Albany District and Conference News
July 7, 2021
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"How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world."
-- Anne Frank
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Please share with us how your church is making disciples for the transformation of the world!
Porter Corners UMC is reaching out to a South African community.
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Rensselaer UMC reaching out to community |
Bags of produce, including potatoes, carrots, and onions are soon to be given to Rensselaer and Capital Region residents. To combat economic issues caused by COVID-19, and spread a ray of hope through healthy food, the Rensselaer United Methodist Church will distribute free potatoes and produce to the community from 10 a.m. to noon every Saturday morning, starting July 10. |
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The Rev. Erik Smith is now residing at Kingsway Community, Room 211, 323 Kings Rd., Schenectady, NY 12304. Cards and prayers would be appreciated.
The Rev. Alan Rhodes is recuperating from a second stroke. You can send cards of care and concern to Alan at 3019 Spawn Rd., Schenectady, NY 12303.
Please also pray for:
Rev. Dr. Camillus Mourice, who is having a lot of pain and problems with his knees, and also for his wife Clementine Mourice, who has health issues.
Pastor Brenda Tompkins and husband Rob, as Rob continues to battle with cancer.
Rev. Judy Humphrey-Fox and her husband.
If you'd like prayer for yourself or others, or you'd like to share a joy, please be in touch with Carrie (518) 608-1246 or albanydistrict@unyumc.org
Please know that we will need to contact folks to be sure they feel comfortable with us publishing their information.
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Listen to these specially selected podcasts and let experts offer insights about using social media for ministry. |
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Essential training for communications ministry
Church training whether delivered live, online or through do-it-yourself opportunities—aids local church leaders in gaining the knowledge and skills they need to be effective in today’s ministry landscape.
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Mission Insite free to churches |
Mission Insite is a web-based demographics provider for local church use. In planning ministry, it is important to know the context.
Mission Insite provides demographic data that is updated on a regular basis and the reports are user friendly to the novice or experienced demographer.
The reports are free to the local church because the Annual Conferences is under contract with Mission Insite. But in order to access the website you will need to register your local church.
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What's New from the Conference |
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Issue I of the 2021 Advocate focuses on the theme “Celebrating who we are” as a Conference. It highlights the beautiful tapestry of churches and members we have in the Upper New York Conference. Click here to read Upper New York Area Resident Bishop, Mark J. Webb’s introduction to the issue.
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Spiritual discipline: Simplicity |
Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, Upper New York Assistant Director of Vital Congregations for Spiritual Life, the Rev. Nancy Dibelius, has been providing videos of helpful spiritual practices to help deepen people’s relationship to God during this difficult time.
For 2021, Rev. Dibelius is zeroing in on spiritual disciplines. She explains that spiritual disciplines are a way to get away with Jesus, walk with Jesus, and learn from Jesus.
Click here for Rev. Dibelius’s latest spiritual discipline exploration, which delves into the discipline of simplicity.
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2021 appointments updated |
To view the full list of appointments as of July 7, 2021, click here.
Wondering how clergy appointments are made? Click here to read about the process.
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What's New from the Lewis Center |
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What churches and businesses can learn from each other
Lewis Center Director Doug Powe interviews Randy Casey-Rutland, a theologically educated business executive, who shares insights about what the church can learn from the business world and vice versa.
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There are no volunteers named “somebody"
Lewis Center Director Doug Powe explains why recruitment efforts based on general appeals invariably fall flat. It’s far more effective to generate interest through firsthand testimonies and personal invitations to individuals or groups.
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(New!) Fall Adult Book Study
Plattsburgh and Three Steeples United Methodist Churches.
Join us for our first book of the season: The Forgotten Creed - Christianity's Original Struggle Against Bigotry, Slavery and Sexism by Stephen Patterson.
Mondays at 7 p.m.
Wednesdays at 1 p.m.
On ZOOM!
Beginning September 20 and 22 and running through November 1 and 3.
Facilitated by Rev. Phil Richards and Rev. Sally White.
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New Opportunity to Grow with Your Online/Digital Discipleship!
Your district superintendent has purchased a one-year membership for your continuing education on Digital Discipleship! This subscription is available to your church teams and volunteers who want to learn how to make the most of your online ministry.
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Register now for 2021 summer camp & retreat programs
The Upper New York Camp & Retreat Ministry is excited to share their 2021 summer camp and retreat programs with you! All five sites will be offering a variety of programs. Summer camp provides endless laughter, meaningful worship, and important friendships. Retreats provide a unique experience in a beautiful setting.
Get excited about Skye Farm Camp & Retreat Center!
Click here to watch Skye Farm’s 2021 Summer Welcome video.
Questions? Call the site or the UNY CRM Central Office at 315-898-2026.
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Skye Farm seeks summer staff |
Skye Farm Camp is looking for summer staff! Camping ministries offer a unique and powerful opportunity for kids this summer to get outside and reconnect with God and with each other after a long and challenging school year. You can help make this happen! Skye Farm is especially in need of counselors as well as nursing staff to cover 4.5 weeks of summer camp. Food, lodging, training, and lots of fun all come with a paid or volunteer position at camp. If you would like more information, contact Hannah Lasher at hannah@campsandretreats.org or call the camp office at (518) 494-7170.
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Mission Hub seeks volunteers |
There is a great need for volunteers to help a woman in the Utica area. |
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Updated COVID guidelines
Following the announcement from Governor Andrew Cuomo that most New York State COVID-19 guidelines and restrictions have been lifted now that there is a 70% vaccination one-dose rate for persons 18 and older in the state, Church COVID-19 Guidelines have been updated on the Conference website.
Click here to review the updated Church COVID-19 Guidelines.
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Please note that there have been recent "phishing" attempts to get folks to buy gift cards or to respond to an email from Debbie Earthrowl asking for your assistance. The only legitimate email address for Debbie is debbieearthrowl@unyumc.org
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Start the day with Debbie
Our District Superintendent Debbie Earthrowl shares a devotion via Facebook Live at 7:30 AM every Monday through Saturday. The devotions are also posted on her Facebook page and our District Facebook page, so you can tune in at any time. I personally find this an inspirational way to start my day. I trust you will, as well. To view, click here:
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Blessings to all,
Carrie B
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Attention All Youth Leaders!
Do you have youth with a zest for life, a love for God, and the potential to lead?
CCYM (Conference Council on Youth Ministry) has openings for 3 young people from the Albany District. You must be going into 7th - 12th grade for the 2021-22 school year.
For more information about CCYM, and/or to request an application, please email Laura Clark, Albany District Youth Coordinator, at LLC1129@yahoo.com.
You can also learn more about CCYM and other youth opportunities by visiting the Upper New York Conference website. Click CCYM under "Ministries".
The direct link to CCYM is here:
https://www.unyumc.org/ministries/ccymPlace article copy here. Be sure to make the articles short and concise as people tend not to read much more than a couple of paragraphs. Place article copy here.
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Don't miss out on news articles that have run in the past. There are many resources you may be interested in. |
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Albany District
of the Upper New York Conference
Rev. Deborah (Debbie) Earthrowl
District Superintendent
Ellen Mall-John
Adirondack District Lay Leader and District Associate
Carrie Boyer
Minister of Administration
Our office is located in the Newtonville UMC
568 Loudon Rd., Latham, NY 12210
Mailing Address:
PO Box 511, Newtonville, NY 12128
(518) 608-1246
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