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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.
November 10
The
South Dayton &
Wesley Churches.
Pastor Wes Tessey, his wife Bernie and their family.
November 17
The
Ashvillle Church.
Candy Scarem, her husband Shannon and their family.
November 24
The Belfast, Caneadea, Friends in Christ & Rushford Churches. Pastor Craig Buelow, his wife Diane and their family.
Please continue to keep
Pastor Carol Becker
(Wheeler Hill) in your prayers. Carol has been discharged from the hospital and continues to heal at a rehab facility.
Shorty and Renee Gross are home after a 2-week stay at Strong Memorial Hospital. Stem cell transplant went well, she has a long way to go. Thank you for continuing to pray for them.
Pastor John Green (Great Valley UMC) continues with his cancer treatment, praising God in all things. He appreciates everyone who continues to pray for him, his wife Janet and his medical team.
Remember p
eople who have served or are currently serving in the military, and give thanks for their service and sacrifices. Pray for military chaplains, caregivers and special ministries that care for veterans and their families.
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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"Refrain from anger and turn from wrath" Psalm 37:8a
November marks our fifth 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 fifth and final month where I will share my call story through Psalm 37.
Psalm 37:8-9 (NIV) Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret - it leads only to evil.
Psalm 37:8-9 (MSG) Bridle your anger, trash your wrath, cool your pipes - it only makes things worse.
Psalm 37:8-9 (NKJV) Cease from anger and forsake wrath; Do not fret - it only causes harm.
The dictionary defines anger as a strong feeling of annoyance, displeasure, or hostility. Wrath is defined as extreme anger. This may lead to plans for revenge.
Have you ever been angry? Have you ever thought or said, "Revenge is sweet." or "Just wait. What goes around comes around."?
According to WebMD, "Anger kicks your body's natural defenses into overdrive. When you sense a threat, your nervous system releases powerful chemicals that prepare you to fight, run, and stay alive. Your heart rate and breathing quicken. Your blood pressure rises, muscles tense, and you perspire."
The problem is, chronically angry people spend too much time in this hyped-up state. Over time, that puts too much wear and tear on your body, making you more likely to get heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, and other problems.
The rapid anger response also amps up your brain. On one hand, it helps you quickly know a potential threat. On the other, it can push you to make rash decisions in the heat of the moment. It's no surprise anger is linked to accidents and risky activities like smoking, gambling, drinking and overeating. Anger also plays a role in depression. Also, studies suggest that holding it inside may be just as unhealthy as blowing up.
There was a time in my life that I held on to anger. This was part of my family's way of not dealing with whatever issue was at hand. If something did not go the way I expected it to go - watch out for the wrath of Suzanne.
Remember back to the beginning of my call story and the invitation from my friend Marion to attend church. Here is what I learned about anger and wrath.
Proverbs 15:1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Ephesians 4:26 "In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.
Ephesians 4:31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.
This turning away from wrath and anger was a challenge for me. This was a part of who I was. If I got rid of all bitterness, rage and anger then I thought I would be viewed as a weak person. Someone who would not or could not stand up for herself. Someone who would not get what I thought was deserved. I believed I had built walls of protection around my heart. I would not be hurt again. People stay away from someone who is angry.
Moving forward in my faith journey, bit by bit, the transforming power of the Holy Spirit did rid my mind and body of anger and wrath. The walls that were once built around my heart slowly dissolved. I began to believe that I was a beloved child of God. That God loved me and that I could love others.
Yes, there are still times when I feel hurt and angry. However, within that hurt and anger comes growth and vulnerability. Madeleine L'Engle shares, "When we were children, we used to think that when we were grown-up we would no longer be vulnerable. But to grow up is to accept vulnerability...To be alive is to be vulnerable."
As the Cornerstone District we have entered the season of Charge Conferences. As I meet with churches, I hear questions of concern, uncertainty and frustration. This is a time to sit face to face and have the challenging conversations. To have conversations with gentleness, honesty and grace. To remember the churches' mission will remain the same: Sharing the love of God found in Jesus Christ, relying on the power of the Holy Spirit. We are called to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
As faithful followers of Jesus Christ, may we collectively refrain from anger and turn from wrath. We will be healthier, and our churches will be healthier.
Peace and Grace,
Suzanne
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UPDATE - Fall Youth Gathering
Please note the
November 19 deadline for the
Fall Youth 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
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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Click
here to view and/or print the November issue of the Media Resource Center newsletter!
