NYUCC Happenings

UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST My Thoughts To Adapt Have you ever felt like most of the last two years has been a struggle to see how much we can adapt to a future we did not plan for? It feels like the last two pandemic/epidemic years have actually been like 20 “normal” years for businesses, relationships, institutions, and especially Churches. Does this match your experiences? When I think about adaptability, I think about the changes we want to make and changes we have to make. It is a struggle between doing things we need to thrive or moving slowly into the places where we change in order to just survive. How well have you made changes in your life and church community? On my back deck I have a small pot where I planted jalapenos, they were growing well- in fact two of the three were the largest I had seen before. There was a windstorm and the pot of jalapenos was knocked over, all three plants got damaged or snapped in half. I tried my best to plant the broken pieces in the soil. In my mind- I hoped all of them would live, thrive and become the plants I saw on the cover of the seed packet. However storms happen, they always do. In Luke 12:27- We are told to “Consider the lilies of the field-They neither Toil, Nor Spin” Luke is challenging us to think about the life of plants- seeing how they neither Work too hard (to Toil) nor waste energy in action (to Spin), instead the thriving plant finds the middle space to grow with purpose, and for the reason to produce good in the world. The secret to adapting in the plant (and jalapeno) world is to find the balance in what you do, to grab hold of the good soil just enough that you can continue to grow in the light of every new sunrise. A Prayer: God of Good soil and bright sunshine Help us to find the balance in our world And stay with us as we weather the storms of life May we adapt & grow-in the greatest of Hope. Amen – Rev. Ryan Henderson Rev Ryan W Henderson Associate Conference Minister New York Conference, United Church of Christ   The Sueli Alves Gaewsky Memorial Service Streaming SATURDAY, AUGUST 13, 2022 1PM If you would like to attend the memorial service via Zoom, please see details to follow: us02web.zoom.us/j/81195897611?pwd=aUljYnlPbjNjcWdxcVF1R1VFaFdXdz09 Meeting ID: 811 9589 7611 | Password: 112674 In memory of Sueli Alves Gaewsky, a fund for youth has been established in her honor. You may make a donation via check or online. For fund details visit uccny.org/sueli Checks should be made out to UCCNY and sent to UCCNY, PO Box 487, Syracuse, NY 13209, Attn: Sueli Fund. Gifts may be given online at Sueli Alves Gaewsky Cross Cultural Youth Experience Fund. REMEMBRANCE During the Annual Meeting, we took time to pause, reflect, and remember all of those who we hold dear to us that have transitioned in the last year or more. It is important for us all to allow for space to mourn, and to know that we are not alone in our moments of sorrow. If you feel you need a helping hand in grieving/mental health wellness, please email: sestilley@uccny.org   NY UCC Conference Connection What’s Happening at Your Local Church? ~ New York Conference Happenings now delivered on Fridays! ~ Have your church happenings included and shared throughout the New York Conference. Please email details, preferably with links and pictures to communications@uccny.org. Please note items received by Tuesday will be posted in that Friday’s mailing. Anything received after may be pushed to the following week. The New York Conference may not publish all submissions received. CONFERENCE TRANSITIONAL CORNER WE NEED TO HEAR FROM YOU! As our conference moves forward in this time of transition, your Transitional Conference Minister (TCM) and your Board are eager to hear from you as our transitional “plan” would not be complete without the input and insight of you, the members of the New York Conference. To facilitate meaningful and manageable dialogue, TCM Rev. Dr. Marsha Williams and Conference Moderator, Rev. Judy Van Kennen, are hosting Association-wide Town Hall Zoom meetings. This will be your opportunity to share your ideas, thoughts, hopes and dreams for the future of our conference. Where are we headed? What are the challenges before us? What ministries should we prioritize in the coming years? Please see the schedule of