The Methodist Federation for Social Action has a new director and a new home at Central UMC in Detroit.
On June 6, 2018 the Methodist Federation for Social Action (MFSA), a 110-year-old justice-seeking network consisting of members in 25 annual conferences, announced the hiring of their new Executive Director, Bridget Cabrera. Cabrera currently serves as the Director of the Non-Profit Hub for McCurdy Ministries Community Center in Espanola, New Mexico, where she works with volunteers from around the country and builds relationships and partnerships with nonprofit organizations in the area.
Cabrera has had extensive work experience in the United Methodist Church serving as an Executive Staff member of United Methodist Women, Deputy Director of Reconciling Ministries Network, and a leader in the Love Your Neighbor Coalition. C “In this time of uncertainty in the United Methodist Church, Bridget brings faith, clear convictions and tremendous skills to lead MFSA. She is a strong leader in the work of justice and calls the church to a future not yet realized,” stated Rev. Amy Stapleton, chair of the MFSA Personnel Committee.
Cabrera said, “This is a challenging time in our church and in our nation. Our work of seeking justice in our churches, communities, our denomination, country, and world will not be easy. I believe that challenges always come with opportunities to do what is right, equitable, and just in ways that show our love, values, passion, and commitment.”
At the end of June, Cabrera joined MFSA’s current leader, Deaconess Darlene DiDomineck, in transitioning the national office from Washington, D.C. to its new chosen home in the justice-seeking Central United Methodist Church in Detroit, Michigan.
When asked to comment on this moment of transition, DiDomineck stated, “It has been an honor to serve MFSA in this capacity these last two years. We are making the church, our local communities and our nation more loving, more just and more faithful. I am thrilled to welcome my longtime friend, colleague and fellow justice-seeker, Bridget Cabrera, as our new Executive Director. I know she will lead us faithfully as we work to make justice a reality in our denomination and in our world.”
In a January 29, 2018 press release, MFSA directors explained the move from Washington D.C. to Detroit. “The change comes out of an 18-month strategic planning process that framed key questions for the future: How do we dismantle white supremacy in our organization, the church, and our communities? and How can our white dominant organization become antiracist in a holistic way, with our leadership, our finances, our partners, our administrative structure, and our organizing model?
“We felt a strong call to model—with our national Office and staffing—the values that are emerging from these questions,” DiDomineck said. “Those values include a recommitment to local church and community-led grassroots organizing. Like the kind of creative and collaborative organizing that is being done in Detroit and at Central UMC.”
Other factors cited for the relocation were Central UMC’s connections with various justice-seeking communities and its location in an area of great diversity. “This move decentralizes MFSA’s advocacy efforts out of DC and models the importance of grassroots activism at the local, state and national level,” DiDomineck added.
Last Updated on August 12, 2018