If you've not read the devotional for the third week of Lent, please click here.
Please keep these pastors, their families and the Church families in your prayers throughout the coming weeks.
March 14
North Harmony UMC
Pastor Joe Osborne, his wife Kelly and their family.
March 21
Dewittville-Hartfield & Mayville UMCs
Rev. Mark Parsons, his wife Jan and their family.
March 28
Frewsburg:Trinity UMC
Pastor PJ Pasieka, his wife Lindsey and their children Peter & Leah.
Please keep Rev. Bob Beard (retired) and his family in your prayers. Bob's wife of 62 years, Sandra, died Tuesday, March 2, 2021. The funeral was held Tuesday, March 9. Condolences may be sent to Bob at 13 Medbury Heights, Cuba, NY, 14727.
Continue to pray for all those who are affected by COVID-19, either directly or through a family member, neighbor or friend. May we continue to show respect for others by practicing good hygiene, wearing masks & social distancing.
To download the 2020-2021 District Prayer Calendar, click here.
Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, Upper New York Assistant Director of Vital Congregations for Spiritual Life, the Rev. Nancy Dibelius, has been providing videos of helpful spiritual practices to help deepen people’s relationship to God during this difficult time.
For 2021, Rev. Dibelius is zeroing in on spiritual disciplines. She explains that spiritual disciplines are a way to get away with Jesus, walk with Jesus, and learn from Jesus.
Click here for Rev. Dibelius’s latest spiritual discipline exploration, which delves into the discipline of worship.
Delay in Payment Extended
In 2020, the Conference Board of Pension and Health Benefits (CBOPHB) had approved delayed enforcement of the direct bill arrearage policy through December 31, 2020. Understanding the continued struggle faced by many congregations, the Board has approved to extend that delay through December 31, 2021.
If your church is still able to pay their direct bills, they should. If a church is experiencing financial hardship as a result of reduced giving during this time, the church is asked to notify their District Superintendent as well as the Benefits office (Susan Latessa) to discuss their situation. The Upper New York Conference will work with churches on a case-by-case basis.
UNY Conference United Methodist Men wish to invite men from the Cornerstone District to their annual Spring Retreat, 4 pm Friday, April 30 to 3 pm Saturday, May 1 at the Aldersgate UMC camp (https://aldersgateny.org).
Click here for the retreat flyer/registration form. Questions may be directed to UNY UMM President Mark Jones, 315-749-3700.
Did you know that some counties are now including clergy as eligible for vaccination? Contact your local Department of Health to see if or when you will be eligible for vaccination. Click here for all New York State counties’ Department of Health links.
WORSHIP RESOURCE
Upper New York (UNY) Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb, and members of the UNY Cabinet have put together and released a worship service that may be used on a Sunday of your choice. It is hoped that by using this service, your pastor can have some much-needed rest and renewal.
Each week of Lent and every day of Holy Week, a United Methodist bishop will offer a short devotion. Together, we will confess and fast from the sins of racism, discrimination, oppression and exclusion, and feast on the beauty and blessing of the diversity of God’s Church.
Bishop Karen Oliveto of the Mountain Sky Annual Conference is leading today’s Lenten devotional. This series offers an opportunity to confess and fast from the sins of racism, discrimination, oppression and exclusion, and feast on the beauty and blessing of the diversity of God’s Church.
This month, the People of God campaign is focusing on our dedication to caring for our neighbors during the pandemic and beyond. Share this inspiring message with your congregation by downloading resources for social media, worship, websites and more, available in English and Spanish.
UPDATED WEDDING GUIDELINES
Guidelines for worship in Upper New York haven’t changed (50% capacity, masks, social distancing), but there are new guidelines for receptions.
The updated guidance for wedding receptions will go into place March 15 and will require the following:
·Testing for all that attend the event.
·50% capacity - up to 150 attendees.
·Must be approved by local health department.
Click here to see all FAQs related to the coronavirus and your church.
Annual Conference News
It's anticipated that registration for the online 2021 Annual Conference, June 17-19, will open April 1. Information will be shared in Around the Corner and on the Conference website - unyumc.org - as it becomes available.
Clergy and lay delegates who are unable to participate in the June 17-19 Annual Conferences must submit a request to be excused. Click here to complete the form.
Bishop Webb Announces Clergy Appointments
Upper New York Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb and the Upper New York Conference announce two ad interim appointments, three appointments, and six retirements pending approval of clergy session. View the full list of changes here.
The March Issue I of the Bridgeis 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 spotlights The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) and shares recent examples of how UMCOR has helped communities in need, such as Texas storm survivors and many underserved populations facing the COVID-19 pandemic. This issue articulates the importance of UMCOR Sunday and also explains the different ways you can help UMCOR by providing kits, supplies, and donations to the UNY Mission Central HUB.
The stories that are featured in the Bridgecan also be accessed from the news section of the Upper New York (UNY) Conference website for easy copying and pasting for those who wish to electronically distribute news featured in the Bridge. Click here to access the UNY Conference news items.
The Upper New York Annual Conference Team will be hosting our standard Basic Safe Sanctuaries training via Zoom from 9 am to 12:30 pm Saturday, March 27.
This training is brought to you and paid for by your Upper New York Ministry Shares. This basic training will follow the reformatted Zoom curriculum developed by the UNY Safe Sanctuaries team and is required for anyone working with children, youth and vulnerable adults as stated by the Minimum Standards. This training is a must no matter if you are meeting in-person or online.
