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Northern Flow/Mohawk
Weekly Newsletter
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Contacting Northern Flow/Mohawk District Office
If you are trying to reach the district office please use the following information:
DS Rev. Weeden mikeweeden@unyumc.org
Email tammymcadam@unyumc.org
Phone 315-535-5149
Mailing Address PO Box 208 Gouverneur NY 13642
Office Hours Monday - Friday 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
If you would like to sign up for our weekly newsletter or would like to have something posted please email me. Articles need to be sent in by Wednesday by 3:00 p.m..
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CONFERENCE NEWS & INFORMATION
Stay up to date with all the news coming from the conference office. Subscribe to the Weekly Digest here.
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UNY to launch new Charge Conference Forms Platform on
September 3rd
It's that time of year again–charge conference season, and that means it's time to fill out charge conference forms.
In order to streamline the process, you'll be able to access and complete these forms online through a new digital platform beginning September 3. The Charge Conference Forms Platform aims to reduce the efforts that pastors and congregational leaders need to invest in completing these forms and enhance data collection. Learn how this new platform works.
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UNY Greenhouse Days are two one-day events offered this fall. The purpose of the Greenhouse Day is to equip churches to reach new people, in new places and in new ways. It's open to all Upper New York churches, pastors, and individuals interested in innovation, imagination, and seeding new ideas in ministry and is hosted by Upper New York's (UNY) New Faith Communities' Initiative.
One is planned for Saturday, September 21 from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. at the United Methodist Center in Liverpool. Click here to register for the full-day session. An abbreviated version is planned for Sunday, September 22 from 1 - 5 p.m. at Penn Ave UMC in Pine City and is hosted by Fresh Start. Click here to register for the shortened session.
The cost to attend either session is $10 and the registration deadline is September 3.
Along with teaching and interactive exercises, Greenhouse Day will explore simple and creative ways churches can connect with new people and how traditional established churches and new expressions can work together.
Michael Beck is facilitating the event and currently serves as the Director of the Fresh Expressions House of Studies at United Theological Seminary, Director of Fresh Expressions Florida, and Director of Fresh Expressions for The United Methodist Church. He serves as the co-pastor of three UMC churches with his wife, Jill, where they direct addiction recovery programs, a jail ministry, food pantry, an interracial unity movement, and house a faith-based inpatient treatment center. Wildwood and St. Marks exist as traditional congregations AND a network of thirteen fresh expressions that gather in tattoo parlors, dog parks, salons, running tracks, community centers, burrito joints, and digital space.
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Connecting Neighbors – Disaster Response Overview
Date: August 26th
Time: 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM (via Zoom)
Join us for a one-hour overview with a representative from UMCOR (United Methodist Committee On Relief) to learn about disaster response ministries and how you can host a disaster preparedness training in your community.
Register here: http://tiny.cc/unycn
UMVIM Team Leader Training – Mission Leadership
Date: October 5th
Location: Upper New York Conference Center, Liverpool, NY
Time: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM EST
Are you interested in leading mission journeys, either locally or abroad? This intensive training session, led by Ray Yarnell, NEJ Volunteers in Mission Coordinator, will equip you with essential skills, including:
- Spiritual Leadership
- Mission Safety and Health
- Cultural Competency
- Understanding Poverty
- Types of Mission Service
- Preparing for Your Journey
By the end of this session, you'll have the tools and confidence needed to effectively lead mission journeys. Lunch and all training materials are included.
Register here: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/vimtraining/event/tlt/
Early Bird Registration: $15 until August 31st (Price increases to $25 after that).
Early Response Team (ERT) Basic Training
Date: October 5th
Location: Upper New York Conference Center, Liverpool, NY
Time: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM EST
Early Response Teams (ERTs) provide critical assistance in the aftermath of disasters, focusing on essential tasks like tarping roofs and minor repairs. This training will teach you how to support disaster survivors effectively, covering:
- Phases of Disaster Response
- Safety Protocols
- Essential Skills (e.g., roof tarping, debris removal, cleaning out flooded homes)
After completing the training and passing a background check, you’ll be eligible for a three-year ERT badge. This training is ideal for those physically capable of responding to natural disasters, both locally and beyond.
Register here: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/vimtraining/event/ertbasic/
Registration Fee: $35 (Includes training materials, lunch, background check, and ID badge). Participants must be 18 years or older.
Any questions, please email kristinaclark@unyumc.org
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Certified Lay Servants
Did you know you are able to take Lay Servant Courses online through Be A Disciple? They offer courses you can take that you can get credit for with your district. All you need to do is let the office know along with proof of completion and it will go in your record! For more information please click here
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Lay Speaking Classes
Malone Centenary United Methodist Church
345 West Main St.
Malone, N.Y. 12953
Phone: 518-483-4980
Basic Lay Speaking Class
September 9th, 10th, 16th, 17th, & 23rd
Monday & Tuesday Nights
6:30 P.M. to 8:30 P.M.
Advanced Lay Speaking Class
“From Pew to Pulpit”
September 14th & 21st
Saturday 9:00 A.M. to 2 P.M.
with lunch provided at noon
Come and join us. All are welcome.
Be sure to call and register by September 3rd
so books can be ordered.
