Mohawk District E-newsletter for Churches and Pastors
March 3, 2021
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Pastors, Worship Leaders, Gather for
Holy Week Roundtable
The DLT will host a Roundtable discussion on Zoom 6:30-8 p.m., March 11th. Worship together and then have a time to share ideas. Please join in and share your creative ideas surrounding Holy Week or gather some ideas that would work well in your community. See the full article in this newsletter including zoom link.
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District Prayer Focus
Week of March 7
New London
and
Vernon
and
Verona
Pastor Ejaz Abid
the 2020-21 Prayer Calendar
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Prayers Needed - Heidi Bradseth |
Heidi Bradseth, spouse of Rev. Anthony Bradseth (Dolgeville, Oppenheim, St. Johnsville) had emergency surgery last week. She has a long way to recovery and is in need of healing prayer. Please lift up Heidi and her family. |
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Safe Sanctuaries Zoom Training |
The Upper New York Annual Conference Team will be hosting our standard Basic Safe Sanctuaries training via Zoom 9 AM to 12:30 PM, Saturday, March 27.
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This training is brought to you and paid for by your Upper New York Ministry Shares. This basic training is required for anyone working with children, youth and vulnerable adults as stated by the Minimum Standards. This training is a must no matter if your current ministry activities are in-person or online.
If you have already taken this training you DO NOT need to retake it.
The training will follow the reformatted ZOOM curriculum developed by the Upper New York Annual Conference Safe Sanctuaries Team educating those involved in ministries who work with children, youth and vulnerable adults on risks and prevention strategies related to abuse.
There will be a link to the handout that should be printed and available to you for the training.
You must REGISTER for the training. If you register and are no longer able to attend we ask that you let us know as soon as possible so we can fill your spot with someone else who is waiting to take the training.
The training will be facilitated by Safe Sanctuaries Conference Committee Co-Chairs Arlene Schmidt and Pastor Christine Mitchell.
For more information on Safe Sanctuaries, and on background checks, click here.
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Your generous giving to United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) on UMCOR Sunday (March 14, 2021) is what allows UMCOR to respond when there is a need, in instances such as:
· Tornadoes that ripped through Oklahoma;
· Children in Zimbabwe who lost parents to AIDS;
· A massive tsunami that devastated Japan.
UMCOR will be able to offer aid in Jesus’ name to those who suffer because United Methodists give through UMCOR Sunday.
Click here for resources to promote UMCOR Sunday in your church.
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All Pastor and Deacon Leaders are invited by the Superintendent to take part in Pastor Area Connect groups.
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Here are a couple of PAC opportunities for which we have upcoming meeting dates:
West PAC: Typically First Thurs. (Mar. 4) 10 a.m. on Zoom
Call in #: 1 929 205 6099
Meeting ID #: 960 9287 5642
North PAC: First (Mar. 4) and third Thurs. each month, 10 a.m.,
via Zoom
Southeast PAC: First Tues. (Apr. 6) each month, 6:45 p.m.,
via Zoom
AND
Third Tues. (Mar.16) each month, 1 p.m., in person at Waterville UMC or via Zoom
East PAC: Tentatively Mon., Apr. 5th, 7 p.m. via Zoom
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Mar. 11 Pastors and Worship Leaders Invited for
Holy Week Roundtable on Zoom
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The DLT will be hosting another Roundtable discussion over Zoom Thursday, March 11th, 6:30-8 p.m. We will start with worship and then have a time to share ideas. Please join us and share your creative ideas surrounding Holy Week or to gather some ideas that would work well in your community. This will be an open discussion for all those who attend. If you have any specific questions that you would like to see covered in this time, please email Pastor Wendy Morrison at: wendymorrison.church@yahoo.com
https://unyumc.zoom.us/j/99343647078?pwd=M1VQQlZIVTVxQjYzcDJ2VFVIdSsxQT09
Meeting ID: 993 4364 7078
Passcode: 444255
Dial by your location
+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
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Be a Part of The United Methodist Church Virtual Easter Choir!
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Deadline is Past for Church End-of-Year Reporting -
Keep them Coming ASAP
Each year there are reports due from local churches to finalize data needed by the UMC and help churches take stock for ministry planning. The following reports were due February 15, 2021, to the Mohawk District Office: 105 Genesee St., New Hartford, NY 13413, or mohawkdistrict@unyumc.org. Let us know if you need help accessing a blank copy of a report:
- Report of the Trustees
- Report of the Finance Committee
- End-of-Year Financial Report (any format)
- 2021 Church Budget (any format)
Additionally, the annual audit is due March 15, 2021, to the Mohawk District Office: 105 Genesee St., New Hartford, NY 13413, mohawkdistrict@unyumc.org.
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Reminder: Workers' Compensation Audits Due
Brotherhood insurance, who provides coverage to your church through UNY Conference, sent churches a Workers’ Compensation Audit back in December. It refers to the total wages for 2020.
This audit was due Feb. 15, 2021. If your church didn’t complete it yet, please still send it right away.
Please contact American Church customer service at 800-326-7200 if you need help or have questions.
