News Releases and Articles

2013 Mission of Peace trip to Cuba

 New England Youth: Applications are now being accepted for the 2013 Mission of Peace trip to Cuba The Mission of Peace is a yearly journey of discovery and Shalom to nations in our global community sponsored by the Northeast Jurisdictional Council on Youth Ministries of the United Methodist Church. Each year, the New England Conference may select up to three youth to share in this experience.  On each Mission of Peace (MOP), participants worship in churches, meet youth in churches...

No Longer My Own But Thine-Feb 8 2012

"No longer my own, but Thine" Wednesday, February 8, 2012 Join Bishop Peter Weaver and folks from the New England Conference for a day focused on nurturing your spiritual journey and transforming the local congregation. Bishop Weaver will deliver the keynote address, "No longer my own, but Thine", during opening worship. The day's schedule includes morning worship, morning and afternoon workshops, and closing worship with Holy Communion. The registration fee...

Rev. Scott Campbell recognized with two awards for social justice work

A long time member of the New England Chapter of the Methodist Federation for Social Action (MFSA) and the Reconciling Ministries Network (RMN), the Rev. Scott Campbell, received two national awards at "Sing a New Song," a recent national gathering of progressive United Methodists in Ohio. Over 700 members of the Methodist Federation for Social Action, the Reconciling Ministry Network, and Affirmation were present as Scott received the Ball Award from MFSA and the Cup of Justice Award...

Ms. Brenda Borchers Hired as Administrative Assistant to the Bishop

LAWRENCE, Mass. (November 30, 2011) - Bishop Peter D. Weaver of the New England Conference of The United Methodist Church announced the hiring of Ms. Brenda Borchers to the position of Administrative Assistant in the Episcopal office, effective December 12, 2011. Ms. Borchers will succeed Ms. Dorothy (Dot) Hollenbeck, who has held this position for 16 years and served with three Bishops during her tenure. She will retire on December 31, 2011. “Dot has given many years of faithful service...

UMEM Fall Newsletter

Click here for the latest UMEM newsletter:  Newsletter...

Cleaning Kit Drop-off at Bow Mills UMC

Bow Mills UMC in Bow Mills, NH is serving as a drop-off point for cleaning kits. Rev. John Blackadar will coordinate delivering items received to the Georges Mills Hub in the upcoming weeks.   Cleaning kits (formerly called flood buckets) can be dropped off at Bow Mills UMC at the following times: Monday/Wednesday/Thursday, 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. Monday/Wednesday/Saturday, 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. To make other arrangements call the church at 603-224-0884 or email Penny...

Bishop Weaver calls for renewed opposition to casino gambling

The United Methodist Church has a long history of opposing gambling. Our Social Principles state that ‘gambling is a menace to society, deadly to the best interests of moral, social, economic, and spiritual life, and destructive of good government.’ Maine On the November 8th ballot in Maine are several questions that seek to expand the number of locations for Las Vegas-style gambling in Maine. Statewide, Question 2 seeks approval for a racino (a harness racing track with...

Mid Maine Clergy Days Schedule Fall - Spring

  Greetings in Christ, Fall is upon us.  The kids are starting back to school and many of us are beginning to look at All Saints, Thanksgiving and Advent for planning and wondering what has happened to the year.  It is also time for us to begin our monthly gatherings, a time to catch up with each other, to build a stronger connection within the district and come together for worship.   For those who are new to the Mid-Maine District, “Welcome to the best...

Impact and response to tropical storm Irene

By Alexx Wood. Updated September 4, 2011 Current news coverage: Inland flooding prolongs the misery of Irene - UMNS News Story, Sept 1, 2011 Storm Updates and Alerts for Volunteers Hurricane/tropical storm Irene swept across New England on August 28, after making its way up the coast. Many states and Annual Conferences in the northeast have been greatly impacted by the storm. Here in New England, we are still in the emergency and initial relief phase of the response to Hurricane/Tropical...

Hurricane Preparedness Information

Hurricane Irene New England is facing an unusual and possibly severe storm later this weekend. Obviously, we encourage you to take all measures to remain safe. Follow the directions of your local, regional, and state emergency management authorities concerning Hurricane Irene. Included here are some resources concerning preparations that should be considered before a severe storm: Preparing for a Hurricane – brief guidelines for churches, includes New England UMC insurance claims...

