New York Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church

Teeing up for our 12:45 start! Thanks and shout outs to everyone on the NYAC Annual Conference team for their attention to safety, detail and excellence as we move forward in this unfamiliar way.

A very different Annual Conference this year, yet blessings still abound.... We’ll go live here on Facebook and also on YouTube at 12:45 sharp.

The pews of the Church of St Paul and St Andrew (NYC) have made the front page of the New York Times for their use as an extension of the church's incredible food ministry. During this difficult season, food insecurity is on the rise in many of our communities. We thank God for the faithful ministries like this one! How is your congregation feeding the community?

What's your story and are you prepared to tell it? It's in unprecedented times like these that our individual stories of pain, triumph over adversity, hope, and deep faith are needed to be the glue that binds us together. With this in mind, all NYAC members are invited to take part in a unique opportunity on Saturday, November 7, 2020 to learn what it takes to find, nurture and share a your personal story in a way that educates, informs, and inspires. Space is limited, so please go here to learn more and register: https://bit.ly/3k8sW6N

#Weareallweary. All of us...

Is yours an Anti-Racist Congregation? The sad truth is, "love your neighbor" can be a challenging concept for some Christians. But it is still possible to create an anti-racist congregation. To find out how, register for tomorrow's evening of education and fellowship hosted by the Methodist Federation for Social Action of New York. The MFSA New York Fall 2020 Virtual Banquet begins at 6:30 sharp and the event will take place online, via Zoom. It'll be a fruitful online even...ing of fellowship and ample opportunities to learn and grow together with guest speaker, M. Garlinda Burton, the current interim general secretary and CEO of the Washington, D.C.-based General Commission on Religion and Race. Get the flyer here: https://bit.ly/340zkaO Register here: https://bit.ly/3dqhMYF

Applications for the 2020 Young Clergy Debt Assistance Program are being accepted now. If you're forty-years-old or younger, appointed as a licensed local pastor, ordained, or in the process of becoming an ordained deacon or elder in the New York Annual Conference, go here to learn more: https://bit.ly/3jRdzzz

In a conciliar statement issued today (one that in this context does not speak FOR the church, but TO the church) and signed by more than 50 United Methodist Bishops (including Bishop Bickerton) United Methodists are encouraged to vote to protect free and fair elections and the peaceful transfer of power. Read the statement here: https://bit.ly/3dj2SmZ Council of Bishops President Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey is clear that today's statement is not of or from the Council of Bishops, adding " in our journey toward dismantling racism, a core practice is the history of voter suppression and the encouragement of the right to vote. We seek to ground this in our tradition and in the present moment. Get voting information: https://bit.ly/310p3t3

The Rev. Rice entered Life Eternal on October 6, 2020 with his family at his side. He leaves his wife Nancy and four children including Pastor Martha Epstein. R...ichard Rice was a member of the New York East and New York Annual Conferences and served many churches. He served as the District Superintendent of the Metropolitan and Long Island East Districts and Associate Executive Director of the United Methodist City Society. See more

What does it take to create an anti-racist congregation? To find out, mark your calendars for Thursday, October 15 at 6:30pm and plan to attend the New York Chapter of Methodist Federation for Social Action (MFSA) Fall Virtual Banquet. Register here: https://bit.ly/3jE4WrU As you probably know, MFSA is a longstanding group that has worked for racial, economic, and gender justice in the UMC and the larger world. This year's Virtual Fall "banquet" will provide an evening of on...line fellowship and a presentation by Garlinda Burton, the new General Secretary of the General Commission on Religion and Race on How to be an Anti-Racist Congregation. Long-time MFSA member and activist, Rev. Jim Veatch, who passed away this Spring, will be honored during the event.

How many of you have read the Prayer for Civility in a Divisive World? It's a much-needed prayer meditation that reminds us that we are made in God's image and the world will know we are Christians by our love and our words: Everywhere we turn these days we see and hear the reminders of a world divided on so many issues. Social media is full of heated debates and angry words. God, help us remember that we are made in Your image. Guide our words towards civility and wisdom i...n discourse and discussion. Teach us as people of faith, to model love for our neighbors in all conversations, whether public or private. You have called us to be salt and light to our nation and to the world. Empower us to be peacemakers with our words. Amen

Did you know that member churches of the City Society from the Long Island East, Long Island West, Metropolitan and the New York-Connecticut district are entitled to a vote in conducting the business of the Society and the election of the Board of Directors for the coming year? Learn more and register to attend on November 8 to cast your vote: https://bit.ly/3nedfgi

A thought for Monday... Showing kindness and treating others as you would like to be treated shouldn't be difficult, right?