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JOYS & CONCERNS
Please include these prayer requests in your weekly church bulletin, in your prayers during your Sunday worship if you have a time of "pastoral prayer" and keep these pastors, their families and the Church families in your prayers throughout the week.
October 27
The
Olean:Trinity Church.
Rev. Joan Zimmerman and her family.
November 3
The
River's Edge Church.
Rev. Stan Scoville, his wife Holly and their family.
November 10
The
South Dayton &
Wesley Churches.
Pastor Wes Tessey, his wife Bernie and their family.
Pastor Carol Becker (Wheeler Hill) suffered injuries to her back and neck in a single car accident on Sunday, October 20, and had surgery at UPMC Hamot in Erie earlier this week. Please keep Carol, her family and her medical team in your prayers.
Please keep the Rev. Stan Scoville, his wife Holly and their family in your prayers. Stan's mother, Martha Scoville, died October 11. She was 94 years old. The funeral will be held October 26 in Arlington, TX. Stan is currently serving River's Edge UMC.
Prayers are requested for Shorty and Renee Gross. Renee will be having a stem cell transplant at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester.
Pastor John Green (Great Valley UMC) is working through some health issues. Please keep Pastor John, his wife Janet and John's medical team in your prayers.
Look around and listen to the people you have encountered today. Remember in your prayers their joys, struggles, questions and sorrows.
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Fall Youth Gathering
Cornerstone and
Mountain View youth will host a
Fall Gathering on
Saturday, November 23, at
Christ United Methodist Church, 633 Linwood Ave., Olean. The event, scheduled from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., will feature:
- Youth band from Bemus Point UMC
- Games (including 9-square in the air!)
- Speaker Emily Allen, a senior at Houghton College
Two workshops will be offered: "What is Prayer and How Do I Do It?" led by Rev. Carrie Wolfe, and "How Can I Be Filled With the Holy Spirit?" led by Rev. Bill Allen.
And, in the tradition of all United Methodists, there will be food! (Snacks and lunch) All for only $10 per person.
Please let Will Allen know if you/your group will be attending by
Tuesday, November 19 -
[email protected]. You can bring cash or checks made payable to UNYAC with you the day of the event.
Don't delay - make plans NOW to attend!
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Around Our District
Cherry Creek-Leon UMC, 6813 Main St., will hold a
Rummage Sale November 1 & 2 at the church. Hours on Friday, November 1, are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, November 2, a Bake & Bag Sale will take place from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.
Fredonia First UMC will host a
Harvest Dinner Celebration on
Thursday, November 7.
Doors open at 5 p.m., serving until
6:30 p.m. No charge for dinner, a Good Will Offering will be accepted. Those attending are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food donation for Rural Ministries. Reservations (deadline October 27) can be made by calling the church office, 716-679-1513 or [email protected].
Tri-Church Parish, 41 E. Main St. in Brocton, will serve their annual
Harvest Ham Dinner from
4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, November 9. Menu includes mashed potatoes, squash, side salad, Joyce's homemade rolls & butter, homemade pie and beverage. Eat in or take out. Cost is $12 for adults, $7 for ages 5 to 9 and 4 and younger are FREE.
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DON'T FORGET! October is Pastor Appreciation Month!
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NEW - Register NOW for Fall Clergy Retreat!
Wednesday, November 6, is the date for this year's
Retreat for Cornerstone Clergy at
Camp Mission Meadows, 5201 E. Lake Rd. (Route 430) in Dewittville. This full-day retreat will offer opportunities for worship, rest and play. Cost is $40 and includes three meals and access to a variety of activities: swimming, hiking, rock wall, hiking trails, archery and disc golf.
The registration deadline is Wednesday October 30. For more information, please download this flyer. Complete the registration form and mail with your check made payable to UNYAC to Cornerstone District Office, 663 Lakeview Ave., Jamestown or register online at:
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Click
here to view and/or print the October issue of the Media Resource Center newsletter!
