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During this extraordinary time, please keep these pastors, their families and the Church families in your prayers throughout the week.
July 19
Rev. Molly Golando (Literacy Ministry/Haiti & United Presbyterian Church, Randolph), her husband David and their family.
July 26
Pastor Victoria Hedlund
(Chaplain, Olean General Hospital), her husband Leroy and family.
August 2
Rev. Tim Phelps (Chaplain, Chautauqua Hospice & Palliative Care), his wife Liz and their family.
Pastor Chuck and Kim Smith (East Randolph) received the news from Kim's oncologist that she has a 3.5 cm malignant mass in her neck. More tests are being scheduled to determine a treatment plan. Prayers are greatly appreciated.
Pastor Carol Dill recently had surgery. Prayers as she recuperates are appreciated. If you'd like to send Carol a message, you may do so at [email protected] or 8228 Reed Hill Rd., Cattaraugus, NY, 14719.
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Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Romans 12:11-13
Ecclesiastes 3 begins with,
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.
These are familiar scripture passages for many of us. We are still in the season of the COVID19 pandemic. We are still in a season of anxiety and uncertainty. We are still in a season of social distancing and wearing masks. We are still in a season of watching the number of COVID19 cases continue to rise once again.
We may cry out "How long Lord? When will "things" be as they once were?"
As we, the Cornerstone District, continue to journey through this pandemic, we need to remind ourselves that we do not know how long (in terms of days, weeks or months) this way of being will be. And ... "things" will never be as they once were.
Life as we once knew it has changed. We need to rely on one another more than before. Although the church / worship spaces have been closed, the ministry of the church has not stopped! Pastors have worked more and harder in these months of the pandemic. Learning curves have been stretched as technology has jumped to a weekly practice. Some congregations are moving through grief with the death of their pastor and have been unable to celebrate their pastor's life due to the limited amount of people who could be present. Pastors and their congregations are grieving the death of family, friends and church members with the hope of celebrating the lives of these saints at a later date.
Yes, life has changed. Change brings about conversations and new ways of doing ministry. My heart has been warmed when I hear about churches who are growing deeper in their relationships with one another. How could this be since we cannot be together? People within the congregations are checking up on each other through cards, notes and telephone calls. Being the church! When technology is not available, pastors are utilizing first class mail and sending out devotions and/or weekly sermons.
My hope is that when churches begin to "open" once again, the way of "doing" church will not be what once was. My hope is there will be a newness, a freshness, a relaunching of what it means to be the church. An intentional, out of the box, out of our comfort zones way of being, as we build relationships with our neighbors and our communities. A new way of being the love of God through our actions using words only when necessary.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6
If your church has not opened, do not be anxious. Some are holding parking lot worship, some outside worship (social distancing and masks required). Some are doing online worship. Some churches are waiting until July to open, some are waiting until August to open. Some are waiting until after Labor Day to open. The churches that have opened are maintaining social distancing (6-foot radius), wearing masks required and opening to 25% of their worship capacity (if your worship space holds 100 people, you open with 25 people). If you can social distance people with a 12-foot radius, you can sing (with masks removed). Remember, families can sit together.
Thank-you churches for being intentional as you prepare your buildings for opening. Yes, the guidelines are many and sometimes confusing. The goal is to open well and to keep each other healthy.
Do no harm.... Do good.... And stay in love with God.
During this season of pandemic, recall the words of Paul, Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Romans 12:11-13
Encourage one another; pray with each other (on the phone, over Facetime, etc.); let your pastors know that they are being prayed for, send them a note or card, encourage them.
Now, think of how the world changed when Jesus rose from the dead! Nothing was the same after that!
Let us be encouraging! Let us be filled with hope! Let us be prayerful! Let us share with people in need! Let us practice hospitality! Let us see one another as beloved children of God!
Let us live out, Micah 6:8 He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
I am thankful for what God has done and is doing through each and everyone of you, as together, we navigate this new way being.
Filled with the hope found in Jesus Christ,
Suzanne
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NEW - UNY Regional/District Associates Announced
July 1 is always significant in the life of the United Methodist Church in Upper New York - it's the start date for new appointments. This year, July 1 also marked the start date for Regional and District Associates across Upper New York.
The Regional/District Associate under the supervision of and directed by the District Superintendent(s) will assist the work of the Superintendent(s) in the following areas:
- Implementation of strategies for providing leadership development of clergy and lay leaders, and training for congregations to become more effective in the living of the mission
- Development and implementation of strategies for mentoring and coaching of pastors and congregations
- Development and implementation of strategies for conflict resolution within congregations
- Development and implementation of strategies related to the work of District Boards of Location and Building, realignment of charges, New Faith Community development, and congregations moving to legacy/closure after initial consultation/conversation between superintendent and local church(es)
- Development of a process for providing pastoral care to clergy and clergy families
The Superintendents and Regional/District Associates will be encouraged to work out of their Spiritual Giftedness as Discipline allows.
