News from the Conference Center
and Beyond

• REMINDER: The Conference Center is closed on Fridays through the summer.  We will return to our regular schedule after Labor Day.
• United Methodists prayerfully consider plans to be presented at special General Conference in 2019

Upcoming Opportunities
8/14 & 8/21 Done in a Day projects: Once again staff members of the NYAC Conference office will be participating in a Done in a Day project, August 14 and 21. If you would like to join them please contact Tom Vencuss (tvencuss@nyac.com) for more information. 
10/27 Conference UMW Annual Meeting
11/17 Laity Convocation with Sue Nilson Kibbey -    REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN

Clergy - Save the Date for the Bishop's Clergy Retreat: November 1

Bishop Grant Hagiya of the California-Pacific Conference will be the keynote speaker. 

This year's theme will be "The Anatomy of Peace."  All clergy are encouraged to read this book from the Arbinger Institute before attending the retreat.  The book is available at Cokesbury.

Watch for details about location and times in future newsletters.

Safe Sanctuaries Training Opportunities

Safe Sanctuaries:  Train-the-Trainer
August 25, 2018   10AM to 1PM
Memorial UMC, White Plains
 
This workshop is for the person responsible for training volunteers and staff in your church's Safe Sanctuaries policy.  You will leave with tools to help you facilitate training at your church.
 
Topics covered will include reviewing and editing policies, cyber safety, vulnerable adults and more.   
 
Register for this workshop by August 19.
 
Contact Cassandra Negri at childrensministry@nyac-umc.com with any questions or to register.
 
Safe Sanctuaries:  Writing and Editing Your Church's Safe Sanctuaries Policy
September 29, 2018    10AM to 1PM
Christ UMC, Staten Island
 
This Safe Sanctuaries Workshop is designed for congregations who do not have a written Safe Sanctuaries Policy or who need a refresher on editing their policy. The workshop prepares a core team of 4 – 5 to work with the congregation to write a policy, as well as providing information on how to train trustees, teachers, parents and pastors on the implementation of that policy.
 
Each church should have at least one copy of  the book Safe Sanctuaries: Reducing the Risk of Child Abuse in the Church by Joy Thornburg Melton.  You may also wish to have a copy of the book Safe Sanctuaries - Older Adults: The Church Reponds to Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation of Older Adults.
 
Register for this workshop by September 23.
   
 For more information or to register, contact Cassandra Negri at childrensministry@nyac-umc.com.

Partnership with Yale Divinity School's Ministry Resource Center

Can the Ministry Resource Center at Yale Divinity School help my congregation?
 
“I would highly recommend Ministry Resource Center to any Pastors or Laity looking for resources and not sure how to find them, or can’t quite afford to buy them. They will even order them for you if they fit into their collection! Their staff is highly welcoming and knowledgeable and you can email ahead for specific books, small group studies, VBS materials and even pageant costumes! When you get there you will find them all wrapped and ready to go with your name on it! (or they can ship them to you)   If you are still not sure of your exact needs, just ask.   It is amazing how fast they will pull things off the shelf for you. If for some reason you can’t get there because New Haven is too far away they will gladly send them to you. Enjoy this resource! “
 - Rev. Barbara Marks, UMC Middletown
 
Are you looking for new resources?
If so, please sign up for weekly news and information from the Ministry Resource Center by emailing ministry.resource.center@yale.edu.
Free consultations are available by phone (203-432-5319), email (ministry.resource.center@yale.edu), or a visit to the MRC.

NYAC Abundant Health Ministry

Upcoming Hulapaloozas:

• Saturday, October 6 at Huntington-Cold Spring Harbor UMC (LIE District)
• Saturday, October 20 at Brooklyn: John Wesley UMC (LIW District)

We have created a Face Book group to encourage all churches of the New York Annual Conference to become involved in the Abundant Health Initiative. Here, you will find information, resources, access to the NYAC Abundant Health Team, and information about donating and joining the 10,000 Church Challenge through our conference. We also encourage all NYAC churches who are currently involved in Health Ministries to share their stories, pictures, event information, and healthy recipes here.

To join this group, search for NYAC Abundant Health Ministry from your FB page, then send us a request to join.  

NEWS FROM NYAC CAMPS

Kingswood: 

• Pastor's Camp & Retreat, Aug. 5-7

• Retreat Leader Beth Jones' favorite time of the year

Quinipet: 
Overnight and day camp opportunities at Quinipet.

For more information about these or other Camping Ministries opportunities, email Megan at quinipet@nyac.com, or call (631) 749-0430, ext. 22

 Journeys of Paul Cruise

10/14 - 25, 2018  Travel, study & worship in the footsteps of Paul with Bishop Bickerton and Educational Opportunities (EO). Details
 

Lay Servant Classes

See Schedule for Lay Servant Classes

District News & More

Submit an event to NYAC calendar:  http://www.nyac.com/submit-event
To book a conference room, contact Alexa Ojeda, receptionist@nyac.com 

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