Northern Flow Weekly Newsletter April 6, 2023

Northern Flow Weekly Newsletter

April 6, 2023

Just a reminder the District Office will be closed tomorrow, April 7th in observance of Good Friday

Message from DS Rev. Mike Weeden

“I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

John 13:34-35. Jesus to his followers the night before he died.

My father, Rev. Dr. Ted Weeden, died at 7:04 in the morning this past Palm Sunday. I like to playfully say that as Jesus entered the gates of Jerusalem my Dad entered the gates of heaven.

Dad was the senior pastor at Asbury First United Methodist Church in Rochester, New York for many years prior to his retirement. Dad was a New Testament scholar, pastor, teacher, father, uncle, husband, brother, and grandfather. Dad was, well, ‘Dad’. He had a heart for a Jesus centered call for justice. He was also a mentor to me. He was the first person I had a conversation with when I began sensing God’s call in my life. Many times I have found myself asking, what would Dad do here?”

In her reflection today, Diane Butler Bass asks the question, “What will you do the night before you die?” She notes that on the day before Jesus died, Jesus shared a meal with the friends he loved and washed their feet – including the feet of one who would betray him. (Thursday in Holy Week: Foot Washing, What will you do the night before you die? Diane Butler Bass, April 6, https://dianabutlerbass.substack.com/p/thursday-in-holy-week-washing-feet) [Italics my own]

My Dad was human, in the best sense of that word and in the sense that he, like all of us, was imperfect. He made mistakes. But one enduring question that defined my Dad was to ask, who are we making room for at the table? For him, ‘all means all’. He was concerned that the church not only aspired to the highest expression of worship but also be willing to live the Jesus ethic of self-sacrificial servanthood, always and everywhere ready to drop to our knees to serve those in need, in Jesus name; whoever that is. Even if that person might at some point turn and betrayal that very act of love.

I am challenged by these two questions, What will I do the night before I die?, and, Who am I making room for at the table?. I am forever challenged and compelled by this love of Jesus. It is a love that will not let me go. It is a love that will not let us go; a love so deep, so full, so missional, that it extends beyond the grave.

I find it interesting and a gift that my Dad died the same week that we enter in the fullness of what it means for Jesus, God’s Son, to live, die, and be Resurrected so we might have life, abundant AND eternal. This is a source of great comfort to me. I am grateful for your prayers for my family. I am praying for you as you journey through this Holy Week.

UNY Special Session March 25, 2023

Click here to watch a recording of the livestream or press and play to watch below.

Registration for In Person Annual Conference

Registration for the June 1-3, 2023 in-person Annual Conference will open on Monday April 10, 2023.

Registration will close on Thursday April 27, 2023.

There will be NO LATE online registration accepted.

If you miss registering online by April 27^th then your next opportunity to register will be in person at the SRC Arena & Events Center at Onondaga Community College with a late charge of $50.00.

Simplifying Your Church Leadership Structure: Zoom Presentation on April 19

Rev. Derek Hansen and Rev. Phil Richards, both serving churches in the Adirondack District, will be leading a ZOOM presentation on Simplifying Your Church Leadership Structure from

6:30 PM to 8:00 PM on Wednesday, April 19.

Could your congregation benefit from a simplified, accountable structure but you don't know where to start? We'll explore why and how simplifying leadership structure can lead to greater missional effectiveness. We'll also cover some common questions and challenges for congregations to be aware of with a particular focus on how to begin implementing this adaptive change in your congregation.

If you'd like to participate, please contact Carrie Boyer in the Adirondack/Albany District Office (518) 608-1246 or adirondackdistrict@unyumc.org or albanydistrict@unyumc.org and she will send you the ZOOM link.

Superintendency Administrative Assistants Reconfiguration

The Upper New York Extended Cabinet shared its plan to reconfigure how administrative support is provided to its districts. Beginning July 1, 2023, the current structure of eight part-time and two full-time administrative assistants serving districts will be replaced by six full-time Superintendency Administrative Assistants, each serving two districts as well as working collaboratively on the superintendency support team.

