We celebrate the growing number of those who worship with us online and in person. Be sure to offer a warm welcome to our newer visitors. Weekly coffee hour will be held in the Connections Café. Coloring sheets for children, offering envelopes, and mission collection baskets are located near both entrances to the church. We ask that you maintain social distancing to keep everyone safe. Masking when entering or exiting is encouraged. Covid rates have risen lately.
To the Congregation
As many of you know who attend service or attend on-line, Pastor Kelly has taken a Spiritual Renewal Leave for the month of June. She made this decision based on the following:
From The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church, 2016 Paragraph 350. Continuing Education and Spiritual Growth –
SPRC immediately asked for any Pulpit Supply lists available to us and started calling for coverage for the month.
We have been very blessed to have had Ruth Persons fill in on 5/29, Reverend Long on June 5 and Barbara Hurley for June 12. For this Sunday, June 19, we have Arlene Schmidt for our service and on June 26th, Ilah Sisson Walser has committed to do our service. At this time, we are expecting Pastor Kelly will return on July 3. SPRC has been in contact with Pastor Kelly as well as with our DS for updates.
Blessings, Staff Parish Committee
Church Building Restoration Fund
The restoration project on the church building has restarted. During this time there will be areas of the sidewalk and the parking lot which will be closed off. We are looking forward to this restoration to make repairs and enhance the longevity of the masonry, etc. You can give online by clicking here (use the pull down menu to give to the Restoration Fund) OR give with cash or check through the weekly offering, or mail your contribution to the church at 101 Milton Ave. Please clearly identify that the money is to be used for the Church Building Restoration Fund. Thank you for your support.
Music Ministries
We would like to enhance and expand our music ministries. Even though Covid social distancing requirements are still in effect, we are able to have singers lead hymns and individuals can present a variety of special music offerings. We can also have a handbell quartet (no previous experience in ringing is required). If you feel called to help, here are some ways you can participate:
New Church Directory
It’s been 8 years since our last church directory was created, so we are going to create a new one using our own photographer and volunteers for putting the data into a computer program for creating directories. The data will then be taken to a printer for creating the finished directory.
We are inviting all church members, their families, and friends of our church, who would like to be included in the directory to participate. You may do so by one of the following methods.
Photography Information:
Pictures taken will be used for the directory only and are not for sale to individuals. Having your picture taken will indicate your permission for the picture to be used in the church directory. Photos will be taken at the church in the Connections Café on June 28, 29 and 30 between 4:00 - 8:00 pm.
To make an appointment call Dolores & George Wilson at 518-885-1636; leave your name and phone number for a return call if not answered initially. When making an appointment you will be asked for your contact information to be included in the directory (address, home and/or cell phone number, and email addresses).
Exciting News! Hannaford Helps Reusable Bag Program
We are so excited to share that our Food Pantry has been selected to be a part of the Hannaford Helps Reusable Bag Program, which is designed to make it easy for customers to contribute to their local community while supporting the environment.
For the month of June, each time a $2.50 reusable Fight Hunger Bag is purchased at the Hannaford located at 11 Trieble Avenue, Ballston Spa NY, $1 will be donated to Ballston Spa United Methodist Church Food Pantry. Shoppers can also support our organization by purchasing a reusable Fight Hunger Bag online via Hannaford-To-Go. This is a great way to raise awareness, support the environment and fundraise for our cause.
Let’s get started! We can begin by spreading the news to our friends and family. Call, send emails, and post on social media. The more people who learn about the program and purchase the Fight Hunger Bag during the month of June, the more money we will raise.
To learn more about this program, please visit hannaford.bags4mycause.com.
Pill Bottle Collection
We will again collect empty prescription bottles for reuse through the ministry called Matthew 25 out in Ohio. The labels need to be removed, the bottles washed out and dried, and packed into large zip-lock bags. There will be a box for the collection at church - keep watch for it.
Pop Your Top for Ronald McDonald
Don’t forget to save the pull-tabs from cans for the Ronald McDonald House Charities. RMHC serves millions of families each year through Ronald McDonald House programs for families who travel far from home for care, Family Room Projects providing comfort while in the hospital and Mobile Programs bringing health care resources to underserved communities where they’re needed most. It’s a no-cost mission. There is a container in the Connections Café for the tabs.
