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The 2011 New England Annual Conference will meet June 8-11 at Gordon College in Wenham, MA. Focusing on Global Health and Missions, the Conference Theme is "Living Side by Side - the Broken and the Whole.”  

The schedule overview is now available.
 
Click here to download the 2011 Pre-Conference Booklet, with detailed information on the conference sessions, and the complete text of the resolutions submitted to date.
 
Bishop Minerva Carcano of the Desert Southwest Conference is our 2011 honored guest speaker and preacher. View her bio: click here.
 
Our Conference mission project will be in partnership with Stop Hunger Now. More details will be available soon. Visit www.stophungernow.org to learn more about this ministry.
 
Mission Opportunities and In-Gatherings

There are a variety of mission opportunities, collections and support opportunities connected with our 2011 Annual Conference sessions. All churches are encouraged to get involved with offerings and donations prior to the conference, and supporting these ministries in prayer and action:

STOP HUNGER NOW - Packing Event at Annual Conference
June 10-11, 2011 at Gordon College, Wenham, MA
 
Hunger and poverty kills over 27,000 people a day. In partnership with STOP HUNGER NOW, the United Methodist churches of New England are banding together with a goal of producing 142,000 meals to feed needy African families in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!
 
Volunteer Packagers! Annual Conference attendees, guests and other volunteers will pack nutritious grain-based meals to address global hunger.  Our goal: 142,000 meals! Church groups including Confirmands, youth groups, lay leaders, mission teams are invited to come to AC Friday or Saturday for this exciting hand-on project. Visit www.stophungernow.org to learn more about this United Methodist ministry. The nutritious, easy to prepare meal only costs 25 cents per serving! Sign-up as an individual or a team for one of the volunteer packaging shifts by contacting our Volunteer Coordinator, Debi Henry, at debraleighhenry@yahoo.com  or (508) 651-0256.
 
Mission Financial Support! All churches are invited to participate in this project! Join these Lead Churches and Ministries who have already committed to help purchase the meals we will package:
  • First UMC Claremont NH
  • North Charlestown NH UMC
  • Grace UMC Keene NH
  • Richmond Community UMC, Richmond NH
  • Conference Council on Youth Ministries
  • Londonderry NH UMC
  • Sudbury MA UMC
  • Aldersgate and West Chelmsford MA UMC’s
  • NUHOPE Mansfield MA
  • St Matthew’s UMC Acton MA
  • Northfield VT UMC
  • Brunswick ME UMC
  • Rockingham-Plaistow NH UMC
Thanks for your leadership! 
 
Other churches and members are invited to support this project by sharing this information and offering financial support for the New England event in June, 2011. Lead churches are asked to commit to financial support in the range of $500 to $1,000.
 
If the New England Conference reaches the goal of funding 142,000 meals for packaging in June, STOP HUNGER NOW will donate another 142,000 meals! 
 
Contributions from individuals and groups interested in supporting this exciting goal can be sent to the New England Conference Advance Special #683. For more information or to contribute financial support to this mission project, please contact David Arruda at pastordavida@verizon.net, or Bonnie Marden at BonMarden@comcast.net.
 
Youth Groups and Churches stepping up to embrace STOP HUNGER NOW fundraising and/or assembly should please contact Bryan Pretzer @ pepbwp@hotmail.com to let us know you will help.
 
For a printable flyer and bulletin insert, click on the links below:

Imagine No Malaria New England! 

During Annual Conference 2011, look for a variety of ways to support the Imagine No Malaria denominational initiative adopted at General Conference 2008. Projects related to Imagine No Malaria during Annual Conference 2011 include: wristbands available through Registration, House Party demonstration Learning Centers, the Mosquito Run/Walk for Missions (see below), and an Offering. As we introduce this global health project and move into this campaign through 2011-2012, please learn, share and contribute as you are able!   Visit www.imaginenomalaria.com for introductory materials.
 
 
5K MILES for MISSION Mosquito Run benefit for Imagine No Malaria
Calling all Clergy and Laity in the New England Annual Conference!
At this year’s conference, we will be adding a rather unique event to our conference offerings. This year, to draw attention to our Imagine No Malaria Initiative, as well as a desire to raise awareness of the physical fitness as a form of both discipleship and stewardship, we are hosting an inaugural 5K Fun Run and Walk on the grounds of Gordon College. All Proceeds of the event will be used to support our Imagine No Malaria initiative, and prizes will be awarded to top individual and top church team finishers.   For all the exciting details visit our website at www.milesformission.wordpress.com.
 
