 |
|
Dear Friends,
Have you taken advantage of opportunities to increase your leadership capacity? Below
is a photo of our most recent graduates from the Advanced Lay Servant Training class on
"Leading Worship." There were 3 persons from one congregation, 2 from another, 1 each
from several others, and although they had not been to the Basic class yet, two from
another church. It was held at New Beginnings UMC in Elmira, over 3 consecutive Sunday
afternoons. It was a joy to help facilitate this training, and I would be remiss if I didn't give
a HUGE thank you to Leslie Haggstrom for also facilitating the class.
Lay Servant training is not the only opportunity to increase your leadership capacity.
By the way, Lay Servant training is far more than standing in the pulpit. You can take Lay
Servant training and never stand in the pulpit, but can become equipped to serve in many
other ways. Attending Bible study at your own church is another tool for doing this.
In addition, Safe Sanctuaries training, and other training events that will be held on the
District and Conference levels are important ways to not only increase our leadership
capacity, but also to deepen (y)our discipleship of Jesus Christ.
Meeting new friends and deepening already established friendships are other
blessings of these opportunities. I know that Leslie and I were truly blessed by the
members of the class.
I trust that you also support your pastor in the required training that he or she is
expected to complete each year. May each of us become the most well-equipped Christ-
following leaders we can be, and all to His glory.
With You in the Journey,
Nancy
|
UNY Funds for Disaster Relief:
Thanks to churches who have taken a special collection for the victims of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria and the Mexico City earthquakes.
You may send contributions to the Finance Department at the United Methodist Center, 7481 Henry Clay Blvd., Liverpool, NY, 13088. Please make checks payable to UNYAC and designate money to a fund or funds that have been established:
Hurricane Harvey - #481
Hurricane Irma - #482
Hurricane Maria- #483
Mexico City Earthquakes - #611
2017 Storms - #474
UMCOR U.S. Disaster Response - #692
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Finance Department, 855-424-7878, ext. 2004.
Assemble Cleaning Kits (Flood Buckets)
Click here for instructions.
|
The United Methodist Church Handbook
Fresh for the quadrennium
The new United Methodist Handbook is ready and available FREE of charge. Packed with denominational details, beliefs, history and maps, this handbook is a one-stop destination for all things United Methodist. Consider using it in new member and confirmation classes, leadership training sessions, welcome packets, church libraries and other congregational gathering spaces.
Click here
to order your free copies.
|
|
UMVIM Awareness Sunday - October 15th
The 2016 General Conference approved the celebration of United Methodist Volunteers in
Mission Awareness Sunday (UMVIM Awareness Sunday). On this day, we honor the great work that thousands of local church volunteers do as they share the love of Christ in action. As the schedule allows, The NEJ VIM team is encouraging Conferences and local churches to consider celebrating UMVIM Awareness Sunday on Laity Sunday, October 15th.
In honor of UMVIM Awareness Sunday, the General Board of Global Ministries has prepared resources that you can use to enhance your celebration. Click here to download bulletin inserts, social media posts, litanies, and much more. Click here for a video resource.
|
|
Early Response Team (ERT)
training scheduled for October 28th and November 18th
The next Upper New York Early Response Team (ERT) training is October 28th from
8:00 am to 5:00 pm at the United Methodist Center, 7481 Henry Clay Blvd, Liverpool, N.Y. There will be an opportunity for those who need to re-certify to do so between
1:00 pm and 5:00pm.
There will also be an ERT training November 18 2017 at Alexander United Methodist Church, 10540 Main St, Alexander, N.Y. from 8:00 am - 5:00 pm. There is not a
re-certification opportunity for this training.
UMCOR's ERT training equips individuals to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disaster. When disaster strikes, Early Response Teams (ERTs) fill a specific need to clean out flood-damaged homes, remove debris, place tarps on homes, and otherwise help to prevent further damage. The work provides a caring Christian presence in times of disaster. The ERT badge is issued by UMCOR to applicants over the age of 18 after successful completion of an ERT course and background check. Badges are valid for 3 years.
An ERT training cost of $25.00 includes the ERT manual, background check, supplies, and badge. A Re-certification cost is $21.50 includes materials, supplies, background check, and badge. Payment is by check written to "Clifton Springs UMC" with "ERT" written on the memo line. Bring check to the training.
Click here to register for the Liverpool training.
