Bishops offer Pentecost gift to the church
United Methodist bishops have found a new way to say “Happy Pentecost!” this year with an eight-week Bible study titled “Pentecost People.” The resource, with materials available in multiple languages, aims to help the international and multilingual denomination experience the renewal of the Holy Spirit
While developed separately, the new resource also resonates with the denomination’s new vision statement unveiled on May 1.
Click here for the story.
Click here for Bishop Hector Burgos Núñez's Pentecost Message
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Saturday, June 7, 2025
Regular District Office hours: Tuesdays through Saturdays; 8 AM to 5:30 PM except Thursdays, 8 AM to 2:30 PM.
To have your event or classified published, please send information to carrieboyer@unyumc.org
The district office phone is (518) 608-1246 and our mailing address is PO Box 511, Newtonville, NY 12128.
Our District Superintendent, the Rev. Debbie Earthrowl, can be reached at (518) 391-3215 and debbieearthrowl@unyumc.org
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This week's Weekly Digest articles include:
Faith-based affordable housing can help Western New York thrive
Bishop Burgos Núñez announces clergy appointments
Board of Ordained Ministry Seminary Grant Scholarship program
Building a Better Budget! webinar
Relating to a Machine: The paradox of using AI
Sign up to receive the Weekly Digest: click here
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Prayers ...
Please continue to hold Barbara Heise, wife of Pastor David Heise (retired). Barbara has inoperable pancreatic cancer. Cards of care and concern can be sent to Barbara at her home, 1112 St Jude Dr., Schenectady. NY 12303. She and David are so grateful for your love and support.
Please continue to keep retired pastor, the Rev. Dick Johnsen, and his wife Carol in your prayers.
Please continue to keep the Rev. Paul Dufford (North Granville UMC) and his wife Sylvia Dufford in your prayers as they continue to face health issues.
If you have a prayer concern, or a joy, that you would like to share, please contact Carrie Boyer at carrieboyer@unyumc.org. If you would like to receive cards of care and concern, please include your mailing address.
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All invited to Albany: Trinity UMC's closing worship service
Trinity United Methodist Church at Lark and Lancaster Street (235 Lark St.) in Albany will celebrate the life of the Church at its closing worship service at 11 AM Sunday, June 22, followed by a time to share memories in the Church Parlor.
All are welcome.
We are grateful for the outpouring of care and support that we have received from District Superintendent Rev. Debbie Earthrowl and many congregations around the District as one chapter of the Trinity story ends and new opportunities for service are discovered.
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UNY Missional Excellence Team offers
programs and resources
From Rev. Abigail Browka, associate director of missional excellence:
Greenhouse Days with Michael Beck
Saturday, September 20; 10 AM to 4 PM at Kenmore UMC
Sunday, September 21; 1 PM to 4 PM at Conference Center, Liverpool
$10/person; Register by Sept 2 at https://secure.qgiv.com/for/uny/event/greenhousedays2025/
With follow up Innovation Cohort, meeting monthly
AI Training with Jason Moore, approximately November 3-6
Indicate Your Interest Survey at https://forms.office.com/r/gAYGY8c2C1
Ongoing / Evergreen
Coaching for New Faith Communities Planters
Bi-annual Grant Funding for New Faith Communities, application available year-round at https://www.unyumc.org/ministries/new-beginnings-grants
Year-round Engage New People Grant funding by application, up to $2,500, application: https://www.unyumc.org/ministries/engage-new-Planting Vision video starter and worksheet https://vimeo.com/961323827
Planting Vision Calendar undefined
God’s People: Rest. Work. Play. Journal, $4.99 on Amazon https://a.co/d/4e3n2aL
Season of Rest Sermon Series, free https://breakthroughseries.org/series/season-of-rest
UNY Sermon Bank https://www.unyumc.org/resources/uny-sermon-bank
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UNY United Women in Faith – Mission u 2025: Practicing Hope Together
Join Mission u and delve into the theme Practicing Hope Together, led by the Rev. Dr. Robin Blair. Through the study of Jesus’ resurrection appearances and the life of the early Christian communities, we’ll reflect on how to hold on to hope in God, even when the world feels uncertain. This enriching, intergenerational retreat will be held July 24–26 at the Asbury Retreat Center. Register by July 7 to secure your spot—don’t miss this meaningful opportunity for spiritual growth and learning.
Learn more and register
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Click here to view "Connect," monthly news from United Women in Faith
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United Women In Faith Digital overview:
Tuesday, June 10 on ZOOM
All are welcome to join National Office staff at 8 PM on Tuesday, June 10 for an introductory overview of UWFaith Digital, our private community platform where you can find fellowship and resources from across the organization.