If you have already taken this training you DO NOT need to take it again.
Advance registration is required; a link to the handout that should be printed and available for the training will be provided. The training will be facilitated by Safe Sanctuaries Conference Committee Co-Chairs Arlene Schmidt and Pastor Christine Mitchell.
If there are any questions please contact one of the co-chairs of the committee at safesanctuaries@unyumc.org
For more information on Safe Sanctuaries, and on background checks, click here.
Ministry Shares Credit Opportunity
The Conference Council on Finance and Administration has created an opportunity for local churches to receive a Ministry Shares credit of 50% on your May 2021 statement.
In order to qualify for this credit, churches must pay 100% of their current month April charges (both Ministry Shares and Direct Bills). A church will qualify for this credit even if it has not paid toward ministry shares in prior months. A church also will receive the credit if they have already paid their Ministry Shares in full prior to the April statement. The credit will be equal to 50% of May Ministry Shares charges. Credit will be reflected on the May statement as an increase to the YTD paid column)
Payment for April charges must be received in the Conference office (not postmarked) no later than April 30, 2021 to be eligible for the credit.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding this information, please contact Bob Flask, UNY Conference Treasurer, at 315-898-2008 or bobflask@unyumc.org.
Your generous giving to United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) on UMCOR Sunday (March 14, 2021) is what allows UMCOR to respond when there is a need, in instances such as:
·Tornadoes that ripped through Oklahoma;
·Children in Zimbabwe who lost parents to AIDS;
·A massive tsunami that devastated Japan.
UMCOR will be able to offer aid in Jesus’ name to those who suffer because United Methodists give through UMCOR Sunday.
Click herefor resources to promote UMCOR Sunday in your church.
Nominations Due April 15
for the Denman Award
The Harry Denman Evangelism Award honors United Methodists who bring people into a life-transforming relationship with Jesus Christ. Each year, the Upper New York Conference works with the Foundation for Evangelism to recognize and honor one lay and clergy member for their commitment to consistently introducing others to the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Nominations are now being accepted through April 15, 2021 for clergy, laity, and youth in Upper New York. Click here for a nomination form. Send all completed nomination forms to dcmoffice@unyumc.org.
How can churches engage in spiritual growth in a digital age? The coronavirus was the catalyst that caused churches to go all virtual. Churches that didn't have a website now are streaming worship services online, collecting donations online, and reaching audiences near and far.
In turn, not only are homebound church members able to engage in their church's worship services, but also, there are visitors from counties, states, and even countries away from churches' physical locations, engaging in Upper New York Conference worship opportunities. To build on this momentum, the Upper New York Conference is launching the Digital Discipleship Ministry to provide churches, large and small, with the proper resources to keep people connected.
Click here to read, "How Digital Discipleship Works" by Lori Jagow, Pendleton Center UMC Online Minister.
Mission Central HUB Seeking Support
The Upper New York (UNY) Mission Central HUB is preparing for the coming spring to support survivors affected by the different disasters (floods and high winds) that may impact our area. In partnering with the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), UNY’s status of kits on hand is low at best. The most requested items are cleaning and hygiene kits. Those who can support our communities by assembling kits in your homes or churches, please share projects so we can support your efforts and possibly share your methods with others. Any number of kits will help.
Please review the list for contents of each kit. If you cannot provide complete kits, we can use individual items to help complete other kits that arrive incomplete.
The HUB at the UNY Conference Center will remain closed until further notice. However, there is a tent outside the Conference Center where kits can be dropped off. You can also make arrangements to drop off kits at the HUB by calling MaryBeth Ingalls at 315-372-0285 or emailing her at marybethingalls@unyumc.org or calling Mike Block at 315-491-0497 or emailing him at mikeblock@unyumc.org.
Note: From Mike Block, UNY Director of Missional Engagement & Peter Gudaitis, NY Disaster Interfaith Services.
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought overwhelming grief to many families. The mission of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is to help people before, during and after disasters. FEMA is dedicated to helping ease some of the financial stress and burden caused by the virus.
The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 provides FEMA $2 billion to reimburse individuals and households for COVID-19-related funeral expenses incurred between January 20 and December 31, 2020.
The agency is working with stakeholder groups to get their input on ways FEMA can best provide this assistance, and to enlist their help with outreach to families and communities. In April, FEMA will implement a funeral assistance program.
Additional guidance is being finalized and will be released to potential applicants and community partners as soon as possible. In the meantime, people who have COVID-19 funeral expenses are encouraged to keep and gather documentation.
For information about eligibility and how to apply, click here.
Equitable Comp Application Available
The Commission on Equitable Compensation has issued guidelines and application forms for salary grants to local churches for the period
July 1 to December 31, 2021. Salary grants are available only to churches with a pastor under full-time appointment.
Click herefor more information, application guidelines, as well as first-time and renewal applications.
The UMC is leading a sustained and coordinated effort through General Conference, August 29 to September 7, 2021, to actively engage in the ministry of dismantling racism and promoting racial justice. The UNY Conference Communications team will regularly share worship, advocacy, and educational resources to help with this important campaign.
Sometimes the work to dismantle racism can seem overwhelming. Work needs to be done on an individual, interpersonal, and societal level.
Click here for a very helpful article that gives suggestions on how to work on dismantling racism through changing beliefs, behavior, and choices.
