Local Church
Quick Reference Guide
All questions can be directed to:
Laurel O’Connor
Field Coordinator, Upper New York
(315) 424-7878 ext. 8
ImagineNoMalaria@unyumc.org
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Imagine No Malaria - Overview
Imagine No Malaria is a $75 million effort of The United Methodist Church to eliminate malaria deaths in Africa by 2015.
Malaria
 Malaria is caused by a parasite called Plasmodium, transmitted through the bite of the female Anopheles
mosquito.
 Every 60 seconds, a child in Africa dies of malaria.
 In 2010, malaria claimed 655,000 lives.
 More than 85% of malaria deaths occur in sub-Saharan Africa.
 Malaria's symptoms start with fever, chills, vomiting, headache – and leads to
convulsions, organ failure and death.
 Malaria is 100% preventable and treatable – this is a fight we can win.
A Sustainable Victory
The key is empowering people in Africa to achieve a sustainable victory over malaria, which we will accomplish through:
Prevention: Distributing insecticide-treated bed nets (Nothing But Nets), and working to drain standing
water where mosquitoes breed.
Education: Teaching people how to effectively use bed nets and to protect themselves from malaria.
Communication: Using radio and cell phones to deliver life-saving information about malaria.
Treatment: Improving access-to-care by training community-based health workers, and delivering life-saving
medicines so hospitals and clinics can care for those in need.
Partners
The United Methodist Church is working in partnership with leaders in global health,
including the Global Fund, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and the UN Foundation
Calling
Just as the cross is a sign of God’s love, we are called to be a sign of God’s love and action in the world.
Results
 Malaria’s impact has been cut in half to a death every 60 seconds.
 Bed net usage rates have risen dramatically in Sierra Leone and D.R. Congo, where comprehensive malaria
programs began to be implemented in 2010.
 3.2 million+ … insecticide-treated mosquito nets distributed to protect vulnerable populations
 11,600+………….local community health workers trained to implement programs
 15………………in-country health boards established and trained to oversee planning and programs.
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Overview: 5-Step Plan for Participation
Imagine No Malaria is a $75 million effort of The United Methodist Church to eliminate malaria deaths by 2016. Our
goal in Upper New York is $1 million. Achieving this goal starts with you. Here are five simple steps to help you make an
impact.
STEP 1 – DETERMINE TO SAVE LIVES
Setting a goal is the easiest but most critical step. It’s not a commitment, but rather a target. So, aim high. We
encourage churches to start at 10 lives/attendee ($100), but some churches try to save 25 or 50 lives/attendee.
STEP 2 – BUILD AWARENESS
Building awareness of malaria and the methods to eliminate this disease is vital to a successful effort. Share information
about malaria and how Imagine No Malaria is our opportunity to truly empower the people of Africa to beat this terrible
disease. Here are a couple awareness-building ideas you can use:
 Create a bed net display in lobby or narthex
 Place information in bulletins weekly and show videos from the DVD or our YouTube page
 Lemon-“AID” stands, bake sales, chili cook-offs
Creativity and the experiences of your church will come in handy to maximize your grassroots fundraising tool.
STEP 3 – UNITE FAITH AND WORKS
SUNDAY TO SAVE LIVES: This special Sunday service will serve as a celebration of your church’s efforts. Make sure
members are aware of this special Sunday by sending a letter from the pastor along with a brochure to all members one
week prior. As part of the celebration, share a special sermon, prayers, and possibly a video. Finally, distribute donation
envelopes in all bulletins and collect a special offering for Imagine No Malaria.
This year’s INM initiative can start with a Sunday to Save Lives, but should be more than one single Sunday. Think
creatively about events that engage the community, this is a message that resonates both inside and outside the church!
STEP 4 – SEND YOUR GIFTS AND MAKE AN IMPACT
Make it count! Complete the Record of Contributions (distributed at Treasurer’s trainings) and make two copies. You
can send your original and the gifts either straight to the conference office: Upper New York Annual Conference 324
University Ave., 3rd Floor, Syracuse NY 13210 or to Imagine No Malaria: UMC – Imagine No Malaria, P.O. Box 440544,
Nashville, TN 37244.
