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I have a dream... I have a dream...
--That people will come to know and freely use their spiritual gifts and their talents for the glory of God - both inside and outside the church, district, and conference.
--That congregation members will intentionally do the hard work of disagreeing in Christian love, and to work out their differences with each other and their pastors with open and honest communication.
--That people with differing opinions can share and speak to one another openly, honestly, and without fear.
--That those attending the churches of the Mountain View District would intentionally know their neighbors who live near the church and to learn and meet the unumet needs in the neighborhood that God is calling them to meet.
I have a dream... I have a dream...
--That more families attend worship together, and that worship will be a priority and not an afterthought.
--That each congregation will be a Spirit-filled, powerful, praying congregation, growing in spiritual depth and in number.
--That the vision of those whose goal is keeping the doors of the building open would have their vision expanded to what is the best plan forward to expand the Kingdom of God.
I have a dream... I have a dream...
That the world will know we are Christians by our love - and grace -and radical hospitality
--That the unchurched will be attracted to Christ by our witness as we live out our faith in Jesus Christ 7 days a week.
--That reaching out beyond the walls of the church building with the love of Christ will not be a scary proposition, but a natural way to live out our faith.
I have a dream... I have a dream...
--That the church will be a place of healing.
--That the church will the safest place in the world to cry.
--That what breaks Christ's heart will break our hearts, and that what gives Christ joy will give us joy.
I have a dream... I have a dream...
--That the Body of Christ will be the Body of Christ at its best.
I have a dream...
With You in the Journey,
Nancy
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Mountain View District Website
You can find the District Newsletter on the District Website.
Click here
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Local Churches & their Leadership to pray for this week
Italy Valley & Prattsburgh
UMC's & Pastor Kathy Dye
Jasper UMC & Pastor David Barnard
Montour Falls & Odessa-Catharine UMC's & Pastor Sheila Price
New Beginnings UMC & Pastor Leanne Zeck
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Also Keep These Folks in your Prayers As Well
Please keep the family of Betty Wolfe Crowell in your prayers. Mrs. Crowell, 93, died on Friday, Jan. 6, 2017 in Florida. She was the mother of the
Rev. Stephen Crowell, currently appointed to Alfred and Angelica United Methodist Churches. A service to celebrate her life will be held in the Spring. Condolences can be sent to 1389 Moland Rd., Alfred Station, N.Y. 14803.
Continued prayers for
Rev. Rhonda Kouterick and her family. Condolences can be sent to 1034 West Broad Street, Horseheads, NY 14845.
Retired Licensed Local Pastor Dan Knopf and his family, as Dan continues his battle with cancer.
Retired Rev. Betty Bement and her family as Betty's husband Tom continues his battle with cancer.
Rev. Jan Rowell, retired Oneonta District Superintendent as she continues her fight against cancer. If anyone would like to send a card, the address is 9 Van Buren Street, Albany, NY 12206
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Reminder of Pastor & Church Profiles are to be UPDATED
These are now WAY
OVERDUE
Pastors' profiles and church profiles are due December 1st, and that the church profiles should NOT be filled out by the pastor, but rather by the church council as a group.
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IMPORTANT DATES TO ADD TO YOUR CALENDAR:
- Statistics for 2016 - The Ezra site http://ezra.gcfa.org will be opened by Sunday, January 1, 2017 to enter the church statistical data. 2016 Statistical data will be due by Wednesday, February 15, 2017.
-
Local Church Audit
- The 2016 annual audit of your church financial records is due to the District Superintendents on Wednesday, March 15, 2017.
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File your stats on Ezra between Jan. 1 and Feb. 15
The Upper New York Conference will be quickly coming upon the filing for church statistics for 2016! In anticipation of this deadline, please remember that your church's 2016 statistics must be completed by February 15, 2016. You will be able to log your statistics through Ezra beginning Jan. 1.
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Don't Wait Until the Last Minute - Login to EZRA
You are now able to enter your church's 2016 statistics through Ezra (http://www.ezra.gcfa.org). If you need login information or help with data entry, don't hesitate to call or email the District office - we are here to help!
Before you begin, please take a few minutes to read through the following "tips" from the Treasurer's Office of the Upper New York Annual Conference:
1. Please go to "Account" and update your church user contact information, including email address and phone number.
2.You do not have to complete lines 40-47, 50, and 65 on Table 2. The UNY Conference Office will be feeding this data into the system.
3. Baptism reporting is now split between children and adults on lines 11a and 11b. The system will automatically total both lines on line 11.
4. It is now required that you enter explanations in order to submit your stats. You can SAVE, but not SUMBIT with an error or unexplained warning.
5. Line 67 from the 2016 statistical tables will be used to calculate your ministry shares for 2018. Please ensure you are fully and accurately reporting these figures.