Click here to register for the Alexander training.
|
|
|
Upper NY's Safe Sanctuaries® Training
For individuals who have responsibility for the safety of children, youth, and vulnerable adults in the churches' ministries - pastors, those responsible for Christian education and youth group leaders.
This course is a prerequisite for Upper NY's Safe Sanctuaries Training of Trainers. For information, [email protected], 607-987-4793.
CENTRAL UMC, 2:30 p.m.,
October 15, 17
Nanticoke Avenue, Endicott, NY 13760. To register if you plan to attend, call Central UMC, 607-754-6060, or the District Office, 607-748-0662, or e-mail: [email protected]
South Dayton UMC, 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Wednesday
, October 4
at , corner of Pine and 2nd Streets.
East Randolph UMC, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday, October 22, 122 Church St. Class size is limited; if interested, please call Judy Messinger, 716-358-9204 or email her at [email protected]
|
|
Bishop's Retreat 2017
Join us for the 2017 Bishop's Retreat at the Double Tree Hotel in Binghamton October 24-26, 2017
For details visit:
|
|
Webinar for Local Church Leaders
in Finance & Stewardship
Wednesday, 11/01 at 10 am CDT
Is your church ready to receive gifts that won't necessarily come through the offering plate? Do you have a strategy in place for gifts that might take the form of an endowment, bequest, memorial gift, or gifts of property, stocks, or valuable collectibles? If you were approached by someone offering a larger gift, would you know how to respond? Ken Sloane hosts Don Joiner, a Certified Financial Planner and Discipleship Ministries colleague, to explore how these gifts "above and beyond" might help your church achieve greater mission and witness!
Click here to reserve your spot
Other Topics to look at:
Litanies for Whole-Life Stewardship Series- Details
Free E-Book from Generous Church
Miss This Webinar? Electronic Giving:
Details
|
Registration opens for the fall 2017 Lay Servant
Training Retreat at Asbury Camp & Retreat Center
The Genesee Valley District Lay Ministries Committee is offering a Lay Servant Training Retreat Nov. 3-5 at Asbury Camp & Retreat Center; this is a great opportunity for lay servants across the UNY Conference. In addition to the Basic Lay Servant's Course, there will be three advanced courses offered (Evangelism, UMC Heritage, and Discovering Spiritual Gifts).
Click here
for registration form.
|
Worship Leaders for the INWARD
Conference Youth Events named
It's time to register for the Conference Council on Youth Ministries (CCYM) Fall Gathering, now called INWARD. At these two gatherings (East and West), CCYM is putting aside the theatrics in favor of a truly profound, God-filled experience. With a focus on small-group time and prayer, they aim to make an event from which you can leave saying you've experienced God.
The
East event will be held at
Calvary-Latham UMC Fri.-Sat. Nov. 10-11. The
West event will be held
Fri.-Sat., Nov. 17-18 at
Penn Yan UMC.
The Worship Team of the CCYM is happy to introduce the Worship Leaders for this fall's INWARD Youth Events. Brandon Hatch will be the Worship Speaker at the East event. Brandon and his wife Heidi of Heartsong will be the Worship Leaders at the East event. Bob Schooley will be the Worship Speaker at the West event and Brandon and Heidi will again be the Worship Leaders.
Click here to read more about the Worship Speakers and Worship Leaders.
Click here to register for the East or West event.
|
|
Lay Servant course open for registration
The Finger Lakes District will be featuring a course to improve and hone the participants' public-speaking skills, specifically as those skills relate to the act of preaching prepared sermons/messages on
Nov. 10-12 at Casowasco Camp & Retreat Center.
This course, led by the Revs. Colleen and Nick Preuninger, is for anyone looking to deliver a sermon, read Scripture, or lead liturgy- it satisfies both advanced Lay Servant certification and Lay Speaker requirements. Contact Jennie Young-Walczyk for more information or to apply for a scholarship at
[email protected]
|
Holy Land tour with Bishop Webb scheduled for Jan. 2018
Join Bishop Mark J. Webb and his wife, Jodi Webb, on an 11-day trip (January 9-19, 2018) to the Holy Land through Educational Opportunities Tours. This journey will deepen your experience and bring to life the Scriptures.
Click here to learn more, including the cost and ways to save.
