District Office closed Dec. 26-Dec. 30

Carrie will be on vacation next week. A newsletter will be sent out this Saturday, Dec. 23 instead of the one that would have been sent next Tuesday, Dec. 26. Please submit your events/ministry stories by Saturday morning for inclusion in that newsletter. Wishing everyone a blessed Christmas and New Year!

If you need to be in touch with our District Superintendent, the Rev. Debbie Earthrowl next week, you can reach her at (518) 391-3215 or debbieearthrowl@unyumc.org

Carrie working remotely beginning tomorow, Dec. 20

The District Office will no longer be located in the Newtonville UMC in Latham. Beginning tomorrow, Dec. 20, Carrie will be working from her home office. The phone and email will remain the same. (518) 608-1246 and adirondackdistrict@unyumc.org or carrieboyer@unyumc.org

Our mailing address will remain the same: PO Box 511, Newtonville, NY 12128 until further notice.

Our District Superintendent, the Rev. Debbie Earthrowl can still be reached at her current phone and email (518) 391-3215 and debbieearthrowl@unyumc.org

We will miss the folks at Newtonville UMC and are so grateful for their gracious hospitality through the years!

Video of UNYUMC Historical Society virtual meeting on Camp Meetings to Conference Camps available

A virtual meeting was held on Dec. 13. Click here to view the meeting.

Saying Yes

This coming Sunday is the Fourth Sunday of Advent and Christmas Eve. It is a time to celebrate the incredible Good News that God is with us, Jesus is born, casting out the darkness and bring light. We are forgiven, we are loved, we are chosen.

There is another story that we need to hear and celebrate. It is the story of the cast of supporting actors. It is a story of God’s messengers, angels, proclaiming to ordinary folks that they have a role to play in sharing God’s love with the world.

The main supporting character in this story is of course, Mary who said yes to having a very special child. There were others though with a key role to play: Joseph who would be father to a child that he wasn’t the biological father of. There were the shepherds who were tasked with sharing the Good News of the Messiah’s birth.

Ordinary people who heard and responded to Angels, messengers from God. I believe God continues to send angels among us, ordinary people who share the Good News of a God who so loves us that God came into the world in the form of a baby to proclaim forgiveness and the power of love to change the world. In the midst of the darkness of the violence and hate that seems all too prevalent, there is the light of God’s love.

In the midst of the hustle and bustle of last-minute shopping and holiday preparations, listen for the sound of angels proclaiming the Good News and like the shepherds go and share what you have heard.

Come and join the celebration of this incredibly Good News with your local Faith Community.

Today’s photo was taken in Northampton at Fish House United Methodist Church on December 4, 2023.

Shalom,

David E. Smith, Pastor

Mayfield & Northampton at Fish House United Methodist Churches

Phone or Text: 518-572-4051

Email: revdavid76@gmail.com

You can find this and other devotions in my blog at www.adirondacksights.wordpress.com. You can also find more of my pictures on my web site www.revdavidimages.com. 

You are invited to join us for our Monday evening Prayer Group at 7:00 pm and our Wednesday Bible Study at 7 PM. Both are being offered in person at the Mayfield UMC and on Zoom which can be accessed using the following link on your computer, tablet, smart phone or by calling in on the provided phone number.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7356408548

Phone Call In: 1-929-205-6099 Meeting ID: 735 640 8548

EVENTS and ANNOUNCEMENTS

(New) Christmas Eve Services, Sunday, Dec. 24, Schuylerville UMC

Schuylerville UMC, 51 Church St., Schuylerville, invites you to join us for worship including prayer, scripture, bell choir, caroling and sharing stories of nativities on display at 11 AM Sunday, Dec. 24. We will have a blessing of the Nativities! Please feel free to bring yours.

Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship is at 7 PM

Christmas Eve Service, Sunday, Dec. 24, Easton UMC

A Christmas Eve Candlelight Service will be held Sunday, Dec. 24 at 6:30 PM at the church, 12053 Rt 40, Easton. Service led by Pastor Melissa Weatherwax

Email eastonchurch126@gmail.com or visit eastonumc.org for Zoom info.

(New) Blood Drive, Friday, Dec. 29, First UMC of Warrensburg

The Blood Drive will be held from Noon to 4 PM at the church, 3890 Main St., Warrensburg. To view the flyer, click here.

Chair Yoga Class, beginning in January, Calvary UMC: Latham

Chair Yoga is great for Yoga Beginners, those with physical limitations, chronic conditions, those in recovery or recuperation and/or have age-related degeneration. Chair Yoga is an excellent option for any who may find traditional yoga difficult or uncomfortable, as it provides necessary support while still allowing participants to engage in various yoga poses. This adaptive approach ensures that everyone can enjoy the physical and mental benefits of yoga, regardless of their fitness level or mobility. Mary Francese will be starting a 60-minute weekly Chair Yoga class in January. Classes will be Monday at 4 PM in Calvary’s Chapel, and also on Zoom for $10/class. Mary is a certified yoga instructor and has been teaching classes at Calvary for more than 8 years. Please contact Mary at allene28@gmail.com or (518) 469-0431 if you have any questions or are interested in joining the Chair Yoga class. The church is located at 15 Ridge Place, Latham.

"Nia" dance, Mondays and Fridays, ongoing, Schroon Lake Community Church

Nia with Emily is a low impact dance designed for everybody regardless of age, health, or fitness level. Using a system of 52 moves designed to work every joint in your body, while delivering full-body conditioning, leaving you energized, mentally clear and emotionally balanced. Nia helps with balance, stability, weight loss, anxiety, stress, flexibility, joint health, cardiovascular health and so much more! It’s done barefoot to fun music. Mondays at 6 PM and Fridays at 10:30 AM. $10 per class; students 18 and younger, no charge. Classes are held at the Schroon Lake Community Church on the corner of US Route 9 and Leland Avenue. It’s a day by day class, you can come anytime. To view the flyer, click here.

Hidden Treasures By The Lake @ Lake George UMC

Gently used clothing thrift shop located inside First UMC: Lake George at 78 Montcalm St., Lake George. Children’s clothing $1 and Adult clothing $2. We are open Thursdays 8 AM to Noon, Fridays 9 AM to 1 PM and Saturdays 8 AM to Noon. Visit https://www.hiddentreasuresbythelake.org/ for more information

Christ Closet Thrift Shop, First Fridays and every Saturday, Argyle UMC

Fill a reasonably priced small, medium, or large bag at the church's thrift shop, 12 Sheridan St., Argyle. Clothes, shoes, toys, household items for the whole family. Open 2 PM to 5 PM the first Friday of every month, and each Saturday, 9 AM to Noon.

Everything Free Saturdays, Salem UMC, 29 West Broadway

Every Saturday: Everything Free Ministry is open 9 AM to 1 PM

For questions, contact Cindy Miller @ cindymmiller1@gmail.com

Ongoing

Bottle and Can Drive, Porter Corners UMC, 512 Allen Rd., Porter Corners (12859). You can leave your bags or boxes at the back door of the church, or if you have a large quantity, pickup is available. Call Jane Decouteau (518) 893-2289. Please consider posting this flyer in your church: Click here

'Connect', 6:30 PM Fridays

Connect is a small group through the United Methodist Church, made up of young adults (18 to 35) who gather every Friday at 41 E Main St, Cambridge, NY 12816 at 6:30 pm to play board games, watch movies and talk about important issues and topics. These topics range from financial planning and resume writing to the differences between hemp and marijuana.

You can contact Gracie Lynn Evergreen with questions, glb12592@gmail.com or (518) 932-3925. Visit our Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/connectgamenights/