Mark your Calendars

Save the Dates!!

Small Group Church Conferences

Saturday: October 22nd; November 5th;November 12th

Sunday: Oct 30th; Nov 6th; Nov 13th; 

Weeknights: Oct 27th; Nov 1st; Nov 2nd; Nov 10th; Nov 16th

Bishop Webb's Retirement Open House

Saturday, November 19, 2022

1:00pm - 4:00pm

UNY Conference Office

NEW! Thoughts from our District Superintendent:

leave the baggage

leave the baggage at the door…. act like an adult…. and fruits of the Spirit

Leave the baggage at the door…or in the car…or at home… Or better yet

get rid of the baggage all together!

We carry around so much “stuff”. This “stuff” gets in our way in terms of communication, relationships and spiritual growth. Jesus told those he sent out… do not take anything with you. Did he mean our prejudices? Our stereotypes?

Our assumptions? Our bias? Our team?

We carry too much baggage and it weighs us down and tires us out…

As we set down the baggage…we probably should acknowledge that in too many ways we have not been acting like adults. We have not been acting like children either… but we have been acting in childish or immature ways. It is time for us to grow up and act in mature, compassionate and just ways. 

Good Morning Church!  Let’s act like mature people! 

Better yet… let’s act like Jesus would if Jesus were living our lives!

…and here is how we will know them… love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness (some say generosity) and self control…

The fruits of the Spirit occur when we are in touch with God, when we follow Jesus, and when we are moved by the Spirit… have we seen any of these fruits lately? Perhaps we need to get back in touch with God…pick up our cross and follow Jesus…and emphasize once again … Grace!

Let go…let God! ….   Live like Jesus! …. Be blessings! 

Blessings,

Ted Anderson

District Superintendent

NEW! Drop Off Dates for Red Bird Mission

Greetings.  

The Red Bird Mission project is underway and we are gearing up for a busy two months.  The Mission was spared from the flooding this past summer but they donated a lot of their supplies to the communities that were affected by the flooding.

The goal this year is to fill two 26-foot trucks with, hopefully, over 2,500 shoeboxes filled with items for women, men, girls and boys.  We are also looking for new blankets, new sheet sets, backpacks, and school supplies. 

A list of items needed can be found on the Endwell UMC web page under Mission.

The following churches have offered to be drop off sites:

Endwell UMC                                           Calvary UMC, Albany

Asbury UMC, Getzville                              New Milford UMC, PA                      

Dansville UMC                                          Lyons UMC

Adams UMC                                             Watertown UMC

Spencerport UMC                                      Ripley UMC

ALOQUIN-FLINT UMC                                Honeoye Falls UMC

Rush UMC                                                First UMC, Oneonta

Pine Grove UMC, Albany

Items can also be dropped off at the Upper New York Conference Center.  We would encourage folks at the drop off sites to consider bringing what they have collected to the Endwell UMC.  If you need us to pick up, please email Dave Alexander at dave3836country@gmail.com or call 607-743-8955.

Your help in this mission is greatly appreciated.

Dave

NEW! The Church Wellness Checkup Information

We believe a Vital Congregation is the body of Christ making and

engaging grace-filled

Christ Followers, who put faith into action.

A Vital Congregation…

Worships with passion

Nurtures and grows disciples

Engages in mission and outreach to their community

Gives generously to the mission and ministries of the church

The Church Wellness Checkup is a tool to help your congregation

become more faithful in

partnering with God in bringing the Kingdom of God to fruition.

CLICK HERE for a Flyer

 Register Now for Pre-Retirement Workshop This Fall      

All clergy looking to retire in the next year are encouraged to attend a

pre-retirement workshop. The next workshop is scheduled to be held

in-person on Friday, Nov. 11 from 10 a.m. -3 p.m. at the United Methodist Center in Liverpool, NY. It may be moved to a virtual format if there is a

rise in COVID positivity rates.

Join Upper New York Benefits Administrator Julie Valeski and Wespath representatives Robert Christophel and Todd Creviston for this workshop that highlights and explains the benefits available through The United Methodist Church to retiring clergy. They’ll discuss the current pension plan, health insurance options, Social Security, and any moving assistance available.

Registration is open through Oct. 28, 2022. If you are seeking to have a

private consultation with a benefits educator, you can indicate that on the registration page. 

Click here to register and click here for more information.

Equitable Compensation Application for Jan.-June 2023 Available

The Commission on Equitable Compensation has issued guidelines

and application forms for salary grants to local churches for the

period Jan. to June 2023. Salary grants are available only to churches

with a pastor under full-time appointment. 

To apply for salary assistance from the Equitable Compensation Fund, applicants should review the policies and procedures in the application document for guidance, and then complete the application according to the directions provided. Completed applications should be submitted to your District Superintendent by the Oct. 14, 2022 deadline.

Click here for more information and the application.