CEU Credits- 2
|
|
Download the October Issue II
of the Bridge
The October Issue II copy 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 features Upper New York Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb's Taskforce to Eliminate Racism. This issue also includes reminders about the need for prayers for the victims, family members, and first responders to the devastating Las Vegas shooting as well as ways to respond to those affected by Hurricane Maria.
|
|
Media Resource Center newsletter now available
The October issue of Upper New York's Media Resource Center newsletter is now available for download. The Media Resource Center - a free lending library supported through your shared ministry dollars - publishes the monthly newsletter, which features new resources that are currently available or coming soon along with assorted pieces of information about the resource center from Director Diane Miner. Click here to view and/or download the current newsletter. If you have questions, please contact Diane at [email protected]
|
|
|
It's Time for Lay Servants Annual Reports
to be Completed
*This report is required each year for
a lay servant to continue
Here is what you do for those in the Mountain View District:
Click here to access the report.
Fill it out (its a type-in form), print
it, sign it, and get it signed by your pastor and give the report to your pastor to hand in with Charge Conference reports and materials. (once the DS signs the report I will email you a copy with all the signatures for your records.)
Note: Lay servants must complete the Basic Lay Servant Course and an Advanced Lay Servant Course, with an additional Advanced course every three years.
If you have taken only the Basic course, you don't need to fill out a report until you have completed an Advanced course.
|
|
NEW - UNYAC Paid Family Leave Benefit
Starting January 1, 2018, New York State's new Paid Family Leave will go into effect. The purpose of this insurance coverage is to provide paid time off for an employee to care for a family member with a serious health condition, to foster parent-child bonding for an employee's newborn or newly placed adoptive or foster child, and for an employee experiencing any qualifying exigency related to a spouse, domestic partner, child or parent on active military duty.
The Upper New York Conference benefits office has been studying the regulations in consultation with Guardian Insurance, the carrier for our umbrella disability policy. Guardian will also be carrying our paid family leave policy. Churches should not purchase their own coverage, nor withhold contributions from employee paychecks. Claim forms and contact information will be added to the Church Employers web page in the future.
Click here for additional guidance in how we will administer this benefit.
|
|
|
Shoe Boxes for Red Bird Mission
The Endwell United Methodist Church mission team is again coordinating the collection and delivery of shoeboxes for Red Bird Mission, located in Beverly, Kentucky.
We have begun to collect shoeboxes with the goal of having everything ready by November 22, 2017. We plan on transporting all items the first week of December.
This year we are asking churches that want to participate in this project to help us by dropping off all filled shoeboxes to the following two locations:
Upper New York Conference Center
7481 Henry Clay Blvd.
Liverpool, NY
Endwell UMC
3301 Watson Blvd.
Endwell, NY
Drop off dates will be November 1st-17th. If needed, arrangements can be made to have a pickup of items by contacting Dave Alexander at
|
|
CONAM
The Committee on Native American Ministries (CONAM) continues to do work on behalf of the Upper New York Conference's commitment toward building bridges with Indigenous Peoples as promised in the Act of Repentance that was initiated in the 2015 Annual Conference.
You can fulfill an important role in this promise by designating a Local Church Representative to CONAM from your congregation(s) at your upcoming charge conference. If you already have a Local Church Representative, thank you for your current and past commitment to sharing the work of CONAM within your ministry.
The most important role of your Local Church Representative is to promote recognition of Native American Ministries Sunday (NAMS) each year. Although there is a designated Sunday after Easter as NAMS, it can be recognized anytime throughout the year. This service is a time of celebrating Native gifts within the fabric of our society and nation.
In addition, current events and activities happening in Indian Country are sent regularly through email. The role of your Local Church Representative is to share this information with your congregation(s).
Please make sure the details about your Local Church Representative are current on the charge conference form: name, email, church, district.
Blessings for your ministry,
Kae Wilbert
Chair, CONAM
|
|
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Oct. 15
Northern Flow District Superintendent installation-
Details
Oct. 24-26
Bishop's Retreat-Details
Oct. 27-28 Conference Leadership Team (CLT) meeting-
Details
|
|
Upper New York Annual Conference Contact Information
The United Methodist Center
of Upper New York
7481 Henry Clay Blvd.
Liverpool, NY 13088
(315) 898-2000
Toll-Free (855) 424-7878
Fax (315) 898-2150
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
The Resource Center Links
Resource Center:
Click here
|
Rev. Nancy Adams
District Superintendent
Patti Gridley
Administrative Assistant
65 East First St., Corning, NY 14830
(607) 962-8047
Mountain View District Webpage click here
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
