection within the connection for those committed to working for justice and peace” according to executive director, the Rev. Kathryn Johnson. “One of our primary goals is to support existing justice ministries within the church and to connect people to those ministries. In addition, MFSA members in 38 chapters across the country create opportunities for people committed to justice to come together for support, study and action,” concluded Johnson.

After hearing a report about the very successful Voices of Faith conference for progressive United Methodists last April in Atlanta, board members announced that there will be another MFSA conference in April of 2005. With MFSA’s 100th anniversary approaching in 2007, board members also began to plan for a celebration of a century of prophetic witness within the Methodist Church. “MFSA has much to celebrate as we look back on the faithful witness for justice that has always been a part of MFSA’s presence within the church over the last century,” said MFSA Co-President, the Rev. Joe Agne.

Preparing for General Conference, the board confirmed eight priority areas for legislative action including “claiming the example of Christ’s non-violent love, promoting racial and interfaith justice and reconciliation, and maintaining our tradition of openness as we articulate our understanding of church doctrine for each new age,” according to Agne. “Of particular concern to MFSA,” he said, “is the increasingly litigious direction some within the United Methodist Church are pushing the denomination.” “It is our fervent hope,” said Agne, “that we can act to resolve controversies within the church in ways that are based in following the example of Christ’s love rather than a secular judicial model.”

Pieces of legislation which will be submitted to General Conference include an affirmation of academic freedom in United Methodist schools and a call to remove the word “usual” as added to the following sentence in the UM Social Principles at General Conference 2000: “We reject war as a usual instrument of national foreign policy and insist that the first moral duty of all nations is to resolve by peaceful means every dispute that arises between or among them…”

MFSA expects to have well over one hundred volunteers at General Conference tracking legislation, publishing a daily newsletter, serving low cost meals and providing delegate briefings. The board of directors is in the process of reaching out to other caucuses within the denomination in an effort to find common ground and to work together in a “common witness” at General Conference.

In other business, the board welcomed two new chapters-in-formation, one in the Alaska Missionary Conference and the other in North Central New York and approved a new emphasis for the coming months in which MFSA will invite United Methodists to sign a pledge of nonviolence committing to refrain from violence in thoughts and actions, to consume in ways that do not do violence to persons or the earth and to work to change violent systems.

Strong support was voiced for the Women’s Division of the General Board of Global Ministries and the effective education and action resourced through their national programs. The Schools of Christian Mission were lifted up as particularly exemplary.

Concern was voiced about the financial situation resulting in staff cuts at the General Board of Church and Society in Washington, DC and board members pledged to do all they can to support GBCS in its justice ministries.