The Oregon-Idaho Chapter of the Methodist Federation for Social Action
an independent movement of progressive United Methodists taking action on issues of Justice, Peace, and Liberation

At our May meeting, the chapter executive committee evaluated the legislation that will come before the Annual Conference session June 10 - 13. We considered the amendments and recommendations of the Legislative Assembly that met in April and then made our own recommendations. They can be downloaded from here or you can pick up a copy from the MFSA table at the Ministry Marketplace.

Our chapter has submitted three pieces of legislation for consideration by this year’s conference meeting in Salem June 10 - 13.

Our proposed standing resolutions are:

• Call to Civility (SR5)
• National Health Care Reform (SR7)
• Seeking Peace and Justice in the Holy Land (SR23)

All legislation that has been submitted for this year can be downloaded at this location on the Conference website.

All proposed legislation will be considered by the Legislative Assembly which will be held April 16 - 18 at First UMC in Portland. The assembly is made up of clergy and laity from all 5 districts. Observers are welcome. More information about the Legislative Assembly is available here.

The annual Spring Event of the chapter was held on Saturday, March 5. Those who were there came away with new energy to help abolish the death penalty in Oregon. Whether you were there or not, you can learn more in several ways.

Aba Gayle shared her personal story of how murder and the death penalty has impacted her life. You can read her story at this website or you can contact her at abagayle33@aol.com

Naseem Rakha is the award-winning author of The Crying Tree. You can learn more or order a copy of her book at her website.

Clarence Pugh from Oregonians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty presented information about actions we can take. Learn more about OADP at their website.

Since our conference and our chapter have members in Idaho as well as Oregon, we would like to post information about an Idaho group parallel to OADP. Unfortunately, we are not aware of any active group in Idaho working on this issue. If you know of one, please contact us.

Welcome to the new website of the Oregon-Idaho chapter of the Methodist Federation for Social Action. This site is still under construction, so have patience with us as we get things going. Thank you.