What ifon one weekend all around the world, United Methodists came together to work with their local communities? What ifas we serve people locally, we unite globally to eliminate a preventable, treatable disease that kills one child every 30 seconds? Would you help?

On April 24-25, 2010, faithful Christians around the world will be participating in Change the World, a weekend event that coincides with World Malaria Day on Sunday, April 25. Congregations are invited to schedule a community-based workday, and use World Malaria Day sermon starters on Sunday. A special offering is encouraged to support the fight against malaria.

Even our smallest churches can have incredible impact when they leave their four walls to serve the needs of their neighbors, alongside of their neighbors, says Rev. Mike Slaughter, lead pastor at Ginghamsburg UMC and author of Change the World: Recovering the Mission and Message of Jesus.

In the New England Conference, 2010 has been declared a Mission Leap year, where every congregation, and every person in each congregation, is encouraged to participate in one (or one additional) hands-on mission project in 2010.

This Change the World event is the perfect opportunity for our congregations to join the effort to move outside our church walls and serve the needs of our communities, commented Bishop Peter Weaver of the New England Conference. Imagine the impact of more than 600 churches in Connecticut, New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Vermont all joining hearts and hands in their communities to work with and serve our neighbors. Multiply this by churches across the globe, and together we can truly transform the world.

For ideas and resources on ways your congregation can leap into mission in your community, visit www.neumc.org/missionleap. To get involved in this world day of service and to find resources for this and for World Malaria Day, go to www.rethinkchurch.org/changetheworld.

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2010 Annual Conference Information and Updates

The New England Annual Conference Session will be held June 17-19, 2010 (clergy session June 16) at Gordon College in Wenham, MA. Ongoing information and updates can be found at www.neumc.org/ac10.

The 2010 Annual Conference theme is Casting Bread upon the Waters: Up River and Downstream. Many streams of United Methodist history and mission flow through New England. This year, we celebrate the gifts and confluence of the Vermont streams and New England Conference streams into the ministry and mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

The 2010 theme will focus on "eradicating poverty," one of the four denominational initiatives of this quadrennium. We will celebrate mission activities and share ideas, resources, and visions for proclaiming Christ boldly through our missions to alleviate and eradicate poverty.

Our honored guest, preacher and presenter for this years Annual Conference is Rev. Dr. Zan Holmes!

Agenda Highlights:

• Wednesday Evening, June 16 -- Clergy Session
• Thursday Morning, June 17 -- Learning Centers/Workshops
• Thursday Noon -- Preacher's Aid Society Luncheon @ Danversport Yacht Club
• Thursday Afternoon beginning at 2pm -- Memorial Service and Transition Legislation
• Thursday Evening -- Worship, Presentation by Rev. Zan Holmes, and Organizing Business
• Friday, June 18 -- Presentation by Rev. Zan Holmes, and Conferencing Sessions
• Friday Evening -- Mission Celebration, Music by Lee Dormann, and Zeigler Preaching Award
• Saturday Morning, June 19 -- Conferencing Session
• Saturday 2pm -- Ordination & Commissioning Service (Special guests: 2010 Confirmands)

Please note this information is for planning purposes only. The full agenda will be in the Pre-Conference materials.

Registration will be available online on March 22nd. A PDF of the Registration Packet with a mail-in registration form will also be available for download. To exercise good stewardship, we are again offering primarily electronic registration materials. If you require a printed and mailed copy of the registration materials and forms, please send a request to admin-asst@neumc.org or contact Debbie Cannella at 978-682-7676 ext. 131.