Please note!

Carrie is on vacation next week. The next newsletter will be sent on Saturday, Nov. 2.

Let us pray ...

Please hold the family of our colleague Mary Bradley in your prayers. Mary's brother Duane Babcock died Sunday, Oct. 13 after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. A memorial service is planned for Monday, October 21 in Clarksburg, West Virginia. Click here to read Duane’s full obituary. Mary serves as the Episcopal Office Manager for United Methodists of Susquehanna and Upper New York.

Please keep retired pastor, the Rev. Dick Johnsen, and his wife Carol in your prayers.

Please keep the families of the Rev. Alan Delamater, the Rev. Betsye Mowry, Timothy Humphrey-Fox and Carolyn Miller in your prayers as they mourn the loss of their loved ones.

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.

Guidelines for Certified Lay Servant, Certified Lay Minister, and Certified Lay Speaker honoraria changes

Lay persons providing short-term pulpit supply while a pastor is away should take note of honoraria changes, beginning January 1, 2025. SPRC chairs and treasurers should also take note, as the honorariums have been increased. The Upper New York Cabinet approved the changes in August 2024 following the 2024 UNY Annual Conference session. The honoraria changes do not apply to persons who are lay supply, hired by the district superintendent (DS), to serve long-term and functioning as a worship leadership.  

Click here to read more

Rise Against Hunger at Shenendehowa UMC on Nov. 3

Come experience a high-energy fun meal assembly event to end world hunger! Our goal will be to pack 20,000 meals in two hours, so we need many hands!  The event will be held on Sunday, Nov. 3 in the Fellowship Hall at Shenendehowa UMC, 971 Route 146, Clifton Park.

Bring friends, bring grandkids! There will be jobs for all ages. Click below to view the Rise Against Hunger website, which includes their waiver for the event.  Each person should be signed up separately. Can't wait to see you there! For more information, contact the church office at (518) 371-7964.

These are the volunteer shifts:

Setup: 1 PM to 2:30 PM

Packing: 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM

Cleanup: 4:30 PM to 5 PM

To sign up, click here: Rise Against Hunger Website

Discipleship Ministries of the UMC

Free webinar explores the Impact of Respite Ministries

Join a free webinar at noon on Thursday, Nov. 7 as we discover the transformative discipleship impact of care ministries.

Presented by retired Bishop Lawson Bryan and Dr. John Bell, this session will help you learn how Respite Ministry not only provides essential support to caregivers, but also fosters a deep sense of community and spiritual growth among volunteers. Learn More & Register!

"Hope More, Fear Less"

Opening the discussion on gun violence prevention in our community

Join the First UMC of Delmar at 11 AM on Sunday, Oct. 20 in the Fellowship Hall of the church, 428 Kenwood Ave., Delmar, with guest speakers Gina F. Cocchiara, Bethlehem Chief of Police and Craig D. Apple, Albany County Sheriff. Contact the church office with questions (518) 439-9976 or send an email to churchoffice@delmarmethodist.org. Coffee and light refreshments will be available. To view or download the poster, click here.

Global Ministries

UMCOR continues to assist

in recent hurricane recovery

Click here to read about UMCOR's latest responses to recent disasters:

Note that the relief agency granted UNY a solidarity grant, which addresses basic humanitarian needs in the early stages of disaster response. 

Donate to UMCOR U.S. Disaster Response and Recovery

More information about Hurricane Helene Relief response on the Conference website. Click here.

Register now for Safe Sanctuaries training 

Registration is now open for a basic Safe Sanctuaries training program to be held this fall over Zoom. All Upper New York clergy and anyone working with children, youth, or vulnerable adults must complete the 3.5 hour course. This applies to youth group leaders, Sunday School teachers, Vacation Bible School coordinators, music leaders, after-school program workers, home visitors, respite care workers, and more. This training session is scheduled for Nov. 2 from 9 AM to 12:30 PM There is no charge to take the course. 

Reserve your spot

Click here to visit Safe Sanctuaries web page

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

Click here to view today's devotion. Debbie is ministering us as she drives North for a full day of church conferences. She shares a powerful passage of scripture from the Gospel of Mark, Chapter 10 when James and John ask Jesus to let them have a special place with him in his Kingdom. Jesus uses their request as a teaching moment, to show that the way the world see greatness is not the way of those who follow Him. He emphasizes that it's the privilege to serve that's a blessing. Take this time to contemplate the ways that Jesus has gifted us to serve others and to lift others up.

Debbie shares her devotion live on Facebook every morning.

Fall Foliage 2024

Part 17

A short distance from the image featured in yesterday’s devotion I spotted this leaf. The variety of color combinations in leaves is amazing. Two Maple leaves, possibly even from the same tree but very different.

For me it is the variety of images that are present in Nature that make each trip a delightful adventure. It is also the variety of trees and plants that serve to avoid a single disease or predator from devastating a landscape when we embrace the diversity of our world rather than restricting it to our “ideal” image.

In a similar way, we are on shaky ground when we insist that everyone be conformed to our viewpoint. I have found that often true wisdom lies not in a single point of view but rather in embracing the wisdom in multiple viewpoints. In the political landscape of our country, I find myself agreeing with the individual who proclaimed to be conservative and liberal.

There is, I feel, great value in embracing ideas that history has shown to be useful. There is, though, equal value in embracing a liberal or some would say charitable point of view that is willing to listen to ideas outside our normal comfort zone that may hold the solution to a seeming impossible situation.

Ultimately it comes down to a willingness to follow the ways of Jesus who called us to be humble and to love one another, to be willing to serve others rather than be served.

As I share this devotion, I am also keenly aware of those who are suffering from Hurricane Helene and the prediction of major devastation from Hurrican Milton. The needs of those in the Southeast now and into the near future are huge. In addition to prayers there are organizations through whom you can contribute to relief efforts. In The United Methodist Church, United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) has an excellent track record for making sure contributions are used wisely. Funds designated for Disaster Relief are channeled through what United Methodists call an Advance Special where 100 percent of every donation goes for the stated cause. You can contribute through a local United Methodist Church or online at www.UMCOR.org.

Today’s photo was taken on McAllister Rd, Windsor, NY on 10/01/2024.

I have done more than 1,500 Daily Photo Devotions, most of which can be seen on my blog at Blog Posts – 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.