Learn More Here

New Faith Community Launchpad

Launchpad Spring Flyer 2023

Please find attached a Grant application for the UNY UWF (UMW) Conference Project Grants.

*Please note the Application has changed since last year.*

These grants are open to non-profit community and faith-based organizations which follow the teachings of Jesus Christ and address the needs of women, children and youth within the boundaries of our conference.

Application

Are you connected to UNY?

Do you receive the latest news and updates from UNY Conference?

All pastors should be connected and as many people from your congregation that would like to be.

Open to everyone – pass the word!

If you are not connected please follow the instructions below.

To sign up either click the following link: https://bit.ly/UNYnotes.

Or follow the steps below:

Go to the conference website

Click on News in the toolbar

Select Connect with UNY

You can sign up for all six categories or just select the UNY Notes

Adirondack District Offering Lay Servant Courses

Adirondack Lay Servant Ministries has added some courses to the 2023 schedule.

Please remember that you MUST attend all class times and dates to receive credit.

All registrations and course fees MUST be in by the date due.

For a registration form or for more information, contact Arlene Schmidt, arlenedschmidt@gmail.com For more information about the courses (books, etc.) click here for the updated brochure.

Advanced Course: Polity

Wednesdays, May 3, 10, 17 & 24: 6-9pm

ZOOM: Fee $15

Facilitator: Bruce Hazard & Team member

Registration and course fees due by April 19

Advanced Course: Opening Ourselves to Grace

Thursdays: May 4, 11, 18, 25, & June 1: 6-9pm

ZOOM: $15

Facilitator: Jacqueline Kim & Team member

Registration and course fees due by April 20

A new job opening has been posted to the website. If you have any referrals for this position, please ask folks to apply online through the link on the website.

Job Openings

"Engage New People Grant" Available

The Upper New York New Faith Communities' Team is excited to announce the “Engage New People Grant” to benefit local churches in the Upper New York Conference that are working to Engage New People not already in their church/ministry. New Faith Communities Conference-wide purpose is to reach people outside the Church in new and contextual ways.

Grants will be available up to $2,500 to help local churches and ministries. Grant applications are accepted on a rolling basis in 2023. Churches and ministries may apply for up to $2,500 during one calendar year. Please expect 60 days to review your application.

Click here to apply for the “Engage New People Grant.”

Upon completing the application, the New Faith Communities' team will reach out to the pastor/lead planter of the church and/or contact person listed to confirm your submission.

SAFE SANCTUARIES TRAINING SCHEDULE

Schedule

Charge Conference Forms Due Dates

Due November 1st.: NOW PAST DUE

Pastor's Appointment Advisory Form (https://uny.umcprofile.org)

S/PPRC Appointment Advisory Form (https://uny.umcprofile.org)

Pastor-S/PPRC Covenant Forms (https://uny.umcprofile.org)

*These need to be printed and mailed to the district office*

Due December 1st.: UPDATE ONLINE - DO NOT PRINT A COPY

Church Profile (https://uny.umcprofile.org)

Pastor's Profile (https://uny.umcprofile.org)

Due February 15th. 2023: Now Past Due

Report of Trustees

Report of Finance Committee

2022 Year End Financial Report

2023 Church Budget - Your church format

2022 Statistical Reports (https://stats.gcfa.org/)

Wesley Heritage Tour 2024

Join Pastor Brett Johnson on the trip of a lifetime to visit John and Charles Wesley’s homeland of England. We will be visiting sites of great importance to United Methodists, including the Wesleys’ hometown of Epworth, Oxford, Bristol, and worship in the Wesley Chapel in London.

We will also be stopping at Stonehenge and Stratford-on-Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare, and St Paul’s Cathedral. Tour dates are July 13-22, 2024. Please use the following link to register: https://portal.myfaithjourneys.com/ and use group code 24002.

Contact Rev. Brett Johnson, pastor.brett.johnson@gmail.com, with any questions.