You can find this week's Ministry Matters here.

Bishop Mark Webb has scheduled a time of online prayer for Wednesday at 7 pm. Click here to see more details.

Pastor Kelly shares the latest news of our congregational life. Click here to watch.

Hello friends, we are now set up for online giving! You can give securely via the website or download the GivePlus app from your app store. You can designate your gift for either the Current Expense fund of the church, or to support the Food Pantry. You may choose to do a one-time gift, or set up a (free) profile to enable a recurring gift.

​If you have any questions, feel free to post them in the comments. Thank you!

Hello friends, our Food Pantry is looking for volunteers to help us meet our neighbors' needs in the current situation. If you are able to help, here's the sign-up information:

​1) Click this link to see our SignUp on SignUp.com: https://signup.com/go/vbwjfXc
2) Review the options listed and choose the spot(s) you like.
3) Sign up! It's Easy - you will NOT need to register an account or keep a password on SignUp.com.

Note: SignUp.com does not share your email address with anyone. If you prefer not to use your email address, please reach out to Melissa Reilly Taylor or comment here and we will see that you are signed up manually.

Church family and friends,
 
 UPDATE ON OUR MINISTRIES   
     Our church’s leaders have made some important decisions about our church’s ministries during this period when we are coping with COVID 19.  First, we are suspending Sunday morning worship services until further notice.  All of our meetings, programs and missions which use our church buildings are now suspended as well.  If various groups need to communicate or make decisions they will use the phone, e-mail or other social media.
       The only exception being made is for our Food Pantry.  Volunteers under age 60 who are healthy are needed.  Bags will need to be pre-packed each Tuesday anytime between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.   Distribution will be on Wednesdays between 9:30 a.m. and noon.  Clients will pick up food at the back door of our Church House, coming forward one at a time when called.  Gloves and hand sanitizer will be provided for volunteers.   Please call the church at (518) 885-6886 or e-mail bsumc@albany.twcbc.com as soon as possible if you can be on our volunteer list.
        The Church House’s office space will be used by Pastor Kelly and our Office Manager Sue Cramer during this time.  Their spaces will be closed to the general public and to church members.  Signs will be posted notifying everyone of this change.  Any snail mail or bills received at the office for church leaders will be sent out each week on Thursday.  
     
 STAYING CONNECTED   
        Pastor Kelly and Sue Cramer will be using the church’s website as the primary means of communicating with church members and friends during this time.  We do have a Facebook page page (Ballston Spa United Methodist Church) that will provide information and news as well, but the best source to use will be the website.  Anyone not able to access these will be given information (and print copies of sermons if desired) through the mail.   If news must travel more quickly, we will use phone calls.   We want to assure everyone that we will be diligent in our communications with you; we seek to support and serve you to the best of our abilities. 
     Pastor Kelly will be posting sermons and other communications regularly on the Church’s website and Facebook.  There will be reminders about the importance of continued financial support, and how that can happen.  Opportunities for volunteers to serve will be listed.   We know that other things will be helpful as well, so stay tuned and do give us feedback.  
      During this unexpected hiatus, our office manager and Pastor Kelly will be making some improvements to the church’s website.  This task is our priority because we’ll use it as a primary way to stay connected as a church.  If you have any ideas or any expertise you’d like to share, please let us know.   And again, we will use other ways to communicate regularly so everyone in our faith community stays connected and supported.
        If you would like to talk with Pastor Kelly, or have her bring Holy Communion, you may call the office or e-mail her at bsumcpastor@yahoo.com.
        The decisions listed above have been made by a core leadership Team, chosen by the Church Council.  Serving on this team are Pastor Kelly Warner, our Lay Leader Ruth Persons, Church Council Chair Ilah Sisson-Walser and Staff-Parish Chair Joyce Garlock.
         PLEASE REPLY IMMEDIATELY to this post by email or by calling the office.   We want to know if we have accurate contact information and if you prefer to receive updates this way. 
    As we all go through these unsettling days and weeks, may we each be prayerful and patient, doing all we can to remain healthy.   God will be our source of peace, comfort and strength.