Changes
Pastor Kelly Warner has been reappointed for another year of serving as half-time pastor here at Ballston Spa UMC. We celebrate that she has been with us 3½ years now. Starting July 1st, in addition to serving here, she will begin serving quarter-time at the Round Lake United Methodist Church. While most everything remains the same, there will be a change made to our worship time. To facilitate her serving both churches our district superintendent Debbie Earthrowl has set our service at 10:30. Stay tuned as we explore what time may work best for our online and in-person coffee hours.
We rejoice in no longer taking temperatures or contact tracing. For those who are vaccinated, masks do not need to be worn. Masks will be needed for those who are unvaccinated. Any worship volunteers greeting, ushering, or helping with Holy Cmmunion will wear a mask. We acknowledge that this has been a difficult time and appreciate everyone’s efforts and caring for one another.
Sunday Fellowship After Church
Lemonade on the Lawn (now with coffee!) is now being offered for fellowship after church. Please join us!
Sunday Coffee Hour is on ZOOM or by Phone
Join us for a virtual coffee fellowship via Zoom (either by computer/iPad or phone). Bring your own refreshment and enjoy seeing each other via Zoom. Starting this Sunday, we will be meeting at 9 AM Eastern Time.
In the Zoom app, you can use Meeting ID: 963 0143 0502 / Passcode: 956579
Or simply click here to join Zoom Meeting
You are also welcome to dial in via phone at 929-205-6099 using Meeting ID: 963 0143 0502 / Passcode: 956579
Add the invitation to your electronic calendar by clicking here.
Thrift Shop News
The Thrift Shop has reopened! Come shop on Tuesdays from 9:30 until noon. Clothing is $3 for all you can fit in a bag. Adjustments have been made for the safety of our volunteers as well as our patrons. Thank you to all who work so diligently to make this mission work for so many.
Upcoming Events
- Canoeing the Mountains Study (see below) - June 30, 7 pm via Zoom
- Holy Communion - July 4
Summer Book Study
Pastor Kelly invites all who are interested to read and discuss Tod Bolsinger’s book “Canoeing the Mountains”. It has a 6-session study guide that will help guide us in weekly one hour discussions held on Wednesdays at 7 pm via ZOOM. Please e-mail the office right away if you’re interested.
Here are excerpts from the inside and back cover of the book: “Explorers Lewis and Clark were prepared to find a waterway to the Pacific Ocean, instead they found themselves facing the Rocky Mountains. They had to...leave behind their canoes and find new navigational tools for the uncharted terrain... The culture is changing, the world is changing rapidly, and churches are facing change on an unprecedented scale... The cultural advantage we experienced during the 17th centuries of Christendom has almost completely dissipated. Seminary training for that world is inadequate for this immensely challenging, transformation-demanding moment in history. We have to learn to lead all over again.
But the church is also at an exciting crossroads. We are entering a new day, new terrain, and a new adventure. We are not alone. The Spirit of God goes before us. The mission of Christ will not fail. The next steps are going to be demanding. More than anything, this moment requires us to embrace an adventure-or-die mindset, to find courage, and develop the capacity for a new day. We are heading into uncharted territory and are given the charge to lead a mission where the future is nothing like the past.”
Rummage Sale
We will be holding a rummage sale on July 17th. It will be held in the Fellowship Hall from 8 am to 3 pm. Any treasures you are interested in donating will be gladly accepted on Friday, July 16th from noon to 5 pm. As always, any help you can give would be greatly appreciated. Please see Melody Babcock (518-490-2015), George and Janet Mallette (518-882-9225), or Mary Drake with questions or to volunteer.
Recognizing Our Graduates
- Garrett Evans graduated from Adirondack Community College with a degree in Liberal Arts and a minor in Marketing.
- Katielynn Evans graduated from Cornell University with a degree in Animal Science and will study Veterinary Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.
- AJ Schmidt graduated from SUNY Schenectady and will be going on to the University at Albany to study microbiology.
- Riley Schmidt has graduated from SUNY Schenectady and will be studying business at Delhi College in Schenectady.
- Brandon Shoen has graduated from 5th grade from Malta Avenue Elementary School and will start middle school in the fall.
- Jonathan Warner graduated from the Young Adult Program at Wildwood School.
A New Mission
The Mission Committee would like to announce the SOCK Mission for the next three months. This will be done to share socks with the Navajo people at the Four Corners Native American Ministry (Shiprock NM), and local missions helping those in need.
To be a part of this mission ministry, you have a couple of options: You may make a financial donation to the church, clearly labeled as SOCK Mission. These donations will be counted and earmarked for the purchase of socks which will be purchased and shipped directly to Four Corners NA Ministry. The Counters will make note of the donations and the Treasurer will record the money on a benevolence line for the purchase of the socks. The purchase will be coordinated by Ilah and purchased through Amazon Prime.
