pandemic are all very real. But like God leading Moses and God’s people through the desert, God is with us in our own desert moment leading us forward to what comes next. On the District Leadership Team we wonder, where might God be leading us? What is on the other side of this desert? Are there blessings to be had and shared along the way? We think so. In fact, we have all seen first hand how this unique moment demands us to collaborate to do ministry in new and collaborative ways. That’s why we have started to wonder what mission work might look like on a district level. Imagine if the whole of Mohawk district came together to truly share in the work God has called us to! Today I want to inform you of a mission opportunity that might act as a first step for us toward doing more collaborative work on a district level.
On October 25th, five hundred and eighty-five workers were laid off at the Remington factory in Ilion, NY right here in the Mohawk District. Our neighbors in Ilion were left with no severance pay and they had their paid vacation stripped away. It is surely a dark period for these folk, but can God show up in their lives? God can through us. The District Leadership Team in collaboration with a few at the New Hartford UMC are coordinating an effort to collect Christmas cards with messages of hope and well wishes for these workers--Let them know they are being prayed for and that they are not alone. Remind them that they are loved by God. We are also hoping to supply as many families as possible with a $25 gift card to Walmart. Just think, with a $100 donation, you can impact the lives of 4 families this Christmas season. We hope you will join us as a district as we surround these persons with love in their time of need. In mission, we may never be able to help all people but we can make a big difference for some. Cards and gift cards can be delivered to the Mohawk District office, 105 Genesee St., New Hartford, NY 13413. Checks can please be made out to New Hartford UMC and put “Remington” in the memo line. The church will help us account for all donated funds and get a check for all donations to purchase the gift cards. We hope to have these gifts collected by December 18th.

May God bless you all in this Advent season and may you see the light of Christ this Christmas. 

Rev. Abel Roy, Superintendent
and
The Mohawk District Leadership Team