Though a firm timetable for when churches will be permitted to reopen is not currently available, recent statements by the New York Governor's Office indicate churches fall in phase 4, the last category of institutions allowed to reopen. It remains the best practice for all churches to consult their local county department of health for specific guidelines. 

 

Different regions will reach phase 4 at different times. To help you be prepared for when you can reopen, the Upper New York Conference Reopening Taskforce has compiled a downloadable comprehensive guide to help local churches understand when they can open and resume services and the best practices they must have in place once in order to keep everyone safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

UNY's church reopening guidelines seek to balance these two values - community and well-being - in ways that are faithful, reasonable, and practical. They are offered to assist pastors and church leaders in their work of planning for the resumption of in-person gatherings for worship, education, fellowship, leadership, and community outreach.

The reopening guidelines document outlines core principles and practices. Click here for a detailed overview of what guidelines are included and to access and/or download the document with the dozens of guidelines available to help you as you approach the possibility of reopening.

The purpose and mission of every United Methodist Church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Local churches and New Faith Communities are where disciples are made. Upper New York Director (UNY) of New Faith Communities, the Rev. Dave Masland, said, "In 2019, more than 60 percent of the churches in Upper New York reported that they did not have a single Profession of Faith! That is the definition of an organization struggling to live its purpose."

 

Upper New York Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb and the UNY Conference Leadership Team, the UNY Cabinet, and the UNY Operational Team have continue work on "Discovering, Developing, and Deploying Christ-Following Leaders." Click here to learn more about the new tools to effectively fulfill their vision for 2025.

United Methodist Volunteers in Mission (UMVIM) is offering its annual Northeastern Jurisdiction Mission Academy in an online webinar format throughout May and June 2020.

 

Click here  for the full calendar of courses. All courses are free. Donations are welcomed to UMVIM and its partners offering these courses.

 

UMVIM connected with Global Ministries, UMCOR, Church & Society and community partners like New York Disaster Interfaith Services (NYDIS) to offer several of the courses. The others are being offered by leaders within the Northeastern Jurisdiction.

 

Click here  to learn more.

The Upper New York Conference Leadership Team invites you to pray with them as they share prayers designed to be used however the Spirit calls you to use them. If the Spirit places it on your heart to include these prayers in your daily devotions, publish them on your social media page, or jump off from their movement into your own inspiration, go with God and with their blessing.

 

Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, the Rev. Nancy Dibelius, Upper New York Assistant Director of Vital Congregations for Spiritual Life, has been providing videos of helpful spiritual practices to help deepen people's relationship to God during this difficult time.

 

Recently Rev. Dibelius has been guiding us through the spiritual practice known as The Examine, which is the Examine of Consciousness. This helps you to recognize the God-moments you have had in your life, which will in turn, will help you to acknowledge them as they continue to happen.

 

Click here to view the video to learn how to engage in Part I of this eye-opening spiritual discipline.

 

Click here to view the video to learn how to practice Part II of 

The Examine.

A video that shows a variation of The Examine, which uses symbols as an autobiography of the God moments of your life and how to reflect prayerfully on how they have impacted your life's journey to date and how they will impact your journey going forward may be found by clicking here.

The Upper New York (UNY) Communications team now has a worship video featuring the UNY Cabinet and other UNY leaders.

In accordance with the continued response to COVID-19 pandemic, the Upper New York (UNY) Conference local churches are strongly encouraged to continue to refrain from having in-person worship services through May 31. Recognizing that the New York Governor has placed drive-in theatres as a part of businesses that can open within Phase 1 of the states re-opening guidelines, we support any churches that desire to offer drive-in worship experiences within regions that are in Phase 1 of New York's reopening guidelines until in-person worship within our buildings can resume. It is vital that guidelines be followed closely if a church decides to offer drive-in worship and that the building not be opened or available for access in any way. You can find guidelines, as well as resources, for drive-in worship experiences here .

Adirondack Lay Servant Ministries also is offering classes via Zoom. Living Our Methodist Beliefs (United Methodist Heritage) will be offered from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on June 9, 16, 23 and 30 and from 9 a.m. to 12 noon on June 13 . For more information and to register, please email Arlene Schmidt, [email protected] .

The May Issue II of the Bridge is now available for download. It is available in both color and black & white formats. Click here to select the version you prefer and make copies as necessary.

This issue provides information on how to support those who may be experiencing domestic violence during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

During the COVID-19 pandemic and the social distancing mandate, try to be creative in your distribution of the Bridge. Consider mailing or delivering them to your congregation members. Even better - post the link to the Bridge on your website or include a link to the Bridge in an email to your congregation.

 

If you have questions or are unable to make copies, please contact [email protected]. 

The COVID-19 crisis has forced churches to adapt to a situation none of us could have foreseen. When quarantines are over and churches are open and people can safely leave their homes, will the church be the same as it was before March 2020? Probably not, but that may not necessarily be a bad thing. Join Ken Sloane, Director of Stewardship & Generosity as he discusses what might be different in the months ahead.

To register for the webinar, click here.

Click here to hear the heart-felt message in this video.

It has been said that wherever two or more United Methodists gather, someone is bringing a casserole! Right now, we can't host in-person church meals, but we can still come together virtually using technology and through United Methodist Now.

Find videos and stories about United Methodists and food. You can also find recipes and share your favorites. Click here to find out how.

As a BONUS, if you subscribe to the free twice-monthly United Methodist Now e-newsletter through the link , you will get seasonally delicious recipe cards from other readers.

So, pull up a chair. Feel the love. Enjoy the food and the (virtual) company. 

Upper New York Conference Communications team has added a page on our Conference website ( www.unyumc.org) that showcases all the Methodist churches in our Conference that are hosting online worship services.

 

Click here to see the listing services you can attend virtually. More services are added each day. If your church's livestream is missing from the list, please email the link(s) and time(s) to  [email protected].

When you give on Peace with Justice Sunday, your gift makes possible our critical kingdom work in the world. Because you give:

These initiatives, and hundreds of other ones, are possible because you give.  Thanks be to God!