MFSA Legislative Recommendations

2022 MFSA Legislative Recommendations Download this as a PDF document

MFSA is a social justice organization founded in 1907 originally to speak out against child labor. It was created through the United Methodist Church and for many years was the voice for social justice within the church. Later it became a distinct, stand-alone organization working alongside the church.

Today, the Oregon-Idaho chapter of MFSA brings much of the justice legislation that comes before us to the Annual Conference. In addition, the MFSA board reviews all the legislation coming to Annual Conference and makes recommendations on the issues that speak to social justice.

We offer these recommendations for you and urge you to be in conversation with your member to Annual Conference and pastor about legislation. You can find the full text of the legislation at: www.umoi.org/ac.

Legislative Item	MFSA Recommends:	Comments
Action Requests
AR 1 : Identifying and Opposing Apartheid in the Holy Land	Vote Yes	The people of Palestine continue to be isolated and persecuted by the nation of Israel.
AR 2 : Support the Christmas Covenant	Vote Yes	Reduces colonialism in the structure of the church and enables ministry in regional context. Prepared by central conference representatives.
AR 3 : Amendments to Local Church Disaffiliation Agreement Template		Ruled out of order by Bishop Stanovsky at the legislative assembly
AR 4 : Fulfilling our Baptismal Vows to Children of Clergy	No Recommendation
AR 5 : Call for a Jurisdictional Episcopacy Study Committee		Pending action by Legislative Assembly
AR 6 : Call for an Episcopacy Transitional Class		Pending action by Legislative Assembly
AR 7 : Amending Clergy Housing Standards and Policy		Pending action by Legislative Assembly
AR 8 : New Ministerial Education Fund Policy	Vote Yes	MFSA supports ongoing education for leaders both clergy and laity.
Standing Resolutions
SR 1 : Aligning our Investments with Values Regarding Palestine and Israel	Vote Yes for renewal	Continues our support for divestment from companies that support the illegal occupation of Palestine.
SR 2 : Affirming and Celebrating All Transgender Children of God	Vote Yes	MFSA supports inclusion of all people in God’s community.
SR 3 : Support Disaffiliation for the Cause of Full Inclusion	No Recommendation
SR 4 : A Call to Civility	Vote Yes for renewal as amended	As we stand in solidarity with people who are oppressed, we must work with civil conversation and respect.
SR 5 : Standing Up for Inclusion	Vote Yes for renewal	We acknowledge that ours is a diverse conference which demands respect for all.
SR 6 : We are UMC	Vote Yes	MFSA supports making the existing UMC a fully inclusive body.
SR 7 : Advocating for Comprehensive Immigration Reform	Vote Yes	We support the UMC position on comprehensive immigration reform and call on churches to welcome immigrants and oppose the rise of xenophobia and racism.

Published May 11, 2022