Thoughts from DS Olivia

Recently, I shared on Facebook that we were driving our kids, Drew and his wife Brooke, across the country for Drew to start at SUNY Binghamton this fall. He will be working on a Master's and a PhD in history. On that post, people from all over the world responded. One faculty member from Houghton University, who worked with us at Northwest Nazarene University, commented about how strong the history program is there and congratulated Drew. People from every ministry assignment we have had in the Church of the Nazarene commented or liked the post. Missionaries and friends who pastor around the globe responded. Folks who work at our Global Ministry Center and those who sit in the pews on our district showed their support. People I only know through social media, but are connected because of our denomination, gave a “thumbs up” or a “heart.” Friends from other Wesleyan-Holiness denominations also made an appearance on the post, celebrating what God is doing in the lives of my kids. What other organization is like the church? What other community provides such rich and deep and broad and wide connections as the church? 

All of this has me thinking about how loved I feel as a child of the church, as an heir with Christ, as a member of the family of God. It reminded me of what Jesus said in John 13:34-35, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” I felt like I witnessed a small taste of that love!

And yet, sometimes the church isn’t as beautiful as it can be. Sometimes we are deeply disappointed in her. There are moments when I question what we are doing as I watch our witness harmed by our hatefulness, and our rhetoric, and our marriage to earthly kingdoms instead of the Kingdom of God. It is complicated! 

The church: often beautiful and sometimes ugly; conformed to Jesus and sometimes conformed to the patterns of this world; brave and courageous in the face of injustice and sometimes complicit in harm and injustice; truthful and faithful and sometimes comfortable and fearful. Oh, the church! It can be easy to make the church an institution, an “it” in our minds. However, it is crucial that we are reminded that we are the church, you and me, us. Yes, there are institutional elements, but ultimately the church is a community of human beings seeking to be repaired by God’s grace and seeking to partner with God in the repair of a broken world—loving God and loving neighbor. 

How do we do this? In John 14:15, Jesus says, “If you love me, keep my commands.” In chapter 14 alone, He calls His followers to keep His commands at least four times. One chapter! He reminds the disciples then, and the message echoes down to us today, that to prove our love is to obey Him. Our love shows when we follow Jesus. Our love is true when we act out, by grace, what He has commanded. Our love is strengthened by the Holy Spirit who, as John’s Gospel states, teaches and reminds us of these commands (John 14:26).

This is much more than a “like” and encouragement on social media. That is a mere glimmer of what our life of love can look like when we surrender all to Him and love one another.

So with this in mind, here is my prayer for the church—that the world would see self-sacrificing love in us, because that’s what Jesus showed us. Here is my hope for our district—that the world would see people living out the words of Jesus wherever we go, as the Holy Spirit reminds and teaches and guides us. Here is my desire for my life and yours—that we would walk as Jesus walked and experience the abiding presence of Christ as we do. A watching world, on social media, in our families, in the neighborhoods we find ourselves in, and in our broader communities and nation, needs us to be disciples of Jesus. How will they see that we are disciples? How will they come to experience the beauty of salvation? How will they be enveloped in the beauty of the Family of God? How will they be transformed by the Holy Spirit? Jesus says, “If you love one another.” May it be so.

Pastor Olivia

What are we doing? Making some changes. Change can be difficult. We are hoping these changes will ultimately make life easier for everyone. If you have questions let us know!

If you have any questions or concerns about the new process, email the office at office@upstatedistrict.org

Pastors' Prayer Zoom

District Discipleship (NDI)

Nazarene Missions Team

Guatemala Trip and Project Fund

Upstate NY is sending a 21-person Nazarene Mission Team (NMT) trip to Guatemala from September 19-28, 2025! Let's cover them in prayer as they prepare and serve, knowing they're called by God and sent by our Upstate NY District!

They will be going to help build God’s kingdom in San Luis, Guatemala, in the northern Peten region of the country, by constructing a large covered shelter, as part of a bigger project to expand and upgrade the Nazarene church in that area. They will also engage in personal evangelism and VBS with local missionaries. But they can't do this project without YOU! They may be going, but we all can take part! The construction project costs $10,000. Here's a thought: if every church supported with $250, they'd be on their way! Boom! Just like that!

If you and/or your congregation would like to contribute toward the Guatemala NMT project, please send checks to District NMI Treasurer:

Rev. Rachelle Bell

107 Mclain Dr.

Spencerport, NY 14559 

Please make checks out to "District NMI Treasurer" and note "Guatemala NMT project" on the memo line.

You can also donate online using the QR code or link below. Please choose "Guatemala Nazarene Mission Teams Project" from the dropdown list.  

Brooktondale Camp

District Youth Ministry (NYI)

More Resources for Pastors & Churches

District Assembly Handbook

We had a beautiful time in Watertown, at Life Church, celebrating all God has done across the district and through our churches this year. You can see the handbook by clicking the button below. This newsletter has some very important details that you won't want to miss! Keep reading to stay informed.

Vision Partners offers coaching, workshops, and processes to help you confidently lead in God’s plan.

AFLAC

AFLAC is a wonderful way to be supported by your church. The District is offering a one-time benefit when you sign up to help offset the cost. We are encouraging every church to find a way to pay for this emergency insurance policy for you. When a cancer diagnosis comes, or a medical emergency no one expected occurs, finances that are already tight can become tighter. This plan is a great way to add a layer of care for those who care so much for you! While this is not a district-sponsored policy, we are making it available to the district. Check out the information below about how this will work!

Spiritual Direction

Spiritual Direction offers a sacred space to listen for God’s direction in your unfolding life. It’s not about fixing or performing—it’s about being companioned with prayerful insight, care, and deep respect for the mystery of your journey. If you’re longing for real conversation, rest, clarity, or simply a place to be fully human before God, this is a gentle invitation to try Spiritual Direction. Visit www.shaneash.com for scheduling, or for more information. 

Spiritual Direction Directory

The district will cover spiritual direction for any licensed or ordained pastors on the district with Shane Ash (or up to 3 sessions with a director from the directory below).

If you have any questions, email the district office at: office@upstatedistrict.org. 

Retreat Homes Around the District:

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.