Albany District and Conference News
August 26, 2021
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"Always remember that you are absolutely unique. Just like everyone else."
-- Margaret Mead
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Please share with us how your church is making disciples for the transformation of the world!
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Step by step process for developing an Intentional Discipleship Plan
The Northern Flow District has created training resources for congregations and persons to walk through a “step-by-step” process for developing an Intentional Discipleship Plan.
Click here for steps 1 and 2 of the training; follow the guidance of the video trainers, use the provided PowerPoints and the resources (links) to enable your church and team to develop and implement your congregation’s Intentional Discipleship Plan.
Additional training steps will be provided over time. Imagine what God will do as more and more churches develop their process for Making Disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World!
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The Rev. Erik Smith is now residing at Kingsway Manor, Room 139, 323 Kings Rd., Schenectady, NY 12304. Cards and prayers would be appreciated.
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 S. 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
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Men's Retreat: No More Excuses - Time to be Men of God |
A day of ministry for men snared in slavery to pornography. 9 AM to 4 PM Saturday, Sept. 25 at 250 Lake Hill Rd., Burnt Hills. Cost: $20 (lunch included). Bring your bible. Questions? Contact Rev. David Martin @ hopeumctroy@gmail.com
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Dismantling Racism resource:
Reflection on Native American boarding schools
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 will regularly share worship, advocacy, and educational resources to help with this important campaign.
This week we feature a reflection by a Colorado Conference Navajo pastor, Norman Mark, who attended four Native American boarding schools during his youth. For almost 100 until the 1960s, thousands of Native American children were forcibly taken from their homes and trained to reject their heritage and do manual labor. Christian denominations, including Methodism, were involved in running some of the schools.
Click here to read Pastor Mark’s reflection, to learn about the 2021-2024 Native American Comprehensive Plan, and the Oct. 6 Day of Repentance.
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Response to Haiti after earthquake |
United Methodists are reaching out with their prayers and pocketbooks after the devastating earthquake in Haiti.
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The People of God campaign is reminding us that being people of God isn’t a status, it’s a calling. Any day, every day, we can choose to live into our mission of loving and serving God and people. We strive to #BeUMC. Download resources to bring the campaign to your local church communications.
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Study: Impact of Covid-19 |
Research findings from the final phase of the Impact of COVID-19 Study are now available. This phase assessed the pandemic’s influence on local church services and ministries, finances and clergy well-being, and also explored demographic trends.
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United Methodist Women hosted a special Faith Talks podcast on Thursday, Aug. 19 at 2:00 p.m. ET. During the episode they discuss honoring labor, before and after Labor Day. A free recording of the episode will be available at http://www.unitedmethodistwomen.org/FaithTalks.
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What's New from the Conference Center |
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How are new appointments going?
Starting July 1, many pastors throughout the Upper New York (UNY) Conference received new annual appointments. We are starting a blog series about the new appointments.
Whether you are a pastor who has received a new appointment, or you are laity with a new pastor, we want to hear how it’s going! Send your stories to news@unyumc.org by Friday Sept. 3.
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What's New from the Lewis Center |
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Are your worshipers tourists or travelers?
How can you inspire your worship attendees to be active participants rather than casual bystanders? David W. Manner explores the metaphor of travelers versus tourists to consider what it means to be fully engaged in worship.
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Keeping church staff accountable to the overall mission
Evaluating church staff by measures related to their own individual performance can lead to ministry silos, says John Wimberly. When every staff person’s ultimate goal is the overall mission, a church is far more likely to make progress.
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The Academy of Artful Leadership
Small Group Learning with Regional Associate Rich Weihing
We have all been working for several years to become more vital congregations and to have intentional disciple-making plans. This fall, we will work to identify and grow the number of Christ-following transformational leaders in our churches. To help you in this work, Regional Associate Rev. Rich Weihing, partnering with The Academy of Artful Leadership, is offering small-group learning/coaching opportunities for pastors and laity of Adirondack and Albany Districts beginning in late September.
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"Faith in Action," a UMM weekend retreat takes place Oct. 1-2 at Camp Casowasco. To register, click here. Keynote speaker: Pastor Steve McKnight of the Wesley UMC in Rochester.
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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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Transforming Church Conflict & Creating Space for Authentic Community
What Is This?: A two-retreat series on Transforming Conflict for United Methodist Clergy and Servant Leaders of the Upper New York Conference
Session One – October 6 & 7 (W/Th)
Session Two – October 27 & 28 (W/Th)
All at Casowasco Camp & Retreat Center
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Safe Sanctuaries ZOOM training
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, September 25.
For more information on Safe Sanctuaries, and on background checks, click here.
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Red Bird Mission collection |
The Mission team at Endwell United Methodist Church is again coordinating the collection and delivery of shoeboxes for the Red Bid Mission, located in Beverly, Kentucky.
If your church is willing to be a collection point, please contact Carrie in the District Office, (518) 608-1246. Calvary UMC, 15 Ridge Place,Latham is a collection point. Read their letter here.
South Glens Falls UMC, 15 Maplewood Parkway, is also a collection point. Deliver shoeboxes any time between 8:30 AM and 12:30 PM Monday through Thursday. Call (518) 793-1152 for more information.
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Pre-retirement seminar
scheduled for Oct. 1
There will be an in-person pre-retirement seminar held in October to highlight and explain the benefits available through The United Methodist Church to retiring clergy. This seminar is intended to assist persons in their later years of ministry understand the current pension plan, health insurance options, Social Security, and moving assistance available.
Online registration is required, as we will provide clergy-specific retirement projections, and also schedule personal consultations.
The seminar will be held at the United Methodist Center in Liverpool on Friday, Oct. 1 from 9:45 a.m. until 2 p.m. Click here for more information and to register. The deadline to register is Sept. 17.
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2021-2022 Forms available |
The 2021-2022 Church/Charge Conference and Annual Forms are now available to download. All information can be found by clicking here.
On this page, you will find links to various reports, including Report of Pastor, the Safe Sanctuary Compliance Report, the 2022 Clergy Compensation Form, and more. If you have any issues accessing this page, please click here for help.
As mentioned in previous correspondence to pastors and SPRC chairs, the 2022 clergy compensation information can be found here: 2022 Pastor Compensation.
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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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From the Conference Center |
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2021 UNY directory available
The 2021 Upper New York Conference directory is now available to view or download or view online and a hard copy is available to purchase. Click here to view/download. Click here to purchase a hard copy for $6.28.
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Revised CDC guidelines
affecting local churches
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has issued revised guidelines for indoor gatherings due to the rising number of coronavirus cases as a result of the Delta variant. The CDC is recommending masks be worn indoors by all individuals regardless of vaccination status in areas of high concentration. Click here to read the UNY Church COVID guidelines and to determine your county’s level of transmission.
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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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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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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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