​Ballston Spa United Methodist Church
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At Last Week’s Service
     There were approximately 30 people in church last Sunday.  It was a joy for those present to celebrate Holy Communion together, especially knowing it was World Communion Sunday.   One of the favorite quotes of the day was “ A Bible that is falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn’t!”
 
Annual Charge Conference Coming Saturday
     This Saturday, October 17 at 1 PM in the church sanctuary District Superintendent Debbie Earthrowl will lead our annual charge conference.  
     This meeting will be offered in person and through Zoom; we will communicate more about how to connect virtually in the near future.  All are welcome to attend but those who are eligible to vote must be members of our church council.  There will be a vote on the pastor’s salary, elections of trustees and other key leaders of teams, and the approval of lay ministers.  
 
It's Pastor Appreciation Sunday!
     Pastor Appreciation Sunday, celebrated annually on the second Sunday in October, is a good time for United Methodists to thank clergy for the work they do year-round.  Please take the time to greet, call, or email Pastor Kelly and thank her for the work she is doing for the church.
                                                                                                     
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.
     Joyce Cook (53 Margaret Drive, Ballston Spa) and Bob Elbertson (91 Church Avenue, Apt. 211, Ballston Spa) are both home now.  They would enjoy receiving your cards and short phone calls.
     Please pray for Cathy King, who is in quarantine following her trip to Denver to tend to her mom.
     Please pray for Melissa Taylor and her family as they undergo health issues and challenges.
 
Thrift Shop Request
     As was reported in the Ministry Matters a few weeks ago, the Thrift Shop was closed, and will remain closed, due to Covid-19.  The status of the Thrift Shop will be reviewed next April.  Until the time that a decision has been made, there is to be nothing left for donations.  Your generosity is greatly appreciated; however, without having the Thrift Shop open and functioning, the donations are piling up without benefit of use.  So we have to ask that you do not bring donations to the Thrift Shop until the final status has been decided.  At that time there will be an article in the Ministry Matters to that effect.  Thank you for honoring this request.
 
Church Council Business
     Our next Church Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 13th at 7 pm.  This will be held via Zoom.  You will receive an email invitation from Ilah Sisson Walser with the sign-on info.  You may join either by computer or phone.  Any items for the agenda may be sent to Ilah by 3 pm Sunday afternoon.
     A vote was held for the distribution of funds from the Fair Trade account to UMCOR.  This has been approved by the Church Council.  Stan Lockwood will go ahead and request the checks to be issued.
     A vote was taken on the Accountable Reimbursement form presented by the SPRC.  This has been approved.
 
A Message from the NYS Department of Health
 
 What is COVID Alert NY?
     COVID Alert NY is New York State’s official Exposure Notification App.  This is a free smartphone app for anyone 18+ that lives and/or works in New York available for download in the Google Play Store and Apple App Store starting October 1st.  The COVID Alert NY app notifies users if they have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.  Upon receiving an exposure notification, the app will encourage users to contact their physician or the State Health Department hotline (1-833-227-5045) to get more information about quarantining and testing.
     Anyone who downloads the app does not have to worry about being tracked, identified, or having their personal information shared.  The app is completely anonymous and does not track your location or movement.  No personal data is collected.  COVID Alert NY uses Bluetooth proximity-enabled exposure notification technology provided by Apple and Google which is safe and secure.
What can you do?
     The more New Yorkers using the COVID Alert NY app, the more effective it will be as a tool to fight against COVID-19.  We need your help to rally your community to download and use the app.
 
The Food Pantry Needs Your Help
      Food insecurity is very real during this time.   If you are someone who is in this situation, please feel free to come to the Church House on Wednesday between 9:30 and 11:30 to receive food.  If you are able to help, please consider giving either a monetary donation or something from the below list.  If you are able to donate your time, please give the office a call and give your availability.  Thank you for your help and giving.
Pantry Items Needed
  • Green canned vegetables
  • Macaroni and cheese
  • Tuna
  • Pasta (box, bag, and side dishes)
  • Jelly
  • Juice
  • Chicken Breast (canned) 
  • Syrup
  • Rice (box, bag, and side dishes)
  • Cookies
  • Condiments
  • Crackers
  • Fresh fruits and vegetables
  • Personal hygiene items, including feminine products
 
Supporting Our Church Together
     We currently have a financial shortfall due to the decreased attendance at worship services.  Cost cutting measures are being implemented wherever possible.  We have an ongoing fundraiser for Hoffman Car washes that we hope you will support.  However, what is most needed is consistent givers.  If you are already using VANCO to send your gifts to the church, we are grateful; you can also give online securely on our website.  You can also use a “BillPay” option from your bank at no cost.  You can designate that a certain amount be sent to us by mail and they will write a check as part of their customer service.  All it takes is to contact your bank.  And if you need the church’s mailing address, it is 101 Milton Ave, Ballston Spa, NY 12020.
     Thank you for your help in meeting our needs.
 
Weekly Sermons on Facebook
     The sermon can be found in print (as well as video) on the Recent Posts page of this site.  If you do not have access to that, a print copy can be mailed to you from our church office.  Please let the office (518-885-6886) know if you would like it mailed to you and are not currently receiving it that way. 
 
The Worship Schedule for October
Oct. 18  Laity Sunday

Oct. 25 Reformation Sunday
Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8  
Sermon: “We Seek to Please God, Not People”
Theme: Being faithful in faith matters
 
Fair Trade
     Coffee, tea, and hot chocolate are still available from Stan Lockwood.  If interested, please contact him at 518-885-1552 or via email at  sdlock2008@hotmail.com.
 
Music for Services
     At present, we are not permitted to sing hymns as a congregation, so we would like to feature instrumentalists as much as possible.  If you are interested in playing during the service, please contact Cathy King at 518 584-2865 or cathys.notes@gmail.com with your availability.  She would need a few dates that work for you so she can schedule things appropriately. 
     Many thanks for sharing your gifts of music!
 
Basic Lay Servant Course to be offered via ZOOM in October
     Interested in becoming a Certified Lay Servant, Certified Lay Speaker or Certified Lay Minister*? Here is how you start!
     This course is foundational for all courses in Lay Servant Ministries. Participants are encouraged to discover and employ personal spiritual gifts as God intended and to consider the importance of exercising servant leadership, developing future leaders, remaining rooted in consistent spiritual practices, and being part of a group that holds members accountable in their discipleship." (2020 Lay Servant Catalog)
Mondays, October 19 and 26: 5:30-8:30
Thursdays, October 22 and 29: 5:30-8:30
Cost: $15
Instructors: Arlene Schmidt, CLM, and Jacqueline Kim, CLS
To register contact Adirondack District registrar Arlene Schmidt at adschmidt@nycap.rr.com.  Class size will be limited to 12 participants and must purchase the book "Lay Servant Ministries: Basic", by Sandy Jackson with Brian Jackson.
Dates for additional courses in the Certified Lay Ministry are to be scheduled.
 
Have a blessed week

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