News

Register Your Church to Change the World

In 2012, the Church will come together – not only for General Conference, but also to change the world. United Methodists will extend justice and compassion in community on May 19 and 20.  In 2011, 25 Cal-Nevada churches participated and more than 2,000 events were registered worldwide: everything from developing/enhancing community gardens to fighting human trafficking. Think now about how your congregation will Change the World!   Your event will be charted on the...

UM Communications Recognized for Creative Excellence

Malaria Documentary Wins Highest Awards in International Competition NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Three MarCom awards have been awarded to United Methodist Communications by the Association of Marketing and Communications Professionals for documentaries produced by the agency: A Killer in the Dark: An Extraordinary Effort to Combat Malaria and Dreamer.   "To be recognized for the quality of our work is rewarding," said the Rev. Larry Hollon, chief executive of United...

United Methodists' Malaria Fight Is Bolstered by $3 Million Grant From UN Foundation

NASHVILLE, Tenn.—The United Methodist Church will get a surge of support for its work to eliminate deaths and suffering from malaria in Africa, thanks to a $3 million supplemental grant from the United Nations Foundation. "The United Methodist Church brings a unique piece to solving the global puzzle of malaria and maternal and child health: Faith. It is who we are, where we come from, and where we are going. It transcends challenges, political boundaries, and even deadly...

'Shaving It or Saving It' for God's Kingdom

On Pentecost Sunday, the Rev. Laurie McHugh, one of the pastors at First United Methodist Church of Palo Alto, made a bold announcement: that she is putting her head – um, make that hair – on the chopping block for the sake of the Church's mission. A spirited process of "voting with dollars" is underway, with donations going to "shave it" and "save it" tallies. Depending on the outcome, this Sunday (September 18), Pastor Laurie may be shaving her head...

Youth Delegation to Take Offering for Imagine No Malaria at District Dinners

Members of the Youth Delegation to Annual Conference Session have been given permission to attend District Dinners and "pass the hat" for donations to benefit the United Methodist Church's Imagine No Malaria campaign. The youth of this Conference have embraced and taken up the cause of working to eradicate malaria from the planet by the year 2015, and each year at ACS conduct a fundraising effort of some sort.   They will have flyers on each of the tables at the District...

Imagine No Malaria Video Debuts in Times Square

Message brings attention to malaria issue, calls for mobile donations by text  NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Right now, in the heart of New York City, a message of need is being broadcast to the more than 1.5 million people who pass through Times Square every day.   Imagine No Malaria, a ministry of The United Methodist Church, is airing a video message to underscore the urgent need to fight a disease which claims nearly a million lives each year.   "The video links...

April 25 Is World Malaria Day: Please Play Video for Your Congregation!

This coming Monday, April 25, is World Malaria Day – a day in which The United Methodist Church asks you to Imagine No Malaria. WHAT IF malaria were on the endangered list? WHAT IF its days were numbered? WHAT IF we talked about malaria the way that we do about polio – almost never?   But that day is not today. Not yet. Today in Africa, a child dies from malaria every 45 seconds.   Look at your watch and take a couple of slow, deep breaths. It should take you about...

Pauley Perrette Joins UM Imagine No Malaria Campaign

TV star and TV special bring increased awareness to fight against malaria Holy Caf-Pow, Batman: Pauley Perrette has joined The United Methodist Church's battle against malaria!   Perrette plays the hugely popular Abby Sciuto on the hit CBS-TV show, NCIS. Like her character, the 42-year-old Perrette is a passionate advocate for charity causes (more than 30, in the case of the real-life version). In generously agreeing to share her talent and celebrity on behalf of the UMC's Imagine No...

Global Health Initiative Exec Inspires at FUMC Palo Alto 'Sunday to Save Lives'

First United Methodist Church of Palo Alto hosted the executive director for the United Methodist Church's Global Health Initiative at a "Sunday to Save Lives" event on March 13. Guest preacher the Rev. Gary Henderson delivered an inspirational sermon telling how we're bringing health to the sick and reaching those in need – on a global scale – through Imagine No Malaria. UM Communications posted a story about the visit on the Imagine No Malaria website and included links...

Party Like You Mean It for a Life-Saving Cause

Doing something meaningful has never been easier. All it takes is to invite over some friends and acquaintances who like to have a good time, throw in some refreshments, add your own sparkling wit or quiet warmth (this works for any personality type) and – Voíla! Before your 80s dance mix has cycled through twice, you'll have raised enough money to provide life-saving medicine, education, and bed nets to protect families in Africa from malaria. Hosting an Imagine No Malaria...