You may also purchase socks and bring them to church and put them in the appropriate basket marked for SOCK Mission. These will be distributed locally.
All socks must be new. We have been told that socks are the most requested items in homeless or needy families. This Mission Project will give us a chance to share our abundance with others. If you have specific questions, please contact Ilah Sisson Walser. Thank you.
-The Mission Committee
Virtual Laity Session at Annual Conference
All laity of the Upper New York Conference are welcomed to participate in the virtual laity session at the 2021 Annual Conference (whether they are a registered voting member of Annual Conference or not). This two-hour webinar livestream (June 17 from 10:15-12:15 p.m., following Annual Conference Opening Worship) will feature presentations from United Methodist Women, United Methodist Men, Young Adults, Lay Servant Ministry, and more. Use this link at 10:15 a.m. Thursday for this session.
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:
- Sue Cramer is asking for prayers for her brother who is in intensive care in St. Peter's Hospital. They are searching for answers for his condition.
- A friend of Ruth Persons needs prayers for healing due to multiple health issues. Thank you for your care and concern for Tina.
- Bob and Kerry Cleary’s grandson has a friend named Robert who was injured while riding his bike last Saturday. We ask you to pray for this young man’s recovery - and for his family who will be with him as he slowly heals.
- Please hold Marilynn Peterson in your prayers. She is on the path to getting stronger. You can send her cards at: 115 Saratoga Blvd., Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
- Please continue to pray for Lou Cook and for his wife Joyce. Lou is now home. They both are appreciating the cards being sent to them and thank everyone for their continuing prayers. Cards may be sent to their home and family members will share them with Lou and Joyce.
- Please continue to keep Bill Haege and Bob Elbertson 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.
UNY Mission Central HUB seeks donations
The UNY Mission Central HUB thanks all for the support they receive from our churches in supplying disaster relief kits. Due to the pandemic, donations have been low. The storm season is coming up, and there is a great need to restock supplies.
More than ever before, the UNY Mission Central HUB needs financial contributions in order to continue its operations. The funding of the HUB is made possible solely by donations. To donate, your check may be written out to UNYAC with fund number #951 in the memo line.
Musical Offerings
As we continue to offer both in person and online worship experiences, we are seeking ways to increase the variety of our musical offerings. If you are interested in being part of this, here are some opportunities:
- help lead worship by singing hymns. If you would like to help with this, we rehearse on Thursday evenings between 6 and 7 in the sanctuary. When you arrive at the south door of the church by the ramp, call Cathy King at 518-538-4523 and she will come unlock the door for you.
- sing or play an instrument for special music. If you don’t have a piece to play or sing, Cathy will help you find something. You can come on Thursday evenings as described above or see Cathy to arrange a different time for rehearsal.
- ring in a handbell quartet. We can space ringers 6 feet or more apart and ring wearing masks to make this a safe activity. Even if you have never tried ringing before, and you are in second grade or older, you are welcome to come and learn. Please let Cathy know of your interest by seeing her at church, calling her at 518-538-4523 or emailing her at cathys.notes@gmail.com.
Summer 2021 is Coming, and Camp is Open!
Swimming! Hiking! Boating! Cabins! S'mores! They are all back at Skye Farm!
A wide variety of camp experiences for ages 3 - 18, starting July 7 - August 4, all with safety precautions and regulations in place!
Xperience 2021 (New!) Xperience 2021: Outdoors (New!) Campolodeon Campolodeon: H2O
Campolodeon: Outpost (New!) Adirondack Odyssey(New!) Adirondack Odyssey: Backpackers (New!); Camplympics (New!) Little Ones
Check it all out and register at https://campsandretreats.org/summer-camp-2021/
We recognize that Camp is not cheap, so we have Camperships available! Contact Linda Sheeran at lsheeran6@gmail.com or 518-885-1729.
Fair Trade
There are NO more chocolate bars left until fall thanks to all of you chocolate lovers!!! However, we still have coffee (decaf and regular) and tea available. Please contact Stan Lockwood at 518.885.1552 or stosh964@gmail.com to arrange for delivery or pick-up.
Celebrations!
There are three birthdays this week:
- John Wesley (June 28, 1703 - Epworth, England)
- Carole Markley (7/2)
- Molly Grentzer (7/3)
If there is a birthday or anniversary that you would like shared, please send it to the church office by email. Happy celebrations are always a blessing!
Next week in worship - July 4
Ushers Conrad Dorau
Sound Riley Schmidt
Projection Mark Warner
Liturgist Melody Babcock
Children’s Time Melody Babcock
Lemonade on the Lawn George Mallette
Have a blessed week