News and Updates for Upstate Pastors! | | |
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It is that time that elections are happening in your local church in preparation for the new Church Year that starts on March 1, 2024. Let’s all be praying for one another during this important time in the lives of our churches. As a reminder, please make sure your district allocation payments are clearly labeled. Checks for the district should be made out to "Upstate NY District Church of the Nazarene."
We also need to know if you are applying them to the 2023-2024 year or the upcoming 2024-2025 year. We will assume all checks received after 3/15 will apply to the new assembly year. Please let Bridget Beardsley (bbeardsley@upstatedistrict.org) know if you have special circumstances.
The District Office can no longer accept Education Allocations for ENC. Your church should send these payments directly to ENC. That can be completed by sending a paper check to:
Office Relations
Eastern Nazarene University
23 East Elm Ave.
Quincy, MA 02170
Or, you may make payment on the ENC website:
https://www.givecampus.com/campaigns/27629/donations/new?a=5531978
Beginning in the new fiscal year (after 3/1/24), the NBUSA (formerly P&B) Fund allocation will be 2.00% (a decrease of .25%) and the Education Fund will be 2.50% (an increase of .25%).
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Annual Pastors' Report (APR) | |
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The Annual Pastor’s Report (APR) is to be completed online by the lead pastor at: http://apr.nazarene.org. You can print the form for personal use, but the APR must be completed online.
If you are having trouble filling out the Annual Pastors' Report online, be sure to watch this video tutorial: APR Walkthrough
There is also a "Help Text" available in English and Español.
The deadline for completing the APR is March 20, 2024.
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District Required Forms & Reports | |
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Request for Approval to Hire Staff —
This form is required for all lead pastors requesting to hire or retain staff for 2024-2025.
The Manual in ¶169-169.8, 139.9, and 211.13 outlines the steps for a church to hire a staff (whether paid or unpaid). All local paid or unpaid associates who provide specialized ministry within the context of the local church must be approved annually by the DS.
Special Assignment Renewal —
This form is required for all ministers requesting Special Assignment.
Annual Report of Retired Minister —
This form is for all retired ministers on the Upstate New York District
Annual Report of Evangelist —
This form is required for all Evangelist.
Annual Report of Ordained Minister or Licensed Minister —
This form is required for all ordained or licensed minister who are NOT already submitting a pastor's, evangelist's, or retired minister's report form.
Email completed form to the District Office: office@upstatedistrict.org
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Preparing for Annual Meeting | |
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¶ 115.7. Annual Meeting. An annual church meeting shall be held within 90 days prior to the meeting of the district assembly. Public notice of the annual meeting shall be conveyed to the congregation at least two weeks before the meeting. This annual meeting may be conducted on more than one day or in more than one service upon approval by the church board.
Annual Meetings be held as early as February 9, 2024, and the deadline to report delegates to the assembly is March 25, 2024. This church checklist will help guide your church in completing all forms required for district assembly.
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District Assembly and Convention | |
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Thursday, May 9th at 7pm — Celebration Service — We know some people will be traveling and will miss this. There will be no official business, but we would encourage you to make this a priority as we will be praying and worshipping together to kick off this meaningful time.
Friday, May 10th at 8:30am — We will have business for the Assembly, the conventions, and workshops throughout the day and Ordination Service will be that evening. Some people may choose to travel in that morning to save on hotel stays. Others may choose to elect Super Delegates that serve multiple purposes—Assembly and Auxiliary delegates to save money or because you don’t have enough folks to nominate or who are willing to attend.
Saturday, May 11th at 8:30am — We will end midday so people can travel home.
You will be receiving more information about our Assembly at Life Church in Watertown soon! Hotel information is now available and we encourage you to book rooms as soon as you can.
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Upstate Discipleship Webinar | |
Black and Wesleyan: What Can Greater Inclusion Look Like?
Sign up for this free webinar hosted by the NTS Alumni Council. Dr. Sam Vassel, District Superintendent of the Metro NY District Church of the Nazarene, will be the featured speaker, along with respondents/panelists—Rev. Jacobi Campbell, Rev. Irene Lewis-Wimbley, and Rev. Alice Piggee Wallack. The online event will be February 28, 2024, from 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm.
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The 2023 Manual is now available!
The 2023 Manual, including legislation adopted by the 30th General Assembly in June 2023, was released: https://nazarene.org/manual.
The BGS has declared January 26, 2024 as the effective date.
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Abide with Us: A Pastor's Resource | |
Drawing on the timeless words of Christ followers who have inspired the global community of faith for centuries, Abide with Us guides readers using selections from saintly mentors as thoughtful signposts along the Lenten journey from Ash Wednesday to the celebration of the resurrection on Easter Sunday.