2011 Annual Conference Summary Report

by Alexx Wood, Director of Communications The New England Annual Conference met in holy conferencing at Gordon College in Wenham, MA from Wednesday June 8 through Saturday, June 11, 2011. The clergy session was held in the afternoon of June 8. The theme of "Living side-by-side: the broken and the whole" was woven through the sessions as more than 1200 clergy and lay representatives from around the conference gathered together to share in worship, business, fellowship, learning and...

Stop Hunger Now packaging event a success!

by Alexx Wood. More than 300 people came through the Gordon College cafeteria in Wenham, MA to package more than 51,000 meals in the 2011 Annual Conference STOP HUNGER NOW meal packaging event. Hunger and poverty kills over 27,000 people a day. In partnership with STOP HUNGER NOW, the United Methodist churches of New England banded together to package nutritious, easy to prepare grain-based meals to address global hunger. Participation was seen in a variety of ways, from Annual Conference...

New England United Methodist Clergy Join Movement to Support Marriage Equality

*To date, 191 active and retired clergy in the New England Conference have signed the statement.   WENHAM, Massachusetts…(June 11, 2011)… During the 2011 New England Annual Conference session, held June 8-11 at Gordon College in Wenham, MA, ninety United Methodist clergy members of Conference signed a statement affirming their intention to “offer the grace of the church’s blessing to any prepared couple desiring Christian marriage,”...

2011 Annual Conference Mosquito Fun Run and Walk raises more than $3,100 for Imagine No Malaria campaign

On Friday, June 10, the inaugural New England Conference Miles for Mission: 5K was held at Gordon College in Wenham, MA. There were more than 60 participants in the event, which was a fundraiser for the denomination’s Imagine No Malaria campaign. The race raised approximately $3,100 for the cause. There are still t-shirts for sale and donations can still be made online for Imagine No Malaria.   “This was a fun and successful event,” commented pastor Scott Masters,...

Update on New England storms

by Alexx Wood, with additional reporting by Evie Doyon and Heidi Chamberland. Tornados and severe weather ripped through Western Massachusetts on June 1 leaving a path of destruction behind, including causing the deaths of 3 people. The storm caused significant impact and damage to both residential and downtown areas in Springfield MA, Monson MA, and across the region. Hundreds of residents have been displaced, and thousands are still without power. A Westfield elementary school and a...

Adam Hamilton new book release: "Why? Making Sense of God's Will" (April 2011)

  As a pastor with a pastor’s heart, Adam Hamilton has wrestled with the Why? questions with his congregation and with hundreds of individuals over the last twenty years. His responses to these questions are not simplistic answers, but a serious attempt to make sense of God in the face of tragedy.   About Why?: Making Sense of God’s Will (April 2011):   When the ground shakes, and a poor nation’s economy is destroyed; when the waters rise, washing...

Parishioner Donates Building to New England Conference

House will be a resource for ministry in the City of Lawrence, Massachusetts A member of one of the United Methodist churches in the New England Conference (regional) has given the gift of a 2700 square foot house in Lawrence, Massachusetts to the Conference. The house has recently undergone significant renovations, and the addition of this property to the New England Conference will extend the church’s presence and ministry in the City of Lawrence and surrounding area. The church...

Cooper Center Appoints New Director

Hattie B. Cooper Community Center Names Kevin A. Fusco Executive Director Roxbury, MA - The Board of Directors of the Hattie B. Cooper Community Center (Cooper) announced today that it has named Kevin A. Fusco as its new Executive Director. Mr. Fusco brings to Cooper an impressive track record of serving and growing family focused organizations. He previously served as Chief Operating Officer for Jumpstart for Young Children during its formative growth phase and spent the last 8 years...

The Reverend Rene A. Perez to be appointed as District Superintendent of the Central Massachusetts District

Lawrence, Massachusetts…(January 31, 2011)…Bishop Peter D. Weaver has announced that he will appoint The Reverend Rene A. Perez as the new District Superintendent for the Central Massachusetts District (CMA), effective July 1, 2011.   Rev. Perez succeeds The Rev. Ronald Wilson, who has completed an eight year term as Superintendent. “We give thanks to God for the gifts and spirit that Ron has brought to his role as District Superintendent. We are grateful for his many...