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As I write this, I am "stuck" in Syracuse. The Bishop and Cabinet met Monday-Wednesday, and while under normal conditions I should be on my way home, I am staying another night in Syracuse because of the road/weather conditions. Yes, I could have chanced it - after all, I drive a Subaru which is really good in the snow, and I REALLY wanted to come home today, but after seeing the weather reports and praying about it, I decided to stay. (District Leadership Team - I should be back in plenty of time for our meeting). The other blessing about staying is that by the time I get home, hopefully the person I hired to plow my driveway will have that job completed. I didn't want to face having to tackle the driveway when I got home.
Some of my Cabinet colleagues chanced the roads today, while others like me chose to stay the night. Those who left today have strict orders to text or email to let us know they got home safely. Those of us who chose to stay were saying how much we REALLY wanted to get home today. (Did I already mention that)? Then we reflected that we were safe and had a safe, warm, dry, lovely place to stay tonight, while Syrian refugees for example, do not. They don't know where they are going to lay their heads tonight or where their next meal is coming from. We have none of those concerns. That really put things in perspective for all of us.
From time to time, we all need gentle (or sometimes not-so-subtle) reminders of the privilege and blessings we enjoy - and take for granted. Make a list of your blessings, and thank God for them. Then ask the Holy Spirit as to how we should be reaching out with the love of Christ to those whose lives are so much more difficult than ours. Be ready to be led not just to "throw money" toward these persons, but to actually be in ministry to and with them. We need to continually be praying for them and listen to where God might be leading us to be in relationship with them - for they're not just in Syria. They're around the corner, if we just keep our eyes and ears open...
Lord, thank You SO MUCH for the blessings we enjoy, and forgive us for taking so much for granted. Open our eyes, ears, hearts, minds, and hands to those in need around us. Use us Lord, use even us, just as You will and when and where..." (Adapted from verse 5 of "Lord, Speak to Me," The United Methodist Hymnal, #463).
With You in the Journey,
Nancy
Please pray for the Milford UMC (Oneonta District) and the Fonda/Fultonville UMC (Albany District) whose buildings burned Sunday night and Tuesday night respectively. Notice that I didn't say the churches burned - the buildings did. The churches are not the buildings. The churches are the people.
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Prayer request: Milford UMC and Fonda-Fultonville UMC
Please keep the Rev. Sylvia Barrett and the congregation of
Milford UMC and the Rev. George Richards and the congregation of
Fonda-Fultonville UMC in your prayers. Both churches suffered massive fires this week. Milford UMC was destroyed in a fire Sunday night, March 12, after 70 people worshipped at the church earlier that morning. Fonda-Fultonville UMC caught fire Tuesday, March 14. More information will be shared as it becomes available.
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Bishop Webb announces clergy appointments
Upper New York Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb has announced 13 new appointments and three retirements, pending approval at the 2017 Clergy Session during Annual Conference. View the full list of changes
here
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25th Annual Palestinian Dinner- Plymouth Congregational Church
WHEN: Thursday, June 1, 2017
WHERE:
Plymouth Congregational Church
TIME: serving begins at conclusion of afternoon session
Authentic Palestinian food
Brief program centering on the plight of Palestinian children
COST:
$20.00
RESERVATIONS:
Linda Bergh (315) 492-8507, 116 Edna Rd., Syracuse, NY 13205, or Karen Peterson, (607) 739-3141, 116 Greenridge Dr., Horseheads, NY 14845.
Checks for $20.00 made out to "UNY Conference", with Palestinian Dinner" on the memo line/ an additional amount may be designated for the Gary Bergh Scholarship Fund, which enables young adults/ adults to travel to Palestine/ Israel to learn first-hand about peace and justice issues there.
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REMINDER
The 2016 Annual Audit of your church financial records was Due in the District Office yesterday, March 15th, 2017. If you have not sent this report yet please do so as soon as possible. Also please make sure ALL signatures that are required are done. (Thank you)
Please Mail completed copy to the Mountain View District Office - 65 E. 1st Street, Corning, NY 14830
Click here
if you need the 2016 Annual Audit form.
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Registration for the Upper New York 2017 Annual Conference session opens
Registration is now open for the Upper New York Annual Conference session, held June 1-3 at the Oncenter in Syracuse.
Click here for the registration form and to obtain more information about the 2017 Annual Conference session, including the
registration and
event guidelines and the housing form.
Questions about registration can be addressed to Julie Valeski at
julievaleski@unyumc.org
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2017 Camp & Retreat registration
Upper New York Camp & Retreat Ministries (CRM) is excited to announce that registration is now open for its 2017 Summer Camp & Retreat programs. Program details are available online and brochures were mailed this week! Brochures were sent to past participants and campers as well as all Upper New York Annual Conference churches.
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What will Happen?
