Around the Corner - October 11, 2018

PLEASE NOTE: The District Office FAX line is not working. If you need to send something to the District Office, please use USPS or email. We will let you know when the FAX line is operational.

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 14

The Hinsdale and Ischua Union Churches. Pastor Dennis Stack, his wife Kim and their family.

October 21

The Lakewood and Celoron Churches. Pastor Mike Childs, his wife LeAnn and their family.

October 28

The Machias Church. Cindy Hull, her husband Vince and their family.

This weekend (October 12-13) is the Fall Training for Lay Servant Ministries at Kidder Memorial UMC in Jamestown. Please be in prayer for the instructors, students, the host church and members of the LSM Committee.

Pattie and Johnnie Lukaszewski of Cherry Creek lost their home to fire on Monday, September 25. Please be in prayer for them in the days and weeks ahead.

The extent of the damage caused by Hurricane Florence to North and South Carolina is still unknown, leaving parts of both states in crisis. Many families are now without power, homes, and some even lost their life. Upper New York Director of Missional Engagement, Mike Block, says there's a need for help. Click here to read the full response and what you can do to help today.

As we move closer to the special-called session of General Conference, we invite everyone to pray and ask for God's guidance. If there is ever a place where we can be one, it's in the space where we meet God.

Also be in prayer for all who are in need of physical healing, burdened by stress, living with grief, and more.

October is Pastor Appreciation Month!

Please find ways to recognize,

thank God for and

celebrate the ministry of your pastor this month!

Upcoming Trainings

Fayetteville United Methodist Church (Crossroads District), 601 E.Genesee St., will be the site of two UNY Safe Sanctuaries trainings on Saturday, October 20.

The Basic Safe Sanctuaries training will be offered from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. Class size is limited to 40 participants.

The Basic training is required before taking UNY's Safe Sanctuaries Training of Trainers, which will be offered from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. the same day. Class size is limited to 15 with preference given to those willing to serve on their District's Safe Sanctuaries training team.

Please see the attached flyer for more information and instructions on how to register.

A Training of Trainers in the Cornerstone District has been POSTPONED. Stay tune for information about getting this rescheduled!

NEW - A Few Words About Background Checks

All clergy in any active status or relationship with the UNY Conference whose appointment is set or approved by the bishop, every person serving as a supply pastor (assigned by the district superintendent) and retired clergy performing ministerial functions are required to have a background check every two years.

As part of UNY's Safe Sanctuaries polilcy, laity - paid workers and volunteers who have regular and direct contact with children, youth and vulnerable adults - also are required to have a background check every two years.

Please download this document for information and instructions related to Church Mutual's Trusted Employees background check service.

Concert with Brent Vernon & Sam

Brocton Tri-Church Parish, 41 E. Main St., will welcome

Brent Vernon and Sam from Hobe Sound, FL, for a concert of Gospel songs at 7:30 p.m. Friday, October 12.

Brent is a gifted singer, songwriter, pianist, ventriloquist and children's book author. He has a heart for God and uses his talents to minister to others.

The Brocton Tri-Church congregation invites the community to join them for this special event.

Click here for poster for Ripley UMC's October 13 All-You-Can-Eat Breakfast.

DON'T MISS IT - Fall Gathering with Bishop

This Sunday, October 14, Upper New York Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb will host a gathering at Clarence UMC, 10205 Greiner Rd., in preparation for Special Session of General Conference to talk about Commission on a Way Forward for The United Methodist Church.

The gathering will include a presentation of the plan and process of General Conference, a time to remember our mission, and worship and prayer.

We in the Cornerstone District also have the option to gather with our sisters and brothers in the Mountain View District on Sunday, October 28 at Wellsville First UMC, 79 Madison St. in Wellsville, NY.

Pastors, please make sure that your congregations are aware of these opportunities and make plans to carpool or caravan to the October 14 or October 28 gathering.

Make Copies of The Bridge!

The October Issue I 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 news about the Upper New York Delegates who will be attending the Special Session of General Conference in February 2019.

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month!

September 15-October 15 is designated as Hispanic Heritage Month in The United Methodist Church, giving local congregations the opportunity to celebrate the importance and contributions of the Hispanic culture in worship.

United Methodist publications are rich in musical resources that may be included throughout the year, but especially during this month. To learn more, go to https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/celebrating-hispanic-heritage-month-1.

NEW - Chicken & Biscuit Dinner

The Cherry Creek/Leon United Methodist Church, 6813 Main St., will hold a Chicken & Biscuit Dinner from 4:30 p.m to ? on Saturday, October 20.

Cost is a donation ($10 adult, $5 child) with family pricing available. Meal includes beverage and homemade desserts.

NEW - "Psalmody" at Conewango Valley UMC

All are invited to join with the congregation of Conewango Valley United Methodist Church, 5517 Church St., to hear the voices of Psalmody, a group of Christian women, at 2 p.m. Sunday, October 21.

Celebrate Laity!

Laity Sunday is a special Sunday established by the General Conference to be observed on the third Sunday of October (this year, October 21, 2018). Laity Sunday focuses on the celebration of the ministry of all lay Christians.