6. Federated, united, community churches, etc. please report ONLY the portion of your statistics that is United Methodist.
7. Mission churches and New Church Starts are now required to report statistical information. Please call Dave Masland if you need assistance.
8. You must complete and submit your statistical information by February 15, 2017. You will find helpful information in the Reports section of the site. Please see "Users Guide" that you can access from the Home Page.
9. We are asking all statistical input to be done via website access and NOT using paper forms. If you have difficulty with this, please contact the District Office for assistance (mountainviewdistrict@unyumc.org or 607-962-8047).
10. You may contact your District Office for an updated Password or call the conference office at (855) 424-7878, ext. 333 with other questions about the reporting.
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THINGS GOING ON THIS WEEK-Jan. 12th-19th
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Lifetree Conversation Café
at Arnot Mall
WHEN: Every Monday Evening
WHERE
: Fresh Start Corner Office
located in the Arnot Mall (between Ruby Tuesday & Bon Ton)
TIME:
7 pm - 8 pm
at Watkins Glen
WHEN: Every Thursday Evening
WHERE:
Fresh Start Watkins Glen
206 Fourth St., Watkins Glen, NY
TIME:
7 pm - 8 pm
Lifetree Café
is a comfortable place and time for people to gather every week to explore life and faith. It's the kind of place where you'd meet a friend for food and drink and fun. Where the atmosphere encourages conversations, questions, and personal stories. The hour-long Lifetree Cafe experiences feature real stories of real people, guided conversation, biblical insights, time to build relationships with old and new friends, laughter, and opportunities to serve.
You are invited to come and bring a friend!
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Human Relations Day
Jan. 15, 2017
Human Relations Day is January 15, 2017-it is a Special Sunday that calls all United Methodist churches to participate in helping all God's children, particularly those that are marginalized, to realize their potential. It is a day to help nurture at-risk youth, strengthen communities' self-improvement efforts, and advocate for the oppressed. Click here to learn more.
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LOCAL, DISTRICT & CONFERENCE UPCOMING EVENTS FOR YOUR CALENDAR
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Course of Study seeking instructors
The Course of Study for Local Pastors held in Kenmore, N.Y. is seeking applications for instructors beginning August 2017.There is a particular need for "Gospels" and "Transformative Leadership." A $1,500.00 stipend plus expenses is offered for each course, which involves one Fri-Sat session for two consecutive months. A DMin or doctorate in another area is preferred, but equivalent experience will be considered. For inquiries, call Rev. Gail Lewis, Director, at 716-984-1140. Please email resumes to:
RevGML@aol.com
by January 20, 2017.
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Leading Your Marriage at Asbury Camp and Retreat Center
WHEN: Wed.- Fri.,
Jan. 20 - 22, 2017
WHERE: Asbury Camp & Retreat Cente
Begin the new year off together becoming marriage LEADERS! Celebrate the start of a new year learning the essentials of a strong Biblical marriage. These seven essentials: Love/Endurance/Admiration/Dedication/Enrichment/Regard/Satisfaction) will guide our weekend together which includes group sessions, time for reflection as individuals and as a couple, and certainly fun! Contact Asbury Camp & Retreat Center, 585-237-5262 or
info@asburyuny.org
to register and for more information.
Cost: $200 per couple for 2 nights in private rooms with private bathrooms, 4 buffet meals, snacks, and program. Arrive Friday evening, and depart before noon on Sunday.
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Pine Valley United Methodist Church Youth
Pancake & French Toast Breakfast
Benefits Kids Campership Fund
WHEN: Saturday,
January 21, 2017
WHERE: Pine Valley United Methodist Church is located at the corner of Pine Vally Rd & State RT 14.
TIME: 8 am-11 am
MENU:
French Toast & Pancakes, Scrambled Eggs, Sausage, Juice, Coffee & more.
Eat-in or take-out
COST: Adults- $5.00 Children under 12- $3.00
CONTACT:Lou or Diane Bower at:(607) 426-6699
All proceeds will assist youth with the cost of summer camping fees.
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Pine Valley United Methodist Church Men
Winter Chicken BBQ
WHEN:
Saturday,
January 28, 2017
WHERE: Pine Valley United Methodist Church is located at the corner of Pine Vally Rd & State RT 14.
TIME: 11 am-3 pm or gone
MENU: ½ Chicken, baked beans, salt potatoes, cole slaw, roll, & beverage
Eat-in or take-out
COST: Adults- $8.50 Journey Special (chicken & 2 cole slaw) $7
CONTACT:Lou or Diane Bower at:(607) 426-6699
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"Informed to Transform" training event
The Genesee Valley District is offering a training event, "Informed to Transform," on
February 4, 2017 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the
UMC of Webster. This event is open to all districts. The guest speaker is the Rev. Heather Heinzman Lear, who will be speaking on the topic, "Kingdom Leadership in the 21st Century."
