JOYS & CONCERNS

During this extraordinary time, please keep these pastors, their families and the Church families in your prayers throughout the week.

May 17
Knapp Creek Church. Rev. Jerry Piper, his wife Kathy and their family.

May 24
Laona Emmanuel Church. Pastor Mike Spell, his wife Jaimee and their daughter Allison.

May 31
Limestone Church. Rev. Bob Beard, his wife Sandra and their family.

Prayers for Pastor Heather Allport-Cohoon who is recuperating at home following surgery. She has a new email address, [email protected]. Send a card or note to her at 1727 Forest Ave. Ext., Jamestown, NY, 14701.   
Message from Suzanne
Over the last month these are some of the words and phrases that seem to cross my path almost on a daily basis: unprecedented times, daily COVID19 updates by the governors that include the number of hospitalizations and deaths, flatten the curve, frustration, protests, anger, fear, essential and frontline workers, sleepless nights, loneliness, grieving and the question, "How long...?" The weight of this event on my shoulders becomes unbearable at times.
 
Then, I turn off the news and social media. It is time to sit quietly and listen for the Holy Spirits leading. God's Word enters my mind. With a deep breath and a sigh of relief I am reassured that God is with me. And I remember, Jesus telling the disciples, "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." The weight upon my shoulders is lifting.
 
Now, this scripture pops into my mind where the apostle Paul reminds us in Philippians 4, "for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength."
 
Contentment comes from: seeing your faces or hearing your voices as we gather together on Zoom meetings; by opening our eyes to the new life the season of spring brings - the trees are beginning to bud, leaf and blossom. Oh, the blossoms smell so sweet! Sunrises and sunsets are brilliantly displayed! The birds have returned - robins, cardinals, woodpeckers, blue jays and geese. What a beautiful melody of sounds to wake up to in the morning!
 
The rhythm of my life is changing. How about your life? Is the rhythm of your life changing? Take a moment to ponder this question.
 
The weight upon my shoulders is almost gone. God leads me to thinking of each one of you, the churches and all of the people who make up the Cornerstone District. My mind moves on to different words: resilience, obedience, patience, adaptable, gratefulness, creative, faithfulness, prayer, innovative, relationship, encouragement, beloved, peace and hope.
 
The weight upon my shoulders has vanished! Yes, we the church are in unprecedented times. We are in a time where new ideas and adaptability bring new life! This work is not easy, but this is where the good stuff is!
 
Finally, from Romans 5, "And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope."
 
It is the hope, the hope we have in Jesus Christ, that will give us the strength and the perseverance to continue to be the church for such a time as this!
 
Thank-you Cornerstone District for all that you have done, all that you are doing and all that is yet to be, as you continue to be Kingdom focused, sharing the love of Jesus Christ, and relying on the power of the Holy Spirit!
 
May you be filled with grace, peace and love in abundance!
Suzanne
UPDATE - Deadline for Right Start Workshops is May 15
Due to the ever changing guidelines of the COVID-19 Pandemic, the UNY Cabinet has decided to make changes to the Right Start Workshops.  The workshops have been moved from in-person meetings to an online format.

Also, they have decided to reduce the length of time for the online meetings,  10 a.m. to 12 noon.  Moving clergy now will meet via Zoom on  Tuesday, May 19;  retiring clergy will meet via Zoom on  Wednesday, May 20.

A zoom link will be emailed to registered participants closer to the date of the workshop. If you have not yet registered, please  click here. 
UNY Cabinet Offers Recorded Worship Service
The Upper New York (UNY) Communications team now has a worship video featuring the UNY Cabinet and other UNY leaders.
The video includes worship songs with singer Nairobi Smith. This video can be used any Sunday in order to offer pastors and worship teams some well-deserved time off. The video is available here and is posted on the Upper New York website. Please share!
NEW - In-Person Worship Suspended Through May 31
In accordance with the continued response to COVID-19 pandemic, the Upper New York (UNY) Conference Office and the Episcopal Office at the United Methodist Center in Liverpool, NY as well as the Cornerstone District Office at Christ First UMC in Jamestown, NY will remain closed through May 31. All employees will continue telecommuting.
 
In addition, UNY Conference local churches are strongly encouraged to continue to refrain from having in-person worship services through May 31. Recognizing that the New York Governor has placed drive-in theatres as a part of businesses that can open within Phase 1 of the states re-opening guidelines, we support any churches that desire to offer drive-in worship experiences within regions that are in Phase 1 of New York's reopening guidelines until in-person worship within our buildings can resume. It is vital that guidelines be followed closely if a church decides to offer drive-in worship and that the building not be opened or available for access in any way. You can find guidelines, as well as resources, for drive-in worship experiences here.
 
As the state begins to reopen, decisions about in-person worship services within church buildings will be made regionally and locally in compliance with local authorities. By next week, detailed guidelines for church reopening procedures will be shared by UNY leadership, along with FAQs, and best practices. Continue watching Conference and District communications channels for more information.
UPDATE - Lay Servant Classes via Zoom!
Our friends in the Oneonta District are offering a UMC Heritage class via Zoom from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on May 19, 26 and June 2. Pastor Anna Blinn-Cole will teach the class; please contact Pastor Anna at [email protected] to register. Once registered, please purchase "Living Our Beliefs The United Methodist Way" by Kenneth L Carder through Cokesbury or Amazon.