Layettes for the Four Corners Native American Ministry
A thank you note has been received from Four Corners Native American Ministry:
"Dear Ilah and friends,
Thank you so much for the layette sets. We were so happy when the blankets arrived and now the rest has arrived, and we can arrange it into one set to give out.
We truly appreciate your generosity. The new sets will help us welcome new babies into this world. Once again, we are touching lives and making a difference.
Blessings upon you all always. Rev. Tweedy Navarrete, Executive Director"
We have sent the initial shipments of blankets and hats from here and have had the sleepers drop shipped via Amazon directly to New Mexico. More to follow. Thank you to all who have donated so far. We welcome anyone to join in this mission project by making a contribution via the church, labeled clearly as donation for the Layette Ministry. If you are making items, they can be left in the white basket in the Connections Cafe. Thank you.
- Ilah Sisson Walser
Fair Trade
How is your sweet tooth? Looking for chocolate? There’s only a few left! We still have some Panama Extra Dark, Orange and Caramel Crunch with Sea Salt on hand. We also still have Breakfast Blend and Hazelnut Coffee, Decaf Coffee, tea and hot cocoa for sale. Just call or email Stan Lockwood (518.885.1552 0r stosh964@gmail.com) . Thank you to those who support this ministry at BSUMC.
Did You Know?
Our services are posted to Facebook and on our website. If you Like it on Facebook and share it, it will reach many more people than if it is just on our Facebook page. You can also direct anyone to the Recent Posts page of this site (https://www.ballstonspaumchurch.org/recent-posts), which is where the service is posted weekly. This would be spreading the Word of God, as we are told to do in the Bible.
Virtual Coffee Hour
We are pausing our virtual Coffee Hour during the summer months.
Thrift Shop and Food Pantry
The Thrift Shop is open Tuesdays from 9:30 till noon; the Food Pantry is open on Wednesdays, also from 9:30 till noon.
Thank you to the people who donate their time and effort to make all of these offerings possible. There are many clients and they appreciate your help.
Skye Farm Summer Camp
Yay! Camp is back and registration is open! Fun activities for kids ages 3 - 18 are awaiting! Traditional activities like water fun, arts & crafts, games, and hiking as well as ice cream for breakfast, star gazing, and slime! Check out all the possibilities at skyefarmcamp.org. There is a 40% sibling discount, plus BSUMC camperships are available for our members. You do not have to attend a Methodist church in order to go to camp, so tell your friends. Questions? Contact Linda Sheeran at 518-885-1729 or lsheeran6@gmail.com.
Prayer Group
Please consider joining our prayer group. This is an on-line way of praying for each other’s needs and praising God for what is happening in each other’s lives. If you would be interested in being involved, please either call or email the office and you can be set up.
This week's prayer concerns:
Please reach out to people who are alone during this time. A card or phone call will let them know they are not alone or forgotten.
Supporting the humanitarian response in Ukraine
The General Board of Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church is deeply troubled by the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and the ominous implications it has for escalating tensions between Russia and Western nations. They join many Christian leaders and organizations worldwide in deploring the Russian invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, and they ardently pray for a redirection of military action toward diplomatic measures to resolve grievances.
The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), the humanitarian relief arm of Global Ministries, is in communication with partners in the region and actively exploring the coordination of humanitarian response in Ukraine. You can support UMCOR’s international disaster response efforts by writing a check with either Advance#982450/Ukraine or UMCOR/Ukraine written in the memo line, or by visiting UMCOR's disaster response webpage.
Other giving opportunities in response to the war in Ukraine
Individuals can give directly to the Ukrainian people through local church offerings by writing a check with Advance #14053A in the memo line of the checks. These checks can be placed in an offering plate. The Ukraine UMC has created a crisis committee that will oversee all the global support that is coming in through UMCOR’s Advance #14053A “Eurasia In Mission Together - Ukraine and Moldova.” The money channeled through this Advance fund will go to the Ukraine UMC church account and decisions on how this will be used will be considered by the crisis committee, which includes pastors as well as lay leaders.
