Monthly News & Updates

February 2024

Thoughts from DS Olivia

This is the Lenten Season. We are together journeying with Jesus to the cross. This time of year is an important time to search our hearts and motives, ask God what things we might need to give up or take on, and find ways to shut out the noisiness of life and invite the Spirit to shape and form us. In the midst of all we have to do, it can feel impossible to slow down and be quiet before the Lord. To find space for Spiritual things. And yet, it is what we so desperately need.

I have found it particularly helpful to change ordinary life chores and practices into spiritual practices. For example, we use cloth napkins at our house. If you know anything about cloth napkins, they have to be washed and folded after you use them. How you fold them matters for when you lay them on the table and put the silverware on them. This isn't a hard job, but it requires a little bit of time and care. As I fold the napkin in half I choose a phrase to say. "Here I am, Lord." Then I fold the napkin in half again and smooth the edge while saying, "Make me like You." And then another fold, "Shape me and form me." One final fold, "Make me like You." It's a simple and profound experience to fold those pieces of cloth. I have to fold them, so why not allow those movements to become a spiritual practice?

We can do this in so many different things we do throughout the day. Whenever your phone rings, ask God to help you to be like Christ to whoever is on the other end. Walking through the doorway can become a place to pray: "Thank you, Lord. You know my coming and going. Help me walk like You."

The Lenten season isn't meant to make us try our hardest not to eat chocolate. It is forty days set aside to prepare us for what God has for us. It is a time to make room for the presence of God. It is a season when we recognize our appetites are out of whack, and we need to hunger for God again. Simple practices, embedded and embodied in our everyday life, recognizing the presence of God in the mundane, can cause a spiritual hunger in our soul that only God can fill.

Jesus said, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." Matthew 5:6

May we be blessed people this Lenten season.

Pastor Olivia

Missional Grants

Missional Grants Available

Funding innovative and impactful ministry across the Upstate New York District Church of the Nazarene.

Apply by March 27, 2024!

Email completed application to office@upstatedistrict.org.

Preparing for District Assembly

District Assembly is in Watertown, May 9-11, 2024.

District Assembly will be held at Life Church of the Nazarene in Watertown. You can book your hotel room with a group rate at these hotels.

Remember the Annual Pastors' Report (APR) is due by March 20th! There is an Annual Church/Pastor Reports Checklist for your church. If your church has staff, paid or unpaid, there is an additional form required by The Manual. Pastors must evaluate staff on an annual basis and request written approval from the District Superintendent. The form is available here and on the District website.

All other non-lead pastors will need to submit a report as well. The forms are:

If you have any questions, email the District Office at office@upstatedistrict.org.

Local Church Treasurers

District Allocation Information

As a reminder, please make sure 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 fiscal year or the upcoming 2024-2025 fiscal year. We will assume all checks received after March 15, 2024 will apply to the new assembly year unless clearly marked. 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 done by sending a paper check to:

Office Relations

Eastern Nazarene University

23 East Elm Street

Quincy, MA 02170

Or, you may make payment on the ENC website.

Beginning in the new fiscal year (after 3/1/24), the NBUSA Fund allocation will be 2.00% (a decrease of .25%) and the ENC Fund will be 2.50% (an increase of .25%).

To align with the name change from Pension and Benefits USA to Nazarene Benefits USA, the P&B Fund will now be known as the NBUSA Fund on the Funding the Mission website.

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

Upstate NMI

NMI Annual Reports

Local NMI reports should be completed at the end of each church year. These reports are submitted to nmiupstate@gmail.com.

Please go to nazarene.org/nmi and follow the resources/local resources/reports prompts to find the 2023 form. It is preferred that you use the fillable pdf.

Upstate NDI

It's not too late to register!

2024 LAY RETREAT

"Let's Have a Revival!"

When: May 17-19, 2024

Where: Camp of the Woods, Speculator, NY

Speaker: Pastor Paul Colgan

Colgan is a bi-vocational pastor who is a dairy farmer / agri-businessman by trade and an evangelist at heart! Living in Auburn, married to his wife Jody, they have three daughters, one son-in-law, and one grandson.

For more information, email Gloria at retreat2024@hotmail.com.

Registration Form

BROOKTONDALE CAMP

Save the dates!

While you are making personal and church-wide plans for the summer, please consider joining us for these great events at Brooktondale in 2024:

I Love My Camp // May 3-4

Prime Time Retreat // June 26-28

Family Camp // June 29 - July 7

Children's Discovery Camp // July 17-20

Teen Camp // August 5-10

Camp Closing // October 12

We'll have more details in the days ahead, but let me give you a few thoughts for now.

I Love My Camp is our camp opening weekend. Come for one or two days to help us spring clean and prep the grounds for the camping season.
Prime Time Retreat is a time to prepare specifically for Family Camp, with a special time of prayer on Friday night (now the official conclusion to PTR).
Family Camp: Whether it's for the Fourth, for the weekend, or for the week, we want to gather and worship with you in 2024. There's something for everybody every day of this jam-packed 9 days.
Children's Discovery Camp was moved up from August to July so as not to conflict with VBS' across the district. We've also added a day of fun (up from 3 days to 4).
Teen Camp will always start on the first Monday of August. This year, that's August 5!
Camp Closing is when water and electricity is shut off. Please have your cabins and RV's winterized by then and be present for the event if you can.

We'll see you this summer!

Upstate NYI

What's happening in your youth and young adult groups?!

We want to hear from you!

How is God moving in your youth and young adult groups? Tell us!

In 2024, we want to highlight our local church youth groups on our social media pages and we need your help! Tell us how God is moving and what you see happening. Do you have a student called to ministry? Are you serving a local organization? Are you teens helping out in the worship service? Or, something else?

Send Pastor Noelle a note to tell us and we may highlight your youth group on our social media accounts! Email Pastor Noelle at nyiupstate@gmail.com.

PALCON 2024

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).

REGISTRATION IS OPEN

Blessing Our Community

USA/Canada Region 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

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.

Let's Pray Together

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!

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

Resources for Pastors

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!

FSN Form

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.

Or sign up for

Spiritual Direction with Shane Ash