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• Requests for checks due by Dec. 28 for payment in 2009
• IRS Announces 2010 Standard Mileage Rates
• Register for bishop’s tour of Germany
• Applications being accepted for MTSO scholarships
• 2010 Ethnic Young Adult Summer Internship applications due
• What's new at www.troyac.org
• News from Upper New York
• News from the New England Annual Conference
• Resources from the United Methodist Church
• What’s new at www.umc.org

• Seasons of prayers
  Over the past two years, I have engaged in the practice, begun by Rev. Barbara Lemmel before me, of praying for several congregations each week. I have appreciated this connection to your communities, and I have been grateful for your letters describing your ministries and your concerns for your neighbors. Read more …

• It’s not your parents’ charge conference
  This year, church charge conferences in the Adirondack and Embury districts have been different from the normal business as usual gathering. Read more …

• Know your virtual audience
  Posting and maintaining an effective church website is more than placing information online for Internet users. It also requires considering your site’s audience, the questions they may have about your church, and how they might best find that information. Read more …
   
• Breathing through transition
  While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2: 7-8NIV. Read more …
   
• New England Conference stresses visioning, planning at charge conferences
  Though it may not be common now, changes in the way charge conferences are held may mean that the annual meetings will become a highlight for congregations, clergy and district superintendents. Read more …
   
• NEJCAH to come to Vermont
  The Northeastern Jurisdiction of the Commission on Archives and History (NEJCAH) will meet in Barre, Vt., May 11 through 13. Read more … 
   

• Check out the archive of e-newsletters from Upper New York
• Minutes from New ACT meetings available on-line

• Doing What is Needed. Curtis Brown, Director of Congregational Development.
• Connecting with Mission Resources. Alexx Wood, Director of Communications.
• Being Mission: Deepening Discipleship Through Mission Experiences. Wanda Stahl, Director of Spiritual Formation.
• As a Fire is Meant for Burning. James McPhee, Director of Connectional Ministries
• Youth and Young Adults in Mission. Lorraine Macpherson, Director, United Methodist Action Reach-out Mission by Youth - Northeast

• 10 tips for Christmas and New Year's planning
  Christmas and New Year's may be holidays, but the service planning team doesn't take time off. Remember that unchurched people are very receptive to coming to church during this time. Embrace the opportunity for them to come to yours. Read more …
• 10 steps to fiscal vitality
  Every church can benefit from ongoing efforts to improve its financial health. Financially fit congregations spend extra time and energy in planning and analyzing their budget. Strong churches always work to cultivate and encourage givers. Do not assume people have enough information, experience and understanding of the ministry of giving. Doing annual financial checkups is important. Here are tips to determine your church’s fiscal health. Read more … 

• Have a green Christmas
  Normally when we think of a green Christmas, we think of a holiday without snow. What if we thought about it in terms of celebrating Jesus’ birth by renewing God’s creation?
• Church retains mission focus despite hard times
  United Methodists reached out to the world, celebrated historic ecumenical pacts amid layoffs, budget cuts in 2009.
• Top 10 UMTV videos of 2009
  72-year-old weightlifter, partnership with New York Yankees among highlights
• Documentary explores faith of disabled
  People with disabilities need to be “co-ministers with us in the priesthood of all believers,” bishop says.
• 10 ways to improve your prayer life
  Listening to God is central to spiritual life.
• 5 ways for helping your child talk to God
  Family rituals, set times help make prayer part of daily life.
• Listening for the Holy Spirit
  Praying with good will, charity toward all.
• Words that inspire prayer
  United Methodists share favorite Bible passages, books on prayer

Reminder: the deadline for submitting stories and items for the February Connection is Jan. 15. The deadline for posting information in TAC Bytes is Wednesday noon for publication that week. Send submissions for both publications electronically to Sandra Brands, editor, at sbrands@troyac.org.