General Conference Info from MFSA 11/9/11

General Conference 2012: Things to Know

A "Call to Action" Alternative On November 1st, the National Office of MFSA released the following press release: United Methodists React to 15 People Overseeing the Agencies of a 12 Million Member Church Methodist Caucus Proposes Reorganization Alternative One of the largest mainline denominations in the United States is warming up for a major power struggle at its United Methodist General Conference in the Spring of 2012. Leaders from the Methodist Federation for Social Action responded to the official "Call to Action" plan because of its radical restructuring of the church. The Call to Action proposal would distil nine of the thirteen church-wide agencies into one, replacing more than 500 volunteer board members with a single board comprised of fifteen people to oversee the agencies of a twelve-million member denomination on five continents. In response to this extreme proposal, the Methodist Federation for Social Action is holding a telephone press conference to launch an alternative restructure approach. MFSA's plan reduces the number of agencies from thirteen to nine and establishes four program 'Centers' each with a thirty-three member board.  Read more... We are asking our chapters to please share this information and invitation with your members, Annual Conference delegates to General Conference 2012, and then join in the conversation on our website about these proposals at www.mfsagc12.org.        What You Can Do: Pre-General Conference  REVIEW LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES: Learn about a variety of Legislative Priorities for the Love Your Neighbor Coalition. Enter into prayerful consideration of how you might have a conversation about the importance of these petitions in the life of The United Methodist Church. Write letters, blog, tweet, call/meet/write your delegates, or (if you are a delegate) talk about these issues in delegation meetings. Learn more about these Legislative Priorities here. SIGN THE "LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR" STATEMENT: Read the "Love Your Neighbor" Statement and consider signing on! Over 450 faithful United Methodists, both laity and clergy, have added their names. Sign here! ATTEND A "LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR" TRAINING: As part of the "Love Your Neighbor" Coalition, we commit to engage in Holy Conferencing by telling our stories and building relationships with United Methodists from every walk of life and theological position.Together, MFSA Chapters and Reconciling Ministries Annual Conference Teams in 54 Annual Conferences will recruit, support, and coach campaign volunteers who will learn to tell their stories and build relationships with General and Jurisdictional Conference delegates. Look here to see if there is a training near you! DONATE: Support the work of MFSA and the Love Your Neighbor coalition through your financial support. Donate here. Online donations are safe and secure. Please make sure to note your donation is for General Conference 2012. What You Can Do: At General Conference   VOLUNTEER!! If you are able to volunteer for two weeks, one week, or even just a few days, please consider completing the Volunteer Survey. There are many, many ways for you to assist at General Conference - from legislation monitoring to hospitality to communications. Your gift of time can make a considerable difference at General Conference. Think of it as a Mission Trip to Tampa!