Our Finance Committee works hard in receiving and tracking your important gifts to our church, using them to pay the bills for our operating expenses, financing ministries, and supporting our global UMC connexions.
We appreciate your gifts of love!
New Paltz and Modena were officially merged by the New York Annual Conference on July 1, 2025. However, we needed to be recognized with all the legal documents by the State of New York…….Some really good news – in case you did not hear – the State of New York Supreme Court – County of Ulster approved the legal merging on Modena Memorial United Methodist Church and New Paltz United Methodist Church to become New Connexions United Methodist Church. Now begins the process of changing our name on all official documents, bank accounts, etc. This will take a bit of time, however you can be sure that effective January 1 you will be writing your checks to New Connexions United Methodist Church. Thank you to everyone for the work to make this happen and the work yet to be done. We are one in the spirit and we are one in our ministries.
With this merger there are some financial concerns to get us over the hump and into next year. As a merged church we are responsible for the upkeep of the Modena campus until it is sold – it is on the market – there is a realtor – and folks have looked at the property. Let’s pray that a sale can happen as soon as possible and we will no longer have those expenses.
I would like to talk about Apportionments. Every church in any Methodist Conference is assessed apportioned dollars to support the Methodist Church. The amount is based on a formula and calculated based on the number of churches in a conference and the individual churches expenses. It is fair and equitable. Paying apportionemnts in full is important. Some benefits – the ability to apply for grants and funding for ministries and projects – if apportionments paid in full – a church can apply – we have benefited from some of those grants. However some churches have struggled and were not able to pay apportionments. That happened to Modena this year 2025. Now that we are merged the apportionemnts for 2025 include New Paltz and Modena. New Paltz is current in payments. Modena is not. Together we need to pay this amount. We need an additional $6000 to become whole for the now New Connexions Apportionments for 2025. The $6000 is the full Year for Modena. Together let’s make that happen. A $1000 gift has been received – can you make a 13th month commitment to help pay apportionments. 2026 Apportionments will be the merged churches and that number is appropriate for our 2025 budget. If you can assist – send check to church or give through Online Giving – make sure you put Modena Apportionments in the memo space – these need to be paid by December 31.
Currently the Finance Committee is working on the 2026 Operating Budget for New Connexions. As I am sure you would understand, this budget will include the Modena Campus expenses. We will present a preliminary budget to the Ad Board in November and will hope to adopt the budget by January. Your continued financial commitment is essential to helping to keep the finances of New Connexions fluid. The finances of a Methodist church are critical – however the ministries and mission, if they are in full operation, are the foundation and money becomes the necessary second. In the Methodist denomination we are not subsidized by the greater church – we develop our own financial budget and work to maintain it. And, as Methodists we make a membership vow to serve our congregations through our prayers, presence, service, gifts and witness. I think we sometimes get so busy we forget these important vows/commitments we made – we need to acknowledge what and how we fulfill these – we do many automatically – let’s do them all as a matter of recognizing what it means to be a United Methodist. I think we will be surprised that we are committed – let’s celebrate and challenge ourselves to full commitment – I am! Let us see what surprises us.
Some updates since the last Newsletter
- Pastor Grace has returned from her eight week Spiritual Renewal Leave – and we are happy to have her back among us. I want to thank those who filled the pulpit during those eight weeks. The fee paid each Sunday was $200 totaling $1600 for these weeks. Of this $1600 half of the money came from folks who adopted a pastor for the week – “Adopt a Pastor” – thank you. We were fortunate to have Rev Jody Spiak for 6 of the eight weeks. It was a joy to have Rev. Rick Edwards preach….a former pastor at New Paltz, father of Mary Edwards Ransom and grandfather of Charlie, Matte, and Lia. Mary and Charlie shared the service with Rev. Rick.
- Utility bills continue to be read monthly – usage is up and down – and I am sure it will continue. Please make sure - if you turn the heat up for a meeting or event – you turn it down when you leave. Treat the church building like your home – thank you.
- NYAC continues to upgrade their billing system for the payment of Pastor’s Health Benefits and Pensions. That system is up and running – that monthly bill is paid online – no check is written. The next upgrade will be for Apportionments to be paid the same way. We currently make a monthly payment for appportionments.
- Organ Repairs Update – we continue to be in conversation with organ technician - it is a very small company and work on a job can exceed the time that was planned – and there are very few companies who service pipe organs. The technician will come to review the scope of work from the earlier proposal. Will keep you informed. This will be exciting to get this back on track.
