Albany District and Conference News
July 28, 2021
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"I have noticed that even those who assert that everything is predestined and that we can change nothing about it still look both ways before they cross the street."
-- Stephen Hawking
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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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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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Everyone is invited to attend a memorial service for George Holzhauer on Saturday (July 31) at 11 am at Burnt Hills UMC, 816 Route 50, Burnt Hills. Refreshments will follow. George died on March 6. He was the husband of Rev. Phyllis Holzhauer.
Please keep the family and friends of the Rev. Dr. Alan Rhodes in your prayers. Alan died Saturday night. He had undergone surgery recently after suffering a stroke.
Alan began his ministry as a pastor of the Troy Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, serving as the Associate Pastor of the Shenendehowa UMC in Clifton Park; and then served as Pastor at Fort Plain and Freysbush UMCs in Fort Plain; St. Paul’s UMC in Castleton-on-Hudson; Grace UMC in Ravena; North Main Street UMC in Gloversville; Mechanicville UMC in Mechanicville and retired from Esperance-Sloansville UMC in Esperance. He also served as chaplain at Wesley Health Care Center for nine years.
The funeral was held yesterday at the McKownville UMC.
Cards of condolence can be sent to Alan's wife, Nancy Rhodes, at 3019 Spawn Rd., Schenectady, NY 12303.
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.
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
Please know that we will need to contact folks to be sure they feel comfortable with us publishing their information.
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What's New from the Conference |
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The UNY Mission Central HUB is back in action |
For nearly a year-and-a-half, the COVID-19 pandemic hampered the ability for mission work to take place at the Upper New York (UNY) Mission Central HUB. Once, the CDC and New York State began issuing new guidelines that lightened restrictions of gatherings (mainly due to the effectiveness of the vaccine), more volunteer groups have started assembling cleaning kits, hygiene kits, and school kits using the HUB on the Road concept.
It is critical that you use the appropriate supply lists when assembling kits. Recently, many hygiene kits were ruined because ivory soap was included, which holds moisture. Click here for the supply lists.
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Stronger together
through the pandemic
With the cases of COVID-19 declining and the resulting updated CDC and New York State guidelines, many churches across UNY have just started gathering together for the first time since March of 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in over 306,000 reported positive cases and over 6,400 deaths in Upper New York; thee have been many jobs losses and other financial hardships, and there have been mental health implications as well. But there are some silver linings.
Our Advocate Summer 2020 issue covered some of these positives and there have been many positive stories since then. What are some of the positives that have happened at your church through the COVID-19 pandemic? We’d love to know! Please send your stories to news@unyumc.org.
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Stewardship with Susan Ranous
Connect with the Rev. Susan Ranous, deacon serving as Director of Christian Stewardship for the UNY Conference.
Click here for the blog that she usually publishes on Thursdays about stewardship, creation care, finances, money, generosity, and many other topics. Be sure to check it out! The most recent post talks about fall stewardship campaigns - start now!!
Click here to visit her Facebook page, "Stewardship with Susan Ranous."
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New 'Bridge' available
The August issue of the Bridge is now available for download. It is available in both color and black & white formats. Click here to select the version you prefer and make copies as necessary. Click here to access the information from this issue of the Bridge on the UNY Conference website for easy copying and pasting for those who wish to electronically distribute this news.
This issue focuses on the mission work that the Neighborhood Center, in Utica, NY, was able to continue throughout the pandemic.
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What's New from the Lewis Center |
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6 Suggestions to Promote Healthy Intergenerational Worship
David Manner says the goal of healthy intergenerational worship is unobtainable unless the different generations within your church are first interacting together outside of worship. He outlines six suggestions for bringing those of different ages together in prayer, Bible study, service, song, fellowship, and communion.
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5 key ways to improve your church You Tube channel
Phil Cooke explains why YouTube is critical to your church’s digital presence. He outlines five ways to improve your YouTube channel and boost your outreach.
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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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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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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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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
albanydistrict@unyumc.org
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