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Annual Conference 2021
The 12th Session will take place virtually June 17-19, 2021. The Upper New York Conference is working with Good News TV Media Ministry to provide a positive virtual experience.
Who will attend: All clergy and laity representatives to the Annual Conference Session
When is Annual Conference: June 17-19, 2021
Where will Annual Conference Take Place: Virtually
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Practice your faith
wherever you are.
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Hello friends,
I wanted to send you an update about the New Faith Community, Everyday Sanctuary, I've been developing. Everyday Sanctuary's purpose is to help busy people have a satisfying faith practice in 5 minutes.
To date we have over 370 unique downloads and over 100 churches across the country connected to our Resources for Churches.
When I served Oneida UMC I longed to connect people to God. When they left the church building I wanted them to continue to know how to deepen their spiritual formation without me. Everyday Sanctuary is a tool we can share that gives all our people a simple, accessible way to connect to God everyday.
I hope you'll download the app and try it out.
To learn more you can go to:
Many blessings,
Pastor Abigail Browka
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Lay Servant Courses - Open to All
The following courses are available to keep certification current or become certified as Lay Servant or Lay Speaker.
Advanced Course: Leading Prayer
6-9 p.m., Wednesdays April 14, 21, May 5:
Saturday May 1: 9-1 pm
ZOOM: Course Fee: $15
Advanced Course: Lay Pastoral Care
7-9 p.m., Wednesdays, Apr. 28th, May 5th, 12th, & 19th
Zoom: Course Fee $15
Click here for the registration brochure. Reg. extended to Apr. 1.
Imagine No Racism
2-5 p.m., Thursdays, Apr. 22nd, 29th, May 6th, 13th, & 20th
Zoom: Course Fee $15
Click here for the registration brochure. Reg. extended to Apr. 1.
Basic Course: Basic Lay Servant
6-9 p.m., Thursdays, May 13 and 27; and 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., Saturday, May 29; and 6 - 9 p.m., Monday, June 7
ZOOM: Course Fee: $15
Advanced Course: Spiritual Gifts
6 - 9 p.m., Mondays, June 14 and 21; and 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Saturday, June 26; and 6 - 9 p.m., Thursday, July 1.
ZOOM: Course Fee: $15
Advanced Course: Leading Worship
6 - 9 p.m., Wednesdays, July 14, 21 and 28; and 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Saturday, August 7.
ZOOM: Course Fee: $15
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The recent Southern winter storm--unofficially named Winter Storm Uri—led to winter weather alerts for 170 million people. The state of Texas has been hit particularly hard, resulting in power blackouts, loss of heat and broken pipes. As the snow and ice melts, flooding will be a significant problem.
UM Churches and other churches are serving as warming shelters and food banks. Meanwhile, the same storm system spawned tornados in the Carolinas, destroying homes.
UMCOR, working with Conference Disaster Relief Coordinators, is providing immediate funding to assist annual conferences and will provide long-term support once the damage is fully assessed. Your help is needed, today. Please make a gift, today, to UMCOR U.S. Disaster Response, Advance #901670.
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UMC Clergy Education Offering Courses for Credit in Mar./Apr. 2021
Mar. 9 - Game Changers for the Post-Pandemic Church
Kay Kotan. Click here to register or for information.
Mar. 16 - Staying the Course Toward Racial Reconciliation
Patricia Sanders Hall. Click here to register or for information
Mar. 23 - More Than a Sermon: Tips to Becoming a More Effective Pastor
Quincy Brown. Click here to register or for information.
Apr. 20 - Easy Ways to Enhance Online Discipleship in Your Church
Rachel Gilmore. Click here to register or for information.
Apr. 22 - Great "out of the box" Ideas for Local Churches
Anne Bosarge. Registration info coming soon.
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Nominations and Applications Open for 2021 Session of Shenandoah University Youth Theology Institute (July 18-31, 2021)
Is there high schooler in your life who is ready to learn about how their faith in Jesus Christ calls them to live and be in the world in a way that seeks justice, all while earning college credit that they can carry with them wherever they go after high school? Nominate and encourage them to apply for the Shenandoah University Youth Theology Institute (SUYTI). SUYTI is a two-week, credit-bearing program for any young person who is currently in high school (that is, any student who will be a rising sophomore through recent high school graduate this summer). Through a daily rhythm of worship, academic study, experiential and service learning, and (of course) sabbath rest, students will learn to become stronger Christian leaders and return home equipped to be change-agents for the reign of God. The 2021 Institute will run from July 18-31, 2021 on Shenandoah University’s main campus in Winchester, VA. Thanks to a grant from the Lilly Endowment, students will have all that SUYTI has to offer (room and board, program expenses, and three college credits) at a cost of only $200 per student. However, 2021 will be our final session, so now is the perfect time to apply! To nominate a student or to apply, visit www.su.edu/youththeology. For more information, contact Ian Urriola, Director of the SUYTI, by calling (540) 665-5453 or emailing iurriola@su.edu.
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The Mohawk District Office staff will be available
9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays,
generally. Call the District 315-797-1777, or
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Mohawk District Office
105 Genesee Street
New Hartford, NY 13413
315-797-1777
Regular Hours: Tues., Wed., Thurs., 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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