I am repeating - If you know your John Wesley history – you know that May 24, 1738, known as Aldersgate Day – at a prayer meeting on that day – Wesley felt his heart “strangely warmed” – he experienced an assurance of God’s love and went on to share that love with all. Want some Methodist history read more about John Wesley, I suggest John Wesley Holiness of Heart and Life by Charles Yrogoyen, Jr. Why do I share this again – because much has happened to us at New Connexions – and although my heart is still financially a bit heavy – I do feel a warm spirit of potential growth and renewal – not to the past – rather to the future – we have much work to do to embrace our sustainability as a church, a parish, a district and a conference – we have opportunities - let’s grab hold – and with enthusiasm move forward with these ministries and missions……..doing good, doing no harm and staying in love with God.
The Council of Bishops and the Connectional Table of the United Methodist Church recently unveiled a new vision statement – “love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously”. I look forward to the growth and love and sharing and fellowship and discipleship sharing that can emerge from our new connexion. I know somewhere in this Newsletter there is the sharing of the Wellness Connexions activities and Halloween on Grove Street – these are new ministries and growth – and signs for the future - Forward we move on the corner of Main and Grove out and about wherever we are called.
May it be so!!!!
With love,
Margaret
How can it be September is a week away! How can it be that I am, again, the last to get my Newsletter article submitted! How can it be that New Connexions UMC has been birthed with so many possibilities of continued and new ministries! This is the day – month – year – time of new beginnings – new wineskins – new dreams – old dreams made new again! This is the time to be a United Methodist – right here and right now!
The above paragraph does not mean that everything is going to be easy or fall nicely in our laps. To me it means be united and connected in the spirit and work of our Methodist roots.
We continue to be busy and sometimes stressed. We celebrated merger – New Paltz UMC and Modena: Memorial UMC became New Connexions UMC – on August 17 we had the unveiling of our new logo and a wonderful display of the current and new ministries – we have our new tee shirts and other swag to show ourselves – and now the work to dig deep and show who we are.
The merger is official – however until the State of New York approves the merger our finances remain under two umbrellas – New Paltz and Modena – when paperwork is approved by the State – we will transition into one fiscal operation. We are working well together and anticipate the transition to be seamless.
For New Paltz – our financial picture through first six months is a bit below projection – we are a month behind. You can help by making sure your commitment is current. I realize under times of stress and turmoil in a church some folks just stop giving until there is something new – whatever that new might be – or there is a new sense of stability. The finances of a Methodist church are critical – however the ministries and mission, if they are in full operation, are the foundation and money becomes the necessary second. In the Methodist denomination we are not subsidized by the greater church – we develop our own financial budget and work to maintain it. And, as Methodists we make a membership vow to serve our congregations through our prayers, presence, service, gifts and witness. I think we sometimes get so busy we forget these important vows/commitments we made – we need to acknowledge what and how we fulfill these – we do many automatically – let’s do them all as a matter of recognizing what it means to be a United Methodist. I think we will be surprised that we are committed – let’s celebrate and challenge ourselves to full commitment – I am! Let us see what surprises us.
Some updates since the last Newsletter
- I talked about the merger and our unveiling of Logo
- As you know Pastor Grace is on an eight-week Spiritual Renewal Leave – something all pastors are entitled to take. We have in our budget some finances to pay for guest pastors. However as this leave was not planned when we prepared the budget we do not have eight weeks of guest pastor funds. We pay the guest pastor $200 per Sunday. If you would like to adopt a pastor for a Sunday – a gift would be appreciated – mark your check “adopt a pastor” – online giving, use “fund raising” box and mark “adopt a pastor” - Thanks
- Utility bills continue to be read monthly – usage is up and down – summer heat and air conditioners running a full capacity. Please make sure - if you are using an AC unit in the church – you shut it off when you leave – we found that there were units running all night and the church electric bill for July was VERY high – treat the church building like your home – thank you.
- It is amazing what the change in the rubbish/recycling contract means. $157 per month verses $800 per month.
- NYAC continues to upgrade their billing system for the payment of Pastor’s Health Benefits and Pensions. That system is up and running – that monthly bill is paid online – no check is written. The next upgrade will be for Apportionments to be paid the same way. We currently make a monthly payment for appportionments.
- Organ Repairs Update – to keep you informed. The technician will be coming to review the scope of work from the earlier proposal. We expected him the last week in July when temperatures were 90+ and humidity was 90+. We are looking at end of September/early October – the technicians cannot be up in the organ room at hot/humid temperatures. Working out the date is in process. Will keep you informed. This will be exciting to get this back on track.