Featured workshops include:
* Discipleship
* Church Revitalization
* Ministry Shares
* Revs on Retreat
* SPRC
* Trustees
* Pillow Prayers
* Youth Ministry
Click here to register for the event.
Registration closes Jan. 31. This is one of many Upper New York Conference Districts that will offer training at the beginning of 2017. Keep watching the Upper New York Conference communications channels for information about more training events throughout the UNY Conference.
Cost to attend is $20
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Submit your petitions and resolutions for the
2017 UNYAC
The opportunity is here, once again, for UNY clergy to offer petitions and resolutions for consideration at the 2017 session of the Upper New York Annual Conference, June 1-3. Appropriate petitions and resolutions will be in accord with the Conference's purpose and seek actions that advance its vision.
Click here for submission instructions and to find the appropriate form for your submission. The Committee on Petitions and Resolutions is charged with overseeing the submission, review, and presentation of petitions and resolutions to the Annual Conference. The deadline for individuals, churches, and unofficial bodies of UNY to submit petitions and resolutions for the 2017 session of the Upper New York Conference is
Feb. 1, 2017
.
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UNY Launchpad 2017 registration now available
Church planting is unlike any other ministry of the church. Effectively starting a new faith community, that has a chance to be sustainable over time, takes unique skills and practices that no one learns in seminary or Course of Study or even through decades of experience. Launchpad teaches those skills and practices!
Launchpad will be offered on
Friday, Feb. 3 through Saturday, Feb. 4 in Syracuse. David Masland (Director of NFC in Upper NY) and Bill Valet (Lead Planter of the multi-campus Fresh Start NFCs in Elmira and Watkins Glen) will be co-teaching, along with a visit from Paul Nixon (Northeastern Jurisdiction Director of Path 1).
Registration
for this event is now available. Details
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SAFE SANCTUARIES® TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
Upper NY's Safe Sanctuaries® Training
WHO: 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.
WHEN: Saturday, February 11, 2017 9:00 a.m. - noon Please arrive between 8:40 and 8:55 so we can begin on time.
WHERE: Lansing United Methodist Church, 32 Brickyard Road, Lansing, NY 14882
Class size is limited to 40 participants with priority given to those also registering for the afternoon Training of Trainers.
PRE-REGISTER by February 1. Please contact Pam Deckard at the Finger Lake District Office ~
fingerlakesdistrict@unyumc.org or 315-781-0188
There is no charge as Ministry Shares benevolences from local churches cover the expenses.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Upper NY's Safe Sanctuaries® Training of Trainers
WHO: Individuals interested in facilitating Upper NY's Safe Sanctuaries Training as part of their District training team and/or for their local church.
WHEN: Saturday, February 11, 2017 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
WHERE: Lansing United Methodist Church, 32 Brickyard Road, Lansing, NY 14882
Lunch will be provided for those participating in both morning and afternoon sessions.
Registration is limited to 15 participants with those desiring to be a members of their District's training team having priority.
PRE-REQUESITE : Upper NY's Safe Sanctuaries Training is a prerequisite for Training of Trainers. The 3-hour Upper NY's Safe Sanctuaries Training course can be completed in the morning or at a previous time but must be the standard learning station format offered since Fall 2012 by a certified UNY Safe Sanctuaries trainer. This is non-negotiable.
Members of the District training team must be affirmed by their DS. This is your responsibility.
Advanced Lay Servant course credit is available.
There is
no charge as Ministry Shares benevolences from local churches cover the expenses.
PRE-REGISTER FOR ONE OR BOTH COURSES
by February 1, 2017. Contact Pam Deckard at the Finger Lake District Office ~ fingerlakesdistrict@unyumc.org or 315-781-0188
QUESTIONS: Questions should be directed to Carol Barnes at carolb@htva.net or 607-687-4793
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Mission Trip to Project Chacocente
Masaya, Nicaragua
February
20-28, 2017
Project Chacocente is a ministry which has moved families who had been living in the dump in Managua to the Chacocente community. There they are educated and trained for a productive life and experience the opportunity to live interdependently in their own homes that they built with the help of groups like ours and which they now own through fulfilling a 5-8 year covenant with Project Chacocente. Nicaragua is the second poorest country in the western hemisphere with a 65% unemployment rate. Chacocente Christian School now has 150 in its school and will graduate its third class of seniors this year.
For more information, go to www.outofthedump.org or Friends of Project Chacocente on facebook for more information. We go to assist the folks of Project Chacocente build their futures and to build relationships.
