A Message from DS Rev. Mike Weeden

But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him? And how are they to proclaim [Jesus] unless they are sent? –

Romans 10:14-15a (NRSV)

In this world of change and transition do we lose sight of the difference we are making, of the difference we can make? In the swirl of denominational disaffiliations, weather patterns producing tragic affects, the affects of gun-violence, the unjust war brought upon Ukraine, the political swirl that continues to soak up on space our devices, and the pace of change that seems to speed life up, we can loses sight of the power of the little things that tell of a great love.

Lately I find myself heartened by the witness of what some might call the little things where the hope and promise of life in Jesus is shared from across our Districts; of little things done with great love. I have seen stories of weddings that celebrated the power of family and family in Christ; of Bible studies and small groups that shape hearts and lives; of VBS’s where the love of Jesus is shared in a multitude of ways; of church rummage sales and fund-raisers designed to be’ fun-raisers’ and intentional opportunities to build relationships with a community; of camp experiences that are not just changing a young person’s life, but continue to deepen the faith of leaders and counselors. These stories, and the many, many untold stories of the ways our churches are telling the story of Jesus, in their own small and mighty ways, help us proclaim the sovereignty of the one who came that we would have life; that we would have Jesus’ Joy and our joy would be complete.

Remember the story of the widow who gave her only two coins to the temple treasury? Jesus noticed this act of generosity and praised this woman because although her offering was small, the act of love was significant. For the widow, those coins were her only resources, but out of love and faith, she gave freely. In the kingdom of God, small acts of love become mighty. If you have any doubts about what you’re doing, remember, your work is essential. It might not be big, or grab online attention, but Jesus notices it. 

If our focus is on the swirl around us I can see how one might lose hope. If our focus is

on lifting up and celebrating the stories of small things done with great love in Jesus’s name, it changes our testimony. These are the things that tend to be repeated. God is glorified by acts of service both big and small. In the kingdom of God, small acts of love become mighty.

How is your congregation lifting up and celebrating the small but mighty ways we are proclaiming the love of Christ?

A note about August: I want you to know that I will be taking a renewal leave for the month of August beginning August 2^nd. In my absence, Tammy McAdam, the Superintendency Administrative Assistant for the Mohawk and Northern Flow Districts, will be glad to be of assistance. 

Northern Flow District Offering

Lay Servant Courses

An in-person Lay Servant Course will be offered at the Ogdensburg UMC in the month of September. The course is being lead by Pastor Donna Fitchette.

"The Lay Servant Basic Course"

The dates and times are as follows:

September 5th 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

September 12th 9:00 a.m. yo 12:00 p.m.

September 19th 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

September 26th 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

You are responsible for purchasing your own book and it can be purchased here

Pastor Donna will also be leading an Advanced Class on-line only in the month of October:

"For the Common Good: Discovering and Using Your Spiritual Gifts"

The dates and times are as follows:

October 10th 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

October 17th 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

October 24th 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

October 31st 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

You are responsible for purchasing your own book and it can be purchased here

You must attend all the classes to get credit for them. If you have any questions or to register please contact Pastor Donna @ missuaprilsue@hotmail.com

Stewardship with Rev. Susan Ranous

July 13, 2023

STEWARDSHIP AND DISCIPLESHIP TOGETHER

             GOD AS SOLE PROVIDER OF ALL RESOURCES

Continuing my discussion on stewardship and discipleship, I want to focus on another statement previously shared:

            God is the sole provider of all resources.[1]

These are the scriptures that the article by Christian Stewardship Network cites about God being the sole provider.

2 Peter 1:3 - His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.

1 Timothy 6:17 - Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.

Philippians 4:19 - And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

John 15:7 - If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

My first reading of the statement above led me to think that it was pretty much the same as God being the owner, but after reading the scriptures and thinking about this a little more, I realized it was quite different. God created and owns; we’ve covered that. But providing is something more. Providing means caring for others with what is owned. As an example, parents provide for their children. God provides for us.

Going another step further, while parents provide for their children, we’ve discussed that we don’t actually own anything. But God created. God owns. God provides:

·         “his divine power has granted us all things”

·         “God…richly provides us with everything to enjoy”

·         “God will supply every need”

This is amazing! God created. God owns. But God provides, and not only does God provide, God provides for us, for our every need.

As a steward, we are tasked with caring for what is owned by another, and our every need is cared for.

As we continue to discuss stewardship and discipleship in the upcoming summer weeks, to help us prepare for our stewardship and discipleship often done in the fall, remember, stewardship and discipleship have to work together. One cannot exist without the other. We aren’t effective stewards if we aren’t disciples, and we aren’t disciples if we aren’t using the resources give to us to further God’s kingdom.

Stay tuned for this ongoing stewardship conversation.

If you wish more information on this or would like to discuss stewardship and its relationship with discipleship, please feel free to contact me at (315) 427-3668 or sranousacctg@twcny.rr.com. I’d be happy to help.

[1] Stewardship Education that Builds Disciples, Furlong, Jessica and Dick, Don (Christian Stewardship Network), https://www.christianstewardshipnetwork.com.

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: Leading Prayer

Registration opens July 13. Last day to register: Aug. 5

Thursdays: August 24, 31, Sept 14, 21 & 28: 6-9pm

Zoom: Fee $15

Facilitator: Jacqueline Kim, CLM

Advanced Course: Polity

Registration opens July 25. Last day to register: Aug. 17

Tuesdays: September 5, 12, 19, & 26: 6-9pm

ZOOM: Fee $15

Facilitator: Pastor Bruce Hazard

Advanced Course: Discover Your Spiritual Gifts

Registration opens August 24. Last day to register: Sept. 16

Thursdays: October 5, 12, 19, 26, & Nov 2: 6-9pm

Zoom: Fee $15

Facilitator: Jacqueline Kim, CLM

Advanced Course: Called to Preach

Registration opens September 26. Last day to register: Oct. 19

Tuesdays: November 7, 14, 28, Dec. 5 & 12: 6-9pm

ZOOM: Fee $15

Facilitator: Jacqueline Kim, CLM

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.

The District Office will be closed in observance of the

following holidays:



• Labor Day Monday, September 4th
• Thanksgiving Thursday, November 23rd
• Day after Thanksgiving Friday, November 24th
• Christmas Day Monday, December 25th
• Christmas Eve (Observed) Tuesday, December 26th

Northern Flow District

District Superintendent

Rev. Michael Weeden

mikeweeden@unyumc.org

Administrative Assistant

Tammy McAdam

northernflowdistrict@unyumc.org

Regional Associate

Rev. Rich Weihing

richweihing@unyumc.org

District Associate

Rebekah Solar

rebekah.solar@gmail.com

District Lay Leader

Brenda Shelmidine

shelmidinebrenda@gmail.com

Northern Flow/Mohawk District

PO Box 208

Gouverneur, NY 13642

Phone: (315) 535-5149 FAX: (315) 535-5151

Upper New York Annual Conference

7481 Henry Clay Blvd,

Liverpool, NY 13088

Phone: (315) 898-2000 Fax: (315) 898-2027



Bishop's Office

7481 Henry Clay Blvd,

Liverpool, NY 13088

Phone: (315) 898-2020 Fax: (315) 898-2150 

The Media Resource Center of UNYAC

Visit the website at

 http://www.unyumc.org/resources/media-resource-center

Our mission is to “make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world."