Meet the DLTs: Albany DLT acts to create more lay leaders
January 14, 2020 / By District Superintendent Rev. Rich Weihing and Albany District Lay Leader Ellen Mall-John
As a DLT, we decided to focus a majority of our time and energy on creating a series of gatherings we call Laity Leadership Development (LLD). In 2018, as clergy received training in principles of Vital Congregations, we launched Year 1 of Laity Leadership Development Sessions equipping laity with leadership training with the expectation of helping move toward a critical mass in each congregation that would be able and willing to enact …more
Meet the DLTs: Albany District
January 8, 2020 / By District Superintendent Rev. Rich Weihing and Albany District Lay Leader Ellen Mall-John
Our purpose as a District Leadership Team is to equip the congregations of Albany District to live their mission of “making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.” We are rooted in this mission statement, and our vision statement, too! When we have fully-equipped clergy, laity, and congregations in Albany District for their mission, we expect to experience the vision of Upper NY Conference: …more
Meet the Spiritual Director: Cheryl Lyon
December 17, 2019 / By Cheryl Lyon
The Way It Is There’s a thread you follow. It goes among things that change. But it doesn’t change. People wonder about what you are pursuing. You have to explain about the thread. But it is hard for others to see….1 -William Stafford Over the last 12 years, the thread I follow has taken me on twists and turns I could never have anticipated and …more
Meet the DLTs: Cory Jones
December 16, 2019 / By Cory Jones
My name is Cory Jones and I am the pastor of Trinity UMC: Whitesboro. My role on the DLT has evolved over the years. The DLT was my first introduction into the work of the District/ Conference back in 2014. At that time, I was a Youth Group Leader at my home church Herkimer FUMC, and I was discerning my call to ministry. I joined the DLT as a laity before …more
Meet the DLTs: Pastor Brian Lothridge
December 11, 2019 / By Brian Lothridge
I am Brian Lothridge, pastor of Rome 1st and Delta UMCs. I am a provisional elder and serve on the Mohawk District Leadership Team. The Church exists to serve the people who are not yet a part of it. This is a new way for me to think about why the Church matters. I wish I could take credit for it, but it’s a …more
Meet the DLTs: Pastor Bryant Clark
December 9, 2019 / By Pastor Bryant Clark / 2 Comments
My name s Bryant Clark; I am the pastor at Park UMC in Hamilton. Much like my work in the local church, my priority on the Mohawk district leadership team is one of empowerment. I believe very strongly in the idea that all Christians are capable and few of us are fragile. All Christians have something to offer the wider church, not to mention the world beyond it. But too …more
Meet the DLTS: Mohawk District
December 3, 2019 / By Wayne Clemens
Greetings in the name of Christ from the Mohawk District Leadership Team! My name is Wayne Clemens and I am blessed to be the Senior Pastor at CenterPoint Church in Barneveld NY, as well as the coach/facilitator for the Mohawk District Leadership Team. This past year has been incredibly productive and spiritually renewing for us as a team as we have continued to focus on increasing leadership capacity among …more
Meet the DLTs: Erinn Norris
November 25, 2019 / By Erinn Norris
Hi! I’m Erinn Norris, a member of the Adams United Methodist Church and part of Northern Flow’s District Leadership Team. Over the last few years, I have also been part of our Conference Leadership Team, Kairos Outside Prison Ministry, Via de Cristo, Closer Walk, and active in leadership in my own church. Recently, our DLT wrapped up our first round of Intentional Discipleship Making workshops …more
Meet the DLTs: Earl LaLone
November 19, 2019 / By Earl LaLone / 2 Comments
My name is Earl LaLone and I am the pastor of Depaulville and Clayton UMCs in the Northern Flow District. When our DS, the Rev. Mike Weeden asked me to part of the District Leadership Team, I was initially concerned about just how qualified I might be to even be a part of the team. What I have found is that each member of our team has varied experiences, education, …more
Meet the Spiritual Directors: Pastor Cheryl Hine
November 18, 2019 / By Cheryl Hine
My name is Cheryl Hine. While reading books, I often came across the phrase “spiritual direction.” I wondered, “What exactly is spiritual direction!?” Then I had an opportunity to be a student in the UNY Conference’s Tending the Soul spiritual retreat program, and my relationship with God brought me to remarkable, unexpected opportunities! The first change I noticed in myself is that I approach …more