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NEW - Nursery Worker Needed
Fredonia First United Methodist Church, 25 Church St., wants to hire a part-time nursery care worker for their Sunday worship service (3 hours per week). This is a year-long position. If interested, please call the church, 716-679-1513 or email
[email protected].
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UPDATE - Online Forms DUE November 1
There are
three online reports that the pastor and Staff/Pastor Parish Relations Committee should complete and send to the District office no later than
Friday, November 1: #18 Pastor's Appointment Advisory Form, #19 S/PPRC Appointment Advisory Form and #20 Pastor-S/PPRC Covenant Form. All three forms are available only online at
www.uny.umconline.org; a username and password are required to access the forms. Forms should be
completed and saved online, then
printed and sent to the District office.
It's important for the pastor (lay supply, licensed or ordained) and members of the S/PPRC to work together as they complete these forms. The information submitted is used by Bishop Webb and the Cabinet as they prayerfully discern appointments for 2020-21.
If usernames/passwords have been misplaced or forgotten since last year, please don't hesitate to call (716-665-2423) or email ([email protected]) the District office.
All other charge conference forms (#s 1-15) are due in the District office two weeks prior to the Charge Conference date. If you need help with the forms, please call or email Cathy.
Thank you for caring for this!
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Worship Pianist Sought
Tri-Church Parish, 41 E. Main St. in Brocton, is looking for a
pianist to play at the 10 a.m. Sunday worship service and rehearse with the choir or soloist before the service. The need for a substitute will last 6 weeks, possibly longer. If you or someone you know may be interested, please contact Pastor Clara Wilder,
[email protected].
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NEW - Bishop Webb Promotes High-Fives for the HUB
With recent natural disasters, UMCOR warehouses across the country are becoming empty. Here in UNY, our Mission Central HUB has started a high-five relay campaign to help raise funds supplies for items needed in the cleaning kits and hygiene kits we assemble for UMCOR.
Click here to learn more about the high-five challenge.
Click here to watch Upper New York Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb high-fiving the Conference staff.
Get involved-have your church organize a high-five relay. Send us photos or a video to [email protected] or post in the comments section of our Facebook high-five relay post.
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UPDATE - Looking Ahead to 2020
Interest in a
Disciple II: Into the Word Into the World class has grown! Folks from Machias, South Dayton and Cherry Creek UMCs have committed to participating in this 32-week Bible study beginning in
January 2020. The study will meet
weekly for approximately
2 1/2 hours in the evening; actual starting date and meeting place will be announced later this year.
Disciple II is the second study in the four-phase Disciple program and is prepared for those who are graduates of Disciple I: Becoming Disciples Through Bible Study. This study proclaims the transforming power of Scripture while teaching Bible study skills that take participants deeper into the Scripture. (click here to learn more)
If you are interested in taking part in this study, please contact Cindy Hull 9716-258-9000) or Pastor Wes Tessey,
[email protected].
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Dates for 2020 Local Pastors Licensing School
The
2020 Upper New York Local Pastors Licensing School (LPLS) will be held
April 19-25, 2020 at
Casowasco Camp & Retreat Center. Welcoming will begin at 4:15 p.m. on the 19th; dinner will be served at 5:30 p.m. Please check with your District for any full
Disciple 1 courses being offered or there may be possibilities for online courses. Registration for LPLS 2020 will be available at a later date.
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Important Info for Pastors Taking COS
All Local Pastors must take COS-121 and COS-122 BEFORE they will be allowed to take any other classes in the COS system. Each seminary will determine how they confirm whether or not the local pastor has taken these classes. Some will ask a question on the registration form while others will request transcripts to accompany any registration for classes.
If, as a local pastor, you need to obtain a copy of your transcript, please email
[email protected]
. Betsy O'Flynn, COS Registrar for Upper New York, receives a copy of UNY transcripts in February of each year. You may contact Betsy at
[email protected]
and she will email you a copy. If you prefer to have your most updated transcript, please contact GBHEM at the email listed above.
