Northern Flow/Mohawk Weekly Newsletter March 14, 2024

Northern Flow/Mohawk

Weekly Newsletter

March 14, 2024

Deadline extended for Cady Grant applications

Applications are now being accepted for the 2024 Ercil Cady Grant. Priority is given to educational proposals that benefit minority groups or individuals. The deadline for applying has been extended to Friday, March 22. Once you apply, you’ll receive an email confirmation from Dr. Blenda Smith. If you do not, contact Dr. Smith directly at bsmith@binghamton.edu.

Each year, the Cady Grant is awarded to fund ministry, program, or experiences that benefits or provides education to, preferably but not exclusively, African Americans and/or Native Americans. Awards may be up to $5,000.

Application

2024 District Days with Bishop Hector

Save the date for 2024 District Days

Northern Flow District

April 11th

Gouverneur First UMC

In the new year, Bishop Héctor will be visiting local churches in all 12 districts from February to April. District Days are a way for the bishop to meet with laity and clergy across Upper New York. Clergy meetings are scheduled for each visit from 1-3 p.m. and another meeting will be held for laity (and clergy who couldn't attend earlier gathering) from 7-8:30 p.m. All United Methodists of Upper New York are invited and encouraged to attend a gathering closest to you.

Mohawk District LSM

Advanced Course Schedule

Greetings to all,

The 2024 Spring in-person LSM Advanced course schedule is attached for your convenience.

Please note the Grace period for Lay Servants to obtain their continuing education has expired. If you have not taken an advanced class since 2020, you will need to complete a class by December 31, 2024, and submit your annual report, to maintain your status as an active Certified Lay Servant/Lay Speaker/Lay Minister.

Schedule

We are seeking a secretary/executive assistant for 10 hours a week. The ideal candidate would have excellent organizational skills with an attention to detail. Their computer skills would include familiarity with Google Docs, Google Drive, Google Slides/PowerPoint, and being able to use both Excel and Sheets, and Windows 10. Ten hours a week is required in the office with occasional extra hours during Easter, and Christmas as needed. Please send your resume to pastor@pulaskiumc.org.

Peace be with you,

Pastor Missy McCarthy

Park (Pulaski) United Methodist Church

Seeking AC volunteers

Excitement is building as we move closer to the 2024 Annual Conference (AC) Session, to be held May 30-June 1 at the SRC Arena on the campus of Onondaga Community College in Syracuse.

In the midst of all that happens at AC, there is a great need for people to serve as volunteers at various times throughout the three days. Consider living out your discipleship by serving as a volunteer.

Volunteers are needed to greet and escort attendees, assist staff, and lend a helping hand.

Pastor Ben Lalka Led a Polity Lay Servant Class

Pastor Ben Lalka recently led a Polity Lay Servant Class and this past Sunday (3/10/2024) they were given their certificates during the service. There were also several people that attended remotely via Zoom. Pastor Ben led prayer over the participants and the congregation was invited to stretch out their hands.

Photos are credit of Glenda Schuessler

AC States Now Open for Local Churches

Local Churches will need to create all new Usernames and Passwords upon initial entry into the platform.

>>> Please remember that you cannot use the same email address twice for 2 different churches/Users. This can be solved by adding additional digits at the end of your email address for the 2^nd church like your GCFA #

Ex: Email Address/Username: AwesomeGod@gmail.com541236 <<<<

Stats will be open on January 2^nd.

They will close on February 15^th.

Charge Conference Reports Due

Just a friendly reminder of Charge Conference Reports that will be due soon!!

Due February 15th, 2024 - please scan and email to district office to tammymcadam@unyumc.org

Report of Trustees
Reports of Finance Committee
2023 Year End Financial Report - your church format
2024 Church Budget - your church format

Due March 15th, 2024 - please scan and email to district office to tammymcadam@unyumc.org

2023 Local Church Annual Financial Audit

* If you need any help getting a copy of any of the forms please contact the district office. *

Stewardship with Susan Ranous

Friday, March 8, 2024

11 WAYS TO SUPPORT STEWARDSHIP FOR YOUR CHURCH #3

For the third week sharing about the VANCO stewardship booklet on the 11 Ways to support stewardship for your church. We are continuing Fundraising. Last we talked about fundraising guidelines, and this week will we discuss fundraising ideas. Vanco gives a very long list of ideas. Some may work; and some may not. I have removed the couple that focus on raffles which shouldn’t be occurring in our United Methodist Churches

1. Apparel Sales and Bookstore – this really only makes sense if you already are doing this.

2. Music Performances – Top music artists may be expensive, but there may be many talented people in your area and even in your church.

3. Ministry Challenges – Not just about raising money but creating community as different ministries “compete” against each other.

4. Church Cafe – Some churches have large cafes, but some just have pastries and coffee and fruit drinks available. What if this time to gather and visit before or after services also raised some funds for the church’s ministries?

5. Conferences – Does your church do something or have important knowledge that could be shared with others?

6. Bake Sales and chicken dinners – You may have excellent cooks and bakers that can use their gifts to help support the church.

7. Church Garage Sale – do you have items around the church that you may want to get rid of and someone may want?

8. Arts and Crafts Sales – do you have talented crafters in your congregation?

9. Buy a Brick – this is a way to raise funds for a large building or stained glass window project.

10. Giving Tuesday – The Tuesday after Thanksgiving is know as Giving Tuesday. Do you participate in it?

11. Festivals – ways to meet new people in the neighborhood and have fun!

12. Easter Egg Hunts, Easter Egg Decorating Contests and selling Easter Candy and chocolates – may ways to raise money around Easter.

13. Design and Sell Your Own Custom T-shirts- is there something about your church that could be designed onto a custom t-shirt and sold to members and others?

I’m sure you have many other ideas too! Have you tried any?

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.

Here we go Again!!

Phishing emails going around again

Emails are being sent out again claiming to be from DS Rev. Weeden. Rev. Weeden will never send an email asking for any sort of money, gift cards, etc. from you.

If you receive an email like this please block and delete.

The only email address you would get anything from for Rev. Weeden is mikeweeden@unyumc.org

This is a scam so please be aware they are going around again.

Contacting Northern Flow/Mohawk District Office

If you are trying to reach the district office please use the following information:

Email tammymcadam@unyumc.org

DS Rev. Weeden mikeweeden@unyumc.org

Phone 315-535-5149

Fax 315-535-5151

Mailing Address PO Box 208 Gouverneur NY 13642

Office Hours Monday - Friday 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

We are completely working from home and this is the best contact information to be able to reach us.

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