New England UMC

10/27/2026

Happy birthday to us! New England Justice for Our Neighbors is 14 years old.

We began as a mission of HopeGateWay church in Portland, ME and almost immediately opened our second clinic in Springfield, MA. Other clinics quickly followed in Woburn, Lawrence, Lowell, and Worcester. Early on, we became a part of the National Justice for Our Neighbors network (now the Immigration Law and Justice Network), and we received 501(c)(3) status in 2015. Since COVID, we have added additional programs and are now in the process of expanding our clinic program and establishing our volunteer attorney program. We currently offer in-person or remote services across all of Massachusetts (except the Cape and Islands).

Thank you to so many of you who have supported us in many ways along the journey. We look forward to celebrating our 15th with you next year!

10/27/2026

10/23/2026

10/23/2026

Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton and our lay and clergy leaders are in Canada for a first-of-its-kind Leadership Gathering. We offer prayers for our New York and New England family and all the leaders from across the world as they discern the future of the United Methodist Church. New England UMC

10/18/2026

Congratulations to New England’s Rev. Effie McAvoy!

We could not be prouder to announce recipients of recent awards from the General Commission on Archives and History!

Mark Shenise and the Rev. Dr. Laceye Warner have each been honored with the Distinguished Service Award. The Q***r Delegate Caucus received the Contemporary History Trailblazer Award, with the Rev. Effie McAvoy accepting on behalf of the group.

Read all the details at the link in the comments and share your congratulations!

10/14/2026

Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton shares this video message for Laity Sunday. You are welcome to play or download it for use at your church.
Laity Sunday is celebrated annually on the third Sunday of October (Oct. 18, 2026) to honor the ministry, leadership, and service of laypersons in the church.

Laity Sunday is celebrated annually on the third Sunday of October (falling on October 18, 2026) to honor the ministry, leadership, and service of laypersons in the church.

09/17/2026

Join Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton in retracing Paul's voyages across Greece and Turkey in October 2027. Registration is open now. Early registrants get a discount. Find details on our website https://www.neumc.org/

08/19/2026

The New Hope Episcopal Area is answering the call to support free and fair elections and oppose discrimination in voting by joining the National Action Network Defend the Vote March on Washington on Aug. 28. As one Area, spanning NY and NE, we will march to protect the right of every American to be heard at the ballot box. The full information, including transportation details and registration can be found at the link below.
https://www.nyac.com/defend-the-vote-2026

08/06/2026

On July 30, 2026, Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton and Rev. We Hyun Chang, director of connectional ministries, visited Camp Mechuwana in Winthrop, ME. Camp Executive Director Norman Thombs shares this reflection on their visit.

“I was so impressed with the leadership of our camp and the enthusiasm of our campers," Bishop Bickerton said. "Norm, his team, and the volunteer leaders are not only conducting successful camps but they are forming our next generation of leaders! What a blessing we have in Camp Mechuwana!”

Read more
https://www.neumc.org/blogdetail/bishops-camp-visit-brought-out-whats-important-19940649

07/29/2026

An amazing milestone for this incredible ministry!

New England JFON is celebrating a major milestone - we recently served our 2000th client!

New England JFON opened our doors in late 2012 in Maine and early 2013 in Springfield, MA, quickly expanding from there. We hope (and believe) that our founders would be both proud of and astonished by what we have become.

These 2000 clients were seen across all of our programs, from our original Advice & Advocacy to our newest program, MACI. They include unaccompanied youth, asylum seekers, and survivors of violence. 2000 people who left impossible conditions in hopes of finding safety and new roots and were accompanied on their way by our organization.

We are deeply grateful to the volunteers, partners, staff members, donors, and supporters who have all contributed to this achievement.

Here's to the next 2,000 clients and the futures we help build together.

Please celebrate with us by making a donation in their honor: https://donorbox.org/new-england-jfon-2