Note:

District email address has changed!

Please begin sending all emails to carrieboyer@unyumc.org The albanydistrict@unyumc.org is no longer being used.

And a reminder that Carrie is now working remotely

The District Office is no longer located in the Newtonville UMC in Latham. Carrie Boyer, the administrative assistant, is now working from her home office. The phone and email are (518) 608-1246 and carrieboyer@unyumc.org

Our mailing address remains 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

(New) Stewardship with Susan Ranous

The Rev. Susan Ranous, Director of Christian Stweardship for UNY Conference shares the latest entry on her blog, "Be Creative." She shares several ideas on how churches can address the challenges of stewardship in the local church.

Go to the blog: Click here.

There is a link that allows you to receive her blog entries via email.

New Resources for Lent

Ash Wednesday is right around the corner (Feb. 14). During Lent, Christians prepare to celebrate the miracle of Easter through prayer, fasting and other spiritual disciplines. Abingdon Press and The Upper Room have new Lenten studies and resources available.

To read more, click here.

Save the dates

for 2024 District Days

In the new year, Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez will be visiting local churches in all 12 districts from February to April. District Days are a way for the bishop to meet with laity and clergy across Upper New York. Clergy meetings are scheduled for each visit from 1 to 3 PM and another meeting will be held for laity (and clergy who couldn't attend earlier gathering) from 7 to 8:30 PM. All United Methodists of Upper New York are invited and encouraged to attend a gathering closest to you. 

Bishop Hector will visit Shenendehowa UMC in the Albany District on Tuesday, April 9. The church is located at 971 Route 146 in Clifton Park.

He will visit the Community United Methodist Church of Chestertown in the Adirondack District on Wednesday, April 10. The church is located at 11 Church St., Chestertown.

To view the entire schedule, click here.

Please begin entering important church statistical data now. Deadline is earlier this year:

Feb. 15

Just a reminder pastors and church leaders can start entering information in the statistical tables in ACStats. Information must be submitted by end of day on Feb. 15.    



Login usernames and passwords will need to be recreated and information created last year will not be entered into the 2023 statistical tables. Pastors: Please note that you cannot use the same email address twice for two different churches and/or users. This can be solved by adding additional digits, like your GCFA number, at the end of your email address for the second church. 

To learn more, click here.

ACStats help and user guide. Click here

Local Churches will need to create all new Usernames and Passwords upon initial entry into the platform.

Pastors who serve more than one church: Please remember that you cannot use the same email address twice for 2 different churches/Users. It's advisable to use the church's email address if you have one, or if not, this can be solved by adding additional digits at the end of your email address for the 2nd church like your GCFA #

Ex: Email Address/Username: AwesomeGod@gmail.com541236   

2024 - Endings and Beginnings - Part 13

It was a day characterized by overcast skies, but as the sun set, I was treated to this vision. Even on days that seem to have little to offer, when we look with the eyes of faith we will discover a blessing. Sometimes that blessing may simply be the promise that better days are coming.

Jesus came proclaiming that the promises of the prophets are at hand. There may be war and rumors of war today but the fulfillment of God’s promises are coming. God is offering forgiveness and the opportunity for a fresh start for all who will turn away from sin and toward God. Even now as we await the final fulfillment of God’s promises, God is reaching out to us through the Holy Spirit offering healing, comfort, hope, and yes even joy. We can rejoice in the knowledge that God can indeed enable everything, even life’s tragedies to somehow work together for good.

Today’s photo was taken at Crossings of Colonie Park in the Capital District of New York State on January 12, 2024.

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. 

EVENTS and ANNOUNCEMENTS

Celebrate the Super Bowl in a “Souper” Way! Donations can be dropped off at Center Brunswick UMC through Feb. 11

The Center Brunswick UMC, 990 Hoosick Rd., Troy is collecting cans of soup through Feb. 11. All donations will supply local food pantries in our community and provide warm meals for those facing food insecurities in this cold season. Soup donations may be dropped at the church anytime. Please place donations in the “elevator entrance” of the church - the middle door just off the parking lot. Please be part of our winning team this year! Help CBUMC cross the Goal Line, BEAT Hunger in our community and provide a “Souper” Bowl for EVERYONE.

(New) Living Waters of the Adirondack and Green Mountains Emmaus, Annual Meeting, Saturday, Jan. 27, Bacon Hill Reformed Church, Schuylerville

Please join us on Saturday, Jan. 27 at the Bacon Hill Reformed Church

560 Route 32N, Schuylerville. We will be gathering and greeting everyone at 10 AM to sing some of our favorite music. Business meeting & board elections will follow @ 11 AM. We will finish with a potluck lunch around Noon. In case of inclement weather, we will postpone this event.

