EXCITING NEWS

The 2009 New England Assembly of the Laity Planning Committee is pleased to announce that they have found a new home at The Marist House in Framingham, Massachusetts. It was with deep regret that, for the first time in 55 years due to unforeseen complications with the previous site location, that NEAL had to cancel the 2008 weekend.

The Assembly of the Laity invites all of God's people to attend the 56th annual session the weekend of July 31, August 1 & 2, 2009. This is a unique opportunity for all to come together to fellowship with one another, learn from one another, and to praise our almighty God! The keynote speaker for the 2009 Assembly will be The Rev. Curtis Brown, NEUMC Director of Congregational Development. The theme for this Assembly is "Stretch Out Your Hands - Love, Invitation, Service."

The New England Assembly of the Laity (NEAL) is a yearly spiritual enrichment event. It has, since its inception in 1952, been equipping Laity, throughout the New England area, for ministry, while, at the same time providing a unique focal point for spiritual and relational growth in their lives. In many ways, it is an “open house” for the workings of the Holy Spirit. The ‘heartbeat’ of the Assembly experience is the small sharing group (nominally 8-10 persons) who share, with each other, personal observations and experiences relating to the theme of the particular Assembly session. This weekend also includes fun, fellowship, worship, prayer, music and the best singing!

NEAL looks forward to this 2009 weekend at The Marist House which has opened the arms of Christian hospitality to us.

About our Guest Speaker:

Curtis is a life-long United Methodist with a deep passion for stretching the hands of the church out to the world. Over the last decade he has worked with churches and church leaders across New England in helping them to reach new people, develop new ministries, and have a greater impact on their world with the power of Christ. He is an ordained pastor and currently serves as the Director of Congregational Development for the New England Conference of the United Methodist Church. Curtis lives in Byfield, MA where his wife serves as pastor of Community UMC.