The Book of Discipline states part-time local pastors must complete 2 COS courses per year to make satisfactory progress. You may take as many as your Conference approves.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact
Betsy (email or 585-340-9558).
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"Be still before the Lord and wait patiently." Psalm 37:7a
October marks our fourth month in ministry together. Our ministry of building God's kingdom one heart and life at a time. Our ministry of sharing God's love found in Jesus Christ. Our ministry directed by the power of the Holy Spirit. This is the fourth month of five where I will continue to share my call story through Psalm 37.
Be still before the Lord (NIV). Rest before the Lord (NKJV). Wait patiently (NIV and NKJV).
I look around me and I see busyness everywhere. People rushing, continually checking their cell phones and other technology. Parents scheduling every minute of their children's days. Humans constantly pushing the line into... into exhaustion. Into burnout. Into an unhealthy way of living. (Please click here to read the entire article)
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NEW - Register Now for UNY UMM Work Day on November 9
Join the
Upper New York United Methodist Men (UNYUMM) on
Saturday, November 9, for a
"Sharing the Blessings" work day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the UNY Mission Central HUB in Liverpool. The main project for this work day will be constructing wooden blessing boxes like the one pictured. Pizza will be served for lunch.
Men, women, and children welcomed as are those with all levels of experience.
Click here to learn more about this work day and the importance of blessing box ministries.
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Collection for Red Bird Mission
Ripley United Methodist Church, 84 W. Main St., once again will serve as the collection site for the
UNY United Methodist Men's Christmas Shoebox Campaign for Red Bird Mission in Beverly, KY. The
deadline to drop off shoe boxes for this effort is
Sunday, November 17. Questions? Please call the church, 716-736-3090 or 716-951-2192.
Thank you in advance for supporting this
United Methodist mission!
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Latest Issue of the
Bridge
!
The October 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 describes mission projects and initiatives that are taking place throughout the UNY Conference this fall, including the UNY Mission Central HUB's High-Five Relay Challenge, the Redbird Shoebox mission, a United Methodist Men work day, and a potato drop.
The Bridge is a communications tool designed for local churches to stay connected to each other and to the ministries taking place around the Upper New York Conference and The United Methodist Church. If you have questions or are unable to make copies, please contact [email protected].
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Equitable Comp Grant Application Available
The
Commission on Equitable Compensation has issued guidelines and application forms for
salary grants to local churches for the period
January 1 to June 30, 2020. Salary grants are available only to churches with a pastor under full-time appointment.
To apply for salary assistance from the Equitable Compensation Fund, applicants should review the policies and procedures in the application document for guidance, and then complete the application according to the directions provided by the
October 29, 2019 deadline.
Please note that there have been changes made to the applications and more information is required to be submitted with your application to be considered complete. Please read through the application thoroughly and provide all required documentation. Lack of required information could result in the denial of your application.
Submit the appropriate application, along with the required documents
to your District Superintendent by October 29, 2019.
NOTE: The application is set up as a template. To add text, tab through the document to each box and start typing. Once completed, save the document to your computer as "[your church name] January 2020." The Commission anticipates notifying churches of its determination by mid-December.
Click on the title to download the appropriate application for:
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Opportunities for Training
Niagara Frontier District
Basic Safe Sanctuaries Training
Saturday, November 9, 9 a.m. to 12 noon
Kenmore UMC, 32 Landers Rd., Kenmore, NY, 14217
Pre-register by November 2: 716-875-5091 or [email protected]
Safe Sanctuaries Training of Trainers
Saturday, November 9, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Kenmore UMC, 32 Landers Rd., Kenmore, NY, 14217
You must be affirmed by your DS to serve on the District training team.