upcoming Town Hall gatherings. If you don’t see your association listed, DON’T PANIC! We are scheduling time with every association which will be announced soon. Mark your calendars and plan to join Marsha and Judy for faithful and fruitful conversation. Association Town Hall Gathering Dates & Zoom Information: September 7, 2022 – 6:00 pm Hudson-Mohawk Association September 13, 2022 – 6:00 pm Western Association September 20, 2022 – 6:00 pm Suffolk Association Join Zoom Meeting uccny-org.zoom.us/j/81397321342 Phone: 1-646-876-9923 Meeting ID: 813 9732 1342 One tap mobile +16468769923,,81397321342# US (New York) +16469313860,,81397321342# US   Pastor Andrew Hinman of Faith United Church (PCUSA & UCC) in Oswego, NY and Bristol Hill UCC in Volney, NY, rode his bike to the Annual Meeting this past June to fundraise towards the resettlement of an Afghan family to Oswego. The effort to resettle an Afghan refugee family in Oswego has been moving along. We’ve met and exceeded our fundraising goal, raising $12,248 so far. Thank you so much to NYUCC for the time, space and support at the annual meeting. Quite a few folks from around the Conference sent support, and I send my heartfelt thanks! See our post from June, and the updates as captured in the The Palladium Times.   LOCAL NY NEWS United Church of Bristol Henrietta United Church of Christ Have You Heard? Rev. Adriene Thorne Voted Senior Minister at The Riverside Church Journey United Church of Christ Worship & Potluck Picnic in the Park Sunday, August 14   ASSOCIATION MEETINGS Look out here for updated listings of the Fall Association Meetings. Please send your meeting details to your ACM or communications@uccny.org ANNUAL MEETING 2022 REWIND! See our full listing of videos conta.cc/39w2B2s and connect to business meeting details from the Annual Meeting www.uccny.org/annualmeeting Full announcement for Annual Meeting 2023 in Buffalo, New York to come. If you have any questions, please contact Rev. Ryan Henderson at rhenderson@uccny.org   REGISTRATION IS OPEN FOR BOUNDARY AWARENESS TRAINING AND RETIREE BAT www.uccny.info/BAT2022 Click on the link for the calendar, then click on each training for more information and to register. If you have questions regarding scheduling for an online BAT session please contact Lisa Delgado at lisadelgado@uccny.org. Culturally Responsive Ministry Training [CRMT] Module 1 – Culture & Race CRMT Calendar & Registration ATTN: ALL AUTHORIZED MINISTERS Dates listed for Each 6-hour CRMT session. Conducted online via Zoom. Questions? Please contact your association Committee on Ministry. Should you have registration questions, contact Lisa Delgado at lisadelgado@uccny.org. Scholarships available! Contact Rev. Marjorie Purnine, at mpurnine@uccny.org before registering. Registration is Open for NYSOM’s Fall Core Courses Two core ministry courses beginning September 2022 “Introduction to Christian Theology” Wednesdays 7-9pm beginning Sept. 7th with Rev. Steve Johnson “Liturgy & Worship” Thursdays 6:30-9pm beginning Sept. 15th with Rev. Michael Sloan NEW registration system and link! For course details and to register: www.shelbygiving.com/app/giving/new5575212?tab=home Should you have registration questions, contact Lisa Delgado at lisadelgado@uccny.org. Scholarships available! Contact Rev. Marjorie Purnine, at mpurnine@uccny.org before registering. WIDER UCC NEWS   Change is inevitable. Irrelevance isn’t. Get your church ready for the future. 7 Disruptive Church Trends That Will Define the Church of 2032 & How You Can Prepare Your Ministry For The Future. August 22 & 23 1 Hour Each Day Register for FREE careynieuwhof.com/church-disruption-summit/#register   Justice and Peace Action Network [JPANet] The Justice and Peace Action Network (JPANet) is our denomination’s grassroots advocacy network composed of individual members and local UCC congregations across the country. The JPANet both educates and engages its members in shaping public policy and keeping with God’s vision of a just and loving society. Our work is grounded in General Synod resolutions, consonant with historic UCC witness, and formed by a biblical understanding of prophetic ministry. Details Here   UCC Disaster Ministries Disaster Update, How to Help Event: Major Flooding and Severe Weather from Missouri to Eastern Kentucky and West Virginia Full Details Here Connect for news and updates: News – United Church of Christ (ucc.org), Disaster Ministries – United Church of Christ (ucc.org) Facebook One Great Hour of Sharing (UCC) Twitter @OGHS_at_UCC For more information, please contact Lesli Remaly (remalyl@ucc.org), Minister for Disaster Response and Recovery, or your Conference Disaster Coordinator.   