June 24, 2026
NEWS and ANNOUNCEMENTS
Recording available: Conversation with Daniel Benedict
In 2026, the Board of Discipleship is offering monthly webinars to help you think about worship in new ways. On June 16, the NEAC Board of Discipleship hosted a Conversation with Daniel Benedict exploring the history, meaning, and future of The Basic Pattern of Worship.
Watch a recording and find more in this series
Be part of the historic land restoration celebration
On Saturday, June 27, 2026, members of the New England Conference of The United Methodist Church, Chief Don Stevens and members of the Nulhegan Band of the Coosuk-Abenaki Nation, members of the Vermont Conference of the United Church of Christ (UCC), and friends from the camping community will gather at Covenant Hills in Cabot, VT, to celebrate the restitution of the camp property to the descendants of the original inhabitants of the land. Saturday’s celebration will begin at 11 am; a worship service and presentation will begin at 11:30 am. The day will include the opportunity to picnic and explore the grounds.
Read the press release
Register
Apply now for Racial Ethnic Local Church Concerns grant
Grants up to $10,000 will be available this fall from Discipleship Ministries to strengthen leadership training, small groups, worship, stewardship and spiritual formation in ethnic local United Methodist churches.
The application deadline is Sept. 13, 2026.
Applications must be for a ministry or project of a local United Methodist church or of the United Methodist connectional system. In addition, they must:
- Contribute directly to the mission and ministries of making disciples of Jesus Christ
- Be consistent with the doctrine and social principles of the United Methodist Church
- Focus on developing and strengthening the racial ethnic local church for witness and mission
- Be related to one or more of the essential services provided by Discipleship Ministries, such as accountable discipleship, Christian education, curriculum resources, evangelism, family and life-span ministries, lay ministries, leadership development, spiritual formation, stewardship and worship
- Be led primarily by racial ethnic church members
Learn more and apply
Membership Application Coming Up Soon!
To apply for Provisional, Associate, or Full membership in the 2026-2027 church year, one must meet the first deadline with all part A requirements. For Full Membership applications, the part A deadline is July 24, 2026. For Provisional and Associate applications, the part A deadline is August 1, 2026. Applications and forms are available at https://www.neumc.org/thecandidacyprocess. One must submit part A from the current and official application regardless of whether one has applied in the past. Contact Deborah with any questions bomregistrar@yahoo.com.
Conference-wide dCOM training
The 2026 dCOM Training is scheduled for Thursday, August 6, 2026, on Zoom (9 am to 2 pm). This gathering is for all district dCOM members for the 2026-2027 year. Emails recently went out to folks with this training date. If you did not receive this email, please contact the BOM Registrar to make sure you are on the list going forward (bomregistrar@yahoo.com or 603-892-0359). We will be sending further info and the zoom link in a couple of weeks.
Ministry Exploration Summit September 19
The Summit is an opportunity to learn about the different paths of ministry in New England. This event will especially benefit those in the early stages of candidacy or discerning their call to ministry. Participation in a Ministry Exploration Summit is required to become a certified candidate or a certified lay minister. For more info, contact BOM Registrar, Deborah Venator, at bomregistrar@yahoo.com
Online Registration here: https://neumc-reg.brtapp.com/Summit092026.
Mail -In form: download form
Don't forget: 2026 New Pastor Orientation
In the New England Conference, the New Pastor Orientation (NPO) is required for persons who are to be licensed as a local pastor (or a provisional member on the elder track) and who have completed at least 1/3 of an approved M.Div. degree. Persons who have recently completed an approved local pastor licensing school are exempt from the NPO. Folks who will be serving as lay supply in the conference will also benefit from the NPO and may participate with permission from their District Superintendent. Info and Registration Instructions here
Class Times on Zoom: Beginning August 11, 2026, the NPO will meet on selected Tuesday and Thursday evenings at about 6:30 pm. Once all the classes have been scheduled, registrants will receive a calendar.
OBITUARIES
05/30/2026
DON'T FORGET
Get GCORR ministry resources for Summer & Fall 2026
As you prepare for the months ahead, the General Commission on Religion and Race (GCORR) has gathered resources to help your congregation engage faithful conversations, deepen discipleship, and navigate challenging topics with theological grounding and practical tools.
Learn more
How to promote Vacation Bible School on a small budget
Vacation Bible School is one of the most beloved summer traditions in the local church. It brings children and families through your doors, builds relationships with your community, and, when done well, can be a meaningful bridge between your congregation and your neighbors. The good news is that some of the most effective VBS promotion costs very little.
Learn more
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NEJFON expands Advice & Advocacy Program
New England Justice for Our Neighbors (New England JFON) is pleased to announce the expansion of our Advice & Advocacy program, extending our reach to all of Massachusetts except the Cape and Islands.
Clinic appointments occur via a combination of in-person and remote appointments across the Commonwealth. Clients receive consultations regarding their humanitarian-based cases (e.g., asylum, unaccompanied minors, victims of violence, trafficking, and abuse, and TPS). Approximately 25% of clients receiving consults are subsequently accepted for representation.
More information, including how to contact our clinics and other programs, can be found on our website
