• From United Methodist Communications: Dismantling Racism panel discussion - Live on Facebook - Wednesday, October 7, at noon CDT. The panel will be discussing voter suppression. In the meantime, view and share a collection of videos from previous discussions, as well as other denominational Stand Against Racism events. For additional information and resources, click here.

• From the United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race: 30 Days of Anti-racism.  Read press release.  Download resource as PDF.

• From UM News: Grappling with How Racism Coexists with Faith.  NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — Three theologians from across the U.S. wrestled with how Christianity can overcome racism at a time when polls show that many white Christians don’t see racial injustice as a problem. Heather Hahn reports on the most recent online panel in the United Methodist series on dismantling racism.
  Read story  

This year's theme is "Therefore, Go! With Hope through Engagement"
Scriptures: Exodus 33:12-23; Psalms 99; 
                  1 Thessalonians 1:1-10; Matthew 22:15-22 
For resources and ideas, please click here.    

Save the date: We will hold a virtual Laity Celebration on Saturday, November 14.  More details to follow soon.

• Pure Religion - The Orphan Opportunity: An on-line Mission Study 
  The NYAC Missions office is pleased to announce a 4-week on-line discussion based on the book by Rev Wayne Lavender (NYAC retired pastor) Pure Religion – the Orphan Opportunity. While the book focuses on the crisis facing 150 million orphans in our world today, this study will include discussions on the nature and role of the church in mission, what effective mission looks like, ministry to vulnerable populations, and how effective missions is a key to the revitalization of our Church.   
  Dates: October 4, 11, 18 and 25; 7 to 8:30 PM Eastern Time
  More information   
  To register, email Trudy Creary: receptionist@nyac.com 
• Invite a Missionary for a Virtual Visit: There are over 300 missionaries serving in 60 countries who would love to be part of an upcoming worship service/bible study/preaching/youth group/Sunday school class/other event at your church.  To connect with a Mission Advocate, who can help to make such a visit possible, please complete this form.
• Mozambique update: The NYAC recently sponsored a zoom call with John Nday, a missionary the NYAC supports in the village of Cambine. His work is remarkable. Listen to the conversation here.
• Seminary Students in Mozambique learn to connect with church families "organically."  Watch video.

ERT Trainings – We can be anxious or we can be prepared
As this year has already proven to be an unusually active hurricane season, it is important that the New York Conference be prepared not only to respond to disasters in other parts of the country, but also for a significant weather event within the bounds of our Conference. In preparation we are scheduling four on-line ERT Recertification trainings. These are for persons who already have badges – even if your badge has expired. Each class will be between 2 and 3 hours. You only need to sign up for one.

• October 15: 7 to 10 PM
• October 24: 10 AM to 1 PM                        Register Here
• November 7: 10 AM to 1 PM
• November 10: 7 PM to 10 PM

NOTE: Several on-line Basic ERT classes will be provided this fall. Additional information and details will follow soon.

UMCOR supplies – buckets and kits
With the hurricane season upon us, requests for clean-up and health kits are starting to come in. In the past our collection was made during Annual Conference. Kits were then sent to Mission Central in Mechanicsburg, PA. Given the re-scheduling of Conference this past June we have started to collect outstanding buckets and kits and hope to send them to Mission Central in October. If you have assembled kits please contact Trudy Creary (receptionist@nyac.com) and we will arrange either a pick-up or drop off location and time. The deadline for receiving supplies is October 9.

From Amplify Media's Now & Next: How the Church is Changing for Good Series -  Are you feeling overwhelmed? With school starting back, anxiety-filled headlines, and other worries, it’s understandable if you feel stressed. In Amplify Media’s Now and Next webinar series, church leaders discussed the many ways COVID-19 is affecting church and community life. In episode 5 – "Taking Self-Care Seriously: Managing Stress So You Can Care for Others" – our panelists give encouragement and advice for techniques for building resiliency. Watch Now