Thoughts from DS Olivia
As we are beginning a new calendar year I want to offer a prayer of blessing over whomever may read this newsletter. I am thankful for the opportunity to serve the Upstate New York District and to partner with you in the Good News message of Jesus Christ!
Gracious God,
You are good. You are holy. You are merciful. You are loving. Thank you for who You are. As this new year begins I pray You would bless the good people of the Upstate New York District. Would You help all of us to know who You really are?
For those who are suffering with grief and loss would You bring Your comfort? For those who are dealing with health struggles--physical and mental--would You bring Your healing and hope? For those who are uncertain and facing major decisions would You bring Your wisdom? For those who are feeling hopeless would You bring them Your presence in a new way?
We need You!
I also pray, Lord, that You will open up our eyes to the needs around us. Would You please give us vision that goes beyond ourselves? Would You give us courage to respond to the call You are placing on our lives? Would You empower us to live in the reality that all things are possible with You? In this new year we long for You to fill us with Your Holy Spirit and use our lives as a blessing for our neighbors. Bless, guide, enable, and empower us all in this new year.
Make us like You, Jesus.
Amen.
Pastor Olivia
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Preparing for District Assembly | |
District Assembly in Watertown,
May 9-11, 2024.
The local church annual meeting should be held within 90 days of the District Assembly. They can be held as early as February 9, 2024. The deadline to report delegates to the assembly is March 25th.
You will be receiving more information about Assembly soon!
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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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Mark your calendar for these upcoming NYI events! | |
Preview Day at Eastern Nazarene College —
Friday, February 16, 2024
High School Juniors and Seniors, are you interested in Eastern Nazarene College?!
Join ENC on February 16, 2024 for a day dedicated to showing you all that Eastern Nazarene College has to offer! You will have the opportunity to engage with staff and faculty, enjoy lunch in the dining commons, learn about student life from our current students and tour our beautiful campus - all in one day!
Note: Nazarene Seniors who attend will have their Nazarene Scholarship doubled to $10,000!
Preview Day: Friday, February 16, 2024 at 9:00 A until 2:00 PM
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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.
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Monte and Bethany Cyr are our 2024 Links Missionaries | |
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We are excited to share that the Cyr family will be Linked with us for 2024. You may remember them from a district tour they did a few years ago. Please find additional information about them at https://give.nazarene.org/pledge/cyrfamily
Their contact information has been shared with Local NMI Presidents across the District.
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Carrying on the Legacy of Brooktondale Camp
Brooktondale Nazarene Camp and Retreat Center has not survived for almost 94 years on district and private camps alone. It's because of the generosity of the people on the Upstate NY District that we have a campground that is on the verge of making it to the century mark.
We need you to help us make it there and far beyond with a one-time or monthly gift of any amount. If you've been impacted by the ministry of our Nazarene campground, or if you can appreciate the mission it lives out--seeing countless lives being turned to Christ through the decades, and countless more on the horizon--then please give today and make sure OUR camp remains THEIR camp long past our generation has run its course.
There are two ways that you can give:
Checks can be made out to Brooktondale Nazarene Camp and mailed securely to:
Attn. Chris Davies
120 White Church Road
Brooktondale, NY 14590
To give online, click (or copy and paste into the search bar) here: https://tithe.ly/give_new/www/#/tithely/give-one-time/3919055
Thanks in advance for the seed you're willing to sow for future generations of Brooktondale campers!
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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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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!
January
- 11th, 8am, special prayer for people to come to know Jesus
- 18th, 4pm, special prayer for the Holy Spirit to fill God’s people
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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Opportunities for Pastors | |
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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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
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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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Fruit of the Spirit Resources | | |
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All year we are talking about the Fruit of the Spirit. Click below to find some ways to grow in your faith, learn more, and engage with others on this journey! | | | | | |