Click here
for more information and the application.
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Border Buddies Ministries
Border Buddies Ministries is organizing a Short Term Missions Team to go to Tegucigalpa, Honduras from
May 22 th until June 1 st, 2017. The physical project is to add classrooms or renovate existing classrooms at local elementary and high schools. No experience needed just a willingness to serve the Lord. Our spiritual project is to continue to spread the Good News of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Should you want more information please contact Al Erickson at
607- 742-8082
Isaiah 6:8 Then I heard the Lord asking, "Whom should I send as a messenger to these people? Who will go for us? I said, "Here I am. Send me."
This team is sponsored by Pennsylvania Avenue United Methodist Church and team members are from PAUMC and various local churches.
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Journeys of Paul Cruise aboard Royal Caribbean's
Jewel of the Seas.
Join Pastor Rhonda Kouterick and guest speaker Adam Hamilton for the Journeys of Paul Cruise aboard Royal Caribbean's Jewel of the Seas.
Sail roundtrip from Rome, Italy and stop in Sicily, Mykonos, Ephesus, Santorini, Athens & Corinth, Naples & Pompeii, and Ancient Rome.
Enhance your journey with a Vatican City Post Tour!
Departs October 6, 2017.
Call First United Methodist Church at 607-739-1943 for more information.
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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. You will have the opportunity to explore Jericho and Qumran; Bethlehem; Caesarea, Mount Carmel, and Megiddo; The Galilee; Cana, Nazareth, Samaria, and Jacob's Well; Jerusalem; and Ein Karem, Nebi Samuel, Emmaus, and the Valley of Elah. Click here to learn more, including the cost and ways to save.
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UNY Media Resource Center is moving
The UNY Media Resource Center's long anticipated move to the new UNY Conference Center in Liverpool, N.Y. is almost here! In order to prepare for the move, the Media Resource Center will be closed from February 22 through March 7. As January and February are busy months at the Media Resource Center in preparation for Lent, Media Resource Center director Diane Miner encourages you to plan early for the resources you will need.
Click here to read more.
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Media Resource Center newsletter now available
The January 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/ordownload the current newsletter. If you have questions, please contact
Diane at diane@unyumc.org
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New York State Minimum Wage poster available
Effective
December 31, 2016, New York State minimum wage has been increased to $9.70/hour. Employers in the Upper New York area, regardless of number of employees, must pay non-exempt employees minimum wage. An updated NYS Minimum Wage poster must be posted at your worksite for your employees to see. The poster is now available on the Conference Church Employer webpage under
Employment Law Compliances & Posters. You can find additional information on NYS Minimum Wage on the
Department of Labor website. If you have any questions about wage and hour regulations, please contact
Debi Marshall in Human Resources or 315-424-7878 ext. 302.
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2016 Conference Journal Vol. 2 now available
The 2016 Upper New York Conference Journal Vol. 2 is now available. There are two ways to receive this publication: in print from publisher Lulu.com or online through issuu.com. A PDF can also be downloaded for free through issuu.com.
Click here
to order a printed copy the 2016 Journal Vol. 2 ($17.48 plus tax and shipping).
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The
January I
issue of the Bridge
is now available
Click here to select the version you prefer and make copies as necessary. In this issue of the Bridge, learn about the special Sundays celebrated by The United Methodist Church.
If you have questions or are unable to make copies, please contact
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MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Jan. 10 Final day to submit Ministry Shares
Jan. 15 Mt. View Dist. Lay Servant Committee Meeting- Bath Centenary 2pm
Jan. 15 Human Relations Day-Details
Jan. 16 Conference & District office closed in observance of Martin Luther King Day
February- Black History Month Details
Feb. 1 Deadline to submit petitions & resolutions-Details
Feb. 3-4 UNY New Faith Communities Launchpad event-Details
Feb. 15 Statistical Reports due-Details
Feb. 15 Report of the Finance & the Trustee Committees and 2017 Church Budget are due
Feb. 20 Conference office & District office closed in observance of President's Day
March- Women's History Month Details
Mar. 1 Ash Wednesday Details
Mar. 3 World Day of Prayer Details
Mar. 15 Annual Local Church Audits due to District Superintendent
June 1-3 Annual Conference
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Rev. Nancy Adams
District Superintendent
Patti Gridley
Administrative Assistant
65 East First St., Corning, NY 14830
(607) 962-8047
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Upper New York Annual Conference Contact Information
Upper New York Conference
of The United Methodist Church
324 University Ave., 3rd Floor
Syracuse, NY 13210
(315) 424-7878
Toll-Free (855) 424-7878
Fax (315) 478-4869
The Resource Center Links
Resource Center Newsletter for January 2017:
Click Here
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