Carrie working remotely



The District Office will no longer be located in the Newtonville UMC in Latham. Carrie is now working from her home office. The phone and email will remain the same. (518) 608-1246 and albanydistrict@unyumc.org or carrieboyer@unyumc.org

Our mailing address will remain the same: PO Box 511, Newtonville, NY 12128 until further notice.

Our District Superintendent, the Rev. Debbie Earthrowl can still be reached at her current phone and email (518) 391-3215 and debbieearthrowl@unyumc.org

We will miss the folks at Newtonville UMC and are so grateful for their gracious hospitality through the years!

Save the dates

for 2024 District Days

In the new year, Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez will be visiting local churches in all 12 districts from February to April. District Days are a way for the bishop to meet with laity and clergy across Upper New York. Clergy meetings are scheduled for each visit from 1 to 3 PM and another meeting will be held for laity (and clergy who couldn't attend earlier gathering) from 7 to 8:30 PM. All United Methodists of Upper New York are invited and encouraged to attend a gathering closest to you. 

Bishop Hector will visit Shenendehowa UMC in the Albany District on Tuesday, April 9. The church is located at 971 Route 146 in Clifton Park.

He will visit the Community United Methodist Church of Chestertown in the Adirondack District on Wednesday, April 10. The church is located at 11 Church St., Chestertown.

To view the entire schedule, click here.

New Episode of Spiritual Journey available 

Join the Rev. Nancy Dibelius as she introduces a spiritual practice known as Guided Meditation or Entering the Narrative. This practice encourages the use of your imagination as you’re invited to be a participant in the biblical narrative. 

Click here to subscribe

Please begin entering important church statistical data now. Deadline is earlier this year:

Feb. 15

Just a reminder pastors and church leaders can start entering information in the statistical tables in ACStats. Information must be submitted by end of day on Feb. 15.    



Login usernames and passwords will need to be recreated and information created last year will not be entered into the 2023 statistical tables. Pastors: Please note that you cannot use the same email address twice for two different churches and/or users. This can be solved by adding additional digits, like your GCFA number, at the end of your email address for the second church. 

To learn more, click here.

ACStats help and user guide. Click here

Local Churches will need to create all new Usernames and Passwords upon initial entry into the platform.

Pastors who serve more than one church: Please remember that you cannot use the same email address twice for 2 different churches/Users. It's advisable to use the church's email address if you have one, or if not, this can be solved by adding additional digits at the end of your email address for the 2nd church like your GCFA #

Ex: Email Address/Username: AwesomeGod@gmail.com541236   

Zoom class on Max Lucado book offered by Binghamton District pastor

5-week class taught By Pastor Paul Winkleman, pastor at Sidney UMC

In Person/Zoom

(Classes Taught in the Sidney UMC Library/Online on Zoom)

All classes are on Tuesdays at 4 PM.

Dates: Jan. 9, Jan. 23, Jan. 30, Feb. 6 and Feb. 13. Note there is no class on Jan. 16.

If you are interested in attending this class please call Pastor Paul Winkleman

(315) 329-4071, or e-mail Pastor Paul at winkel70@hotmail.com

2024 - Endings and Beginnings - Part 1

2024 represents a New Year, a fresh start filled with possibilities. It is also an ending. A major emphasis of Christianity is the possibility of a fresh start, being forgiven for things we have done wrong, and being empowered to make a positive contribution. It is a message of hope.

While I believe all of this is true beyond any doubt, I also believe that our past and even our mistakes shouldn’t just be discarded as useless trash from the past. I believe that the past can inform and guide our future and enable us to make wiser choices in the days to come. Philosopher George Sattayana wrote: “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” The Apostle Paul went even further in his letter to the Christian community in Rome, proclaiming: “We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28 NRSV).” When we trust and follow God, all of our life can be used by God for good, even our mistakes.

As you make resolutions for changes in 2024, I invite you to take time to reflect on the events of the past year and what lessons they can teach you, then ask God to enable something good to emerge from your past and the days yet to be lived in 2024. Jesus proclaims that if we have faith even as small as a mustard seed that we will be able conquer problems even the size of mountains, see Matthew 17:20.

