Ellsworth United Methodist Church

What if…on one weekend all around the world, United Methodists came together to work with their local communities? What if…as 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.