Albany District and Conference News
August 12, 2021
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"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."
-- Winston Churchill
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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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Please keep the family of the Rev. Jeff Stratton in your prayers. Jeff's father, Marvin Stratton, died on July 18. A service will be held Aug. 14 at the Hyde Park UMC. Cards of condolence can be sent to Jeff at 28 Riley Cove, Ballston Spa, NY 12020. To view Marvin's obituary, click here.
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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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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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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Why do United Methodists use the Revised Common Lectionary? |
A lectionary is a listing of readings from the Bible to be used on particular Sundays or days of the Christian Year. The early church created the Christian Year so the whole message of God's saving work in Jesus Christ would be heard throughout the year.
The first Methodist churches in the United States were given a lectionary to use by John Wesley, based on the one-year lectionary found in the 1662 Book of Common Prayer of the Church of England.
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Helpful thoughts when fretting over the unknown |
There’s a very good reason why Psalm 23 has had such a lasting mark on our tradition. It’s not just because it’s beautifully written with evocative imagery. It speaks to the depth of the greatest human struggle—our fear of the unknown.
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What's New from the Conference Center |
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Tell us about your mentor |
The next issue of the Advocate will explore the gift of mentors in ministry. We are looking for your personal story of growth through mentorship in lay or clergy ministry. Was there a coach that helped you take your ministry to the next level? Was there someone who came before you and made your ministry path possible? Formal or informal, we are looking for a variety of different stories that show the power of mentorship regardless of form. Please send a paragraph about your mentor to Shannon Hodson at shannonhodson@unyumc.org by Friday August 20.
Shannon will follow up with all submissions and provide article-length requirements and a September deadline date for feature articles.
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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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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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Dismantling Racism resource: Personal encounters with racism
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 essays submitted to UM News about individuals’ personal encounters with racism. The wide array of essays submitted already discuss enduring racism while pastoring, educating children about racial justice, and much more. You can also submit an essay about your personal encounter with racism.
Click here to read the submissions and learn how you can submit your essay.
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What's New from the Lewis Center |
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3 key components of effective visitor follow-up
Yvonne Gentile and Debi Nixon of the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection say a church’s first goal with first-time worship visitors is to get them to come back. So, it is important to follow up with them in ways that are prompt, personal, and pleasant.
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7 ways to make it easier to talk about money at church
Ann Michel of the Lewis Center staff writes that churches can promote financial transparency and enhance generosity by addressing the often-taboo subject of money more openly and faithfully. She offers seven practical strategies to improve the tone of your conversation around money and giving.
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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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Webinar on equipping people for ministry |
How can churches equip more laity for ministry without bogging them down in endless meetings? Kay Kotan and Rev. Blake Bradford will be sharing insights from their newly revised book on simple/single board lay leadership (or simple accountability structures). This approach to governance and decision making helps clergy and laity in our churches focus on the main thing: making disciples of Jesus Christ. When? Aug. 12 and 19
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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: 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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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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