Pre-register by November 2: 716-875-5091 or
Questions? Please contact Carol Barnes, 607-687-4793 or [email protected]. |
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UPDATE - Deadline Extended for
New Places for New People Campaign
It's not too late to become a "New Places for New People" Partner. The original deadline was November 1, 2019 and it has been extended to December 31, 2019.
This fall, the Rev. Dave Masland, UNY Director of New Faith Communities, is focusing on churches who would like to become "New Places for New People" Partners.
While churches who donate $500 or more will receive a "New Places for New People" certificate of recognition, any church that participates in this campaign, even with a small donation, will be considered "New Places for New People" Partner Church. So far, the Conference has 11 "New Places for New People" Partner Churches.
Click here to see which churches are currently partners and learn how your church can also become a "New Places for New People" Partner Church. Help Rev. Masland reach the goal of 200 church partners by the end of the year!
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NEW - NYS Minimum Wage Increasing on December 31, 2019
Employers in the Upper New York Conference, regardless of number of employees, must pay non-exempt employees minimum wage. The minimum wage will continue to increase annually until it meets $12.50/hour on December 31, 2020. Future increases after 2020, will be determined by the New York State (NYS) Director of Budget in consultation with the NYS Commissioner of Labor and will be announced on or before October 1 each year.
An updated NYS Minimum Wage poster must be posted at your work site for your employees to see by December 31, 2019. Once it is available, the Conference office will post it on our Church Employer webpage under Employment Law Compliance and Posters.
If you have any questions, please contact Tracy Rickett, Human Resources Generalist, at (315) 898-2017 or [email protected].
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Important Dates For Your Calendar!
October 22-24
Bishop's Retreat
RIT Inn & Conference Center, 5257 W. Henrietta Rd., Henrietta
October 27
Charge Conference at
Centerville UMC following worship
Charge Conference at Rushford UMC (Belfast, Caneadea, Friends in Christ & Rushford) at 12:30 p.m.
October 28
Charge Conference at South Dayton UMC (Cherry Creek, Conewango Valley, East Otto, Hamlet, South Dayton & Wesley) at 6 p.m. (meal together at 4:30 p.m.)
October 30
District Committee on Ministry (dCOM)
Bemus Point UMC, 4954 Bemus-Ellery Road
November 1
Pastor's Appointment Advisory Form, S/PPRC Appointment Advisory Form and Pastor-S/PPRC Covenant Form (
Reports 18, 19 & 20 on the Check List) are
DUE in the District office. Forms must be signed!
November 2
Charge Conference at
Cuba UMC (Cuba & Friendship) at 10 a.m.
Charge Conference at
Hinsdale UMC (Hinsdale & Ischua Union) at 2 p.m.
November 3
Charge Conference at
West Valley:St. Paul's UMC (Delevan & St. Paul's) at 12 noon.
Charge Conference at
Machias UMC at 3 p.m.
November 4
Charge Conference at
Pleasant Valley UMC (Charlotte Center & Pleasant Valley) at 3 p.m.
Charge Conference at
Sinclairville:Park UMC at 6 p.m.
November 6
Fall Retreat for Clergy
Camp Mission Meadows, 5201 E. Lake Rd. (Route 430), Dewittville
November 7
Charge Conference at
Findley Lake UMC at 7 p.m.
November 9
Charge Conference at
Westfield First UMC at 10 a.m.
Charge Conference at
Mayville UMC (Dewittville-Hartfield & Mayville) at 2 p.m.
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REMINDER - When You Get a Call from the District Office
The phone at the District Office goes through the Conference Office system. So a call from the Cornerstone district office will display 315-898-2000 (Conference Office main number) on your caller ID.
We will leave a message for you,
but
please don't hit "redial" to call us back; dial 716-665-2423 to call us back
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Rev. Suzanne Block
District Superintendent
Rich Preston
District Lay Leader
Cathy Hall
Administrative Assistant
716-665-2423
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