This one-hour Zoom Open House event will feature an overview of United Women in Faith Digital and information on how you can find what you're interested and get connected. We'll share tips, tricks, and how-tos, and answer any specific questions you have.
All are welcome, whether you're brand-new or an avid user who has some questions. It may be helpful to set up a free account at uwfaith.org/digital in advance, but it is not required.
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10 Concerns about AI and the Church
If the church had shown up earlier with social media, would it have affected our connections and culture? What does showing up with AI look like now? Click below to explore ten real concerns Discipleship Ministries AI Officer Blake has heard, and discover how you can help shape the future!
Learn More!
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Status and Role of Women
Female bishops in US outnumber males
CHICAGO — For the first time in United Methodist history, there are more female resident bishops in the U.S. than male bishops. There are 17 female bishops and 15 males. This information comes from a recently released report tracking how well women are represented in the leadership of The United Methodist Church. It was issued by the United Methodist Commission on the Status and Role of Women.
Read press release
Read report
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Centered on the moment John Wesley “submitted to be more vile" in spreading the love of God to all people, Ashley Boggan argues in her new book that Wesleyan “vile-tality” is at the core of who we are as Methodists. Cover art courtesy of Abingdon Press.
Being ‘vile’ is a good thing, historian says
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — A return to roots for The United Methodist Church means being a countercultural movement again, says the top executive of the United Methodist Commission on Archives and History. Ashley Boggan argues in her new book that United Methodists need to submit to being “more vile” like Methodism founder John Wesley did when he preached in the fields. Jim Patterson reports.
Read story
“If we’re going to actually ground ourselves in (John) Wesley, it’s really hard to not be progressive socially.” — Ashley Boggan, top executive of the United Methodist Commission on Archives and History. (Ashley led a learning session at the 2024 UNY Annual Conference in Syracuse.) Click here to view the session.
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Ask The UMC
Examining updates in the Book of Resolutions
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — With the reorganization of the Social Principles in 2024, the fourth section of the Book of Resolutions, The Political Community, has expanded more than all others. It is now the largest section, including 72 resolutions. The subtopics now included represent a shift in awareness in The United Methodist Church, writes the Rev. Taylor W Burton Edwards in Part 4 of the “What’s new in the Book of Resolutions” series.
Read analysis
Read more in series
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Upper New York Ministry Shares Brochure for 2025
Now Available
What are Ministry Shares and how do they affect you and your church?
The Upper New York Conference Council of Finance and Administration (CFA) breaks it down for you in a brochure.
The continuing story of Ministry Shares: sharing God’s gifts with the world 2025.
This printable brochure explains everything you need to know about Ministry Shares–how they are calculated, where the money goes, and how they affect you.
To download the brochure, click here.
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United Methodist Communications
Peace with Justice Sunday set for June 15
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Resources are available to help celebrate Peace with Justice Sunday on June 15. The United Methodist Church uses this day to speak out for peace and justice. Half of the funds raised on this Special Sunday stay within the annual conference to enhance and support local social justice ministries. The other 50 percent supports national and international peacemaking ministries and grants.
Learn more
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Reminder to all clergy and laity assigned to churches:
Boundaries Training Requirements
The Upper New York Conference Board of Ordained Ministry requires all credentialed clergy, Certified Lay Ministers, and lay persons serving in pulpit roles to complete Boundaries Training every four years, effective immediately. Even if you've completed the training since 2021, please take this training so everyone is on the same track. This is a different training than in year's previous
The board has approved Safe Gatherings as the designated training platform.
The course costs $29 and can be accessed at safegatherings.com.
Once on the site, click the “Clergy Ethics” tab to begin. The training takes approximately two hours to complete.
Upon completion, you will receive a certificate. Please retain a copy for your records and send electronic copies to your District Office.
The deadline to complete the training is August 15.