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NEW - Seeking Church Choir Director
Bemus Point United Methodist Church, 4954 Bemus-Ellery Road, is seeking a
part time (6-8 hours/week) choir director to recruit, mentor, and prepare the choir for their active participation in the 11 a.m. traditional Sunday worship services, September through early June.
Responsibilities include choosing music, directing and accompanying a Thursday evening rehearsal, warming up the choir prior to worship, and directing the choir at 11 a.m. and occasional special services such as Ash Wednesday.
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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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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 - Honoring Our Veterans
They give up comforts so we can live in freedom. They leave their families behind to protect ours. They return changed by their experiences and are in need of our love and support.
As you celebrate Veterans Day, giving compassion to those who serve and their families, think about how your congregation can find opportunities to support them year round. Click here to find
tips and ideas for honoring and supporting veterans and military families on Veterans Day and beyond.
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UPDATE! 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.
COS-121 Bible 1: Introduction is being offered Winter Weekend 2020 (January 17-18 and February 28-29) and COS-122 Theological Heritage 1: Introduction will be offered Spring Weekend 2020 (March 27-28 & April 24-25) at the UNY Satellite School in Liverpool.
Deadline to register for COS-121 is Friday, December 13, 2019. Please remember this is the date that Wesley Theological Seminary must receive your registration.
The form has to make two "stops" before Wesley will accept it: the District office for DS Suzanne Block's signature, then to UNY COS Registrar Betsy O'Flynn in Rochester for her signature.
If you have questions, please call or email the District office.
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UPDATE - Please Make Note of These Dates on Your Calendar!
Sunday, November 17, 2019
Drop-off deadline for shoeboxes for Red Bird Mission
Ripley UMC, 84 W. Main St.
Please call the church, 716-736-3090 or 716-951-2192 with questions or for more information.
Tuesday, December 31, 2019
Last day to contribute to New Places for New People campaign
Help us meet the goal of 200 church partners for this important work - contact Rev. David Masland, 315-898-2013 or
[email protected] for more information.
January 2020
Disciple II: Into the Word Into the World Bible Study
32-week study, meets for 2.5 hours each week
Please contact Cindy Hull, 716-258-9000 or Pastor Wes Tessey,
[email protected] for more information.
Saturday, February 8, 2020
6th Annual Learning Day for Laity & Clergy
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Bemus Point UMC, 4954 Bemus-Ellery Road
April 19-25, 2020
Local Pastor Licensing School
Casowasco Camp & Retreat Center
May 28-30, 2020
11th Session of the Upper New York Annual Conference
The Oncenter, Syracuse, NY |
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NEW - Information You Can Use!
The District AA's were at training on Monday and received clarification on Form 1a Clergy Housing Exclusion Resolution. Because there seems to be confusion about this form, I thought you would find the information helpful. Please click here to download three examples of how this form could be completed.
Sample 1 - Full-time pastor with a parsonage
Sample 2 - Full time pastor without parsonage, housing allowance
Sample 3 - Less than full-time pastor, no parsonage
If you have any questions about this, please call or email the office.
Next deadline is December 1 for Report 21. Church Profile and 22. Pastor Profile; both reports should be updated
! These forms are completed
online only
(
www.uny.umconline.com
)
- please
do not
send a copy to the District office.
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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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Latest Issue of the
Bridge
!
The November Issue I 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 creative ideas to pursue to fill your hearts with Thanksgiving this month.
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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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!
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.
November 10
Charge Conference at
Olean:Trinity UMC at 12 noon (following worship)
Charge Conference at
Knapp Creek UMC at 3 p.m.
November 16
Charge Conference at
Jamestown:Camp Street UMC (Camp Street & Kennedy First) at 10 a.m.
Charge Conference at
Watts Flats UMC (Edwards Chapel & Watts Flats) at 2 p.m.
November 17
Charge Conference at
Bemus Point UMC following worship
Charge Conference at
Lakewood UMC (Celoron & Lakewood) at 3 p.m.
November 18
Charge Conference at
Napoli UMC at 3 p.m.
Charge Conferenc
e at Little Valley First UMC at 7 p.m.
November 19
Charge Conference at
Falconer UMC (Falconer & Gerry) at 7 p.m.
November 21
Charge Conference at
Jamestown:Christ First UMC at 6:30 p.m.
November 27-29
District Office CLOSED for Thanksgiving
December 1
Charge Conference at
Wheeler Hill (Fentonville & Wheeler Hill) at 11:30 a.m.
December 2 - 4
Appointive Cabinet Retreat
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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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