Imagine No Malaria Webinar Rescheduled for Jan. 18

Due to inclement weather conditions in Nashville, the webinar originally scheduled for today (January 11, 2011) will now take place on Tuesday, Jan. 18 at 9 a.m. (PST). Please join United Methodist Communications for a sneak peek at what the Imagine No Malaria team is planning for the new year. There's lots to share, so please spread the word and plan to participate in the webinar yourself. With all of us learning and working together, we will save millions of lives! To participate in the...

Imagine No Malaria Webinar: Saving Lives Together in 2011

You are invited to join Imagine No Malaria for a sneak peek at what's planned for 2011. There's lots to share – and your help is needed to get the word out across the California-Nevada Annual Conference.  Together, we will save millions of lives! Join the Imagine No Malaria webinar on Tuesday, January 11 at 9 a.m. (PST).   To participate, follow these simple steps:   1. Visit http://umc.adobeconnect.com/inm2011 on January 11, 2011 2. Select "Enter as...

Imagine No Malaria Has First Release of Funds

A UMNS Report By Linda Bloom* The United Methodist Church plans to combat malaria in Africa by using both its own health infrastructure and partnerships with other organizations.   To achieve that goal, the denomination will release funds by the end of this year from its "Imagine No Malaria" initiative to the Geneva-based Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria. Last week, funds were authorized for release to the United Methodist Committee on Relief to help...

Host a Malaria House Party for World Malaria Day 2011

NASHVILLE, Tenn. | The United Methodist Church's Imagine No Malaria campaign is asking United Methodists to support a lifesaving cause by hosting a malaria house party for World Malaria Day, April 25, 2011, or in the months leading up to the event. "Ending malaria-related deaths is a goal that requires the commitment of United Methodists around the globe, but the fight against malaria can start in your own living room," says Bishop Thomas Bickerton, campaign spokesperson....

Text Your Donation to Help 'Slam Dunk Malaria'

In the time it takes to make a free-throw, a child will have died of malaria. It happens every 30 seconds.   That's why this year, as the Bishop's Reception event at Annual Conference Session, we're going to "Slam Dunk Malaria"!   Friday evening has been set aside as a fundraiser for Imagine No Malaria – "a ministry of the people of The United Methodist Church to eliminate death and suffering from malaria in Africa by the year 2015." Since...

Change the World Participation Makes an Impact: First Year Success Leads to 2011 Event

More than 100,000 people from more than 1,000 churches united with a common purpose over a 48-hour period in April: to make a world of difference in ways both large and small. United Methodists from 13 countries and every state in the U.S. energetically worked to build community locally and fight malaria globally during Change the World weekend, April 24-25. Congregations at local churches rolled up their sleeves and took to the streets to feed the hungry, aid the homeless, and visit the...

Help 'Slam Dunk Malaria' at ACS This Year!

This year, instead of the traditional Bishop's Reception at Annual Conference Session, we're going to "Slam Dunk Malaria"! Friday evening has been set aside as a fundraiser for Imagine No Malaria – and since NothingButNets is a big part of the Imagine No Malaria initiative, we're giving the event a basketball theme.   Of course Bishop Brown will be there – and there will be several ways for to you to participate and contribute (including text contributions!), that...

Jars of Clay Asks Crowd to Imagine No Malaria

By The Rev. Kathy Noble* AUSTIN, Texas (UMNS) - To Wilson Pruitt, there's no need to debate whether efforts should be made to stop suffering from malaria in Africa. "It's a simple issue," he says, "There's no conflict. There is no one who is for malaria."   Pruitt, a member of First United Methodist Church in Austin, was among nearly 2,000 people gathered on the lawn of the Texas State Capitol on April 25, World Malaria Day, for the official launch of Imagine No...

United Methodist Council of Bishops to Meet in Columbus May 2-7

Columbus, Ohio: More than 111 United Methodist bishops from Africa, Europe, Asia and the U.S. will converge in Columbus, Ohio for the semi-annual United Methodist Council of Bishops meeting to explore ways to sharpen the church's focus on ministry with the poor and eliminating the global diseases of poverty. "The people of The United Methodist Church are reaching out to end poverty and its causes, as well as working to combat the preventable diseases of poverty," said Bishop...

More on Thinking Globally, Acting Locally

A mere $10 at a time, the Imagine No Malaria campaign has reached its first fundraising goal of $10 million.   Fresh off of the campaign's April 25 launch in Austin, Texas, the Rev. Larry Hollon, top staff executive of United Methodist Communications, reflects on the modest beginnings of the Nothing but Nets program and his recent experience in distributing 15,000 nets in a Democratic Republic of Congo town. Read complete commentary here.  ...