UMCOR also offers other opportunities for more specific giving to Ukrainian refugees in Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, and Romania. You can designate giving by stating it is for "Ukrainian Refugee support" to the following Advance numbers.
UMCOR Thanks You
United Methodist Committee on Relief thanks you for your recent gifts for the UMCOR International Disaster Response and Recovery and the UMCOR US Disaster Response and Recovery. This will help the people of Ukraine as well as the people right here in the United States.
Purchase Hoffman Car Wash Tickets to Help Ukraine
The Helping Hands/Hoffman car wash site is active if you would like to purchase car wash tickets! BSUMC + Hoffman Car Wash + UMCOR Ukraine. Buy car wash tickets and our church receives 50% of the sale!! 100% of the money BSUMC receives will go to UMCOR Ukraine. WIN - WIN!!! Clean Car and money to help the people of Ukraine. These car wash tickets never expire!! Purchase for teachers, babysitters, newspaper deliverers, gifts, etc.
Click here to purchase on-line and print out your car wash coupons immediately. Make sure the UPC code is showing BEFORE printing.
Upcoming Events
June 26 - Ilah Sisson Walser leads worship
July 3 - Pastor Kelly returns to worship
July 16 - Church Rummage Sale
Celebrations!
If you have a birthday, anniversary, or graduation to celebrate, please send it to the office. We love to celebrate!
We're celebrating three birthdays this week:
We have one anniversary this week. Kelly and Albert Schmidt will be celebrating their anniversary on June 19. Happy anniversary to the Schmidts!
Next week in worship:
Sound Mark Warner
Projection Katie Warner
Liturgist George Wilson
Children’s Time Linda Sheeran
Ushers Conrad Dorau & Mary Drake
Music Cathy King
Coffee Hour Melody Babcock & Kelly Schmidt
If you would like to volunteer to help with Sunday services, please contact Ruth Persons after church.
Community Bulletin Board
Rummage Sale
Saratoga Springs UMC at 175 Fifth Ave will have a Summer Garage and Rummage Sale. The sale will take place from 8 AM to 4 PM Friday, June 24 and 8 AM to 11 AM Saturday, June 25.
Sight & Sound Theater trip
St. Luke’s Episcopal Church is sponsoring a trip to Lancaster, PA to see “David” live on stage July 27-28. For more information, please check out the flyer on the bulletin board in the hall.
Have a blessed week
To the Congregation
As many of you know who attend service or attend on-line, Pastor Kelly has taken a Spiritual Renewal Leave for the month of June. She made this decision based on the following:
From The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church, 2016 Paragraph 350. Continuing Education and Spiritual Growth –
- Throughout their careers, clergy shall engage in continuing education for ministry, professional development, and spiritual formation and growth in order to lead the church in fulfilling the mission of making disciples for Jesus Christ. This shall include carefully developed personal programs of study augmented periodically by involvement in organized educational and spiritual growth activities. These practices embody the Wesleyan emphasis on life-long growth in faith, fostered by personal spiritual practices and participation in covenant communities. Each annual conference, through the chairs of the Clergy Orders and Fellowship or other leaders designated by the bishop, shall provide spiritual enrichment opportunities and covenant groups for deacons, elders, and local pastors.
- A clergy member’s continuing education and spiritual growth program shall include professional formation leaves at least one week each year and may include at least one month during one year of every quadrennium. Such leaves shall not be considered as part of the ministers’ vacations and shall be planned in consultation with their charges or other agencies to which they are appointed as well as the bishop, district superintendent, and annual conference continuing education committee.
SPRC immediately asked for any Pulpit Supply lists available to us and started calling for coverage for the month.
We have been very blessed to have had Ruth Persons fill in on 5/29, Reverend Long on June 5 and Barbara Hurley for June 12. For this Sunday, June 19, we have Arlene Schmidt for our service and on June 26th, Ilah Sisson Walser has committed to do our service. At this time, we are expecting Pastor Kelly will return on July 3. SPRC has been in contact with Pastor Kelly as well as with our DS for updates.
