CLT Prayer Initiative: Week 3
February 17, 2020 / By Drew Griffin
In this season, there are momentous preparations being made for our United Methodist community to part, possibly to multiply in new ways. How we do that matters. In the weeks leading up to General Conference, members of your Conference Leadership Team will be sharing prayers designed to be used however the Spirit calls you to use them. Click here to read more about the prayer initiative. This week's prayer …more
CLT Prayer Initiative: Week 2
February 10, 2020 / By Rev. Steven Taylor / 1 Comment
In this season, there are momentous preparations being made for our United Methodist community to part, possibly to multiply in new ways. How we do that matters. In the weeks leading up to General Conference, members of your Conference Leadership Team will be sharing prayers designed to be used however the Spirit calls you to use them. Click here to read more about the prayer initiative. This week's prayer …more
CLT Prayer Initiative: Week 1
February 3, 2020 / By Rev. Harold Wheat
In this season, there are momentous preparations being made for our United Methodist community to part, possibly to multiply in new ways. How we do that matters. Over the next 20 weeks, members of your Conference Leadership Team will be sharing prayers designed to be used however the Spirit calls you to use them. Click here to read more about the prayer initiative. This week's prayer is provided by the …more
CLT Prayer Initiative: About the authors
February 3, 2020 / By / 3 Comments
Rev. Nancy Dibelius is a Provisional Deacon who is currently appointed as the Assistant Director of Vital Congregations for Upper NY; her focus in this ministry is the spiritual life of individuals and congregations. When I was invited to participate in this prayer initiative, I didn’t hesitate. However, when I was asked to respond to the question ‘why am I doing this,’ I didn’t …more
CLT Prayer Initiative: Introduction
February 3, 2020 / By / 1 Comment
Pray, Pray now, Pray for the Others. Love one another. The command echoes through Scripture and awakens us to life. Jesus intended for the world to verify the truth of his message by observing us in our love for one another and all God sends into our lives (John 13:35, 17:22-23). In this season, there are momentous preparations being made for our United Methodist community to part, possibly to multiply in …more
Meet the DLTs: Testimonials from Albany District Lay Leadership Development Team
January 21, 2020 / By Albany District Lay Leadership Development Team members
Editor’s Note: The Albany District Leadership Team has made a conscious effort to increase the leadership skills of their laity through developing a laity leadership curriculum. Below are testimonials of some of the participants. “The United Methodist Church is facing difficult challenges of an uncertain future. The vitality of the local church is imperative to sustain the impact of a possible separation. This lay leadership development …more
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