Saturday, August 3, 2024

District Office hours: Tuesdays through Saturdays; 8 AM to 5:30 PM except Thursdays, 8 AM to 2:30 PM. Call Carrie Boyer @ (518) 608-1246 or send an email to carrieboyer@unyumc.org

Newsletter Format

We have combined the Adirondack and Albany newsletters. In order to shorten the body of the newsletter, there are two links to Local Church News:

Events/Announcements: Click here

Meals/Sales and Classifieds: Click here

Don't Miss Any Important News/Announcements from the Conference Office!

To ensure that you don't miss any important information,

please consider subscribing to the following:

Click here to subscribe to UNY Notes.

Click here to subscribe to the Weekly Digest

Click here to read the Weekly Digest published July 31.

Lay Servant Courses available online;

Workshop to be offered at District Day

Did you know you are able to take Lay Servant Courses online through BeADisciple? They offer courses you can take that you can get credit for with your district. All you need to do is let your District Lay Servant Director (Contact information below) know along with proof of completion and it will go in your record. For more information, click here

Adirondack District Lay Servant Director: Pastor Bruce Hazard – firstglobal@verizon.net

Albany District Lay Servant Director: Darlene Suto – darleneanne01@gmail.com

NOTE: A Lay Servant Ministries workshop will be offered at District Day, Saturday, Sept. 28, at the Saratoga Springs UMC. Learn more about the program! Details on District Day will be in an upcoming newsletter.

This summer, Pine Grove UMC and First UMC of Voorheesville, are thrilled to be organizing an exciting Blacklight Dodgeball tournament for youth entering grades 6-12! The tournament will take place from 7 PM to 9:30 PM on Wednesday, Aug. 21 at the Pine Grove UMC, 1580 Central Ave., Albany.

Depending on the number of teams registered, we anticipate having one bracket for 6th-8th graders and another for 9th-12th graders. A flyer is provided above with all the details. Click here for the registration link: https://form.jotform.com/priceoliverj/pinegroveumcdodgeball

The goal is to create an event where youth can experience a vibrant sense of community, enthusiasm, and the love from churches in our area. We would be incredibly grateful if you could share this opportunity with the youth in your churches. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Taylor Philippi, Youth Director, umctaylorp@gmail.com. 

Look for information in upcoming District Newsletters about a workshop that will be offered on "Opportunities for Youth," at the Adirondack/Albany District Day on Saturday, September 28.

Mark your calendar!

District Day is Saturday, Sept. 28 at

Saratoga Springs UMC

We have 17 workshops, and 12 facilitators lined up so far, with more to come. Look for full descriptions of the workshops and a registration form in mid-August.

More details are in the Events/Announcements listing (link is at the top of the newsletter under "What's Happening?")

(Updates in red type) Here is the current list of workshops:

Stewardship; Local Church Finance; Simplifying Your Church Leadership Structure; Christian Yoga; Soul Collage; Dying, Death and Grief; Mission Insite; Prayer Beads; Guided Meditation; Accountable Discipleship; Covenant Discipleship Groups; Lay Servant Ministry; Missional Excellence; Opportunities for Youth Ministry; Harmony from Division; Collaborative Ministry; Our UMC Connectional System; more to be announced soon.

Learn about the UNY Missional Excellence team;

learn MORE at District Day workshop

The Upper New York Missional Excellence team is working to help local congregations and communities embody the mission of God and The United Methodist Church. The team consists of eight people who are working to provide support and resource tools in specific ministry areas to embody the mission of God demonstrated in Jesus. 

Click here to learn more.

NOTE: The Rev. Dr. Aaron Bouwens (pictured here), Director of Missional Excellence for UNY Conference, will be facilitating a workshop on Missional Excellence at our District Day on Saturday, Sept. 28 at Saratoga Springs UMC. Look for registration details and workshop descriptions on Saturday, Aug. 10. He will also lead a workshop on Collaborative Ministry.

Calvary Latham UMC's Youth Mission trip was a day of service and experiencing the beauty of Niagara Falls, highlighting God's presence throughout. More than a dozen youth members of the church spent the day doing mission work. First stop was at the Upper New York Mission Central HUB, then they were off to Niagara Falls to do more mission work surrounding food insecurities. This is the church’s first youth mission trip since the pandemic. A true example of loving your neighbor as yourself in all places.

Grace UMC in Ravena starting Stories and Songs Program for children

Grace UMC in Ravena is starting a new Stories and Songs Program for children newborn through age 10, featuring two stories (at least one of which has a faith/moral basis), followed by interactive music with Miss Sharon (Phillips). Kickoff is Monday, Aug. 12 from 10 AM to 11:30 AM in the church hall, 16 Hillcrest Dr., Ravena. Small snack provided. Stories and Songs will continue monthly, the second Monday of each month.

The church will also will be participating in the Village of Ravena Friendship Festival on Aug. 24, handing out information about the church, free water, and children's books and DVDs. The Festival is 1 PM to dusk at Mosher Park in Ravena. The church will be present from 1PM to 6 PM.

Lake Junaluska

Choir Music Weekend planned for October

LAKE JUNALUSKA, N.C. — Registration is open to attend Choir Music Weekend at scenic Lake Junaluska. The event, set for Oct. 18-20, will feature worship, fellowship and music. There will be workshops and performances based on the theme of “Not to be Served, but to Serve.” Cost to attend starts at about $350.

Read press release

Register

Church and Society

United Methodists urged to advocate for housing bill

WASHINGTON — The United Methodist Board of Church and Society is asking United Methodists to urge their elected officials to support the Yes in God’s Back Yard Act, which supports faith-based organizations and colleges wanting to build and preserve affordable housing on their land while reducing barriers to the development of this housing. The United Methodist Social Principles supports ministries “that promote asset-building among the poor.”

Read press release

District Superintendent Rev. Debbie Earthrowl posts a daily devotional on Facebook

Click here to view today's devotion, which focuses on the seventh chapter of Ezra. Debbie reminds us that through Ezra's example, various people apart from God's "chosen," acknowledge the power of God. She encourages us to live our faith so that all people can know about the power of God's love and grace.

Debbie shares her devotion live on Facebook every morning.

AUGUST 3, 2024

Jumping the Hurdles

Christine L. Henderson (Florida, USA)

Link to Today's Devotional

READING FOR THE DAY    

1 Corinthians 9:24-27

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Even when I face obstacles, I will stay

focused on God’s calling for my life.

TODAY'S PRAYER

Dear Lord Jesus, when we face hurdles, show us how to keep our focus on you so that we complete our work for you. Amen.