Bishop Watson has named Imagine No Malaria as the 2011 Annual Conference Session Mission Offering. Imagine No Malaria is an initiative of The United Methodist Church with the goal of raising $75 million to eliminate malaria deaths in Africa by 2015.
Local churches are asked to receive a special offering for this United Methodist-based ministry with monies collected to be presented during 2011 Service of Remembrance worship service on Thursday afternoon, June 16.
Half of the offerings received will go directly to fight malaria in Uganda. The other half received will go into the Global Fund, a recognized global leader in the fight against diseases of poverty.
When should I collect this offering in my church?
A suggested offering date would be either Sunday, June 5th or Sunday, June 12th; however, local churches are welcome to take this offering any time prior to the start of the 2011 Annual Conference Session.
Once we take the offering, what do we do?
Churches are asked to write one check totaling the offerings received. A clergy or lay conference member from your church attending the 2011 Annual Conference Session will be asked to present this check during the Service of Remembrance worship service, Thursday, June 16th. Checks should be made out to the North Georgia Conference with “Fund #1120: Bishop's Appeal 2011--Imagine No Malaria” in the memo section.
What is Imagine No Malaria?
In 2008, the General Conference adopted global health as an area of focus for the entire denomination. The Global Health Initiative is the vehicle through which we will work to counter the devastating effects of diseases of poverty. Imagine No Malaria, a program of the Global Health Initiative, is a global health effort with a focus squarely on the goal of eliminating malaria forever. Imagine No Malaria will direct resources, supplies and the passion of our people to Africa to save lives.
How is Imagine No Malaria different from Nothing But Nets?
Imagine No Malaria is The United Methodist Church’s comprehensive effort to end death and suffering from malaria. Nothing But Nets has been a critical and successful program, and will remain a key component of the campaign against malaria. Working closely with leaders in global health, Imagine No Malaria will provide a holistic approach in the fight against malaria that includes prevention, education, and better access to treatment.
What impact can we really have?
The worst part about the deaths caused by malaria is that they are entirely preventable. The world already possesses the treatment and preventative measures to eliminate deaths from malaria. Fifty years ago, more than 2 million people were dying each year from smallpox all over the world—today that number is zero. Imagine what we will be able to say about malaria in 20, 10 or even five years. With the promise and the hope of the people of The United Methodist Church, we have an opportunity to collaborate in a global effort to overcome malaria--a goal world leaders hope to accomplish by 2015. One person can save thousands of lives. Just imagine what 11.5 million United Methodists can accomplish!
How is Imagine No Malaria reaching out to the people of The United Methodist Church?
Imagine No Malaria is an extraordinary grassroots effort to raise $75 million through The United Methodist Church. With more than 11.5 million members, we have the opportunity to engage many people in a small way to make a big impact. Imagine No Malaria is more than an opportunity for our members to contribute to a worthy cause. It is an opportunity to learn about malaria and how it may be eliminated and to share this information with our neighbors. Imagine No Malaria reconnects United Methodists with our Wesleyan roots, celebrating a long tradition of doing all the good you can, to all the people you can, in all the places you can.