Nineteen people have been appointed Associate roles throughout the Conference.
Click here
to learn more.
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2020-21 UNY Appointment List
Upper New York Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb and the Upper New York Conference release the final appointment list for 2020-2021.
Click here
to view the full list of changes.
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Sign Up for HealthFlex Worshops
The Upper New York Conference Benefits Office will be hosting multiple HealthFlex Exchange Zoom workshops this fall. Participants will receive information about the plans and tools to help with plan choices.
The HealthFlex Exchange is for ALL participants and/or dependents who are eligible for Conference health benefits AND are under 65.
You must register in advance for the workshop. The deadline for registration is one week prior to the workshop you are signing up to attend.
Click here to register for one of the seven dates. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Julie Valeski at 315-898-2001 or
[email protected].
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PPP Application Process Extended
On June 30, 2020, the U.S. Senate passed an extension for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) application process to August 8, 2020. This extension will allow any local church that has not yet applied for a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan to do so over the next five weeks. There is still more than $130 billion dollars in available funds remaining in the PPP.
Any local church would qualify for a PPP loan as long as they have paid staff that are issued a W-2 at the end of the year. A church can request up to 2.5 times their average monthly salary in a PPP. A church would then have up to 24 weeks to spend the funds on qualifying expenses that would then get forgiven and converted to a grant after completing the appropriate forgiveness forms with your financial institution that issued the PPP loan.
The PPP is a blessing to local churches to help bridge the financial hardship caused from COVID-19. If your local church has seen a decrease in your monthly giving, do not have a large reserve to draw from and are struggling to meet your monthly obligations then a PPP could help.
Click here for additional information on the PPP program. If you need further assistance on applying for the PPP, please contact UNY Conference Treasurer Bob Flask, [email protected].
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More Kool-Aid and Less Hair
Transportation in Uganda, located in East Africa, has been shutdown due to COVID-19. Without access to food, many families are struggling.The congregation at Centerville United Methodist Church has partnered with local churches in Uganda for many years and are preparing to meet this immediate need.
Inspired by the
congregations
of Lakewood UMC and Westfield UMC (see below), m
embers of the Centerville's Uganda Missions Team have stepped up to offer their "hairystyles" for this fundraising challenge:
If $1,000 is raised, we will color Lindsey Peters' hair with Kool-Aid; if
$1,500 is raised, we will paint Joe Peters' head; if
$2,000 is raised, Pastor Bob Schooley will shave his head; and if
$5,000 is raised, Pastor Bob will paint his fingers and toes!
The challenge runs
through July 27. Contributions to help with food relief in Uganda through this fundraiser may be sent to M. Vosburg, PO Box 55, Hume, NY, 14745. For more information, please email [email protected] or [email protected].
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Let us know if your congregation has participated in a special/creative way to share your faith.
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NEW - Does Your Church is Offering Online Bible Studies?
The
UNY Conference Communications team is building our digital resource lists. During the COVID-19 pandemic, churches are finding ways to connect digitally. Currently, the UNY Conference has a directory of
UNY church worship services that are available online.
Has your church offered or plans to offer an online Bible study catered to adults or family? If so, send information and the link that people can use to join the Bible study to
[email protected] and we will add your Bible study to the directory.
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Reopening Guidelines
Churches are required to have developed a
Safety Plan and have it available/on file at the church and to submit a
form that affirms that guidelines are being followed prior to reopening.
Upper New York also is requiring that churches affirm their compliance with safety requirements by submitting this form, which was due Friday, June 26. This is required even for churches that choose to continue to meet only remotely. As of Wednesday afternoon, July 1, twenty Cornerstone churches had yet to submit the form.
Please be mindful this form needs to be submitted whenever your church's method of worship changes.
As always, please contact any of the following if you have concerns/questions:
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NEW -
NY State Executive Order Related to Travel
On June 25, Governor Cuomo issued Executive Order 205 that requires Individuals traveling to NY from states with significant community spread of COVID-19 will be required to quarantine for 14 days.
This list is updated daily. Currently, the following states are on the list: By July 1, this order applied to anyone traveling from Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wisconsin.
Click here to view the list of states that will be updated online as the data changes.
This includes any NY residents who visit those states for an extended period and return home to NY.
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UPDATE - Dismantling Racism Resources
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.
Civic engagement is the process by which an individual or group addresses public concerns. This can happen at many levels, from local issues up to national and global topics as well as engagement with corporations. Dismantling racism is one such issue that needs to be addressed at many levels!
This week, we ask you to click here to visit Church & Society's comprehensive Creating Change Together (civic engagement) toolkit. How can members of your church help to create change?
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NEW - Weekly Spiritual Practice
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.
This week, Rev. Dibelius guides us through the spiritual practice of centering prayer, which helps you to clear your mind and dwell in God's presence. Click here to watch the video.
