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'We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair;
persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.
2 Corinthians 4: 8-9
New International Version
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Adirondack District
Newsletter
January 27, 2018
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Is your newsletter "cutting off" at the margin?
Try clicking on the link at the top of this newsletter that says,
"Having trouble viewing this email?"
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Miss something? Not all information is repeated each week
To view Local Church Events sent on Jan. 24,
Click here
To view the District Newsletter sent on Jan. 20,
Click here
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Please hold these people in prayer
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Rev. Parker
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The family of
the Rev. Dr. Brolin Parker. Rev. Parker, who served at the Saratoga Springs UMC and as Albany District Superintendent, died on Thursday, Jan. 11 at the age of 68. A Service celebrating his Life was held in Binghamton last week. To view the obituary,
Click here
The Rev. Scott Tyler. Scott continues to struggle with fatigue and lack of energy. He is hopeful that treatment for recently-diagnosed sleep apnea will improve his well-being. Scott serves the First UMC in Ticonderoga.
The family of
the Rev. Dr. Walter Taylor. Rev. Taylor, 93, died Thursday, Jan. 4 in
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Rev.Taylor
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Saratoga Springs.
He served at the First United Methodist Church - Voorheesville, the Albany United Methodist Society, as well as several other appointments outside the local church. A memorial service is scheduled for 10 AM Saturday, Feb. 10 at the Saratoga Springs UMC, 175 Fifth Ave. (12866). To read the full obituary, Click here
Please send us your joys and concerns:
adirondackdistrict@unyumc.org
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District Superintendent Bill Mudge appointed to Baldwinsville UMC
Our District Superintendent, Rev. Bill Mudge, sent a letter to the District on Sunday, Jan. 14 announcing that he will be appointed to the Baldwinsville UMC effective July 1, 2018. Bill is grateful for your prayers and kind responses. To read his letter,
Click here
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Psalm 121: A Prayer for Travelers
Whether traveling overseas or around the corner, starting a new job or a new family, we embark on all kinds of journeys. Life itself can be a long and winding road, but as Christians, a life dedicated to God is not one defined by standing still, and our faith assures us that we will never travel that road alone.
Titled "A Song of Ascents" in Scripture, Psalm 121 marks life's journeys.
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UNY Conference 2019 Narrative Budget booklet available
The first draft of the UNY Conference 2019 Narrative Budget booklet has been released.
As changes are needed, these digital copies of the budget booklets will be updated. When all updates are completed in the coming months, printed copies of the budget booklet will be available in the District Offices and at the UNY Conference Center. The final budget booklet will also be added to the 2018 Conference Journal, Vol. I.
To view the booklet from the Conference website,
Click here
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An Opportunity to Serve:
Imagine No Racism: Become a District Volunteer Advocate
Racism is a disease that infects the hearts, minds, souls and bodies of individuals,
churches, and communities. In the Upper New York Annual Conference, we are going to Imagine No Racism together! We are creating the Imagine No Racism District Team to help us imagine this as a Conference.
For the full story, and to view Upper New York Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb's video invitation to apply for the Imagine No Racism District Volunteer Advocate position, Click here
The deadline to apply for the Volunteer Advocate position is February 14. We are looking for at least four people to represent the Adirondack District. Do you have a passion for equality and justice? The task force envisions this position as requiring a few hours a week, especially in the beginning. As the ministry progresses, the hours will become a bit less.
There will be a training of advocates from 10 AM to 4 PM on Saturday, March 17 at the Conference Office in Liverpool.
Please mark your calendars for Saturday, April 21, which is Conference-wide "Imagine No Racism Launch Day." Attendance for this event is mandatory for all Clergy, Supply Pastors and Certified Lay Ministers serving churches. They are being asked to bring laity who are passionate about racial justice. The event will be from 12:30 PM to 4 PM, most likely at the Saratoga Springs UMC. Look for updates in the coming weeks.
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Launchpad for Church Planters
Launchpad is boot camp for anyone who
is in the first year of planting a new faith community, or feeling called to plant a new faith community in the next couple of years.
It provides the BEST practical, hands-on training for planters available now in the UM Church. In two densely-packed days, you will learn an amazing array of best practices that will enable you to build a solid foundation on which to build your new faith community.
Launchpad will begin at 10 AM on Friday, Feb. 2, ending at 5 PM on Saturday, Feb. 3 at the United Methodist Conference Center, 7481 Henry Clay Blvd. in Liverpool.
Rev. Dave Masland (Director of NFC in Upper NY) and Rev. Bill Valet (Lead Planter of the multi-campus Fresh Start NFC's in Elmira and Watkins Glen) will be co-teaching.
Registration deadline is Monday, Jan. 29. For more information and to register,
Click here
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Photo illustration by Kathleen Barry, UMNS
The Council of Bishops and the Commission on the Status and Role of Women want people with allegations of sexual harassment or misconduct to know they will be heard.
Bishops Respond to #metoo Movement
As allegations of sexual misconduct rock the U.S. from the sets of Hollywood to the halls of Washington, United Methodist leaders acknowledge that the church also has seen such abuses of power.
