Upper New York
 Methodist Federation
    for Social Action
        Welcome!

      MFSA has been a voice for justice, peace and people's rights within Methodism since 1907. In 1908, after achieving the first denominational Social Creed, the Federation became Methodism’s unofficial rallying point for isssues of Social Holiness. Today, MFSA mobilizes its members to lead and sustain a progressive United Methodist movement, energizing people to be agents of God’s justice, peace and reconciliation.

Click here to learn more about MFSA

Links to Connect With Us:

            


   

Annual Conference 2012... Luncheon
"Love Your Neighbor: A Coalition Gathering"
(hosted by MFSA & RMN)
12pm Saturday, June 2 @ the Plymouth Congregational Church
(232 East Onondaga Street Syracuse, NY 13202)


Join RMN, MFSA, Affirmation, BMCR, NAIC & NFAAUM for lunch on Saturday, June 2nd at the Plymouth Congregational Church (about a 3-4 block walk from the OnCenter). We will gather together at 12pm to hear about General Conference & to hear from Audrey Krumbach, a National Organizer for Reconciling Ministries Network. The cost is $10 and an RSVP by May 25th will be appreciated (please tell us whether you: 1) are a vegetarian; 2) need a ride; 3) can help with transportation). Contact Mary Jane Russell (wjmjrussell@gmail.com) or Heather Smith (beezermcgee@yahoo.com) for more info. All are welcome!
   

   
All Clergy are invited to join the...

The NoRobes Project
at Annual Conference 2012

committed to the inclusion of all who are called into the circle of ordained ministry, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity

Click here to read the invitation


   

An Altar for All

Over 1,100 Clergy Declare Obedience to the Gospel, our Baptismal Covenenant of Care and Their Calling to Serve All of God's People

Upper New York's Statement:

We are United Methodists, called to inclusiveness, instructed to be faithful to the example of Jesus' ministry to all persons, and charged to deny every semblance of discrimination [2008 Discipline, paragraph 139]. We, as ordained elders, deacons, local pastors, and provisional clergy are given the responsibility to preach, teach, lead, counsel, conduct marriages and funerals, and offer the sacraments of baptism and communion. The Spirit of God calls us to affirm that we will not discriminate in the exercise of our pastoral duties.

We joyfully affirm that we will offer the grace of God, and our blessings, to any prepared couple desiring Christian marriage. We are convinced by the witness of God’s love for all people, and are compelled by Spirit and conscience to act. We thank the many United Methodists who have already called for full equality and inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people in the life of the Church.

We repent that it has taken us so long to act. We realize that our church’s discriminatory policies tarnish the witness of the Church to the world, and we are complicit. We value our covenant relationships and ask everyone to hold the divided community of the United Methodist Church in prayer.

Click here if you are an ordained elder, deacon, local pastor, or provisional clergy and want to sign the statement.
(Bring it with you to our luncheon at Annual Conference)

Click here if you are a lay person and want to support the Altar for All initiative.
(Bring it with you to our luncheon at Annual Conference)

Click here if you want additional ways to support
the Altar for All initiative.
(Bring it with you to our luncheon at Annual Conference)

Quick Links for this Page:    

UNY News & Upcoming Events             MFSA National News

Take Action


   
UNY News & Upcoming Events...


If you know of any Upcoming Events in the UNY AC that might be of interest to our MFSA chapter's members, please email us at sclunn@yahoo.com so we can post the information!

   

   


   

General Conference 2012...
(What Happenned in Tampa, FL)


Read the Coalition's daily News from Tampa:
"Love Your Neighbor News"
and/or
View MFSA's Daily Round-ups of GC 2012


   

MFSA National News...

   

Social Justice Prayer

Click here for the Monthly Social Justice Prayer from MFSA

   

E-News post

~ MFSA's bi-weekly Email Newsletter ~

Click here to read the latest E-News post

Click here to read archived E-News posts & to
sign-up to receive them directly

   


   

Action Center...

   
UNY's Bishop Marcus Matthews, Gives Testimony for a Church that Welcomes All to Christ's Table

While calling General Conference 2012 delegates and visitors to the communion table during the evening worship on May 3rd, Bishop Marcus Matthews gave testimony to how his home church growing up helped to form his "experience of the abundant Grace and Love of God." Bishop Matthews proclaimed that his childhood church of Cumberland UMC in Florence, South Carolina was "a true reflection of the broader community." There, during holy communion, those who came to the communion rail were "the full spectrum of people who became united as one people through our common fellowship in the bread and the cup... Also included, among those who came forward were those who happened to be straight and those who were known to be gay; but they all came to the same table and were united in our fellowship of holy communion within the living Christ. And in that church, no one was ever left out."

Thank you Bishop Matthews for testifying for a UMC that icludes All of God's people! If you want to help thank Bishop Matthews for this powerful witness to our whole church gathered at General Conference, please click here to send Bishop Matthews an Email and say thank you!


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If you would like to be on the Email Listserve for the Upper New York Chapter of MFSA

(you don't have to be a member of the chapter)

Email a request with "subscribe" in the subject line to unymfsa@yahoo.com
(click on the email address initiate)

 

Any additions or corrections for this website, please contact our web administrator:
Steve Clunn at sclunn@yahoo.com