Albany District and Conference News
July 22, 2021
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"A ship is always safe at the shore - but that is NOT what it is built for."
-- Albert Einstein
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One of our pastors is in need of a vehicle. If you have a car that you're willing to donate, please call Carrie at (518) 608-1246. |
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Please share with us how your church is making disciples for the transformation of the world!
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The Capital Region Interfaith Creation Care Coalition (CRICCC) was formed in the spring of 2018 to bring together faith groups in the Capital Region of New York State.
We make Care of Creation a central moral priority by working in solidarity to mitigate the climate emergency and to preserve and restore natural resources and biodiversity for present and future generations.
We accomplish this by educating ourselves and our faith communities, advocating for the environment, reducing our carbon and waste footprints, and adopting behaviors that will ensure the sustainability of life in all its diversity on Earth. We hold bi-monthly meetings, listen to a presenter and break into committees to plan for on-going action.
We feel that CRICCC has begun to be an influence on policies and practices in the community and in state government. We'd like now to increase our membership so that we can have a greater impact in the work we do.
We currently have members from over 20 faith communities, including the Delmar and East Greenbush United Methodist Churches. We hope that someone from your church will join us. For more information, please contact Kevin Conley or Barbara Spink at CRICCCalbany@gmail.com.
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Please keep family and friends of the Rev. Greg DeSalvatore in your prayers. Rev. DeSalvatore, 68, died on July 17. He was serving Cicero UMC. Condolences can be sent to Rev. DeSalvatore’s wife, Bonita DeSalvatore, at 8428 Brewerton Road, NY 13039. A memorial service will be held on July 24 at 11 a.m. at Cicero UMC, located at 8416 Brewerton Road in Cicero. Clergy are asked to wear white stoles and will robe and sit together. Click here to read Greg’s full obituary.
The Rev. Erik Smith is now residing at Kingsway Manor, Room 139, 323 Kings Rd., Schenectady, NY 12304. Cards and prayers would be appreciated. Note that this is an updated address.
The Rev. Alan Rhodes has suffered another stroke. He underwent surgery on Monday, The doctors are guardedly optimistic. 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. Cards can be sent to 148 Second Ave., Mechanicville, NY 12118.
Rev. Judy Humphrey-Fox and her husband Tim.
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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Safe Sanctuaries ZOOM training: Two Opportunities to attend
The Upper New York Annual Conference Team will host a standard Basic Safe Sanctuaries training via ZOOM from 9 AM to 12:30 PM Saturday, August 21 OR September 25.
For more information on Safe Sanctuaries, and on background checks, click here.
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It saddens us to share that Skye Farm is cancelling our programs scheduled to begin after July 18, 2021. This includes Adirondack Odyssey, Camplympics, and Mini Camp programs.
This has been a year of transitions, shortened timelines, and hard decisions, and the cancellation of these programs is a great disappointment for all the staff at Skye Farm. After a year without summer camp because of COVID-19, we worked hard to develop a slimmed down program schedule with reduced capacity limits to allow us to safely operate camp this year. Ongoing pandemic concerns meant that we only received permission from NYS to plan camp sessions in April this year, many months into our usual hiring and planning timeline. We also were unable to welcome any new or returning international staff members this year.
Skye Farm Camp needs a qualified Health Director each week and multiple staff who can provide excellent counseling to camper groups. We were fortunate to find a great RN with camp alumni connections who served as our nurse for the first 2 weeks of camp, but she is beginning a full-time nursing position and is unable to cover the rest of the summer. We have terrific counselors, but not enough to provide adequate coverage for the coming weeks. Our searches for additional staff have been ongoing, but we are out of time for the training and certifying that would be required for new staff. The reality of this leaves us disappointed and sad. We are grateful we were able to successfully run Campolodean last week, filling our site with the love and laughter and energy of summer camp, if only for one week.
