Happy New Year 2023 from all of us at the NYSAFC, Inc. I have asked certain Association Officers to share their words on the upcoming New Year.

From the Office of Executive Secretary William Miles 

When we turn the calendar to 2023, let us resolve to be better Chaplain's by helping the lost and broken and caring for all of God's people.  Our Fire and EMS personnel are our front lines and we should be there, in the trenches, helping them to live their lives according to His plan.  My resolve for 2023, is to be a better Chaplain and a better representative for the job that God has chosen me to do.  Make it your resolution to do the same. Happy New Year to you, your families and your departments! May your greatest hopes and dreams for the new year be the least you receive in 2023. Happy New Year! 

From the Office of Treasurer David Quinn 

“REFLECTION OF RENEWAL” 

By the time you read this, Christmas will be a memory added to a collection of Christmas’s past and the New Year will be upon us. I can remember as a child my dad each year on New Year’s Eve asking my brother and I as kids what we were going to do for the new year, what we were going to resolve to do better, what we thought we could do that we haven’t done, or something that in some way would help others.  

The New Year is that time of year for all of us to look back and reflect. Besides getting more exercise and eating better, which we probably all could do better, what could we have done better, what didn’t we do so well, what didn’t we do that maybe we should have, something we want to get more involved in, or maybe we see something that we really are not comfortable with looking at our reflection. Someone to forgive, someone to reconnect to, a reflection of the past that we can do something about. Proverbs 27:19 comes to mind “As water reflects a face, so a Man’s heart reflects the man.” Sometimes the smallest step in the right direction ends up being the biggest step in your life, and sometimes that means a step to look backwards to be able to move on and continue our journey until the very last step.  

As we celebrate the renewal of the holiday season, a sacrifice given to us by God in the form of a mere baby in a manger, rejoice in what you have been given, cherish an annual remembrance of joy and peace…..and appreciate an opportunity for renewal. A renewal that can only be created by reflection.  May the new year bring you and your loved ones Peace and Joy in your hearts, love and happiness in your homes, good health and a reflection of renewal in our continued service to the fire service, communities we serve, and our fellow man.   

I pray God's Blessings for each of you in the coming year! 

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 From the Office of Chief Chaplain Thomas With

Happy Hanukkah and Merry Christmas from all of us at the NYSAFC, Inc. I have asked certain Association Officers to share their words on the Holidays of December.

 From the Office of the 1^st Deputy Chief Richard Bolster

“Merry Christmas – Happy Hanukkah to all family, friends and fire depts. from the NYSAFC, Inc. ALL BE SAFE.”

From the Office of 2nd Deputy Chief Chaplain Joe McCarthy 

A Christmas Message to my Fellow Chaplains: 

My wish for each and every Chaplain, as well as your families and loved ones, is for you to have Peace in your Hearts, Love Shared in your Homes, and Good Health so that we may continue our work in the Fire Service and in our Communities, as Chaplains and proud Members of The New York State Association of Fire Chaplains, Inc.”  

I pray God's Blessings on each of you!