Adirondack Lay Servant Ministries also is offering classes via Zoom. Living Our Methodist Beliefs (United Methodist Heritage) will be offered from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on June 9, 16, 23 and 30 and from 9 a.m. to 12 noon on June 13. For more information and to register, please email Arlene Schmidt, [email protected].
NEW - Download the Bridge
The May 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 provides information on how to support those who may be experiencing domestic violence during the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
During the COVID-19 pandemic and the social distancing mandate, try to be creative in your distribution of the Bridge. Consider mailing or delivering them to your congregation members. Even better - post the link to the Bridge on your website or include a link to the Bridge in an email to your congregation.
 
If you have questions or are unable to make copies, please contact [email protected]. 
NEW - Online Opportunity
Discipleship Ministries is offering a webinar, "What Might Stewardship Look Like in the Months Ahead?"  at 7:30 p.m. EDT Thursday, May 21 .

The COVID-19 crisis has forced churches to adapt to a situation none of us could have foreseen. When quarantines are over and churches are open and people can safely leave their homes, will the church be the same as it was before March 2020? Probably not, but that may not necessarily be a bad thing. Join Ken Sloane, Director of Stewardship & Generosity as he discusses what might be different in the months ahead.

To register for the webinar, click here.

United Methodist Communications offers  church training  live, online and even provides do-it-yourself opportunities to help you gain the knowledge and skills you need to be an effective church leader. To check out the Training Center, click here.
NEW - UNY Summer Camp Programs Suspended
The current context of the COVID-19 pandemic has prompted a very challenging decision for the  Upper New York Camp & Retreat Ministries (UNY CRM) lead team. After consultation with the Upper New York Committee on Camp & Retreat Ministries and after several meetings with experts in the medical and camping fields, the UNY CRM lead team has decided to suspend all UNY-hosted summer programs at each of the CRM sites: Aldersgate, Asbury, Casowasco, Sky Lake, and Skye Farm.

While this is disappointing news for campers, parents, volunteers, and staff (including the lead team), safety is our top priority. To read the announcement in its entirety, please click here.

Stay Informed, Up-To-Date Through These Links:
UNY Notes  -Include notices From the Desk of Bishop Webb; Alerts; Announcements; Prayer requests; Death Notices; Camp & Retreat info 
Weekly Digest  - Sent every Wednesday.  It will include a listing of all of the new information available.
 
This will help reduce the amount of e-news announcements coming to your computers.

Another great resource is the UMCOM newsletter. To subscribe, click here.
NEW - Our United Methodist Table
It has been said that wherever two or more United Methodists gather, someone is bringing a casserole! Right now, we can't host in-person church meals, but we can still come together virtually using technology and through United Methodist Now.

Find videos and stories about United Methodists and food. You can also find recipes and share your favorites. Click here to find out how.

As a BONUS, if you subscribe to the free twice-monthly United Methodist Now e-newsletter through the link , you will get seasonally delicious recipe cards from other readers.

So, pull up a chair. Feel the love. Enjoy the food and the (virtual) company. 
UPDATE - Guide to Online Worship Services
Missing your favorite Sunday church service or looking for somewhere new? The Upper New York Conference Communications team has added a page on our Conference website ( www.unyumc.org) that showcases all the Methodist churches in our Conference that are hosting online worship services.
 
Click here to see the listing services you can attend virtually. More services are added each day. If your church's livestream is missing from the list, please email the link(s) and time(s) to  [email protected].
NEW - Peace With Justice Sunday June 7
When you give on Peace with Justice Sunday, your gift makes possible our critical kingdom work in the world. Because you give:
  • Methodists spearhead a peace ministry uniting Arizona border communities
  • United Methodists in Liberia are being equipped to implement the denomination's Social Principles to address social-justice issue
  • Pennsylvania students are educating their community about sex-trafficking at home and abroad
These initiatives, and hundreds of other ones, are possible because you give.  Thanks be to God!
Relief Efforts on HealthFlex, CPP
Please click on this document link to read about relief efforts being offered to Upper New York churches by the Conference Board on Pension and Health Benefits (CBOPHB) and Wespath Benefits and Investments. If you have any questions about these relief efforts, please contact Susan Latessa, UNY Director of Benefits and Human Resources, [email protected]. 
UPDATE - AC Information You Can Use!
The 2020 session of the Upper New York Annual Conference has been postponed until October 3.
Refunds for those of you who registered for the May 28-30 Annual Conference are in process. This is a work in progress, so your patience is appreciated!

A separate registration form for the October 3 Annual Conference will be available at a later date.

If you have any questions, please call or email the District office:
716-665-2423 or [email protected]. 


Rev. Suzanne Block
District Superintendent

Rich Preston
District Lay Leader
[email protected]

Cathy Hall
Administrative Assistant
716-665-2423
[email protected]