Media Resource Center Newsletter
April 2018
Welcome to the Upper New York Media Resource Center
If you've never used the Media Resource Center before, I invite you to give us a try. Funded by your Shared Ministry dollars, we can supply you with small group discussion materials, Bible studies, children and youth curriculum, adult curriculum, and a myriad of subjects such as stewardship, evangelism, social Issues and VBS materials, just to name a few. Our quick and easy online ordering is just a click away. You can add things to a "shopping cart", then once submitted, you'll receive an email with your invoice attached. We send your order through the USPS and we'll supply the mail back envelopes and label with instructions on mailing. Your only cost is the postage to return it. Please feel free to search our online catalog below.

If I can assist you in any way, please don't hesitate to give me a call at 315-898-2027 or email me at [email protected].
What's New?
Unafraid: Americans are anxious people. A recent study found that one in five of us has an anxiety disorder and we spend over $2 billion a year on anti-anxiety medications. Often our life events play a significant role in our worries and fears.

In this study based on his book Unafraid, Adam Hamilton explores the most common worries and fears experienced by Americans today. He considers practical steps for overcoming these fears, and reflects upon fear in the light of Scripture and a faith that promises again and again that we don't need to live in fear. We can live with courage and hope.

The leader's guide contains everything needed to guide a group through the five-week study, including session plans, activities, and discussion questions, as well as multiple format options. Click here to preview. Go to our online catalog to order (K246=). Choose the component(s) you wish to borrow to add to your shopping cart. .
Drive Thru History: In a style all his own, Dave Stotts---host and editor of Drive Thru History---speeds through the ancient world of the Bible, delivering a fast-paced encounter with the people, places, and events that have shaped our world and the Christian faith. Recommended family entertainment by The Dove Foundation, Stotts Drive Thru History series includes on-location explorations, plus loads of animations and narration that's definitely 'outside the classroom.' From the Patriarchs, to the crossing of the Jordan River into the Promised Land, to the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, you will experience a visually exciting journey through the land of the Bible, revealing the history and culture behind the stories of Scripture.

Vol. I – Egypt to Qumran - DVD1732
Vol. 2 – Jericho to Megiddo - DVD1733
Vol. 3 – Bethlehem to Caesarea - DVD1735
Vol. 4 – Jerusalem to Calvary - DVD1734

Each DVD has three sessions, about 30 minutes each. Also included is a PDF for each episode featuring discussion questions designed for groups and families. Click here to preview. Go to our online catalog to order (K250=), then choose the component(s) you wish to borrow to add to your shopping cart.
Discipleship Ministries Resources
Chuck Knows Church
If you are not familiar with Chuck Knows Church, it's a video series, produced by Discipleship Ministries, that help interpret complex subjects and issues in a fun, yet informative, way. Each series features “Chuck” who helps us learn more about our church while inviting us to have deeper conversation with our pastor. The original series is all about the objects, symbols and terms we often hear in church. Take a couple of minutes each week and have some fun while you learn from Chuck. There are more than 100 episodes available on a variety of topics, with more being produced on a regular basis. Each episode is between 2 to 5 minutes long. All funding for Chuck Knows Church videos is provided by Discipleship Ministries, an international agency of The United Methodist Church. If you are a United Methodist, your generous support of The World Service Fund helps support Chuck Knows Church. All Chuck Knows Church videos are yours to view anywhere, post anywhere, duplicate and giveaway. Changing the length, or in any way altering the content is strictly prohibited. Discipleship Ministries of The United Methodist Church holds all copyrights to all Chuck Knows Church videos.  Click here to find out more information and how you can use this resource in your church.
Earth Day - April 22
God’s Gift of the Earth: A Photo Prayer
The world marks  Earth Day each April 22 . This video features stunning images of Nature along with the beautiful words of a prayer written by United Methodist Bishop Ken Carter when he was a pastor in North Carolina in 2005. Read more . Click here for ideas on how your church can be involved and celebrate Earth Day.
Other resources to check
Native American Ministries Sunday Mission moments and more video
One tribe in North America has told this story for centuries: when people “pale as birch” crossed the great water in large canoes, they brought with them “The Black Book.” However, the bringers of the physical Book could not have known what it would mean and look like to be Native and a follower of Jesus. 

Today Native Americans—with many unique languages, many unique cultures—honor their heritage, and live as Jesus-followers, led by a rotation of primarily Native American pastors. More>>
Five ways The United Methodist Church has impacted malaria
April 25 is  World Malaria Day , an international observance dedicated to malaria awareness.
Since 2010, the people of The United Methodist Church through its Imagine No Malaria initiative have focused on reducing malaria deaths in Sub-Saharan Africa. In the process, the denomination has learned that “ our God is able, more than able to do more than we can ask or imagine .” More>>
April dates to remember
April 12 - Conference office closed for staff retreat
April 15 - Native American Ministries Sunday
April 22- Earth Day
April 25 - World Malaria Day
  “Now the winter is past, the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth; the time of singing has come and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land….” Song of Songs (verses 11-12)
If you have any suggestions for our new format of the Media Resource Center newsletter or have ideas that we may include in the future, I'd love to hear from you. Just drop me a line at [email protected] .
Upper New York Confrence | 315-898-2027 | [email protected] | www.unyumc.org