Blessings, Staff Parish Committee
Church Building Restoration Fund
The restoration project on the church building has restarted. During this time there will be areas of the sidewalk and the parking lot which will be closed off. We are looking forward to this restoration to make repairs and enhance the longevity of the masonry, etc. You can give online by clicking here (use the pull down menu to give to the Restoration Fund) OR give with cash or check through the weekly offering, or mail your contribution to the church at 101 Milton Ave. Please clearly identify that the money is to be used for the Church Building Restoration Fund. Thank you for your support.
Music Ministries
We would like to enhance and expand our music ministries. Even though Covid social distancing requirements are still in effect, we are able to have singers lead hymns and individuals can present a variety of special music offerings. We can also have a handbell quartet (no previous experience in ringing is required). If you feel called to help, here are some ways you can participate:
- help lead the congregation in singing hymns - we rehearse the hymns at 10 am before church, and there is no need to lead every week
- sing a solo or duet
- play a musical instrument, either as a solo or to accompany hymns or other music
- be part of a handbell quartet
New Church Directory
It’s been 8 years since our last church directory was created, so we are going to create a new one using our own photographer and volunteers for putting the data into a computer program for creating directories. The data will then be taken to a printer for creating the finished directory.
We are inviting all church members, their families, and friends of our church, who would like to be included in the directory to participate. You may do so by one of the following methods.
- Sign up for your picture to be taken (see dates and times below).
- Send in your own recent picture to the church office.
Photography Information:
Pictures taken will be used for the directory only and are not for sale to individuals. Having your picture taken will indicate your permission for the picture to be used in the church directory. Photos will be taken at the church in the Connections Café on June 28, 29 and 30 between 4:00 - 8:00 pm.
To make an appointment call Dolores & George Wilson at 518-885-1636; leave your name and phone number for a return call if not answered initially. When making an appointment you will be asked for your contact information to be included in the directory (address, home and/or cell phone number, and email addresses).
Exciting News! Hannaford Helps Reusable Bag Program
We are so excited to share that our Food Pantry has been selected to be a part of the Hannaford Helps Reusable Bag Program, which is designed to make it easy for customers to contribute to their local community while supporting the environment.
For the month of June, each time a $2.50 reusable Fight Hunger Bag is purchased at the Hannaford located at 11 Trieble Avenue, Ballston Spa NY, $1 will be donated to Ballston Spa United Methodist Church Food Pantry. Shoppers can also support our organization by purchasing a reusable Fight Hunger Bag online via Hannaford-To-Go. This is a great way to raise awareness, support the environment and fundraise for our cause.
Let’s get started! We can begin by spreading the news to our friends and family. Call, send emails, and post on social media. The more people who learn about the program and purchase the Fight Hunger Bag during the month of June, the more money we will raise.
To learn more about this program, please visit hannaford.bags4mycause.com.
Pill Bottle Collection
We will again collect empty prescription bottles for reuse through the ministry called Matthew 25 out in Ohio. The labels need to be removed, the bottles washed out and dried, and packed into large zip-lock bags. There will be a box for the collection at church - keep watch for it.
Pop Your Top for Ronald McDonald
Don’t forget to save the pull-tabs from cans for the Ronald McDonald House Charities. RMHC serves millions of families each year through Ronald McDonald House programs for families who travel far from home for care, Family Room Projects providing comfort while in the hospital and Mobile Programs bringing health care resources to underserved communities where they’re needed most. It’s a no-cost mission. There is a container in the Connections Café for the tabs.
Layettes for the Four Corners Native American Ministry
A thank you note has been received from Four Corners Native American Ministry:
"Dear Ilah and friends,
Thank you so much for the layette sets. We were so happy when the blankets arrived and now the rest has arrived, and we can arrange it into one set to give out.
We truly appreciate your generosity. The new sets will help us welcome new babies into this world. Once again, we are touching lives and making a difference.