Please check our Facebook page -- Living Waters Emmaus and Chrysalis (NY/VT) or our website – Living Waters Emmaus/Chrysalis Community - Victory Mills New York

Thrift Shop, Pine Grove UMC, open monthly:

Next date: Saturday, Feb. 3

Pine Grove UMC's Thrift Shop, "Seconds to Go," will be open Feb. 3 from 9 AM to 1 PM. The church is located at 1580 Central Ave., Colonie. Enter on the east side of the church (the left side - toward Albany) and use the doors near the back of the building. We have household treasures, glassware, cookbooks, toys, jewelry, dolls and more! The thrift shop is open the first Saturday of the month through 2024 except for July, which will be announced as the date nears.

(New) Moms' Group, First Mondays of the month, Feb. 5 next gathering, First UMC of East Greenbush

Come join other mothers and form a group of play, laughter, forming mom friends and building a new "village" for our infants, toddlers and children. All are welcome. This will be a play-based group for children as parents socialize and interact. Contact the church office at (518) 477-9693. Where: First UMC of East Greenbush, 1 Gilligan Rd., East Greenbush. When: 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM First Mondays; Feb. 5 is the next gathering.

(Update) Spaghetti Dinner fundraiser, Saturday, Feb. 10, First UMC, East Greenbush

The First UMC of East Greenbush's Youth Group is hosting a spaghetti dinner fundraiser for their mission trip to Syracuse, on Saturday, Feb. 10 from 4 PM to 7 PM. The cost will be $15 pre-ordered, and $20 at the door for meatballs, spaghetti, bread, salad and a dessert. We will have a vegetarian spaghetti and gluten-free available for pre-orders only. Reservations would be greatly appreciated. Dine-in or take-out available. The church is located at 1 Gilligan Rd., East Greenbush. This is a community event. To pre-order, click here or contacgt Amber Telford at Youthleaderamber@gmail.com. The youth will be going to Syracuse to the Conference Center to help sort and package items that will then go out to the US and beyond.

(New) Chili and Cornbread Sale, Sunday, Feb. 11, Mechanicville UMC

Mechanicville UMC, 7 Main St., Mechanicville, is holding a Chili & Cornbread sale on Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 11. The choice of delicious, homemade beef, turkey, and vegetable chili are available for $8/quart and $6/pan for cornbread. To place an order, please call 518-496-4985 by Feb. 5. Chili and cornbread will be available for pick up between 10 AM and noon on Feb. 11. This is a great way to feed your Super Bowl watchers (we won't even tell them you didn't make it!)

(New) Lasagna Dinner, Saturday, March 9, Melrose UMC

The Melrose UMC (located at 20 Church St., Melrose) will hold a Lasagna Dinner on Saturday, March 9. Take-outs start at 4:30 PM. Dine-in seating is from 5 PM to 6:30 PM. Tickets are $13 for adults; $5 for children ages 5 to 12, and free for children under 5.

Calling All Artists! Community Art Show, Saturday, March 9, First UMC of East Greenbush

Calling all artists for our Second Annual Community-wide Art Show in the Nature of Art. We are looking to show your art in the following mediums: photography, paintings, watercolors, sculptures, ceramics, quilting (24" x 36"), fabric arts and youth music artist. Our community art show is Saturday, March 9 from 2 to 4 PM. Artists must complete an art agreement. Adult placement $10; children free. Art is due by Feb. 28. Art may be sold if adult artist is present during the show. Please email Amber @ youthleaderamber@gmail.com for the application form and if you have any questions. The church is located at 1 Gilligan Rd., East Greenbush.

Concert: Al and Kathy Bain, Saturday, March 16, Raceville UMC

Raceville UMC in the Adirondack District will host Al and Kathy Bain in concert at 2 PM Saturday, March 16. Their music is a mix of country, bluuegrass and gospel.There is a suggested $10 donation at the door. Refreshments will be provided after the concert. The church is located at 477 Butler Rd., Hampton. Visit their Facebook page: click here.

Happenings at First UMC of Delmar

The church is located at 428 Kenwood Ave., Delmar

Blessed Bargains Shop: Every Tuesday (year round) 10 AM to 5 PM

Treasure Cove Thrift Shop: (Open Year Round) Tuesdays from 10 AM to 5 PM and Saturdays from 10 AM to 1 PM

Please refer to our website for more information: https://www.delmarmethodist.org/