What's new at VFUMC!

THE BELL TOWER

Ringing out the news from Valley Falls United Methodist Church

April 2026

Photo by Bill Bobear

All are welcome here. We are one of over 600 Methodist churches in the Upper New York Conference, whose vision is to live the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to be God's love with our neighbors in all places.

Pastor Dion's UPDATES and INSPIRATIONS

Eating with the Risen Christ

They said to each other, ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while He was talking to us on the road, while He was opening the scriptures to us?’... Then they told what had happened on the road and how He had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.(Luke 24: 32, 35)

The Easter season begins April 5^th this year. So how will we go about living as Easter people? If Easter people are the body of Christ in the world today, sharing Christ’s dreams, offering Christ’s voice, following Christ’s teaching and ways, love will be our defining characteristic.

With strangely warmed hearts, we encourage one another as we follow in The Way of Christ. The Way of Easter people might include:

Acts of Love and Compassion — visiting, feeding, and supporting those in need.

Acts of Hope — viewing life through the lens of resurrection and renewal, reminding us that a new day and better way is possible and encouraging us to rise from the ashes of life’s wounds, changes, and challenges.

Acts of Joy — Celebrating the risen Christ and sharing joy with others as a way to embody the wonder and joy of Jesus' life, death, resurrection, and mystical presence, holding the world together with loving creative energy.

Acts of Service — Engaging in service to others and volunteering or participating in community events, helping us to grow in wisdom and love.

In addition to Easter Sunday, some other special days in April include United Methodist Native American Ministries Sunday, Earth Day, National Pet Day, National Poetry Month, and National Grilled Cheese Month. We might take some soul-searching time to consider the well-being of Native Americans and imagine what a path of reconciliation might entail. We also celebrate the ways that Native American people’s wisdom and ways bless the web of life.

In April, earth care comes to life with appreciation of the greening grass, early flowers, the sounds of birds filling the air. It might also be a good time to inventory our earth-impacting ways and to green our daily path in at least one small way.

For joy, hope, and warming hearts, imagine what good a grilled cheese pot luck poetry reading might offer us!

May we be blessed with sunny days and gentle rains and breezes as we look forward to a beautiful time of the year in the corner of the earth we call home. Let us get out to greet our neighbors (human and not-human) after the long winter and Lenten season. The Easter season has arrived to bless, transform, and awaken us again to Christ’s world-uniting loving ways.

WORSHIP

Worship services are held each Sunday at 9 a.m. and are followed by a coffee hour in Fellowship Hall.

Sunday, March 29 - From Palm-to-Passion Sunday, with special music by the Music Gathering.

Holy Saturday, April 4, Calvary UMC, Latham, @ 4 p.m. An Easter cantata, "God So Loved," by Pepper Choplin.

Easter Sunday, April 5 - Worship with Holy Communion and special music.

(NOTE: Let's convey the joy of the season with a luxurious floral display on the altar. Please deliver your Easter plant (labeled with your name) to the church by noon on Saturday, April 4.)

Sunday, April 19 - Native American Ministries Sunday - a day to recognize the rich gifts, cultures, and contributions of Native Americans to both society and the Church. A special offering will be taken.

Do you play an instrument and are looking for a chance to play with others?The Music Gathering continues to practice after church on most Sundays.

OF SPECIAL NOTE

United Women in Faith

Thursday, April 2, @ 10:30 a.m. - Bring your own bag lunch and enjoy Janet Stark's illustrated tour of Eastern Europe's notable churches. (Special food experiences may also be mentioned.)

Thursday, May 7, @ 10:30 a.m. - Enjoy a salad bar lunch with Eleanor Roosevelt! Phyllis Chapman, a popular interpreter of women in American history, will share highlights from the life of this remarkable first lady, who supported her nation and its people through the Great Depression and World War II.

OTHER HAPPENINGS

Monday, April 20, at 7 p.m. "Living with Cancer," a support group led by Rev. Ted Wright, meets via Zoom. Email Ted at wrightsafrica@gmail.com to request the link.

Saturday, June 13 - Villagewide Garage sale.... at the library and around town.

OUTREACH

Do you know of individual needs and services that could use greater attention in our community? What gifts and graces do you have that might help to address those needs?

These questions were the focus of recent discussions led by Carol Eddy, chair of the newly-formed Community Outreach Committee. Recognizing that social justice begins at the community level, the group brainstormed the many ways in which VFUMC already responds to local needs and agreed to make the following the focus of their efforts:

a) to highlight volunteer activities in which some members already participate (e.g., Skye Farm, Habitat for Humanity, Literacy Volunteers, Joseph’s House, Pittstown Food Pantry) and encourage others to join in, and

b) to reach out to the surrounding community to learn about needs and services that are currently not being met, and

c) to assist, as we are able, as individuals or teams, in responding to needs identified by the committee.

All are welcome to join in this important conversation at the first meeting of the group on Sunday, April 12, following Coffee Hour.

OUR METHODIST CONNECTION

Skye Farm Fundraiser

The Skye Farm Foundations' annual "Evening at Camp" will be held on Saturday, April 18, at 5:30 p.m. at Shenendehowa UMC. Tickets are $25 per meal. To purchase yours, click here https://givebutter.com/an-evening-at-camp-2026

New this year, tickets for both eat-in and take-out dinners will be available, as well as an on-line auction benefitting Skye Farm. As in past years, you can look forward to sharing a delicious meal, singing along with Skye Farm musicians, browsing new camp merchandise, and supporting the long-term future of Skye Farm.

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From the Desk of Bishop Burgos

The Love Boldly, Serve Joyfully, Lead Courageously – Miracle Sunday initiative is a global effort launched by the Council of Bishops to strengthen theological education outside the United States.

From April 12 to May 17, United Methodist congregations worldwide will participate in a six-week worship and small-group emphasis culminating in “Miracle Sunday.” The goal is to raise funds for the Endowment for Theological Education in Africa, Europe, and the Philippines, creating 500 permanently endowed scholarships each year to prepare pastors for ministry in Africa, Europe, and the Philippines.

The initiative responds to a significant global leadership gap, where far fewer clergy outside the U.S. have access to advanced theological education. By uniting in prayer, learning, and generous giving, the church aims to build sustainable, long-term support for theological schools abroad and ensure well-trained pastoral leaders for generations to come.

Why This Matters

More than 70% of U.S. clergy hold a theological degree while fewer than 5% of clergy outside the U.S. do, creating a stark disparity in pastoral formation.
An offering from your congregation – together with all others worldwide – will help close that gap by funding and sustaining theological education for emerging pastors in Africa, Europe, and the Philippines.

Weekly Themes

The six-week series themes include:

April 12: Disciples formed by Jesus Christ
April 19: Disciples Empowered by the Holy Spirit
April 26: Disciples Love Boldly
May 3: Disciples Serve Joyfully
May 10: Disciples Lead Courageously
May 17: Disciples Transform the World – Miracle Sunday

Go to unyumc.org/miraclesunday to find the six-week worship and small group series materials provided by the Endowment for Theological Education in Africa, Europe, and the Philippines.