Blessings upon you all always. Rev. Tweedy Navarrete, Executive Director"
We have sent the initial shipments of blankets and hats from here and have had the sleepers drop shipped via Amazon directly to New Mexico. More to follow. Thank you to all who have donated so far. We welcome anyone to join in this mission project by making a contribution via the church, labeled clearly as donation for the Layette Ministry. If you are making items, they can be left in the white basket in the Connections Cafe. Thank you.
- Ilah Sisson Walser
Fair Trade
How is your sweet tooth? Looking for chocolate? There’s only a few left! We still have some Panama Extra Dark, Orange and Caramel Crunch with Sea Salt on hand. We also still have Breakfast Blend and Hazelnut Coffee, Decaf Coffee, tea and hot cocoa for sale. Just call or email Stan Lockwood (518.885.1552 0r stosh964@gmail.com) . Thank you to those who support this ministry at BSUMC.
Did You Know?
Our services are posted to Facebook and on our website. If you Like it on Facebook and share it, it will reach many more people than if it is just on our Facebook page. You can also direct anyone to the Recent Posts page of this site (https://www.ballstonspaumchurch.org/recent-posts), which is where the service is posted weekly. This would be spreading the Word of God, as we are told to do in the Bible.
Virtual Coffee Hour
We are pausing our virtual Coffee Hour during the summer months.
Thrift Shop and Food Pantry
The Thrift Shop is open Tuesdays from 9:30 till noon; the Food Pantry is open on Wednesdays, also from 9:30 till noon.
Thank you to the people who donate their time and effort to make all of these offerings possible. There are many clients and they appreciate your help.
Skye Farm Summer Camp
Yay! Camp is back and registration is open! Fun activities for kids ages 3 - 18 are awaiting! Traditional activities like water fun, arts & crafts, games, and hiking as well as ice cream for breakfast, star gazing, and slime! Check out all the possibilities at skyefarmcamp.org. There is a 40% sibling discount, plus BSUMC camperships are available for our members. You do not have to attend a Methodist church in order to go to camp, so tell your friends. Questions? Contact Linda Sheeran at 518-885-1729 or lsheeran6@gmail.com.
Prayer Group
Please consider joining our prayer group. This is an on-line way of praying for each other’s needs and praising God for what is happening in each other’s lives. If you would be interested in being involved, please either call or email the office and you can be set up.
This week's prayer concerns:
- Please keep Glenn Harrison and his cousin Jeff in your prayers as they face the Covid challenge.
- Diane Solotruck asks for prayers for all who are having health uncertainty at this time.
- Ruth Persons asks for prayers for her friend Theresa and family following her father’s passing.
- The Wilsons offer a prayer of thanksgiving for their granddaughter who just graduated from high school.
- Claire Williams asks for prayers for her children Jessica and Chris after the passing of their father.
- Joyce Carter asks for prayers for her son David and grandson August who have Covid.
- Terri Knowlton found out that one of their practice owners, Dr. Dale Ching, was in a biking accident in Florida: he broke his neck, several bones in his face, and some of his teeth were knocked out. Please lift him up in prayer!
- Terri Knowlton’s friend, Mike Lawson, is caring for his mother, Margaret Roberts, who is suffering from dementia. This has been really hard on him and his stepfather, Chuck. They are trying to figure out the best long term care options.
- Terri Knowlton asks for prayers for her friend, Meghan, and for Tim's niece, Tiarra, for continued healthy pregnancies.
- Terri Knowlton also asks for prayers for guidance in regard to knee surgery. She needs to get the process started and is having a lot of anxiety about it.
- Please keep Bob Elbertson in your prayers as he continues to recuperate at home.
- Cathy King asks for continued prayers for her sister-in-law, Linda. She is better and home from the hospital but has a long recovery.
- Please continue to keep Bill Haege, Marilynn Peterson, and Pat Jones in your prayers.
Please reach out to people who are alone during this time. A card or phone call will let them know they are not alone or forgotten.
Supporting the humanitarian response in Ukraine
The General Board of Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church is deeply troubled by the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and the ominous implications it has for escalating tensions between Russia and Western nations. They join many Christian leaders and organizations worldwide in deploring the Russian invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, and they ardently pray for a redirection of military action toward diplomatic measures to resolve grievances.
