United Methodists to ‘Rethink Church’ on streets of NYC

United Methodist Communications
Office of Public Information
810 12th Avenue S.
Nashville, TN 37203
www.umcpresscenter.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 4, 2009

United Methodists to 'Rethink Church' on streets of NYC

New York, NY: United Methodists in the New York area will take to the streets of the city on May 6 to execute random acts of kindness as a part of the nationwide launch of a sweeping new campaign called Rethink Church. The campaign seeks to redefine church as a verb- people taking action to better the lives of others.

More than 140 volunteers will perform random acts of kindness, including opening car doors, hailing cabs, passing out dog treats, picking up trash, handing out music download cards, and sharing the Rethink Church message.

Rethink Church is the next evolution of The United Methodist Church's "Open hearts" welcoming and advertising campaign. Audiences worldwide will see and hear more than $20 million in new advertising over the next four years on television, radio, and in new media, including banner and keyword advertising on major secular Web sites.

The campaign is designed to raise awareness of the many ways that The United Methodist Church is making a difference in the world and to invite others to do the same. The messaging, targeting an 18- to 34-year-old audience, invites people to visit the new 10thousanddoors.org Web site which highlights the many opportunities for involvement within United Methodist churches from community hunger programs to disaster relief to fighting malaria.

The street team volunteers are from United Methodist churches in New York and Connecticut. Bishop Jeremiah Park of the New York Episcopal Area will be participating in the event.

Event locations and times follow:

9:00am-11:00am
Grand Central Station/Pershing Square (bound by Madison Ave., E. 42nd St., Lexington Ave., and E. 45th)
Harlem (at intersect of 125th St. and Malcolm X Blvd., and 125th St. and Adam Clayton Powell Blvd.)

11:00am-12:45pm
Times Square/Father Duffy Sq./Bryant Park (bound by Broadway, 42nd, 5th Ave., 44th) (2 buses)

1:30pm-3:30pm
Washington Sq. Park/Greenwich Village/NYU (bound by Ave. of Americas, Houston, Broadway, 14th St.)

3:30pm-5:30pm
Midtown/Manhattan Mall/Madison Sq. Garden/Penn Station (bound by 8th Ave., 31st, Broadway, 35th)

Media Contact:
Diane Degnan
615.742.5406 (o) 615.483.1765 (c)
[email protected]