"Lord, Teach Us to Pray" is a weekend seminar designed to encourage God's people to become people of prayer. The seminar challenges and encourages individuals to take another step toward maturity in prayer. Thankfully, the Lord is continually offering us the promise of a closer walk with Him. The schedule begins on Friday evening with teaching and testimony, and a small group experience, designed to challenge participants to think of prayer as a journey.
Saturday morning, the curriculum centers on "Lessons from the Prayer Life of Jesus." Saturday afternoon, after lunch, is devoted to "Tools for Personal Prayer." The seminar closes with a commissioning of participants.
Click here for the full agenda.
When:
Friday, March 31 at 7:00 pm and
Saturday, April 1 from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
Where: Syracuse Bellevue Heights UMC
2112 South Geddes Street, Syracuse, 13207
Registration includes training booklet, light refreshments and Lunch on Saturday $15.00
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Attention, Mountain View Youth:
UP!WORD '17
March 31-April 2 - Liverpool Holiday Inn
6:30 PM on Friday through Noon on Sunday
Best CCYM event of the year
Registration $60/pp
Rooms $115/night (max. 5 persons per room)
Registration Deadline: Monday, March 27.
Here's the Link to Register:
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SAFE SANCTUARIES TRAINING OFFERED
WHEN: Saturday, April 1, 2017
WHERE: Corning Grace UMC
191 Bridge Street, Corning, NY 14830
TIME: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm (Please arrive between 8:40 and 8:55 so we can begin on time.)
COST: There is no charge as Ministry Shares benevolences from local churches cover the expenses.
PRE-REGISTER: by March 22. Please contact Patti Gridley, Mountain View District Administrative Assistant, at 607-962-8047 or email
mountainviewdistrict@unyumc.org . Information needed is name, church and email address. Link to handouts will be emailed prior to training for participants to print and bring.
SAFE SANCTUARIES TRAIN THE TRAINER OFFERED
WHEN: Saturday, April 1, 2017
WHERE:
Corning Grace UMC
191 Bridge Street, Corning, NY 14830
TIME: 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
COST: There is no charge as Ministry Shares benevolences from local churches cover the expenses.
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.
PRE-REGISTER:
by March 22. Please contact Patti Gridley, Mountain View District Administrative Assistant, at 607-962-8047 or email mountainviewdistrict@unyumc.org . Information needed is name, church and email address. Link to handouts will be emailed prior to training for participants to print and bring.
QUESTIONS: Questions should be directed to Carol Barnes at carolb@htva.net or 607-687-4793
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SAFE SANCTUARIES TRAINING OFFERED
WHEN: Saturday, April 8, 2017
WHERE: Calvary UMC, Lawrenceville, 6 Franklin Street, Lawrenceville, PA 16929
(Rooms 4,5 in the Friendship Center)
TIME: 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
COST:
$3 for booklet
Led by Denise Haskins (pastor at Mansfield First UMC)
Please register with the Susquehanna district office
by April 5.
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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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Annual Conference 2017 Worship Team Seeks Your Help
The Worship Planning Team for Annual Conference is looking for musicians, artists, and liturgists from our Upper New York membership. Specifically, they are seeking the following:
* Musicians (any singer, instrument, drums, etc.)
* Bands/Choirs (any variety)
* Artists (of any kind, including graphic design, photo/video)
* Liturgists/Writers
* Liturgical Dancers
* Name
* Contact info (email and phone)
* A brief description of what you do
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We are moving!
The Upper New York Conference office will be moving to the new United Methodist Center at 7481 Henry Clay Blvd in Liverpool, N.Y. 13088, March 17-21. To accommodate the move, the office will be closed. The office will be reopening on Wednesday March 22 at the new location.
Upon reopening, the Conference office hours will remain the same (8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.). The new phone number for the Conference office will be 315-898-2000. The toll-free number, 855-424-7878, will remain the same.
In addition to the Conference office staff, the new building will also house the Episcopal office, the Crossroads District office, and soon several other United Methodist offices that serve Upper New York.
- The office hours for the Episcopal office are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The new phone number for the Episcopal office will be 315-898-2020.
- The office hours for the Crossroads District are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The new phone number for the Crossroads District will be 315-898-2029.
Continue watching Upper New York Conference communications channels for more information about ministries housed at the new United Methodist Center and for information about a grand opening that will be taking place later this spring.
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UPDATE- Move of the Resource Center is delayed
Here is an update on the dates for the move of the Media Resource Center. It has been delayed a month, so the move won't take place until April 3rd & 4th. Diane's new plan is to be closed March 27th-April 7th.
She has put something in the February newsletter.