The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), the humanitarian relief arm of Global Ministries, is in communication with partners in the region and actively exploring the coordination of humanitarian response in Ukraine. You can support UMCOR’s international disaster response efforts by writing a check with either Advance#982450/Ukraine or UMCOR/Ukraine written in the memo line, or by visiting UMCOR's disaster response webpage.
Other giving opportunities in response to the war in Ukraine
Individuals can give directly to the Ukrainian people through local church offerings by writing a check with Advance #14053A in the memo line of the checks. These checks can be placed in an offering plate. The Ukraine UMC has created a crisis committee that will oversee all the global support that is coming in through UMCOR’s Advance #14053A “Eurasia In Mission Together - Ukraine and Moldova.” The money channeled through this Advance fund will go to the Ukraine UMC church account and decisions on how this will be used will be considered by the crisis committee, which includes pastors as well as lay leaders.
UMCOR also offers other opportunities for more specific giving to Ukrainian refugees in Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, and Romania. You can designate giving by stating it is for "Ukrainian Refugee support" to the following Advance numbers.
- Hungary In Mission Together (Advance # 00175A)
- Poland In Mission Together (Advance # 00408A)
- Romania In Mission Together (Advance #00211A)
- Slovakia In Mission Together (Advance # 00236A)
UMCOR Thanks You
United Methodist Committee on Relief thanks you for your recent gifts for the UMCOR International Disaster Response and Recovery and the UMCOR US Disaster Response and Recovery. This will help the people of Ukraine as well as the people right here in the United States.
Purchase Hoffman Car Wash Tickets to Help Ukraine
The Helping Hands/Hoffman car wash site is active if you would like to purchase car wash tickets! BSUMC + Hoffman Car Wash + UMCOR Ukraine. Buy car wash tickets and our church receives 50% of the sale!! 100% of the money BSUMC receives will go to UMCOR Ukraine. WIN - WIN!!! Clean Car and money to help the people of Ukraine. These car wash tickets never expire!! Purchase for teachers, babysitters, newspaper deliverers, gifts, etc.
Click here to purchase on-line and print out your car wash coupons immediately. Make sure the UPC code is showing BEFORE printing.
- Exterior only: $13 - Your vehicle enters a modern car wash bay where it receives a soft-cloth wash followed by touch-free air drying.
- Full Service Car wash: $43 - Your vehicle first receives an Exterior Car Wash. Car care attendants then vacuum the carpets, seats and ashtrays and wipe the interior windows, dashboard and doorjambs. Finally, they add an air freshener of your choice, and the exterior of your vehicle is hand dried.
- 1672 Route 9, Clifton Park
- 1757 Central Avenue, Colonie
- 753 New Loudon Road, Latham
Upcoming Events
June 26 - Ilah Sisson Walser leads worship
July 3 - Pastor Kelly returns to worship
July 16 - Church Rummage Sale
Celebrations!
If you have a birthday, anniversary, or graduation to celebrate, please send it to the office. We love to celebrate!
We're celebrating three birthdays this week:
- Christopher Shoen (June 20)
- Jeremy Litchfield (June 21)
- Jim Sheeran (June 25)
We have one anniversary this week. Kelly and Albert Schmidt will be celebrating their anniversary on June 19. Happy anniversary to the Schmidts!
Next week in worship:
Sound Mark Warner
Projection Katie Warner
Liturgist George Wilson
Children’s Time Linda Sheeran
Ushers Conrad Dorau & Mary Drake
Music Cathy King
Coffee Hour Melody Babcock & Kelly Schmidt
If you would like to volunteer to help with Sunday services, please contact Ruth Persons after church.
Community Bulletin Board
Rummage Sale
Saratoga Springs UMC at 175 Fifth Ave will have a Summer Garage and Rummage Sale. The sale will take place from 8 AM to 4 PM Friday, June 24 and 8 AM to 11 AM Saturday, June 25.
Sight & Sound Theater trip
St. Luke’s Episcopal Church is sponsoring a trip to Lancaster, PA to see “David” live on stage July 27-28. For more information, please check out the flyer on the bulletin board in the hall.
Have a blessed week