Families who had registered for the cancelled programs are able to request a refund, transfer fees to next summer, or donate to support our ministry this summer. Our site will be open for cabin rentals and retreats for the remainder of the summer and into the fall.
While we hoped it wouldn’t be so, the effects of the pandemic have impacted Summer 2021 as well as Summer 2020 at Skye Farm. With a full year to prepare and more determination to see camp full and thriving than ever, we expect to be back in full swing for Summer 2022. We hope you’ll join us.
Contact us at 518.494.7170 or
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One of the more frequent questions submitted to Ask The UMC is about whether the denomination funds particular non-United Methodist organizations. Read and share a recent article that explores this topic, including a list of United Methodist entities which are partially funded, or not funded, by apportionments — you might be surprised! |
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Online course on Communication |
Developing a Strategy for Communication Planning is a four-week, online learning experience. Course facilitators will connect with you in video workshops, engaging assignments and discussion sessions, all of which will help your church take the next steps towards visioning and implementing effective communication planning. Registration ends on Wednesday, July 28 and the course will take place July 29-August 27. Space is limited! |
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What's New from the Conference |
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Spiritual Discipline of Simplicity, Part 2 |
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.
Earlier this month, Rev. Dibelius introduced the spiritual discipline of simplicity; click here for her introductory video. This week, Rev. Dibelius discusses simplicity around the idea of possessions; click here to watch this video with many ideas to think about when it comes to buying new possessions.
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Dismantling Racism resource: Robin DiAngelo deconstructing white privilege |
The UMC is leading a sustained and coordinated effort to actively engage in the ministry of dismantling racism and promoting racial justice. The UNY Conference Communications team regularly shares worship, advocacy, and educational resources to help with this important campaign.
This week we feature a video of anti-racist educator Robin DiAngelo deconstructing white privilege. Click here to watch this enlightening video.
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Live video read-along series from UMC Church & Society
Join Church and Society leaders every Wednesday at 2 pm in July on their YouTube channel for reading and discussion of a children’s book from their Sacred Worth Books database. Each week, they read a different book from their database and share discussion questions to read along with the children in your life. These videos are also saved on their YouTube channel.
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New phishing scheme: Update |
Please note that there is a new type of phishing-scheme email that has been received in multiple inboxes throughout the Upper New York (UNY) Conference. The email will look as though it is from someone you know in the UNY Conference and will show their actual email address. The text will ask you to link to a DocuSign document. DO NOT OPEN THIS DOCUMENT! It contains a virus. It is not truly from the person in the “From” address.
Please note that phishing-scheme emails are still frequently arriving in the Upper New York (UNY) Conference inboxes. Do not open any links in these emails.
Click here for a helpful video that outlines how to identify such an email and what to do if you receive one.
If you have any questions or concerns about phishing schemes, contact Doug Thomas, UNY IT Manager, at dougthomas@unyumc.org.
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What's New from the Lewis Center |
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Relationships are the key ingredient in successful outreach
Lewis Center Director Doug Powe writes that a focus on relationships helps a church connect with its neighbors in genuine and effective ways. Successful outreach efforts truly engage others by listening, extending invitations, and building community connections.
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4 steps to launch a ministry of financial literacy
Lovett H. Weems Jr. and Ann A. Michel of the Lewis Center explain that churches can play a key role in educating, supporting, and equipping their members to steward their personal financial resources wisely. They outline four simple steps for launching a ministry of financial literacy as an expression of spiritual and pastoral care.
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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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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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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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News Links From the Conference
If you want to keep in the know of what is happening in the Upper New York Conference and the United Methodist Church please consider these links.
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Free Discipleship Resources!
Click here for the latest issue of Discipleship Ministries' Equipping Disciples Newsletter.
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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:
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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
Albany District Lay Leader and District Associate
Carrie Boyer
Minister of Administration
Our office is located in the Newtonville UMC
568 Loudon Rd., Latham, NY 12110
Mailing Address:
PO Box 511, Newtonville, NY 12128
(518) 608-1246
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