NYAC Centering and Reflection Time
May 20, 2021
A Reflection for Pentecost: What do you hear in these sounds? There is sometimes a disconnect between what we see and expect, based on what we see and what we hear, explains Rev. Dr. Karen Monk, Superintendent of the Catskill Hudson District of the New York Annual Conference.
In today’s world, things like an accent, a bumper sticker, accent, a tattoo, a pickup, Tesla or a skin tone often impairs our hearing. Is your hearing impaired? If so, Rev. Monk says, it may mean that you miss the opportunity for a blessing and life-changing encounter with the spirit of God.
May 13, 2021
Today is our penultimate Thursday Centering and Reflection Time. To mark the coming end of this NYAC series, Revs. Matt Curry, Doris Dalton, David Gilmore and Jenna Johnson are back together again.
Their discussion focuses on where they are, where they’re going and all they’ve learned in the year since the series began as a way to uplift and encourage clergy/laity self-care.
Watch and you'll glean more than a few sentimental reflections, thoughtful nuggets and moments of true connection.
May 6, 2021
How do you answer God’s daily call to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with our God? Pastor Ximena Diaz and Certified Lay Minister Michael Butler, both of First United Methodist Church in Torrington, Connecticut, remind us of how God calls both clergy and laity to serve God in partnership with one another.
April 29, 2021
In this season it’s almost too easy to blame God when we face seemingly insurmountable challenges, explains Pastor Wayne Redman of the Seaford UMC in Long Island. In this week’s reflection, Pastor Wayne reminds us of the importance of turning our eyes, focus and direction on Jesus during difficult times.
April 22, 2021
We call Jesus by many names, including Savior, Deliverer, and Redeemer. Above all, Jesus is Lord.
Today’s devotional by Pastor Lee Stowe, from the Shandaken Memorial Church, and Carol Merante, from the Reservoir Church, reminds us that there is great love and power in the Name above all names: Jesus.
April 15, 2021
Scripture continuously calls upon us to praise God in all we do—not just on Sunday morning. But how do we do this in a way that truly gives all glory and honor to God?
In today's reflection, Karin L. Squires, Pastor of the Olivebridge and Samsonville Churches in our Catskill Hudson District, reminds us that praise is "conscious admiration" and that we are to praise God with our whole being.
April 8, 2021
Is your glass half-full or half-empty? The way your answer this question is about perspective, how you view yourself, the world and ultimately God, Reverend Elizabeth Abel, Pastor of Cornerstone Community Church in Norwalk, Connecticut explains in this week’s Centering and Reflection moment.
Watch for an understanding of why “looking at the glass half-full is a gift, an awareness of that in its fullness we can never lose. There is enough for you and me.”
March 18, 2021
A question to the faith leaders in the New York Annual Conference: Who are the faithful and faith-filled women who raised you, who poured into you and nurtured a desire to become a preacher and teacher of the Gospel?
In this week’s deeply personal reflection, Rev. Doris K. Dalton (NYAC Director of Leadership Development and Intercultural Competency) honors the Women of Faith who demonstrated God’s love in a way that has been unforgettable, inspiring and impactful to solidify the covenant that God has written upon her heart.
March 11, 2021
Judy Lang is a Certified Lay Minister serving at the Nichols UMC in Trumbull, CT. In this week's reflection, Judy reminds us that when we seek God first, God will guide each step we take — one step at a time. We don't need to see the whole picture all at once; we just need to trust God for what comes next.
March 4, 2021
In this week’s reflection, Tom and Wendy Vencuss, NYAC’s Coordinators for Mission & Disaster Recovery and Abundant Health, respectively, challenge us to envision a new future rather than a new normal.
Moving forward from disaster to recovery, how will we be God’s Church in a post-pandemic world?
February 25, 2021
During this week’s devotional, Karin Squires, pastor of the Olivebridge and Samsonville Churches in Catskill Hudson, reminds us that music is from God and can draw us back to God. When our attention wanders and we grow anxious because of all that is going on in our lives, Pastor Karin encourages us to “turn our eyes upon Jesus” to help us regain our perspective.
February 18, 2021
Rev. Sejin Cha, pastor of the Ulster Heights and St. Mark’s: Napanoch churches in the Catskill Hudson District, provides us with some “food for thought” in this week’s reflection. When we gather together for a meal, we overcome barriers, we learn to delight in each other, and we become family. Our time together is sacred time.
February 11, 2021
Today's Centering and Reflection moment is from the Closing Worship Service of Bishop's Convocation 2021.
We pray that you watch (again) and use this moment to reflect, take time for yourself and just breathe...
February 4, 2021
Rev. Jenna Johnson, Youth Ministry Coordinator for the New York Annual Conference, offers this week's reflection on the importance of staying the course, pushing through and trusting in the work that God is doing in our midst —even when you're feeling stuck in a rut.
January 28, 2021
Today’s Centering and Reflection is offered by Marie Bell from Trinity-Boscobel United Methodist Church in Buchanan, New York. Bell, a certified lay speaker for the NY/CT District, offers a message (What Does God See in Your Mirror?) that is based on James 1:22-24.
January 21, 2021
Today’s Centering and Reflection is offered by Reverend Dr. Marva Usher-Kerr of Freeport United Methodist Church. The message (based on today's scripture: Genesis 45: 3-11) focuses on the joy and wonder that God-designed surprises bring into our lives.
January 14, 2021
Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton will offer this week’s Centering & Reflection entitled, “We need the Light.”
We’re two weeks into our journey through 2021, and the year is already rife with uncertainty. We need the light… We need to actively pursue the manifestation of the Christ Child in our midst and seek religious assurance, stability, hopefulness and faithfulness. But it will require us to walk in faith—and follow the light.
January 7, 2021
This week's reflection entitled, "Epiphany and the Chalking of Doors," is offered by Margaret Howe, New York Annual Conference Secretary and an active lay servant for the New Paltz United Methodist Church (NPUMC). In her devotional, Howe reminds us how the story of the three magi and door chalking go together as a blessing that takes on new significance in today's world. The music is provided Lee Pritchard, NPUMC director of music, Margaret's husband, and a retired SUNY New Paltz music professor and conductor.
December 24, 2020
Merry Christmas from Bishop Bickerton and the entire New York Annual Conference family! Bishop's message for this unprecedented season is simple: Do not be afraid. This Christmas, our faith—defined as a complete trust in God's presence—must sustains us. In 2020, we are and have been afraid. Yet, God is with us today, tomorrow and always. Have faith...
This week's Centering and Reflection message is offered by Rev. Jenna Johnson, Youth Ministry Coordinator
for the New York Annual Conference, who offers a timely message on the importance of our willingness to bear
witness and work as collaborators with God working to make the world more like the kin-dom of Christ.
Go here to watch now. (DECEMBER 16, 2020)
A Centering and Reflection message from Doris Dalton, NYAC Director of Leadership Development
and Intercultural Competency. Watch as Rev. Dalton offers a hope-filled message on the "Audacity
of Joy" in this unprecedented Advent season as a declaration of our belief that God's promises are real. (DECEMBER 10, 2020)
Matt Curry, Director of Connectional Ministries for the New York Annual Conference, offers an Advent Centering and Reflection message on the increased importance of hope, love, joy and peace during these broken and unfixed times. Go here to watch now. (DECEMBER 3, 2020)