In a joint statement released Jan. 23, the Council of Bishops and the Commission on the Status and Role of Women "strongly encourage and support the reporting of sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment allegations within the church."
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See How Cleaning Kits Help in Puerto Rico
Rev. Junius B. Dotson, General Secretary of Discipleship Ministries writes,"I have to brag. I am so proud to say I am a United Methodist. Our churches and people have stepped up greatly. So many churches and schools and individuals have contributed items to make Clean Up Buckets that will go out to people recovering and cleaning up their homes following the storms. For the people who have lost almost everything, a bucket filled with cleaning supplies is a remarkable blessing. Until you are working in slimy,
d
irty water and debris, you don't realize what a Godsend a new pair of rubber gloves are." For information on how to assemble Cleaning, Hygiene and School kits, or how to donate to relief efforts, see the article and the end of this newsletter. To read Rev. Dotson's letter,
Click here
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Photo by Kathleen Barry, United Methodist Communications
Some online quizzes, such as this one from The Upper Room, can help us better understand our spiritual type and gifts.
What's your spiritual type? Online quizzes can grow faith
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New Paperwork Coming Due ...
Thank you to all the pastors and church leaders who have submitted the annual church
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Carrie Boyer
and her paperwork
(and she's asking for more .....)
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conference forms. Please submit any outstanding reports as soon as possible.
Pastors: A reminder that the Leadership Interface Forms are now due.
Click here This form is crucial, as I need to update our database with church leader information.
Coming Due Feb. 15: Report of Trustees; Report of Finance Committee; 2018 Church Budget and 2017 Year-End Financial Report.
2017 Local Church Annual Audits are due March 15
Here is the link to the forms checklist which is found on the Conference website. You can download the forms from that page:
Click here
Send forms via email attachment to
Also a reminder that the annual statistical reports MUST be filed online by Feb. 15. A note went out to pastors early in January with pertinent information. For those who might be helping pastors with this crucial task, please ask them to forward the information to you. To login to the system,
Click here
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Grants and Loans Available
Grants and loans for ministries are available from several agencies and organizations of The United Methodist Church.
United Methodist Communications offers this information on its website:
Click here
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Order Lenten Resources from Media Resource Center
The Media Resource Center is a free lending library supported through your ministry share dollars.
To learn more about the center and to look through the online catalog
Click here
You will find a multitude of DVD studies, curriculum, and support materials for your use! Now is the time to order Lenten Studies, as Lent begins on Feb. 14.
Consultations are always available. Not only can you order resources in person, it's also easy to
order resources through the online catalog, by email to Media Resource Coordinator Karen Campolieto @
karen@unyumc.org, or by phone (315) 898-2027 and they will be mailed right to your church.
It only takes a couple of days to receive the materials.
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Other Worship and Study Ideas for Lent
The Leadership Ministries Team at Discipleship Ministries has put together materials for worship and study that you can use during Lent based on the theme, Rehab. The materials give you a way to offer a church-wide focus during Lent that incorporates worship and study groups using the same theme each week. Lent starts Feb. 14.
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Previ
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From the Conference Office
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(New) UNY Conference pays 100 Percent of Apportionments
Thank you to the generous churches across the Upper New York Conference who paid
their 2017 Ministry Shares. This year, the Conference Ministry Share collections were just over $100,000 more than last year's. Your generosity has enabled the UNY Conference to pay 100 percent of our General Church apportionments for the second year in a row. Because of you, great things will continue happening across the world-wide United Methodist Connection. Watch Conference Communications channels for more information about 2018 Ministry Shares, the ministries supported by your Ministry Share giving, and some of the churches who have made these amazing ministries possible.
2017 Ministry Shares update
To see a list of congregations that have paid 100% of their 2017 Ministry Share, Click here. Questions regarding your church's Ministry Share may be directed to Mike Weaver at 855-424-7878 ext. 315 or MikeWeaver@unyumc.org
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(New) Employment Law Compliance and Posters
For a list of both New York State and Federal Employment Law posters local churches, as employers, are required to post conspicuously at their worksite for all employees to see, along with several other documents referring to employment compliance regulations,
Click here
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Important Dates
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- Feb. 15: Deadline for submission of petitions and resolutions as well as deadline for reports and action items from Conference teams
- Feb. 15: Final date to update statistics in EZRA system
- Early March: Annual Conference registration opens
- Early April: Vol. I of the Journal is available
- April 21: Imagine No Racism Event
- May 31-June 2: Annual Conference (Onondaga Community College)
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Students: Apply now for 2018 UNY Conference scholarships!
United Methodist high school seniors and college students are invited to apply for two scholarships offered by the Upper New York Conference: Conference Merit Awards and Lottie Brown Grants. Application forms and guidelines are available now. For more information and to apply, Click here
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Annual Conference petitions, resolutions, reports due Feb. 15
The Committee on Petitions and Resolutions is charged with overseeing the submission,
review, and presentation of petitions and resolutions to the Annual Conference.