If you know your John Wesley history – you know that May 24, 1738, known as Aldersgate Day – at a prayer meeting on that day – Wesley felt his heart “strangely warmed” – he experienced an assurance of God’s love and went on to share that love with all. Want some Methodist history read more about John Wesley, I suggest John Wesley Holiness of Heart and Life by Charles Yrogoyen, Jr. Why do I share this again – because much has happened to us at New Connexions – and although my heart is still financially a bit heavy – I do feel a warm spirit of potential growth and renewal – not to the past – rather to the future – we have much work to do to embrace our sustainability as a church, a parish, a district and a conference – we have opportunities - let’s grab hold – and with enthusiasm move forward with these ministries and missions……..doing good, doing no harm and staying in love with God.
The Council of Bishops and the Connectional Table of the United Methodist Church recently unveiled a new vision statement – “love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously”. I look forward to the growth and love and sharing and fellowship and discipleship sharing that can emerge from our new connexion. Forward we move on the corner of Main and Grove out and about wherever we are called.
May it be so!!!!
With love,
Margaret
Well this has been a busy – at times stressful – at times joyous time for both New Paltz UMC and Modena: Memorial UMC. And after much work the two congregations voted unanimously to merge and become ONE – we are better together – and I look forward to the growth and love and sharing and fellowship and discipleship sharing that can emerge from this action. Forward we move.
This merger will mean that – once all the required paper work is completed – approved and signed all of the finances will fall under one umbrella. The Finance Committee(s) – New Paltz and Modena will make that happen in a very smooth transition. In the meantime we continue to operate financially as we have been.
In this Newsletter (And by the time you get to this finance article) you have read much about this merger – the new name – and the anticipation of a bright future.
For New Paltz – our financial picture through first quarter is a bit below projection. You can help by giving your weekly or monthly contribution. I realize under times of stress and turmoil in a church some folks just stop giving until there is something new – whatever that new might be. In the Methodist denomination we are not subsidized by the greater church – we develop our own financial budget and work to maintain it. And as Methodists we make a membership vow to serve our congregations through our prayers, presence, service, gifts and witness. I hope that the something “new” for us might be this merger and new name. Let us see what surprises are on the horizon.
Some updates since the last Newsletter
- We have a new rubbish/recycling contractor – County Waste – Our costs went from average $850 per month to $160 per month. Huge savings in our budget. So please, when you take trash out – make sure it goes into the correct can and make sure the lid is securely closed. Pastor Grace and Art will make sure the parsonage and church cans are put to the curb each week. PlaySchool will make sure their cans are put out each week.
- Our utility bills - electric and gas – continue to be read monthly – this is a wonderful thing as it means we have actual readings and not estimated readings – better able to track usage for budget purposes. The cost of utilities continues to increase. If you read the recent articles in the local newspapers you know that Central Hudson is planning another huge increase – which impacts our accounts. What can you do – turn off lights when you are the last to leave a room – turn down (at least check) the thermostat when you are the last to leave the room.
- NYAC continues to upgrade their billing system for the payment of Pastor’s Health Benefits and Pensions. That system is up and running – that monthly bill is paid online – no check is written. The next upgrade will be for Apportionments to be paid the same way. We currently make a monthly payment.
- Organ Repairs Update – to keep you informed. The technician will be coming to review the scope of work from the earlier proposal. We are working with calendars to come up with a date. As Lee is not able to discuss the scope of work with the technicians we have a former organist who is willing to meet with the technician. Working out the date is in process. Will keep you informed. This will be exciting to get this back on track.
If you know your John Wesley history – you know that May 24, 1738, known as Aldersgate Day – at a prayer meeting on that day – Wesley felt his heart “strangely warmed” – he experienced as assurance of God’s love and went on to share that love with all. Want some Methodist history read more about John Wesley. Why do I share this – because we are in May – much has happened to us at New Paltz – and although my heart is still financially a bit heavy – I do feel a warm spirit of potential growth and renewal – not to the past – instead to the future – we have much work to do to embrace our sustainability as a church, a parish, a district and a conference – we have opportunities- let’s grab hold – and with enthusiasm move……..doing good, doing no harm and staying in love with God.
The Council of Bishops and the Connectional Table of the United Methodist Church recently unveiled a new vision statement – “love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously”. Bishop Bickerton reminded us of this statement at our recent gathering with him. May it be so!!!!
