Office of Connectional Ministries
New York Annual Conference

The delegation to General and Jurisdictional Conferences invites persons who would present themselves as potential endorsees for the Episcopal elections in July to offer themselves.  Deadline to apply:  December 16.  For more information and the Potential Episcopal Candidate form, click  here>.   

  

Two opportunities are being offered in December--December 10 and 17--to attend Disaster Preparedness and Response Training.  For detailed information and to register, click December ERT Training.

 

Application cycle deadlines:  February 1, 2012 and August 1, 2012.  For detailed information on application guidelines, limitations, and an application, click UMAMN Hunger and Poverty Grant.

  

Need ideas for your holiday shopping?  Would you like to give a gift to a Children's Home child?  Consider a gift to children in honor of a loved one.  Click List> to see how and for a list of most wanted items from our kids.

 

Designate a Sunday of your choosing as "Children's Home Sunday."  One of the unique features of programming at the Children's Home is the emphasis on meeting the spiritual needs of children and families.  Every child deserves a safe place.  To learn more, click here>.

  

This Special Sunday is January 15 or you can observe it on any day of the year.  This offering supports ministries that advocate for those often on the margins of society.  To order your free offering resources and learn more, click here>.

  

January 20-22, 2012:  a weekend youth event for all teenagers in the NY Annual Conference being held at the Taconic Retreat and Conference Center.  Meet other youth groups from all across the Conference!  Early registration through Jan. 9:  $179; registration as of Jan. 10:  $209.  For more information, to register and download flyers, click UMYouth.com. 

 

 

 

Do you have an interest in disability ministry and helping the church grow to be more inclusive of persons with disabilities?  If so, for interesting stories, information and resources from The United Methodist Task Force on Disability Ministries you are encouraged to read more>.

 

 

 

 

In many ways - great and small - God is made visible whenever Christians show love in tangible ways.  Rethink Church can shine a light on God's work in your community.  For opportunities for your congregation's involvement in 2012 and free resources,

click Rethink Church.

 

 

Five weekend courses at Epworth Camp and Retreat Center beginning in January.  For detailed information go to http://green-phoenix.org/.

 

 

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) -- The 2008 edition of the Book of Discipline, The United Methodist Church's official lawbook, is now available online without charge in a read and search version only.  General Conference, the denomination's top legislative body, revises and approves the Book of Discipline every four years.  the Book of Discipline will be revised next at the 2012 General Conference, making the 2008 edition obsolete.

 

We as stewards affirm the goodness of life.  We rejoice in accepting the abundance with which God has endowed the earth.  We commit ourselves to participate in God's redemptive intention for the world:  that all people should be able to live in peace and to enjoy the days of their lives free from hunger, disease, hopelessness, and oppression. (From "A Creed for Christian Stewardship")

United Methodist Church Creates New APP

Dr. Bob Farr, director of congregational excellence for the Missouri Annual Conference, and author of "Renovate or Die: Ten Ways to Focus Your Church on Mission" will be the guest speaker at the next Bishop's Convocation for Clergy and Spouses, January 17-19, 2012.  The brochure with all the information and registration form will be in the mail, or you may download them here.   

 

 

Here's this month's issue of "5 ways you can better equip Vital Congregations and make disciples of Jesus Christ" from GBOD.  To read them click November 5 Ways.

 

Clergy and laity leaders at all levels of the United Methodist Connection are called to work together in this opportunity to cast vision and set directive goals for our congregations. As each congregation sets reasonable, accessible and achievable goals based upon its individual context, and is equipped and resourced to meet those goals, the congregation readies itself to receive the fruits of God's harvest. Visit Vital Congregations on the New York Conference Web site for all the information.

 

From the Finance Office

January 1, 2012:  Conference Insurance Program Termination.  Letters explaining the change were sent to each participating church in early July.  Click here for letters. 

 

What does it really mean to be a United Methodist?  Find the answer to this question - and more - in these resources.  These free resources are available to you and are shipped via PLUS at no charge.  Order online at www.umcgiving.org/store; e-mail csc@umcom.org; or call toll free

(888) 346-3862.

• "The People of The United Methodist Church"  U.M. handbook - Product #84200209
• "Together We Can" brochure - Product #420809
• "Who We Are" brochure - Product #420709
• "Together We Can" DVD - Product #500310
• "Why We Apportion" - Product #500810
• "Why We Give" - Product #500710

• Treasurer's Remittance Forms, click nyac.com/pages/detail/1584.
• The NYAC 2011 Intercessory Prayer Calendar, click Intercessory Prayer.
• 2010 NYAC Journal, click www.nyac.com then under "Quick Links" select "2010 Journal."
• The NYAC Learning Center Resource Library, 20 Soundview Avenue, White Plains. To view a list of the resources go to www.nyac.com; click on "Resources"; then click "Resource Library" and enter your interest criteria to search for resources that meet your needs. 
• Video Licensing - Legally show movies for church activities.  Click here to visit the Christian Video Licensing Web site for more information. 

• Can I put YouTube Videos on my Church Website? For the answer click here.

Churches can add information on their own to the www.nyac.com Web site, including job postings for music directors/organist, young adult director, plus more!  For instructions on how, click Making Changes to Church Info.

 

By going to www.nyac.com and clicking on "Classifieds" postings can be viewed under the categories of "Instruction," "Items Available" or "Staff Openings" - or you can select the District you are interested in and view that way.  And best of all - IT'S EASY AND FREE!  Give it a try!

 

• January 23-25, 2012: "Ministry With the Marginalized" Forum on Clergy Leadership and Poverty for United Methodist Clergy, 35 and under, in the Northeast Jurisdiction. Hosted by the General Board of Church and Society in partnership with The General Board of Global Ministries. For information and to register, click Forum on Clergy Leadership and Poverty.

• Two events offered by Scarritt-Bennett Center, in Nashville, TN:

• January 23-26, 2012:  "Prayer: Holy Conversations with God" a retreat offers an opportunity to set-aside time for exploration of the many ways to connect with God through a prayerful heart.  For more information and to download a brochure, click Prayer Retreat.

• February 27-29, 2012:  "Creating Jazz Liturgy." A workshop for pastors, church musicians, worship planners, seminary students, and others interested in jazz as legitimate music for worship.  To learn more and to register, click Creating Jazz Liturgy. 

• Interpreter Magazine subscriptions:  Complete the online form by going to www.umcom.org/subscriptions. You will need your church's customer number and password.  Or print the online form, complete it and return via fax (615-742-5499), e-mail a PDF to csc@umcom.org), or mail it to P.O. Box 440229, Nashville, TN 37244-0229.
• The Professional Association of United Methodist Church Secretaries will hold its annual conference April 12-15, 2012 in Richmond, VA. For a brochure and to register online click PAUMCS Conference.
• New York/Connecticut District 2012 Lay Speaking Ministry Course:  Click here for the awesome January-March 2012 course schedule at Jesse Lee Memorial UMC in Ridgefield, CT.  Lay Speaking Ministries offers a valuable education in multiple ministry areas.  There are many options for serving in roles other than the traditional pulpit supply.  Teaching, serving, training, leading, following, participating, caring, loving, praying and communicating are integral parts of the course.  Lay Speakers are lively people ready to be called to action.  To register, please contact Elaine Winward, ewinward@optonline.net, (914) 669-5264.