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Please hold these people in prayer

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. We will post service arrangements as soon as they are available.

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

	Rev.Taylor

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 

 

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

" Tax Reform - What You Need To Know Webinar "

The new tax law has implications for employers, non-profits, churches, and individuals. On Wednesday, January 24, GCFA will sponsor a one-hour webinar on Tax Reform. This webinar will be presented by Blake Harrison, CPA, who is the Senior Manager of Tax Services, at LBMC, GCFA's internal audit firm.  In his presentation, Blake will break down the details of the new law and help you to understand its impact.

If you have a specific question about how your work with the church could be affected, email it to sharedservices@gcfa.org. Your question will be submitted to the webinar leader and every attempt will be made to answer your questions during the presentation. 
WHAT:  Tax Reform - What You Need to Know 
OUTLINE: The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is now in place.  It is wide-ranging tax reform that will impact ALL taxpayers including individuals, and churches.  In this presentation, we will break down the details of the new law in order to understand its impact.  We will also address questions individual taxpayers and non-profits should be asking.
WHEN:  Wednesday, January 24, 2018, 12:30 PM Eastern Time
WHERE:  Participate online using WebEx
HOW:  To register, Click here (Limited to the first 500 registrants.)  

*Please note if you are unable to attend, the recording will be posted on the  GCFA website after the Webinar. Click here

Clergy Taxes and Compensation Video 

 

Clergy face some distinctive tax regulations and often need guidance from tax professionals with experience working with clergy. The Lewis Center has prepared an informational video to help seminary students and clergy understand better the issues to which they and their tax preparers need to give attention. The video is used as part of a seminary class on Personal Finances for Religious Professionals. To view this 12-minute video on Clergy Compensation and Taxes Click here 

New Paperwork Coming Due ... 

With the start of a new year we may be inclined to say "Out with the old"and discard/destroy important records.  

Order Lenten Resources from Media Resource Center    

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. 

 

To learn more about the worship materials go to the worship website at Discipleship Ministries: Click here

  

 

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 

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

 

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

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.