Ministries
Jesus tells us to love God and love our neighbors. We believe that our worship is where this begins, but our work in the world is where it continues. We are continually evolving and developing new ministry opportunities with which each and every one can connect. There are many ways to get involved in helping others, in and through this congregation.
Faith Village
Our education program serves our children on Sunday mornings during worship. Unlike traditional Sunday School, Faith Village is a rotation program. Kids experience a lesson through a series of activities spanning several weeks; each week is a different experience crafted to teach through the senses. They may tell a story, play a game, create a puppet show, use our computer lab, cook, or create a craft as a way to learn.
Newtonville Youth Group
Open to any interested youths in Grades 7-12. The Newtonville Youth Group provides a place for fun, fellowship and spiritual growth. Regular meetings are held every other Sunday evening, and alternate weeks during the worship service.
Albany United Methodist Society
We support the efforts of AUMS, a United Methodist inner-city ministry in Arbor Hill. We volunteer time and resources to assist in the ministry they accomplish.
United Methodist Commission On Relief (UMCOR)
We offer the opportunity to support the work of UMCOR, the disaster relief and recovery agency of the United Methodist Church. UMCOR is often the first on the scene at natural disasters and emergencies, and remains long after other groups leave. UMCOR is supported by ministry shares paid by each church in the UM connection; when we ask for gifts at times of emergency, all monies go directly to the people who need the relief, not to support administrative overhead.
The United Methodist Church
The United Methodist Church is part of a Connectional Church--this means that all United Methodist Churches not only create their own individual ministries, but participate together in collective ministry as well. Each local church contributes resources to the whole so we together can be greater than the sum of our parts. You can find out more about the ministries of the Upper New York Annual Conference or the United Methodist Church as a whole.
Heifer International
Heifer International works with communities around the world to end hunger and poverty and to care for the earth. Since 1944, Heifer has helped 9.2 million families in 125 countries move toward greater self-reliance through livestock, training and "passing on the gift." By providing animals and training, Heifer enables families to overcome poverty and make lasting improvements in their quality of life. Heifer's Program Information Services offers technical literature for field workers and planners that focuses on sustainable approaches to development; small-scale farming; animal husbandry; and planning, monitoring and evaluation techniques.
The Hunger Site
The Hunger Site was founded to focus the power of the Internet on a specific humanitarian need: the eradication of world hunger. Since its launch in June 1999, the site has established itself as a leader in online activism, helping to feed the world's hungry. On average, over 220,000 individuals from around the world visit the site each day to click the yellow "Click Here to Give - it's FREE" button. To date, more than 300 million visitors have given more than 500 million cups of staple food.
The staple food funded by clicks at The Hunger Site is paid for by site sponsors and distributed to those in need by Mercy Corps and America's Second Harvest. 100% of sponsor advertising fees goes to our charitable partners. Funds are split between these organizations and go to the aid of hungry people in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Latin America and North America. (from thehungersite.com)
Prayer Shawl Ministry
The members of the Prayer Shawl Ministry knit or crochet shawls that are given to individuals who are ill, suffering a loss, or are otherwise in the midst of a life crisis. As shawls are worked on, whether in a group or at home, they are prayed over. Upon completion, another blessing is bestowed on the shawl before it is presented to the special recipient. You need not be able to knit or crochet to participate. Lessons will be provided. Click here to see more
Volunteers in Mission (VIM)
VIM is one way United Methodists offer their skills and talents for Christian Service at home or abroad on short-term assignments in areas affected by disasters and hardships. A missionary movement of the United Methodist Church, VIM sends short term volunteer teams into areas of need to work on construction and spiritual formation projects. NUMC folks have been involved in VIM to Rensselaer County, NY, Iowa, Mississippi, Louisiana, Belfast, and Mozambique.