Practical Resource Center Everyone Has a Calling – Ours Is Helping You! More Info   The Space Between: The Emerging Church in a Post-Pandemic World SEPTEMBER 19-21 Registration is now open for a major United Church of Christ summit “to imagine a church alive and vital in the world.” It will be held Sept. 19-21, online and in-person in St. Louis. Our ACM Rev. Shernell Edney Stilley has been a contributor to this event, and will be on site! Read More… Registration and More Info   UCC NEWS General Synod 34 Next Synod, will be in person; hybrid aspects being explored. Delegates and visitors will meet June 30 through July 4 at the Indianapolis Convention Center A basic website for the meeting is now in place. People will eventually be able to register for Synod and find agenda and other details there. One key document is already there: the Standing Rules, which guide Synod business and name important deadlines. There’s also a place there to sign up for Synod updates. Click here for General Synod site and details. or visit www.generalsynod.org United Church of Christ National Ministries General Council This year we have received a number of questions about third party use of property—both leasing and one-time or short-term use by individuals and groups. Check out the General Council Blog for articles addressing these concerns and more. – Leasing Church Property to a Tenant: What Churches Need to Know. (Leasing inquiries) – Allowing Third Parties to Use Church Property: What Churches Need to Know. (Facilities use) Additional articles on using photos of others in church media, and how to be political but not partisan. — Heather E. Kimmel (she/her) General Counsel United Church of Christ, National Ministries UCC.org   Continue to stay safe during gatherings this summer! Monitor your health daily Wash your hands often Test if you feel unwell or after attending big gatherings Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with hands If you feel unwell, stay home and seek medical care Stay current on vaccination and boosters If you must be around others and not feeling well, wear a mask CURRENT CDC UPDATE: www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2022/p0811-covid-guidance.html FREE TESTS AVAILABLE www.covid.gov/tests VACCINES and BOOSTER Finder www.vaccines.gov/search Get Medication for COVID-19 covid-19-test-to-treat-locator-dhhs.hub.arcgis.com Find FREE MASKS (N95 respirators) at a participating location near you. www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/free-masks.html Or call 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489)   CONNECT WITH YOUR ACM All Are Invited An Associate Conference Minister is available 2nd Wednesdays 11am – 12noon Virtual Office Hours via Zoom uccny-org.zoom.us/j/86851669770 Meeting ID: 868 5166 9770 Passcode: UCCNY We are here to listen, to have you bounce ideas off of us, to ask for specific resources, to pray and perhaps even to laugh together. CALL US We are small, but mighty! Your New York Conference staff continues to work hard to provide you the resources and information you need. Please note our LIVE coverage phone hours Monday-Friday 10am-Noon 315-446-3073 All other times, you can reach us via our 24-hour voice operated service. Please leave a message, and we will get back to you! NEW YORK CONFERENCE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST Officers & Board Members   NEW YORK CONFERENCE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST Today… Tomorrow… Together NY UCC Capital Campaign Video Here Support the New York Conference Amazon Smile Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to the New York Conference of United Church of Christ whenever you shop on AmazonSmile. AmazonSmile is the same Amazon you know. Same products, same prices, same service. Click to sign up: Amazon Smile Donate Directly Contribute to the New York Conference of the United Church of Christ today with an online contribution. 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