We offer many thanks to the United Methodist Church in Florida, and particularly to Bishop Whitaker, Rev. Larry Rankin, and Melinda Trotti. The UMC has been very supportive in our work with the CIW and other farm worker concerns. Bishop Whitaker is an active supporter of farm worker rights. We are now developing a relationship with our Youth and Young Adult Network and UMC Campus Ministries.
NFWM staff, Bert Perry, participated in the Tallahassee Advocacy Days, sponsored by the UMC and Florida Impact. It was an educational, action, and lobbying day for children’s concerns in Florida. After extremely informative presentations and enabling spiritual reflection, we went out to talk to legislators about Kid Care, education and many other issues. A report of the activities can be found at: www.flumc.org
The UMC has also included NFWM in an article from the 2008 Annual Conference. Find it at their e-news site. And the new Response magazine also includes an article about farm workers and their allies in Florida, including NFWM.