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REMINDER - Course of Study
The Course of Study Program continues to work schedule courses so that everyone remains safe and healthy. To that end, all fall weekend courses have been moved to a fully on-line format. It is highly likely that the winter and spring courses will follow as well. The deadline to register for the fall courses is September 1, 2020. Because of the online format, we will adhere to the 20 student maximum limit.
On-line courses will have both on-line writing and synchronous "zoom" components. Faculty are working to adapt their courses and syllabi should be posted soon. Please keep the dates listed below on your calendar for the zoom sessions. These likely will not be the whole day, but parts of the day. Watch for instructions from your faculty person.
Please stay safe, social distance, wear your mask and know that we are praying for you and your churches. If you have any questions, please contact Sara Sheppard at [email protected].
Updated course offerings for the 2020-2021 sessions:
Fall 2020 - October 16-17 and November 13-14, 2020
(Fully on-line; registration deadline September 1)
122 - Theological Heritage 1: Introduction; Dr. Doug Tzan
123 - Formation and Discipleship;
221 - Bible 2: Torah and Israel's History; Dr. Jonathan Lawrence
422 - Theological Heritage 4: Wesleyan Movement; Dr. John Tyson
Winter 2021 - January 15-16 and February 26-27, 2021
(Anticipated to be on-line; registration deadline
December 1)
121 - Bible 1: Introduction; Dr. John Fulton
223 - Worship and Sacraments; Dr. Sarah Elewononi
322 - Theological Heritage 3: Reformation; Dr. John Tyson
524 - Theological Reflection: Practice of Ministry; Dr. Aaron Bouwens
Spring 2021 - March 19-20 & April 23-24, 2021
(Anticipated to be on-line; registration deadline February 15, 2021)
124 - Transformative Leadership; TBD
421 - Bible 4: Prophets, Psalms and Wisdom Lit; Dr. Jonathan Lawrence
523 - Evangelism; Dr. Doug Powe
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Collecting for Red Bird Mission
Ripley United Methodist Church, 84 W. Main St., once again will serve as Cornerstone's drop-off location for Upper New York's annual collection for Red Bird Mission.
Dave Alexander from Endwell United Methodist Church in the Binghamton District is again spearheading this effort (
[email protected]);
Robert Ebert from Ripley UMC is Cornerstone's contact person (
[email protected]).
Click here for the list of school supplies
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NEW - Part-Time District AA Job Opening
The UNY Conference is currently seeking a part-time District Administrative Assistant for the Niagara Frontier District office located in Cheektowaga, NY. This is a part-time position for up to 29 hours per week.
The person in this position must maintain good working relationships with staff members, attend quarterly District Administrative Assistant meetings either in person or via Zoom, and is encouraged to attend the Annual Conference. This person should also foster and maintain good relationships with clergy, retirees, local church members, and collaborate with other District Administrative Assistants in the Conference.
If you know someone who would be interested in this position, have them
click here
to apply.
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Lay Servant Courses Via Zoom
Adirondack Lay Servant Ministries is offering the following courses via Zoom:
Leading Prayer (Advanced Course)
5:30 to 8:30 p.m. August 6 & 13
9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. August 15
Please note that dates & times may change
For more information or to register for any of these courses, pleas contact Adirondack Lay Servant Ministries Registrar,
[email protected].
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Guide to Online Worship Services
The
Upper New York Conference Communications team
has added a page on the 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. If your church's livestream is missing from the list, please email the link(s) and time(s) to
[email protected].
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NEW - Download the Latest
Bridge
The
July issue 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 how the COVID-19 pandemic catalyzed amazing ministries for two churches in the Upper New York Conference-Central United Methodist Church and Covenant United Methodist Church. For more stories like this, you will want to keep up-to-date with the UNY Communication platforms to catch the release of the Summer issue of the Advocate in the next few weeks-the theme is Keeping Connected.
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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.
These publications will help reduce the amount of e-news announcements coming to your computers.
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FOR YOUR INFORMATION
The Cornerstone District office will remain closed to the public until Tuesday, September 8, at the earliest. Suzanne and Cathy are working remotely; office hours are 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday.
The Upper New York Conference Center in Liverpool, including the Episcopal office and Crossroads District office, will remain closed to the public until Tuesday September 8, the day after Labor Day at the earliest.
The Upper New York Annual Conference will be an essential business only session on Saturday, October 3, at the Oncenter in Syracuse. Details will be shared as they become available.
General Conference
The quadrennial legislative event will take place on August 29 - September 7, 2021, at the Minneapolis Convention Center in Minneapolis, MN.
Click here
to read more.
Jurisdictional Conferences
The Jurisdictional Conferences in the United States will be held
November 10-12, 2021
. The days prior to and after can be used at the discretion of each Jurisdictional Conference.
Click here
to read more.
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Please note the new mailing address for the Cornerstone District Office, effective May 28, 2020:
PO Box 842
Jamestown, NY 14702
The physical address of the office remains the same, on the second level of Christ First UMC, 663 Lakeview Ave., Jamestown, NY, 14701.
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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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