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Advanced Lay Servant Course
From Pew to Pulpit, Called to Preach
Course Leader Pastor Earl Lalone
Order text: From Pew to Pulpit
Author Clinton F. Guthrie
Where: Clayton UMC
324 John Street
Clayton NY 13624
When: September 28th and October 5th
Saturdays Only
Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
The book is available via Amazon here
If you would like to sign up please email the office at tammymcadam@unyumc.org
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Advanced Lay Servant Course
Aging and Ministry in the 21st Century
Course Leader Pastor Donna Fitchette
Where: Ogdensburg UMC or Zoom
623 Caroline Street
Ogdensburg NY 13669
When: September 6th, 13th, 27th and October 4th
Hours: 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
The book is available via Amazon here
If you would like to sign up please email the office at tammymcadam@unyumc.org
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Explore New Opportunities in Mission Leadership!
Are you interested in leading a mission journey in your community or beyond? Join us for the UMVIM Team Leader Training on October 5th at the Upper New York Conference Center in Liverpool, NY. This intensive session, led by Ray Yarnell, NEJ Volunteers in Mission Coordinator, is designed for both new and seasoned mission leaders in the local church.
Key Topics Include:
- Spiritual Leadership
- Mission Safety and Health
- Cultural Competency
- Understanding Poverty
- Types of Mission Service
- What to Expect Before, During, and After Your Journey
By attending, you'll gain invaluable skills and insights to effectively lead mission trips, whether locally or internationally. Lunch and all training materials are provided.
Early bird registration is $15 until August 31st ! After that, the price increases to $25.
Register now at https://secure.qgiv.com/for/vimtraining/event/tlt/
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Stewardship with Susan Ranous
Wednesday, August 7, 2024
PLANNED GIVING – CAN YOU HANDLE A LARGE GIFT?
Last week I talked about planned giving. This week, I want to talk about why some people aren’t willing to give large gifts to churches: they may believe that their church couldn’t handle a very large gift. Why?
Sometimes their impression is that the church functions in a way that a person may function when they are living paycheck to paycheck. It may seem to the potential giver that the church is always struggling to pay its bills, and wouldn’t know what to do if they suddenly had a larger amount of money.
There’s a perception, warranted or not, that there is no one with investment expertise nor is there anything set up to handle large sums of cash. The potential giver sees “regular” members of the church in the meetings and no outside specialists.
With members of committees changing regularly, and pastor changes, they see priorities of the church changing. The potential giver may be worried that there will be no control or oversight after they’re gone.
Whether these beliefs are right or wrong, the church needs to face them head on.
- First, acknowledge the issues.
- Put an investment policy in place for large gifts.
- Set up an infrastructure to ensure that donor’s wishes are honored.
Have the leadership sit down together and answer the question: if someone came up to us tomorrow and say they have a $250,000 gift and ask what we do with it, what’s our answer? Prepare a “wish list” of things that the church could invest in or spend on that would further the work of God in the community.
- Discuss how you would invest and manage the funds.
- How do you record and retain the wishes of the donor.
- Then communicate this information and your plans so prospective donors understand.
Over the next couple of blogs, I’ll talk about some of these concerns in more detail.
If you wish more information on anything you’ve been reading about, please feel free to contact me at (315) 427-3668 or sranousacctg@twcny.rr.com or susanranous@unyumc.org. I’d be happy to help or answer any questions.
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“God is able to make a way out of no way and transform dark yesterdays into bright tomorrows. This is our hope for becoming better men and women. This is our mandate for seeking to make a better world.” Martin Luther King, Jr.
Dear Generous and Caring Community Members,
Oneida First United Methodist Church is celebrating 25 years offering free, gently used coats and accessories to all. The Grab-a-Coat event will be held November 9th from 9:00 until noon, at the church on the corner of Main and Grove.
Every year we serve over 200 people; offering men, women and children warm gear. In order to continue this worthwhile mission, we are seeking area service organizations, schools and churches to provide volunteers. Your help is needed in the following ways:
- Advertise the event
- Collect coats
- Sort coats - October 8, 10, 15, 17, 22, 24, 29, 31, November 5 & 7. 4-6 pm. In the church gymnasium.
- Attend the event on November 9th for three-hour shifts
- Pack and organize remaining coats, at close of the event.
We are asking you to provide a minimum of five people from your group. To pledge your willingness to participate in this community outreach please contact the church office at 315-363-2450, or email: OneidaFirstOffice@gmail.com
We appreciate your enthusiasm in joining us to make this year’s event a success!
Blessings,
The Grab-a-Coat Committee
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Roast Beef Drive Thru Dinner
The Canton United Methodist Church Women in Faith at 41 Court Street, Canton will be hosting their annual roast beef drive thru dinner on Friday, September 20th from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.
The cost is $15.50
The dinner includes: roast beef, mashed potatoes and gravy, vegetable, roll, and a dessert.
This is a pre-order only dinner.
Please call either Linda D. at 315-379-9858 or the church office at 315-386-4500 to reserve your meal today.
All reservations are due by Tuesday, September 17th.
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United Women in Faith Annual Fall Rummage Sale at the Canton United Methodist Church 41 Court St, Canton, NY 13617 will be held on the following dates:
Thursday, October 3rd 4 -7 p.m.
Friday, October 4th 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Saturday, October 5th 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Bag Sale)
We will begin to accept gently used household items such as clothing, children's toys, and books beginning Sunday, September 29th to Wednesday October 2nd.
No electronics, computers, computer hardware, or televisions will be accepted.
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