2006 News

May 1 - MESJ enters partnership with CrossLeft
On May 1, 2006, MESJ announced she entered a partnership with CrossLeft,
a strategy clearing house and meeting point for a great number of major social justice organizations of a wide variety of religious denominations. CrossLeft is a central hub for grassroots activism among progressive Christians. They bring in news from other progressive Christian sites, and all of their efforts are geared towards coordinating action, educating the country, and providing a strategy for long-term change. The mission at CrossLeft is to coordinate a larger national movement. They don't want to replace the many activist efforts out there already. They want to help dispersed progressive Christian organizations to work together, together creating a broader movement for social and political change .

From the MESJ Mission Statement:
We have been urged by Church leaders to become “full participants in political, governmental, and community affairs,” “using gospel principles as a guide and...cooperating with other like-minded individuals”
(First Presidency letter, 15 Jan. 1998)

Feb. 20 - John-Charles Duffy steps down as Media Director
After years of dedicated service as Media Director of MESJ, John-Charles Duffy realized that the combined workload of his many activities was such that he needed to make some adjustments, and having to let go of his position as MESJ's Media Director was unfortunately one of those adjustments. John-Charles pioneered the website, which for many was a first introduction to social justice within the Mormon faith tradition. He made many improvements to the website and started the monthly online newsletter 'Anxiously Engaged'. Evident in all his publications, is his balanced and highly informed approach that makes his work so attractive to many, and it is clear that John-Charles will continue to get our attention as a gifted and succesful writer. We highly recommend visiting the personal website of John-Charles Duffy to become familiar with some of his work, ...and to understand why he had to make some time adjustments!
John-Charles will remain a much appreciated member of the MESJ Steering Committee, where his experience and knowledge will prove very valuable. He is succeeded by Robert Poort as interim Media Director as of February 20th 2006.

Feb. 13 - San Francisco-Bay Area Chapter Revitalized
On February 13th 2006, the San Francisco Chapter was reorganized after a number of members moved out of the area. A first meeting was held at the home of Liz and Jeremy McMillan (Liz is the chapter's contact person) and plans were drawn to commit to monthly activities. For March a discussion meeting on 'Mormonism and War' was planned, and in April the chapter will participate in a hands-on activity with Habitat for Humanity.

Jan. 24 - Laurel Ulrich given honors at Harvard University
Laurel Ulrich, a member of the Boston chapter of MESJ, and a pre-eminent historian of early America and of the history of women, recently was appointed a University Professor at Harvard University.
Laurel, a member of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at Harvard University, was
offically recognized as an 'individual of distinction'. It is rare to have a woman receive such a prize at this institution-- the only mormon woman to receive such an honor - and the only mormon woman to have tenure at Harvard. Laurel thus serves as a wonderful role model for women in the church.