Use the code NYUP at checkout for $10 off the Pastor's Resource as
a gift from the district!
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Pension and Benefits (P&B) Fund is now Nazarene Benefits USA (NBUSA)
To align with the name change from Pensions & Benefits USA to Nazarene Benefits USA, the P&B Fund will now be known as the NBUSA Fund on the Funding the Mission website.
The NBUSA Fund allocation will be 2.00% (a decrease of .25%) and the Education Fund will be 2.50% (an increase of .25%) beginning in the new fiscal year, after March 1, 2024.
You can contact our Stewardship team stewardship@nazarene.org or at 1-800-544-8413 for help with Funding the Mission website questions. You can also view videos and other help documents at this link: FTM Resources
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Nazarene Benefits USA has also introduced a NEW Ministers Match.
NBUSA will match contributions by eligible ministers and/or their church (local effort) to their Nazarene 403(b) account when the church also pays at least 50% of their NBUSA Fund allocation. The greatest benefit to the local minister occurs when the church pays 100%.
This chart shows how the Ministers Match works for a lead pastor or full-time/full-livelihood associate who contributes $5,000 annually to their 403(b) account. If the church also pays 100% of its NBUSA Fund allocation, the pastor receives a match of $2,500 [50% of local effort 403(b) contributions]. As you can see, the amount of the Match is affected by both the amount of local effort and percentage of NBUSA Fund allocation paid.
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Blessing Our Community Grant
- The project is intended to build a bridge from the church to the community.
- The funds will not be used to make building improvements unless it is specifically for community use.
- The project will meet a specific need or challenge within your local community.
Blessing Our Community Grant Request
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You Found Me by Rick Richardson
This book is a vital resource aligned with the vision for the US/Canada Region: Mobilizing All Nazarenes in Unity, Blessing our Community, Bringing People to Jesus, and Becoming Christlike Disciples. As we enter 2024 with a focus on Blessing our Community in our Cycle of Resurgence, Richardson's research offers a fresh perspective on the receptiveness of the unchurched to the Christian faith. It's a great way to rally around a shared theme as we concentrate on Blessing our Community.
Great News! We have secured a generous 40% discount from the publisher. You can use the discount code IVPYFM40 to purchase one or multiple copies at the same time. Please place your order on the website located at https://www.ivpress.com/you-found-me. When adding the book(s) to your cart, you'll have options for tax-free purchases.
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Pastoral Care
Pastors, you heard at Assembly about the value of Full Strength Network! If you are currently using it or would like to sign up, we need your help.
Please fill out this form and we will be sure to renew your subscription when the time is right or get you signed up to start. This is a tool to support you in your work. Take advantage of it!
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The Springwater Retreat House
is a place to pray and listen to
the still quiet voice of the Lord.
Pastors face multiple challenges and carry the burdens of many people. Here is a place where they can obey Jesus’ words and go away with Him to a quiet place to rest. For free.
| The Wilmington Retreat Home is a three bedroom home with a fully-applianced kitchen, dining and living room. This is an excellent place for a prayer or sermon planning retreat. |
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The theme is ONE HEART, reflecting the prayer of Jesus for His church and the deep need and longing of His people in a world so divided.
PALCON is a gathering of Nazarene clergy for inspiration and enrichment through learning conversations and times of worship together. Visit www.palcon.org to learn more about PALCON 2024, including plenary speakers and schedules (schedules are just now being added to each venue’s webpage).
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Pastors — Things are going to shift a little bit because we want to try to connect the best we can with as many of you in prayer. I know that everyone has different schedules and that there are no perfect times for us all to be together. However, we can keep trying! Between now and District Assembly on May 9-11 here is the district prayer schedule. Please try to make at least one of these before we gather in person in Watertown!
February
- 8th, 8am, special prayer for new churches and ministries to grow on our district
- 24th, 10am—invite your lay people to join! Special prayer for the whole district and the needs of the people
March
- 14th, 7pm, special prayer for wisdom as we all are leading in our particular places
- 19th, 7am, special prayer for Holy Week and Easter services across the district
April
- 4th, noon, special prayer for our denomination to continue to make Christ Like Disciples in the Nations
- 23rd, 4pm, special prayer for District Assembly
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Join us on February 24th from 10-11:30 AM for prayer. When you click the button below you will be able to register and the Zoom link will be sent to you. These are rich times of fellowship with one another and our good God!
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Eastern Nazarene College,
our college, is inviting us to join them in praying. Will you sign up to support Dr. Colleen Derr, the faculty, staff, administration, and students in prayer?
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