With love,
Margaret
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Last year I said, “We have spent the last year at New Paltz UMC working in the new reality of a post Covid environment. What did we learn and how do we continue to live in this new space. Over the last years we have become very successful in functioning in a “both/and” environment. We successfully worship each week - in person, zoom and facebook live. Sanctuary and Zoom folks interact each week in that special part of worship which is “just us”. It is quite true that many folks have not returned to in person worship and statistics show they will not return.” And, I repeat it in 2025 with the added statement that the “new reality” is ever changing – and we sometimes cannot keep up with it or even identify what it is other than it is different. For worship Zoom is a way of life – a reality. We have taken out pews and created a living room/parlor environment – a new reality. This last year we have been in discussion with our charge partner Modena on a merger or closure – a new reality. We are concerned about sustainability and participated in a Prayer and Discernment process – a reality new and old. And through it all we believe that there is light and life here on the corner of Main and Grove and work to make it brighter.
This letter is the financial Stewardship Campaign for 2025. We hope you will be willing to make a financial commitment to New Paltz United Methodist Church. The good news is that 2024 had successful year end results! That does not mean we should not be concerned about 2025 and our future. Your financial support makes a huge difference. And what we do makes a difference – it spreads the seeds and some are planted and grow and we hope to see the fruit.
We at New Paltz United Methodist Church continue to live our mission of “loving our neighbors, loving ourselves and loving God”. We are working hard to think “out of the box” and that is a difficult task for churches. Yes the removing of pews and the change in furniture – spearheaded by The Grove who are members and friends 40 and under who believe in the Christian relationships. Look at what The Grove is sponsoring – Social Justice movie Sing – a – Longs and Sans- Cyber Space. That is visioning for the now/future.
Each week our service is posted on the church website (www.newpaltzumc.org).We continue to monitor our technology and continue to find ways to upgrade and enhance what we do in worship and what we can do in other ministry and mission opportunities.
Our small groups continue – Vi Cole Study Group, Bible Studies, Book Studies, Monday Prayer group. Some of these are with our Tri-church neighbors. Administrative Board continues to meet via ZOOM. Our care team reaches people with cards from the church through Marilyn, with rides and meals as needed. Our food ministries continue – monthly food supplement deliveries and monthly fresh food give-a-way. The mitten/hat tree continues – with hand made mittens/hats/scarves. The Angel Tree for 2024 provided ShopRite Gift Cards for the families and staff at the ABCD Childcare Center. In addition to being a Reconciling Congregation, we are an Anti-Racist Congregation. We are discovering our history and roots in this community. We are working to bring back the monthly Taize worship and the organ repair work is rustling. There is so much more we can do with our hearts, minds and doors open! And through it all we believe that there is light and life here on the corner of Main and Grove and work to make it brighter.
Through all of our worship and ministries we work hard to maintain our financial stability. Most of our expenses are funded by our plate giving (Offering) and the monies we receive from a well thought out endowment/planned giving program. We no longer do “big” fun(d) raising events. We do have the opportunity to – in addition to your pledge / commitment – to “adopt” a bill. We also have a yearly gift for part of our apportionments.
Our Online Giving via VANCO Financial Solutions – a company that specializes in church giving continues to grow and we are seeing gifts from folks who have experienced “something” at NPUMC. Some of our givers moved their giving to this format to assure that their gifts were received regularly. We linked the VANCO outlet to our church website to make it easier for folks to make an online contribution. The link is https://newpaltzumc.org/give/online-giving/. We have added the VANCO App to provide an easier way to give for those folks who use “apps” – just download the App!
We are successful because – you answered the call to enter into a financial relationship with New Paltz UMC – you are meeting your commitment – for this we are most grateful!
Four reasons why people commit money to a church – we do believe it is why you give and will continue to give.
- People give because they believe in the need for the mission/ministry.
- People give because they believe that ministry/mission makes a difference.
- People give because they have confidence in the church and its leadership.
- People give to people and they give generously where they have established a relationship.
I believe this! I hope you do too! And through it all we believe that there is light and life here on the corner of Main and Grove and we work to make it brighter.
With prayers of gratitude and thanksgiving, we the Finance Committee invite you to consider and prayerfully make a 2025 Commitment to New Paltz United Methodist Church. Please reply as soon as you can.
In your reply to newpaltzumc@gmail.com please provide
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We appreciate your commitments. Thank you and may you be filled with God’s love as we continue to be in ministry and mission on the corner of Main and Grove. And may it be so.
Finance Committee, New Paltz United Methodist Church