Today’s photo was taken at sunrise on Peddocks Island in Boston Harbor on June 24, 2013.

Shalom,

David E. Smith, Pastor

Mayfield & Northampton at Fish House United Methodist Churches

Phone or Text: 518-572-4051

Email: revdavid76@gmail.com

You can find this and other devotions in my blog at www.adirondacksights.wordpress.com. You can also find more of my pictures on my web site www.revdavidimages.com. 

You are invited to join us for our Monday evening Prayer Group at 7:00 pm and our Wednesday Bible Study at 7 PM. Both are being offered in person at the Mayfield UMC and on Zoom which can be accessed using the following link on your computer, tablet, smart phone or by calling in on the provided phone number.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7356408548

Phone Call In: 1-929-205-6099 Meeting ID: 735 640 8548

EVENTS and ANNOUNCEMENTS

Scholarship offered to 2024 Tamarac High School graduates

Center Brunswick UMC in Troy has announced that a $500 scholarship will be awarded to a 2024 graduate of Tamarac High School in memory of Harold and Mable Keyes. The student does not have to be a member of the church. To read the letter, click here. Deadline to apply: March 1, 2024.

Epiphany Sunday Family Worship, Sunday, Jan. 7, Hope UMC, Troy

Join Hope UMC's celebration of "the rest of the story" of the appearance of God on Earth in Christ! Celebrate the arrival of the "Three Kings" with an Epiphany procession and King Cake. Pizza lunch for those able to stay and help "put away" Christmas, Sunday, Jan. 7 at 10:30 AM at the church, 566 Brunswick Rd., Troy.

Living Waters of the Adirondack and Green Mountain Emmaus gathering, Saturday, Jan. 6, Bacon Hill Reformed Church, Schuylerville

Please join us from 4 PM to 6 PM on Saturday, Jan. 6 at the Bacon Hill Reformed Church, 560 Route 32N, Schuylerville. Bring a dish to share, as well as your musical instruments and singing voices. In case of inclement weather, we will postpone this event until the following week Jan. 13 at the same place and time. If necessary, for postponement information, please check our Facebook page -- Living Waters Emmaus and Chrysalis (NY/VT) or our website – www.livingwatersemmaus.com.

Brooks Bar-B-Q, Saturday, Jan. 6, Center Brunswick UMC

The Center Brunswick UMC, 990 Hoosick Rd., Troy, will be having a Winter BBQ Dinner featuring everyone’s favorite – Brooks Bar-B-Q on Saturday, January 6 from 2 PM to 6 PM. OPTIONS: 

• Chicken Dinner: $15 – Includes Baked Potato, Vegetable, Roll & Butter, Drink & Dessert 
• Half a Chicken: $7 

Drive thru take out only. Call Jill for Tickets at (518) 258-2164 

Thrift Shop, Pine Grove UMC, open monthly:

Next date: Saturday, Jan. 6

Pine Grove UMC's Thrift Shop, "Seconds to Go," will be open Jan. 6 from 9 AM to 1 PM. The church is located at 1580 Central Ave., Colonie. Enter on the east side of the church (the left side - toward Albany) and use the doors near the back of the building. We have household treasures, glassware, cookbooks, toys, jewelry, dolls and more! The thrift shop is open the first Saturday of the month through 2024 except for July, which will be announced as the date nears.

Recycling day, Sunday, Jan. 7, First UMC of East Greenbush

First UMC of East Greenbush, 1 Gilligan Rd., will host a Recycling Day on Sunday, Jan. 7. The EcoTeam will be collecting the following items at the parking lot garage from 9 AM to 9:30 AM and 10:30 AM to 11 AM: Clear, green and blue glass bottles and jars. They must be clean. Labels are okay. Also: Household batteries (large lithium batteries that are used for tools are excluded.) Also accepted: Christmas light strings and

clean styrofoam, free of tape and staples. Items that were used for food or drink, no matter how clean are not accepted.