Questions? Contact the Rev. Nancy Adams at adamsnj@aol.com
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Opportunity to give to
Skye Farm Camp and Retreat Center
It's springtime at camp, which means we're taking stock of the supplies we'll use to create awesome experiences for our campers this summer-- things like craft supplies, additional hammocks so a full cabin group can enjoy them together, and more. This is a great opportunity to make a gift to camp to support our summer programs! We have an Amazon wish list where folks can choose an item to sponsor and it will be sent directly to camp. You can access the list through the link below, or email us at skyefarmoffice@unyumc.org if you're interested in donating something outside of the Amazon list. We appreciate all the ways our community supports Skye Farm, whether that means trusting us with your family, volunteering your time, spreading the word about what we do, helping get kids to camp, or making gifts like these. 🧡
Click here to view our Amazon list: https://a.co/h25fG9Z
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Register Now: Offers & Needs Market: A Virtual Pentecost Week Celebration of Community and Mutual Aid
“All who believed were together and had all things in common…” – Acts 2:44–45
Market Dates:
Sunday, June 8, 6-8 PM via ZOOM
Thursday, June 12: Noon to 2 PM via ZOOM
(Join one or both!)
Register for free and learn more here
Celebrate Pentecost by joining these 2-hour virtual gatherings and sharing your gifts of the Spirit! We’ll share what we have — time, talents, tools, or even just listening ears — and express what we need — whether it’s a job, helping hand, a listening ear, or a physical product. There’s no prep required, just come with an open heart and a spirit ready to connect.
Facilitated by: Kristina Clark, Associate Director of Missional Excellence (pictured at right)
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2025 Tending the Soul kicks off in September
Tending the Soul is designed to train individuals in Missional Spiritual Direction and Congregational Formation. The program offers training in both one-on-one spiritual direction and group/congregational direction and formation as well as provide skills for leadership within their local congregations, districts, and conference. This year, Tending the Soul will kick off another session with its first retreat September 12-15. Applications are due by Aug. 1.
Download the brochure
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Skye Farm Camp Registration is Open
Skye Farm Summer Camp offers a variety of fun-filled programs for kids and teens ages 3-18! These full week camps are packed with adventure and fun activities for every interest:
- Swimming
- Arts & Crafts
- Basketball & Volleyball
- Hiking
… and so much more!
The camp is located in Warrensburg. Click here to view the website.
To view the offerings and to register click here
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Calling all Youth:
The Salt of the Earth Missions: Walking on Water
July 31 -August 3 in Watertown, NY
Click here for the flyer for the event
Salt of the Earth Missions: Walk on Water is an exciting opportunity for youth, who have completed grades 6-12, to spend intentional time together this summer serving, learning, and growing in their relationship with God and others. Adult chaperones for each group are fully responsible for the youth they are bringing to the event. This includes behavior, maintaining your church's Safe Sanctuary policies, supervision, and transportation throughout the weekend. All programmatic elements - service opportunities, food, fun, worship, and sleeping arrangements - will be provided by CCYM and Upper New York Missional Engagement.
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Opportunities to serve through Missional Engagement
Kristina Clark, Conference Director of Missional Engagement has compiled a list of ways for individuals and churches to become engaged in Mission. You can reach Kristina via email @ kristinaclark@unyumc.org
Click here to view details on the following:
Operation: Home Repair – Now Accepting Volunteers
Register your Mission Team through UMVIM
Love & Serve Summer Mission Guide 2025
Registration Open - Salt of the Earth Youth Missions: Walk on Water
Mustard Seed Migration Grants Now Open
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District Superintendent
Rev. Debbie Earthrowl
posts a daily devotional on Facebook
Click here to view today's devotion. Debbie is reading from the Sixth Chapter of Romans, which looks at another level of relationship with God through sanctification - new Life that results from righteousness by faith.
You can also view many of Debbie's past devotions on her YouTube page. Click here
Read through the New Testament with Rev. Bill Mudge
Debbie is also sharing Rev. Bill Mudge's daily readings of the New Testament. He will do this every weekday in 2025 and by the end of the year if you follow along, you will have read the entire New Testament. You can also visit Bill Mudge's Facebook page to join along with the readings by clicking here.
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The Rev.
David Smith's
Photo Devotion
Rose
Kissed by Rain
This Spring we have been blessed, some would say cursed, with an abundance of rain. While it has curtailed outdoor activities, it has also been a blessing even as it was in 2010 when today’s image was taken. It has made trees and fields take on a lush green appearance, deposited glistening water drops on flowers, created overcast skies that provided lighting that produced saturated images with vivid colors, and assured us an abundant water supply as we head into Summer.
When we look with the eyes of faith, God’s blessings can be found even in the midst of difficult days. Taking a few moments each day to count one’s blessing can lift our spirits, strengthen our faith, and improve our emotional and physical health.
“Rose Kissed by Rain” was taken in the Rose Garden of Central Park in Schenectady, New York on 6/1/2010.
I have done more than 1,800 Daily Photo Devotions, most of which can be seen on my blog Daily Photo Devotions (wordpress.com).
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.
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