May 13, 2011
by Barbara Dunlap-Berg

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – In dozens of ways, thousands of United Methodists will team up to make a positive difference – locally and globally – during the second-annual Change the World event on May 14-15.

There's likely a project in your neck of the woods.

The idea is simple, declared Bishop Linda Lee of the Wisconsin Annual (regional) Conference.

"It includes participation in any type of service event your congregation would like to organize to make a positive difference. An event can be large in scale, or very small."

In a recent blog post, Lee offered several examples: a bake sale to raise money for a community cause or Japanese disaster recovery. Food or clothing collection. A carwash or a 5K run/walk to raise awareness of and money for a noteworthy cause.

During last year's inaugural Change the World event, more than 100,000 people from over 1,000 churches hosted events and undertook projects to help others. This year, as of May 13, more than 1,600 individual churches worldwide have signed up for some 1,800 events.

"We participated last year," explained the Rev. Carol Davies, Bethel United Methodist Church, Sewell, N.J. "The response was so positive that we planned to make it an annual event before the dates were announced for this year."

She thinks Change the World mirrors what Jesus did. "He didn't just preach the gospel; he lived it out. He was good news. And his context was certainly not always in a building. He went out to where people worked and lived, and he made a difference in their lives, often through everyday things, like planting and fishing and gleaning. We're translating that into our own context."

A great blessing of Change the World is that any church can participate. Size doesn't matter, Davies said.

"There are hundreds of ways to make a world of difference in our communities, and it doesn't take much to show we care. People remember that. And, over time, it might change how they think about faith and about the church."

Everyone has ‘something to share'

The Rev. Susan Slye Giles, Waynesville, N.C., agrees. The pastor of two small-membership, older-adult churches – Faith and Francis Cove – hopes her congregants will "realize it isn't the size of the church or the age of the person that makes a difference. All persons, no matter their age or economic situation, have something to share, and God expects us to do so."

Relationships have developed during the at least twice-yearly Change the World-type events of First United Methodist Church, Cortland, N.Y., said the Rev. Aaron Bouwens. "This has also aided us in connecting with younger folks in our community as they see the church as more than a Sunday ‘to do,' and see an invitation to a lifestyle of serving others."

Change the World is perfect for congregations in transition, contends the Rev. Sally Haynes, First United Methodist Church, Blue Springs, Mo.

"This church is 139 years old and has been through some significant transitions in recent years," she said. "We are refreshed, renewed and ready to engage in our key purpose, to love and serve God's world."

Haynes expects significant long-term effects. "One of our projects is to paint playground equipment for a local elementary school. We are in conversation already about establishing a partnership with that school that might include tutoring/mentoring and a ‘backsnack' program.

The church hopes a cookout for families who are living long-term in nearby extended-stay motels will create relationships that could lead to ongoing ministry. Saying "yes" to an area nursing home request to create cards for all of their residents could begin a long relationship with the facility.

Taking people out of their comfort zone

Rockaway United Methodist Church in New Jersey might lead the list in number of projects for one congregation – 18. Ministries range from four children's activities to food, clothing, diaper, coupon and pet-food drives to a brownie bakeoff and more.

Even churches that can't participate this weekend have gotten into the act on other dates. In April, "Side by Side" drew volunteers from seven Georgia congregations to 45 opportunities to serve. Dahlonega United Methodist Church coordinated the event.

Community outreach is the goal this weekend for Berea United Methodist Church in Kentucky. During the first large community-outreach project in October 2010, 52 volunteers completed projects at 10 locations in a six-hour span, said Skip Little, disaster relief and outreach coordinator.

Cornerstone United Methodist Church, Fayetteville, N.C., will increase awareness of basic social services and community resources for military families, parenting, domestic violence, community safety, financial management, spiritual counseling and more.

Juston Smith, witness coordinator at Covenant United Methodist Church, Charlotte, N.C., hopes the experience will take members of five congregations serving together out of their comfort zone.

"We pray that the event will also show the community that we are inviting, open and willing to hear their story," he said.

Building interfaith, global relationships

Activities for three United Methodist congregations in Texas – Bond Memorial, Clint; First, Fabens; and Western Hills, El Paso – will include hosting a dinner and dialogue with the Muslim community and sending mission teams to neighboring communities in the lower Rio Grande Valley.

First United Methodist Church, Grand Ledge, Mich., will concentrate on improving a conference retreat center.

"Every camp I've ever attended or helped lead," said youth minister Greg Lawton, "ends with the encouragement to return to our hometowns and churches and be salt and light there every day. It is the best disciple-training ground I know."