Cookies -N- Carols, Sunday, Jan. 14, First UMC of East Greenbush

“Cookies-N-Carols” will be presented at 2 PM Sunday, Jan. 14 in the Fellowship Hall of First UMC East Greenbush, 1 Gilligan Rd. Performers are from the church choir, Byrd in the Bush, and our Coffeehouse(s). 

Story Telling Night, Wednesday, Jan. 17, First UMC of East Greenbush

Join us for our next Story Telling night on at 7 PM Wednesday, Jan. 17 at First UMC of East Greenbush, 1 Gilligan Rd. We have speaker Desi Biechman coming to tell us about how sobriety led him to Jesus Christ. He once was lost, but now he has been found. Desi has been sober for over 30 years. He is currently a licensed Minister through the Melchizedeks MC group and ministering to the motorcycle community. Everyone is welcome to come hear Desi’s story. There will be light refreshments available.

First UMC of East Greenbush's EcoTeam sponsors talk on funding available for Clean Energy Improvements, Sunday, Jan. 21, at the East Greenbush Community Library

                                                                                                          First UMC of East Greenbush's EcoTeam is sponsoring a presentation on "Federal, State and Utility Savings Available for Clean Energy Improvements." The presentation will be given by Paul Fisk and will be held at 1:30 PM on Sunday, Jan. 21 in Room B at the East Greenbush Community Library. Paul Fisk is a trained Climate Reality Project presenter on the causes, effects, and solutions for the climate crisis. He retired from a career in local and state government, having held managerial positions in budgeting and information management. He currently focuses on publicizing the wide array of government and utility financial incentives available to households to save energy and money while reducing fossil fuel pollution. Tax credits and rebates to weatherize and electrify homes and vehicles, upgrade HVAC systems and appliances, install solar panels, and other options will be discussed. Clean energy improvements not only will save you money but will add to your comfort and provide you with a healthier home environment.

Chair Yoga Class, beginning in January, Calvary UMC: Latham

Chair Yoga is great for Yoga Beginners, those with physical limitations, chronic conditions, those in recovery or recuperation and/or have age-related degeneration. Chair Yoga is an excellent option for any who may find traditional yoga difficult or uncomfortable, as it provides necessary support while still allowing participants to engage in various yoga poses. This adaptive approach ensures that everyone can enjoy the physical and mental benefits of yoga, regardless of their fitness level or mobility. Mary Francese will be starting a 60-minute weekly Chair Yoga class in January. Classes will be Monday at 4 PM in Calvary’s Chapel, and also on Zoom for $10/class. Mary is a certified yoga instructor and has been teaching classes at Calvary for more than 8 years. Please contact Mary at allene28@gmail.com or (518) 469-0431 if you have any questions or are interested in joining the Chair Yoga class. The church is located at 15 Ridge Place, Latham.

Happenings at First UMC of Delmar

The church is located at 428 Kenwood Ave., Delmar

Blessed Bargains Shop: Every Tuesday (year round) 10 AM to 5 PM

Treasure Cove Thrift Shop: (Open Year Round) Tuesdays from 10 AM to 5 PM and Saturdays from 10 AM to 1 PM

Please refer to our website for more information: https://www.delmarmethodist.org/

There is something happening every Thursday at St. Paul’s Church in Castleton!

Our church is located at 1583 Carney Rd., Castleton. 

Every Thursday we gather for fellowship and to Recharge. Recharge is a simple worship service for busy people who are hungry to spend time with God. This informal 30-minute worship begins at 6 PM. We sing, reflect on God’s word, and eat a meal together. After dinner is time to talk, play games, or work on an art project. It’s great to share our thoughts and experiences of God’s grace! All are welcome; come as you are and hang out as long as you wish through 8 PM.

In months with a fifth Thursday, we do an all-church mission to help those in need throughout the community and throughout the world. These specifics are announced in person and on social media at https://www.facebook.com/StPaulsCastleton/

For more information, contact Aimee Croft at anbcroft@gmail.com