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More than 120 people gathered at the Methodist Federation for Social Action luncheon May 28, during the meeting of the Baltimore-Washington Conference, where the Rev. Yolanda Pupo-Ortiz was presented with the group?s annual God?s Foolish One award.

In her introductory remarks, Barbara Ricks Thompson reviewed Pupo-Ortiz? two times as associate general secretary with the General Commission on Religion and Race and her work establishing the Bethesda Hispanic ministry.

Pupo-Ortiz, a Cuban native, was ordained an Elder in the Southern New England Conference. She holds degrees from several Cuban institutions including the Seminario Evangelico de Matanzas, and a master?s degree from Emory University in Atlanta.

Pupo-Ortiz chaired the conference?s Council on Ministries from 1995 to 2000. She has also served on the General Council on Ministries and the National Committee for Hispanic Ministries.

'Some know her as a person passionate about justice issues,' Thompson said. 'Some know her as a mentor and confidant; others know her as writer and preacher. I know her as a friend.'

'This is my home. ? I?ve lived here 20 years,' Pupo-Ortiz said on accepting the plaque. 'I give thanks to God for the challenges.'

We?re together in the struggle for justice, she said. Together we can face the many challenges to get to Shalom, to the Kingdom of God.'

Jim Winkler, associate general secretary for the General Board of Church and Society, spoke on 'How to End the War.' Excerpts from that address will be published in the next UMConnection.

The clergywomen in the audience sang 'Sweet Spirit,' with the Rev. Susan Beehler at the keyboard for the song she wrote. They also performed her 'Zion Songs are Meant for Babylon.'

Kathryn Johnson, the president of the national Methodist Federation of Social Action, announced that in 2007, Washington, D.C., will be the site of the Voices of Faith Conference, which meets every two years.

According to its Web site, MFSA is 'an independent voice for justice within Methodism since 1907.' It seeks to unite activists within the church 'to take action on issues of justice, peace and liberation in the church, nation and world.'