Click here for a Laity Sunday 2018: Overview.

A downloadable brochure about Laity Sunday is available here.

Holiday Faire at Lakewood

A Holiday Faire for all ages will be held Saturday, October 27, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Lakewood United Methodist Church, 164 Shadyside Ave.

The Faire will include many wonderful vendors and their hand-crafted items for sale, plus a delicious luncheon offered from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The luncheon will include tasty soups, delectable sandwiches, and pie in variety! There will be a small emporium area of quality used items as well.

There is ample parking and the church is fully handicapped accessible: a ramp at the south end of the building and an elevator to take folks to the fellowship hall, where the majority of vendor booths and the kitchen are located.

For questions or directions, please call the church office, 716-763-9345.

Opportunity to Meet with UNY Delegation

The Upper New York (UNY) delegation that will attend the Special Session of General Conference in 2019 from February 23-26 will be gathering at the United Methodist Center in Liverpool, on Saturday, October 27. Click here to learn more about the UNY delegates.

If you would like time to meet with the UNY delegation before the Special Session, please contact the Rev. Bill Allen at [email protected] to schedule a time during their October 27 meeting.

Forms Due by November 1

Three very important forms are due in the District Office no later than Thursday, November 1: Form 16, the Pastor's Appointment Advisory Form; Form 17, the S/PPRC Appointment Advisory Form; and Form 18, the Pastor-S/PPRC Covenant Form.

These online forms are found at www.uny.umconline.org. User IDs and passwords are required to access the forms, so please don't hesitate to call or email the District Office if you need help with logging in.

The information shared on these forms is important for Sherri to have as she prepares for the Cabinet's Appointive Retreat December 3-5. It's hoped that the forms encourage open conversation between pastors and S/PPRCs as they prepare and share these forms together.

If you have any questions, please call or email the District Office.

NEW - Equitable Comp App for January-June 2019 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, 2019.

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 November 2, 2018 deadline.

Click here to review the policies and procedures or to complete the application.

NEW - Sale at Cherry Creek/Leon

Cherry Creek/Leon United Methodist Church, 6813 Main St., will hold a Rummage Sale at the church on November 2 and 3.

Sale hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. A Bake and Bag Sale will be featured on Saturday.

If you have good, clean donations (no electronics, please) that you would like picked up, please call 716-296-8083.

Retreat for Deacons Planned

A retreat for Deacons and for anyone who may be in process or discerning a call to becoming a Deacon has been planned November 7 and 8 at the UNY Conference Center, 7481 Henry Clay Blvd., Liverpool.

Click here for the announcement for the retreat which includes a link to the online registration.

The leaders for this event will be Dr. Margaret Ann Crain and Dr. Jack Seymour (co-authors of A Deacon's Heart) and they will be addressing the theology and ecclesiology of Deacons.

For more information, please contact Nancy Dibelius, Associate Director of Vital Congregations for Spiritual Life, [email protected].

2018 Native American Festivals

November 11 Canandaigua Treaty Celebration. 12 noon - 9 pm, Courthouse lawn, Canandaigua and Elementary School

2018 Church/Charge Conference Schedule

Please mark your calendar with the date and time for your church's annual meeting with District Superintendent Sherri Rood. Please invite not only your church leadership (Ad Council chair, committee chairs, lay leader, etc.) but any member of the congregation who is interested to participate!

Click here to download the 2018 Church/Charge Conference schedule.

Please remember to submit forms no later than two weeks prior to your church's meeting!

DON'T FORGET - Collection for Red Bird

Robert Ebert has volunteered to coordinate the drop-off of shoeboxes for Red Bird Mission. Ripley United Methodist Church, 84 W. Main St., will be the drop-off site. Drop-offs must be scheduled by calling Bob, 716-951-2192.

Again this year Dave Alexander and the Endwell United Methodist Church in the Binghamton District will be coordinating delivery of shoeboxes to Redbird Mission in Beverly, KY. Pick-up and transport of items will take place the first week in December.

If drop-off is not able to be scheduled at Ripley, there is a storage site in Endwell where shoeboxes and other items ( see this list) may be delivered.

Please consider being part of this vital mission. If you have any questions, please call the Endwell UMC at 607-754-5735 or Dave Alexander at 607-743-8955.

Need is Urgent!

The need continues for UMCOR cleaning kit supplies and help assembling and verifying buckets. While some of these buckets are used to help our own area, they're also used around the world.

According to Mike Block, Director of Missional Engagement, and Joe Auslander, UNY Conference Disaster Response Coordinator, warehouse contents are limited, and help is critical at this time. If you or a few friends can help assemble kits in the very near future at the UNY Mission Central HUB, please contact Mike Block at (315) 898-2066 or [email protected].

NEW - Golden Bucket Award

The Upper New York Conference of the United Methodist Church Mission Central HUB is announcing the Golden Bucket Award to the District that donates the most UMCOR Cleaning Kits!

Monthly recognition will be shared throughout the conference with a certificate to be displayed at the District Office. The District that collects the most UMCOR Cleaning Kits throughout the period will be awarded the prestigious Golden Bucket Award !

