Washington, DC – The Board of Directors of the Methodist Federation for Social Action (MFSA) has announced they have approved the formation of the first Reproductive Health & Justice Faith Action Network (FAN). This Faith Action Network is a way for United Methodist advocates for reproductive health, choice and justice to connect, stay informed and organize for change within our denomination and at local, state and national levels.
This new Faith Action Network will be led by Irene DeMaris, M.Div., who is a longtime advocate for gender justice through a faith lens and previously served with MFSA as a seminary intern focusing on reproductive justice. DeMaris said: “It’s more important than ever to begin this work for women and girls from a faith perspective. Our Wesleyan Heritage of social justice and our historic leadership of the Social Gospel Movement require us to take action, to stand with those who are oppressed. Having no United Methodist voice at the table for all parts of women's health, choice, and justice is dangerous. The MFSA has been walking with women from our founding and today, we further affirm that commitment through the creation of our Reproductive Health & Justice FAN!”
The 2016 General Conference of The United Methodist Church, instructed official United Methodist agencies including the General Board of Church and Society and United Methodist Women to withdraw immediately from membership in the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice (RCRC). This ended the denomination’s more than 40-year relationship with the coalition, of which The United Methodist Church (UMC) was a founding member. As the remaining United Methodist voice, the Methodist Federation for Social Action (MFSA) stated it believes it must further its commitment to reproductive health, choice, and justice both within our denomination and at local, state, and national levels.
"For the first time since the 1970s, the MFSA voice is positioned to be the strongest United Methodist voice at the table for a women’s right to choose and the time is now for the MFSA and its supporters to be prophetic for women’s reproductive health," MFSA said in its release. "After General Conference 2016, many women and those who advocate for women’s health were utterly dismayed. This Faith Action Network will empower United Methodist advocates to be a collective voice for change."
Ways to get involved:
- As a MFSA member or advocate, educate yourself on our stance on women’s reproductive health.
- Invite friends and advocates to join the network and stay informed by contacting Irene DeMaris at ReproFAN@mfsaweb.org.
- Consider making a gift to the Methodist Federation for Social Action to help us fuel this movement.