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Job Posting - District Administrative Assistant
Posting Date: 2/23/2017
Location: Northern Flow District Office, Gouverneur, NY
The Upper New York Conference of The United Methodist Church has an exciting new opportunity for the right individual to join our mission-based team as part-time Administrative Assistant for our Northern Flow District Office in Gouverneur, NY (up to 29 hours per week). This position is responsible for providing complete and confidential administrative support to the District Superintendent in his or her work as outlined in the most current version of The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church. Job duties include reception, answering telephones, database management, mailings, maintaining calendar, meeting setups, filing of all church and clergy related files, direct communication with churches and Pastors related to annual reports, and making travel arrangements.
The successful candidate will be highly organized and able to work independently. A high school diploma or equivalent, experience with Microsoft Office products, especially Word, Excel, Access and Outlook, and 3 years of clerical or equivalent experience, and customer service experience is required.
Please refer to the
job description for a complete list of qualifications and responsibilities.
* Completed online application
* Resume
* Cover letter
* Contact information for 3 professional references
The Upper New York Conference of The United Methodist Church is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to building a diverse team. We strongly encourage women and men from all races and backgrounds, individuals with disabilities, and veterans to apply.
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Maintenance Assistant job opening at
Sky Lake Camp & Retreat Center
The Upper New York Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church is accepting applications for a full-time Maintenance Assistant at Sky Lake Camp and Retreat Center in Windsor, NY. One of six facilities the Conference operates with a focus on summer camp and retreat ministries, Sky Lake is located on Tuscarora Mountain, half hour east of Binghamton in the Southern Tier. The Maintenance Assistant is responsible for assisting in the maintenance of buildings, equipment, grounds, and vehicles, in accordance with policies established by the Board of Camps and Retreat Ministries, and directives set by the Director.
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Job Posting - Building Maintenance Technician/Custodian
Posting Date: 3/6/2017
Location: Liverpool, NY
The Upper New York Conference of The United Methodist Church has an exciting new opportunity for the right individual to join our mission-based team as a Building Maintenance Technician/Custodian, and provide a clean, orderly, and safe environment for employees and visitors at our new office space in Liverpool, NY. This is a part-time position at approximately 30 hours per week, with the potential for growth based on the future needs of the organization. This position will be responsible for performing a wide variety of custodial and maintenance duties, the main ones being custodial. The ideal candidate must be able to work independently, have excellent interpersonal and customer service skills. This position requires flexibility in work schedule including early mornings and/or evenings, occasional weekends.
Main responsibilities include extensive cleaning of bathroom, kitchen, and office areas; maintaining necessary custodial supply inventory; set up and tear down of tables for meetings; basic grounds maintenance including shoveling and litter removal; building maintenance, troubleshooting minor maintenance issues involving electrical, structural, plumbing and equipment repair or replacement; other general maintenance and custodial duties as required.
Qualified candidates will have a high school diploma or equivalent and at least one year of experience in facilities maintenance or custodial work. Basic knowledge of machinery, equipment, and tools necessary for the maintenance and repair of buildings is also required. Basic HVAC, plumbing and electrical experience is preferred. Complete responsibilities and qualifications are listed in the job description and online at:
http://www.unyumc.org/about/jobs
Application Instructions: To be considered for this position, applicants must complete an application online at
http://www.unyumc.org/about/jobs, and include 3 professional references.
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Pre-Conference Briefing will be different this year
There will be no gatherings for Pre-Conference briefings this year. It will be done by video and posted on website in April.
All are encouraged to make a point to watch the video BEFORE Annual Conference.
We will keep you updated once the video has been posted.
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Attention Licensed Local Pastors and Mentors:
The Board of Ordained Ministry Course of Study Registrar has let us know that there is inaccuracy with some LLPs as they register for Course of Study. Please follow this procedure to avoid late registration fees and missing out on enrollment.
1. All LLPs or ministry candidates must be approved by their District's Committee on Ordained Ministry to enroll in COS. One cannot just decide to sign up for COS.
2. Please use the correct year's registration forms. Registration forms from previous years are not acceptable. Using old forms may cause delay and incur late fees. Using the wrong year's form doesn't excuse the applicant from paying a late fee.
3. Send the payment with the registration form.
4. COS registration must be filled in completely and have the District Superintendent's signature.
5. From that point, the student or DS office must mail the payment and signed registration form to the BOM COS Registrar for her to track and sign. Please include a stamped envelope addressed to your particular COS site. The address for the stamped envelope is on the application.
Here is the mailing info for the application signed by DS, check and stamped envelope:
Betsy O'Flynn
UNYBOM COS Registrar
1100 South Goodman St.
Rochester, NY 14620
Any questions about this, email the registrar
candidacy@unyumc.org
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MARK YOUR CALENDAR
March- Women's History Month
Details
Mar. 11
Mt. View District Listening Session- Bath Centenary 10am-12pm
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
Mountain View District Webpage click here
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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
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