Are you willing to volunteer or Help?
We need volunteers who are willing to help on race day and prior. Our needs include:
  • 2 or three who are willing to help with clip boards and timing.
  • 2 or three who are willing to help with event setup and registration.     
To Register...
 
 
2011 In-Gatherings
Churches can get involved now with collections and donations for these ministries.
Donations are needed for some of these projects:
  • Socks for Shelters and Such – Launching Imagine No Malaria
  • UMCOR Health Kits
  • Give a Phone . . . Save a Life
  • Nicaragua Covenant 
  • CCYM Challenge
  • Eye Glasses For Haiti 
  • Donations of hand-made crafts needed for The United Methodist Economic Ministry at Salem, Maine.
CLICK HERE for more information on 2011 Annual Conference Mission Projects.
 
MORE INFORMATION on Material Aid for Nicaragua:  Boxed or bagged Sewing Supplies ONLY, at this year’s Annual Conference, 2011.  We are requesting dressy, white fabric for making wedding gowns and fancy dresses (silk/satin), lace, buttons, binding tape, thread, and all light weight kinds of white fabric, as well as colorful fabric of cotton blends for making casual clothing.  (We DO NOT need any heavy, wool, nor gabardine fabric.)   Church members may deliver the (boxed or bagged) fabric and sewing supplies to the Learning Center at Chester’s Place upon arrival, when attending the Thursday a.m. presentation, or the Nicaragua Covenant Dinner.   If you have questions regarding Material Aid, please call Sara Parker, 860-928-6159 or e-mail shatz5sp@aol.com.  Thank you for all the continued avenues of support for the Nicaragua Covenant. 
Confirmands Invited to Annual Conference Worship Service
Local church Confirmands are invited to attend and participate in Annual Conference Worship on Saturday afternoon, June 11th, 2011. Confirmands will be greeted by Bishop Peter Weaver and will participate in the worship processional and liturgy. We anticipate an inspiring worship experience including Communion and preaching by Bishop Minerva Carcano!   Lodging, food, and activities are available on the Gordon College campus Friday evening for persons traveling long distances.
 
As 2011 Confirmands, these youth are our newest members and represent the best of Christ's kingdom both today and in the future!
 
Please contact Bryan Pretzer (pepbwp@hotmail.com) to RSVP your group or with any questions.
Volunteers Needed
Would you like to volunteer to help at registration, as an usher, or as a secretarial assistant for the Conference Secretary at the 2011 Annual Conference (June 8 –11)? To volunteer and/or for more information, contact the person for your area of interest and skills:
 
Camera operators for the A/V team
If you are interested in serving on the Annual Conference Communications team, we are in need of additional video camera operators this year. Experience not necessary – we will train and scholarships for Annual Conference room and board are available. Please contact Alexx Wood, communicate@neumc.org or 978-682-8055 x 150 if you are interested in serving with the team!
 
Other opportunities include:
 
Learning Centers
The deadline for Learning Center abstracts is here! Contact Ellen Bridge at ebridge@tdstelme.net or (207) 416-7880 immediately if you still need to get your application in!
Denman Evangelism Award nominations
The New England Annual Conference is now accepting nominations for the Harry Denman Evangelism Award in the areas of Clergy, Lay, and Youth. The Harry Denman Evangelism Award recognizes people whose life and ministry exemplifies the teaching of Christ and the Great Commission. Recipients of these awards, nominated by their local church and selected by the Annual Conference, live their call to “Offer Them Christ” daily as modeled by John Wesley and Dr. Harry Denman, founder of The Foundation for Evangelism that cosponsors these awards.
 
To learn more about the award or to download nomination forms visit our NEUMC website at www.neumc.org/cd or call Curtis Brown at 978-682-7676 ext 210. Nominations must be received no later than April 1 to be considered for the awards.
 
Ziegler Award for Excellence in Preaching
The New England Annual Conference is now accepting nominations for the Wilbur C. Ziegler Award for Excellence in Preaching. The Wilbur C. Ziegler Award for Excellence in Preaching is awarded each year at the Annual Conference session to a person who demonstrates excellence in preaching the whole Gospel, addressing both personal and social salvation. Any clergy appointed to a New England United Methodist Church is eligible for this award. The recipient will be invited to preach during the Annual Conference session and lead a preaching workshop at the New England School of Congregational Development.
 
To learn more about the award or to download nomination forms visit our NEUMC website at www.neumc.org/cd or call Curtis Brown at 978-682-7676 ext 210. Nominations must be received no later than April 1 to be considered for the awards.