All resolutions and petitions for the 2018 Annual Conference session must be submitted to the Committee no later than Feb. 15, 2018. Submissions should be emailed to the Director of Connectional Ministries Office at
DCMOffice@unyumc.org
For information on writing and submission guidelines as well as a petition and resolution template
, Click here
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Conference publication, 'Advocate,' available online
Volume 9, Issue 4, of the Upper New York Conference's ministry magazine, 'Advocate,' zeroes in on the mission of the UNY Conference to provide "God's love in all places." You will read stories on UNY members who lead ministries that serve refugees, entire local communities, and even truckers!
To read the latest issue of the Advocate electronically, Click here; the printed version of 'Advocate' should be available in your local church.
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Sign up for the Weekly Digest
The Weekly Digest is a wrap-up of news and information, along with feature articles, direct links to several "hot spots" on the Conference website, photos and more.
If you don't already subscribe but would like to look at this week's issue, be in touch with Carrie. To sign up to receive the Weekly Digest beginning next week, click here:
Weekly Digest
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Previously Run/Ongoing Interest
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Lay Servant/Speaker Courses to be offered in Plattsburgh
As disciples of Jesus Christ, we are all called to a life of servanthood. For many laypersons, Lay Servant Ministries of The United Methodist Church is a part of their faith journey as they seek a closer relationship with God through Jesus Christ. The courses offered in this program can help an individual on their personal faith journey or help prepare them as servants of leadership through the ministries of leading, caring, and communicating.
The Lay Servant Ministries Basic Course is a foundational course designed to help one explore their call to service within the United Methodist Church. "Participants are encouraged to discover and employ personal spiritual gifts as God intended and to consider the importance of exercising servant leadership, developing future leaders, remaining rooted in consistent spiritual practices, and being part of a group that holds members accountable in their discipleship." (Course description in 2018 Lay Servants Ministries: Equipping Resources)
Instructors: Rev. Phil Richards and Rev. Edie Poland
An Advanced Course: "Transforming Evangelism." will also be offered. "This course leads participants to learn from John Wesley how to practice relational evangelism. They will discover that evangelism involves not only sharing our faith with others, but also welcoming people into a community where they can grow in faith." (Course description in 2018 Lay Servants Ministries: Equipping Resources)
Instructors: Rev. Peggi Eller and
Pastor Brandilynne Craver
When
: The separate courses will be held in the same time-frame:
5 to 9 PM Friday, April 13 continuing to 9 AM to 4 PM Saturday, April 14.
(Snow dates: April 27 & 28)
Place:
Plattsburgh United Methodist Church, 127 Beekman St., Plattsburgh, NY 12901
Cost:
$25 for book, materials, and dinner Friday evening and lunch Saturday
Registration
Deadline: March 26
Information needed:
Name, address, email address, phone number, course for which you are registering, and special dietary needs
-- Complete form "Local and Certified Request and Recommendation." For a copy of that document, Click here
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Books will be available for pick up at PUMC
by March 15 upon receipt of "Request and Recommendation" form and fee
Each participant is expected to have read the course book prior to beginning class.
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Local Church Records Retention Guide
With the start of a new year we may be
inclined to say "Out with the old"and discard/destroy important records.
Before you do that, please click here to view Local Church Management guidelines from The United Methodist Church's General Commission on Archives and History.
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UMW Assembly 2018 in Columbus, Ohio
United Methodist Women Assembly 2018, "The Power of Bold," is a time for fellowship, equipping for service
and collectively experiencing God's call to mission with women, children and youth. Through moving worship, inspiring speakers, engaging exhibits, riveting workshops and town hall-style meetings, participants will leave Assembly with knowledge, courage and determination to change the world as part of a daring and compassionate 150-year-old movement of women committed to turning faith, hope and love into action.
To learn more about the event and to register
Click here
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How You Can Help Storm and Earthquake Victims
Contribute Funds for Disaster Relief:
Thanks to churches who have taken a special collection for the victims of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria and the Mexico City earthquakes.
You may send contributions to the Finance Department at the United Methodist Center, 7481 Henry Clay Blvd., Liverpool, NY, 13088. Please make checks payable to UNYAC and designate money to a fund or funds that have been established:
Hurricane Harvey - #481
Hurricane Irma - #482
Hurricane Maria- #483
Mexico City Earthquakes - #611
2017 Storms - #474
UMCOR U.S. Disaster Response - #692
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Finance Department, 855-424-7878, ext. 2004.
For instruction on how to assemble kits, Click here
The Upper New York Conference's Mission Central Hub is a place for local churches to actively engage in outreach and disaster response ministries:
Click here
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District Contact Information
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Adirondack District
of the Upper New York Conference
Rev. William (Bill) Mudge, District Superintendent
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Rev. Bill Mudge |
Carrie Boyer, Administrative Assistant
Physical Location: 15 Maplewood Parkway (South Glens Falls UMC)
South Glens Falls 12803 (GPS)
Mailing Address: PO Box 590, Glens Falls, NY 12801
(518) 480-4866
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