This award started on October 1 and runs till May 25, 2019. The Golden Bucket will be awarded at the 2019 Annual Conference.

It is important to follow the UMCOR Cleaning Kit list, last updated May 2018.

Any questions, please contact Mike Block, 315-898-2066 or [email protected].

PASTORS -

November 13-14 at Asbury Camp & Retreat Center. www.cornerstonedistrict.com/Resources/2018-19 Information for Pastors

Click here for flyer.

Order of Elders Gathering

All Upper New York (UNY) elders are invited to join UNY Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb as he welcomes Bishop Grant Hagiya from the California-Pacific Annual Conference on December 6, 2018 from 9:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. for an Order of Elders Gathering at the Holiday Inn in Liverpool.

This will be a time of worship, learning, and fellowship and qualifies for .5 CEU. The registration cost is $25 and includes lunch. The registration deadline is November 28. Click here to see the schedule for the day and/or to register.

More About Reports

First things first: Review the 2018-19 Annual Report Form Check List. It may be helpful to look at Form 14. Church/Charge Conference Minutes. The meeting will follow this form, which, along with Form 15 (Church/Charge Conference Sign-In Sheet) will be provided for you at the meeting.

Action items are 1. Pastoral Compensation for 2019 (Forms 1, 1a and 1b); 2a. Lay Leadership/Elections - Trustees (Form 2) and 2c. Election of Lay Leadership (Form 2a - your church's format).

Items 3-5 (Forms 3-6) are submitted/acted on as applicable to your church along with Other Business Items: 1. Acceptance of Bequest or Other Gifts (Form 7), 2. Removal of Members from the Rolls and 3. Other Business Items.

Other items for approval are the 2017 Audit and the 2017 Church/Charge Conference Minutes (8 on the Check List). You should have both documents on file as part of the 2017 Church/Charge Conference.

The final portion of the meeting is recording Reports Received. Corresponding forms are 9, 9a, 10, 11 and 12. Please note that as long as the church owns the home, Form 10 Parsonage Inspection & Committee Report is required regardless of whether or not the clergy family lives there.

Thank you in advance for preparing and submitting these forms two weeks prior to your scheduled church conference. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to call or email the District Office.

1. Develop a ministry plan for your church. Join Craig Kennet Miller from Discipleship Ministries for a two-part webinar on Developing Your Ministry Plan. The webinars come with a downloadable study guide and material to enable your church team to build an effective strategy for ministry. For more information and to register for Plan 1 at 11 a.m. EDT on October 23, go to https://bit.ly/2NhulGO. For the Plan 2 webinar at 11 a.m. EDT on October 30, go to https://bit.ly/2xWkem5. Both events will be available later at the webinar archive here.

2. Approach your church's 'mission field' like a missionary . The book, A Missionary Mindset: What Church Leaders Need to Know to Reach Their Community, helps local congregations make better bridges of love and understanding in their neighborhoods. Douglas Ruffle of New Church Starts (Path 1) at Discipleship Ministries outlines how to use the same principles of E. Stanley Jones, who served in India among Muslims, Hindus and persons from many other faith traditions. The book is available in both English and Spanish from The Upper Room Bookstore here.

3. Plan to help struggling people during the Christmas season. Not all Christmases are white - some are blue, especially for those who are grieving or experiencing other struggles. Prepare to offer hope and healing through a "Blue Christmas" or "Longest Night" worship service this holiday season. The Upper Room invites you to lift up any darkness to the God of Light by sharing an online Blue Christmas video prayer service with members of your congregation. Go to https://bit.ly/2OvXyT2.

4. Apply for the Holy Land Discernment Pilgrimage for young adults. This pilgrimage on August 4-14, 2019, will help young United Methodist leaders ages 18-35 understand conflict and discern their calling. One participant from each jurisdiction or central conference will be chosen to participate. The pilgrimage is being organized by Young People's Ministries at Discipleship Ministries and supported by the Young Clergy Initiative of the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry. Applications will be accepted until November 9, 2018. To learn more about the event and how to apply, go to https://bit.ly/2NiJjwq.

5. Delve deep into the traditions of Christmas. Who came up with the idea of using nativity scenes during Christmas? Author Larry Peacock's book, The Living Nativity: Preparing for Christmas with Saint Francis, will help your group answer this question and others about Christmas traditions. The book offers a prayer, meditation and reflection questions for each day of Advent and a leader's guide that includes suggestions for worship, group discussion questions and a mini-retreat. To order, to go https://bit.ly/2zMwJSy.

Is Your Church Using VitalSigns?

One item coming out of the 2018 Upper New York Annual Conference is a recommendation from the Conference Leadership Team strongly encouraging all UNY congregations to begin using the VitalSigns Dashboard on September 1, 2018.

A number of churches in our District already use the VitalSigns Dashboard with great success/results. A downloadable (PDF) guide for local churches is available here . To sign up to record your weekly VitalSigns, click here .

Do you have questions about The United Methodist Church? Need help deciphering the hows and whys of who we are or what we believe? Maybe you have a faith question you've been pondering?

We invite you to Ask the UMC.