STEP 5 – CONTINUE THE MOVEMENT
It will take continued fundraising activities to achieve our goal of eliminating malaria deaths in Africa. Plan an annual
event to support INM, such as an advent offering or a 5K each April 25th – World Malaria Day.
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What does the Field Coordinator Do?
The Field Coordinator acts as a resource to help train local church mission teams, worship teams, clergy
and laity to help them set goals and vision what their Imagine No Malaria program can look like.
If you need any resources, or would like the Field Coordinator to come and hold a training at your church,
or speak on a Sunday, her contact information is on the front of this packet.
Free Resources (available at imaginenomalaria.org/resources)
POSTER BROCHURE
Every day, malaria’s impact unfolds throughout Africa. Unfold this brochure – it’s an illustrated impact of malaria’s
toll, ending with a poster to convey the case against malaria. UMCom Product #0701
OFFERING ENVELOPE
These Imagine No malaria offering envelopes are perfect to include as a bulletin insert on your designated Sunday to
Save Lives. They should be available at fundraising and Impact 100 events. UMCom Product #0703
DVD
Get the INM overview, videos for youth and small groups and video from our work in Africa on one DVD. INCLUDES
KILLER IN THE DARK DOCUMENTARY
DATA CD-ROM
Print-on-demand PDF copies of material to support your Imagine No Malaria efforts. Contents include facts, FAQ,
reporting forms and bulletin inserts. UMCom Product #0707
WORSHIP RESOURCES
Crafted by our ministry staff to help connect this urgent need to living a Christ-like ministry, we offer compelling
scripture related to this calling, and worship planning support to help connect our calling to this issue.
HOW TO’S: PIPECLEANER MOSQUITOS AND BED NETS, AND A TRI-FOLD PRESENTATION BOARD (PRINTABLE)
ADOPTABLE “MALARIA” BEARS (GREAT FOR SUNDAY SCHOOLS)
GREEN BRACELETS, TEMPORARY TATTOOS, AND MORE
Many items are available via print-on-demand through our website: www.ImagineNoMalaria.org.
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Upper New York Conference
Affirmation of Church Goal
Church Name:____________________________________________
Contact Name: ___________________________________________
District: _________________________________________________
Address: ________________________________________________
City, State ZIP ____________________________________________
Phone: __________________
E-mail: ________________________
We, ________________________
United Methodist Church, pledge the following:
Pledge Amount:
Save 5,000 lives / $50,000
Save 1,000 lives / $10,000
Save 500 lives / $5,000
Save 250 lives / $2,500
Save 100 lives / $1,000
Other: ____________
To be Paid:
Monthly
Quarterly
Annually Other: _____
Over what period of time?
 1 year
2 years 3 years
Other: _____
____________________________
Sr. Pastor Signature
______________________________
Treasurer Signature
(By signing this, your church agrees to participate in Imagine No Malaria)
Send in your affirmation and make an Impact!
Fax your goal form to (315) 424-0975, or mail your completed pledge form to: Laurel O’Connor,
Coordinator for Imagine No Malaria, Upper New York Conference, 324 University Ave, 2nd Floor, Syracuse
NY 13210. Checks can be sent to the Upper New York Conference office (see form for instructions).
Make checks payable to: UMC - Imagine No Malaria, P.O. Box 440544 Nashville, TN 37244 (866) 5211179 www.ImagineNoMalaria.org
100% of all funds donated will support the programs and services of Imagine No Malaria.
All gifts are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
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2015 INM Lent Materials include downloadable liturgy, song ideas, children’s
moments, powerpoint backgrounds and an “Abundance Giving Calendar” (a
creative way to get children and families involved!)
ImagineNoMalaria.org/lent
Save the Date: World Malaria Day is April 25, 2015
All questions can be directed to:
Laurel O’Connor
Field Coordinator, Upper New York
(315) 424-7878 ext. 8
ImagineNoMalaria@unyumc.org
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