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Sponsored by the Methodist Federation for Social Action
Voices of Faith: From Swords to PlowsharesUnited Methodists from across the nation will gather to recall and reclaim our vocation as peacemakers.
Provocative theologian and biblical scholar, Ched Myers will anchor the three-day conference by leading us through three one-hour Bible Studies.
Gifted musician Jorge Lockward will serve as music leader and help us raise our voices for justice through song.
We will be touched, moved and inspired by the preaching of United Methodist ministers Rev. James Lawson, nonviolence activist and civil rights leader and Rev. Janet Wolf, organizer, storyteller and advocate for the poor and homeless.
Additional church and national leaders will be present including a special program on Thursday night "Promoting Peace in Israel/Palestine through Nonviolent Direct Action" featuring Mubarak Awad, Palestinian Peace Activist and Chair of Nonviolence International.
ROOMS AT SHERATON GATEWAY
Reserve your room NOW (because they are limited) at the conference rate of $95 (plus tax) by directly contacting the Los Angeles Sheraton Gateway Hotel by phone at (310) 642-1111. Make reservations with the "MFSA" code for the room discount rate. The hotel is within one mile of the airport. Free shuttle transportation is available from the airport to the hotel 24 hrs. a day at no cost.
The conference will begin promptly at 11am on Thursday with registration opening at 9am, and conclude on Saturday at 12:30pm. Several of MFSA's partner organizations are planning gatherings in Los Angeles prior to and after the conference. Check the MFSA website for the most recent schedule.
Registration forms can be found on the MFSA website and the conference schedule will be available soon. More details can also be found in the next issue of the SQB.
Affirmation: United Methodists for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Concerns, an activist caucus of LGBT people and allies, is holding "An Affirmation Family Reunion" -- an evening of fellowship, worship, and celebration on Saturday, April 2, from 7:00-9:00 p.m. This event will be one of several Affirmation 30th anniversary observances. For more information contact Affirmation at umaffirmation@yahoo.com.
Church Within A Church is also planning to meet prior to Voices of Faith. More information about Church Within a Church and the details for the March 30th meeting can be found on the web or by contacting Cathy Knight, Marketing and Development Director for Church Within A Church Cknight72@aol.com.
Parent's Reconciling Network (PRN) organizers will gather Saturday evening April 2-Monday, April 4 in Los Angeles. Contact: Barbara Olson 513/539-2524, reginald.olson@sbcglobal.net.
Reconciling Ministries Clergy (RMC) will meet the day prior to Voices of Faith. Join the RMC through the Reconciling Ministries Network website and be sure to identify as clergy for information on this meeting as it emerges. The Rev. David Meredith, Broad Street UMC, Columbus, Ohio is the convener.
United Methodists of Color for a Fully Inclusive Church (UMOC) is sponsoring a meeting of progressive people of color Wednesday March 30th in Los Angeles. The theme for the day will be "Exploring the Relationship between Racism and Heterosexism." Details forthcoming. For more information please contact Dr. Traci West: TWEST@drew.edu.
Western Jurisdiction MFSA meeting: A meeting is being planned for WJ MFSA conference participants. Details are still evolving. For additional information contact Frank Wulf at res03ytz@GTE.net or Richard Bentley rbentley@dslextreme.com for more details.
As an independent voice of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer people, Affirmation radically reclaims the compassionate and transforming gospel of Jesus Christ by relentlessly pursuing full inclusion in the Church as we journey with the Spirit in creating God's beloved community. We affirm a Gospel of respect, love, justice and mercy for all. Affirmation is an activist, all-volunteer, not-for-profit organization with no official ties to The United Methodist Church.
Copyright © 1998-2007 Affirmation: United Methodists for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Concerns.