Aldersgate United Methodist Church, Wooster, Mass., is one of several congregations focusing on Imagine No Malaria. The Rev. Dan Wilson hopes the event will "begin to raise local consciousness about the dire threat of malaria in Africa and make the elimination of this disease a regular emphasis of our church's mission."

Health is also on the radar for Clear Lake United Methodist Church in Houston, where youth will participate in the Relay for Life to raise money for cancer research. Betty Flanders, outreach ministries director, said other members will walk to raise money for a food pantry, put on a combination workday/carnival for an inner-city congregation and do free home repair.

"Rail Trail Rock and Roll" is one of several opportunities East Longmeadow United Methodist Church in Massachusetts has designed for people who use walkers and wheelchairs. "We're getting the community on wheels out onto the new rail trail for a fun day of fellowship and nature," the Rev. Kelly Turney said.

'The variety of projects is amazing'

Community United Methodist Church, Byfield, Mass., will pray, fast, serve and fundraise to help build homes in solidarity with the people of Damien Tent Village in Haiti.

"We hope every church … becomes inspired to work for social justice, to alleviate poverty and oppression, to assure universal health, and to preserve and protect God's creation," said Jim Cramer, council chair at Davis (Calif.) United Methodist Church.

Change the World involves United Methodists around the world.

Africa University students in Zimbabwe will fulfill a longtime dream of planting trees along the roadway entrance to the United Methodist school.

Davao United Methodist Mission Center of Davao City, Philippines, serves as a center of the church's outreach. The congregation hopes to do medical-dental mission and distribute relief goods and used clothing to the inhabitants of Tamayong, a town affected by drought and fire some 30 miles from the city.

Volunteers in Accra, Ghana, will rid the streets, gutters and marketplace of the town of Offinso of waste that attracts malaria-spreading mosquitoes.

Methodist Mission Church in Imphal Manipur, India, will host a youth seminar.

"We've already received registrations for projects in 14 different countries," said the Rev. Larry Hollon, chief executive of United Methodist Communications. "Some churches are building on existing ministries and others are initiating new events. The variety of projects is amazing."

Change the World ‘has changed our church forever'

Change the World "has changed our church forever," said Susan Hughes, coordinator of youth and adult ministries at Central United Methodist Church in Fitzgerald, Ga. "Praise the Lord for giving someone this amazing vision of what the church is and should be."

Central has already held its event, which included specific ministries for needy people in the community, children writing thank-you letters to firefighters and police officers, and youth washing windshields and pumping gas at a local station.

Cokesbury United Methodist Church, Knoxville, Tenn., changed the world on April 30. More than 300 volunteers served on 23 teams around the city, making new connections in the community, serving and learning. Some volunteers plan to return to their work sites for further service, said outreach ministries director Anna Lee.

Menang Joshua Ngwang of Ngeptang CBC Church in Cameroon echoed that sentiment. "Change the World is rapidly moving toward living the Word, which is what the world wants to see now. I think heaven is rejoicing. This is focusing on the ministry Jesus himself instituted."

What would Jesus say about Change the World?

"Great idea!" said Wendy Hudson, communications manager at Burke (Va.) United Methodist Church. "Now keep doing it until it's a way of life."

The Rev. Rich Tuttle, Catawba (N.C.) United Methodist Church, believes Jesus would urge thinking beyond denominational lines. "Jesus would challenge the religious leaders today just as he did when he walked the earth."

The back of the T-shirts created for Christ United Methodist Church, Kettering, Ohio, might say it best: "Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me."

Tune in to Change the World

From 8 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. CT on May 14, http://www.RethinkChurch.org/ChangeTheWorld/ will stream live interviews with participants from around the world, including Japan, Mozambique, Uganda, Germany, Ukraine, Philippines and the U.S. The interviews also will later be available on the Rethink Church YouTube channel so churches can use the video clips during worship and in other settings.

United Methodist Communications created Change the World as part of the Rethink Church initiative, which incorporates outreach to make a positive difference in the world beyond the church doors. It is based on a concept originated by the Rev. Mike Slaughter, author of "Change the World: Recovering the Message and Mission of Jesus." Other partners include the United Methodist Publishing House, the Board of Discipleship (worship division), United Methodist Men, United Methodist Women and the Board of Global Ministries.

For more information about Change the World or to find an event near you, go to http://www.RethinkChurch.org/ChangeTheWorld/.

United Methodist News Service
Barbara Dunlap-Berg is internal content editor for United Methodist Communications.