Finding Community in the Work of Justice
An MFSA Membership Story by Deaconess Beth DeHoff
One of MFSA’s greatest strengths has always been the people who make up this movement. Throughout the summer, we are sharing stories from MFSA members about why this community matters, what keeps them connected, and how MFSA continues to shape their faith, values, and commitment to justice. This is what it means to be justice-seeking people of faith.
The Methodist Federation for Social Action provides a home for those of us who care deeply about the most marginalized members of the world. My belief is that Jesus calls me to love, include and empower the most marginalized in the kin-dom of God, and my commitment as a UMC Deaconess calls me to love, justice and service.
MFSA provides information and community for these beliefs. As a co-convener of the Indiana chapter of MFSA, I’ve found MFSA can bring this same sense of community and shared mission to Indiana Methodists longing for God’s loving justice. The support of MFSA as we have begun this work has been instrumental to the success thus far of our nascent chapter.
Beth DeHoff, MPH, is a deaconess in the Indiana UMC. She is the co-convener of the Indiana chapter of MFSA, and serves in her full-time work appointment as the financial resource coordinator in the Riley NICU Nest Family Support Program. She chairs the INUMC Compassion and Inclusion Committee, which focuses on inclusion of and justice for people with disabilities and people in the LGBTQIA+ community. She is the immediate past chairperson of the Indiana Governor’s Council for People with Disabilities.