 |
|
During this extraordinary time, please keep these pastors, their families and the Church families in your prayers throughout the week.
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.
August 9
Ripley and South Ripley churches. Pastor Becky Ward and her 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.
Please keep the family of Sandy Pilon (Napoli UMC) in your prayers. Mrs. Pilon, who is Pastor Carol Dill's sister, passed away July 16. If you'd like to send Carol a message, you may do so at [email protected] or 8228 Reed Hill Rd., Cattaraugus, NY, 14719.
|
|
|
|
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.
(You may download DS Suzanne Block's complete message
here.
)
|
|
|
DATES ON THE DISTRICT CALENDAR
(All dates/meeting formats are subject to change)
Sept. 8, Anticipated reopening of District office
Sept. 10, Fall Pastors' Gathering (via Zoom), 9 am-11 am
Sept. 19, UNYAC Clergy Session (via Zoom), 10 am-Noon
Sept. 21, District Leadership Team, 5:30-8 pm
Sept. 22, Candidate/Clergy Mentor Training, 10 am-2:30 pm
Sept. 23, Pastoral Leadership Development, 9 am-1 pm
Sept. 26, Regional Operations Team
Oct. 3, UNY Annual Conference Session (via Zoom)
|
|
NEW - Enjoy a Daycation at UNY Camps
Now that stay-at-home mandates are behind us for the foreseeable future, we are happy to announce that the Upper New York Camp & Retreat Centers are welcoming families to enjoy the beauty and splendor of their sites with Daycations.
Come explore each site-the daycations include games, activities, sports, and craft stations. Call or email to register to attend the site(s) you are interested in.
Asbury's daycation will be August 1.
Aldersgate's daycation will be August 9.
Skye Farm's daycation will be August 15.
Sky Lake's daycation will be August 30.
Each Daycation is $15 per person and no more than $60 per family.
Also, don't forget that Casowasco Camp & Retreat Center is offering "Play for the Day" on August 1, 8, 22, and 29. Call 315-364-8756 or email [email protected].
|
|
Virtual UNY Annual Conference
As you are aware, earlier this spring, the Upper New York Conference postponed our Annual Conference with the hope of gathering together on
Saturday, October 3. The ongoing realities of COVID-19 and our commitment to the safety of those who will be a part of that gathering, has caused us to change these plans.
After consultation with and approval by the Cabinet, the Committee of Sessions, the Board of Trustees, and the Executive Committee of the Board of Ordained Ministry, Upper New York Area Resident Bishop, Mark J. Webb wants to share with you that
the postponed 2020 session of Annual Conference will be held virtually. Lay and clergy delegates will gather at their own location on October 3 for the Annual Conference session. The date of the
Clergy Session is 10 a.m. until 12 noon on Saturday, September 19; the
Service of Ordination will be by invitation only and will be livestreamed on
Friday, October 2.
Click here to watch
Bishop Webb's video announcement about this decision to change the 2020 Annual Conference to an online-event.
|
|
NEW - Dismantling Racism Resource
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.
Today we refer you to the Rev. Brian A. Tillman's article about white privilege. In this article, he points out 15 important truths that white Christian Americans need to recognize in order to reconcile with persons of color.
Click here
to read this eye-opening article that helps people to understand the gravity of white privilege and systemic racism and what needs to be recognized before solutions can be sought.
|
|
NEW - Refresh Your Soul at a Day Apart
Make plans now to join Casocasco's Interim Director Anne Horton for a Day Apart at the camp in August.
On Tuesday, August 1,1 the theme is New Sight and will focus on Luke 18:35-43, (Blind Beggar near Jericho).
On Tuesday, August 25, the theme is Freedom and will focus on John 11:1-44, (Lazarus).
The time frame for each Day Apart is 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and begins at the Lakeside Chapel.
The day includes worship, times for both group and individual prayer and reflection and a delicious lunch. C
ost is $25 per person. Participants should bring a Bible, journal, and pen. Register through the website at: casowasco.campbrainregistration.com.
Questions can be directed to Anne Horton at [email protected].
|
|
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. To read more about the responsibilities of Regional and District Associates, please click here.
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
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].
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
Please be mindful this form needs to be submitted whenever your church's method of worship changes.
|
|
UPDATE - NY State Executive Order Related to Travel
On June 25, Governor Cuomo issued Executive Order 205 that requires individuals traveling to New York from states with significant community spread of COVID-19 will be required to quarantine for 14 days.
This list is updated daily. Additions since last week appear in bold.
On July 28 this order applied to anyone traveling from:
Alabama, Alaska,
Arkansas,
Arizona,
California,
Delaware, District of Columbia,
Florida,
Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana,
Iowa,
Kansas, Kentucky,
Louisiana,
Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri,
Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico,
North Carolina,
North Dakota,
Ohio,
Oklahoma, Puerto Rico,
South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin.
The quarantine applies to New York residents who visit those states for an extended period (more than 24 hours) and return home to New York.
|
|
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 discusses a practice known as Praying the Hours. In this practice, you select specific time(s) of days to lift up a specific prayer. Click here to watch this video and learn more about this spiritual practice, which will draw you closer to God through unceasing prayer.
|
|
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].
|
|
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
|
|
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.
|
|
|
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].
|
|
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].
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
|
Rev. Suzanne Block
District Superintendent
Rich Preston
District Lay Leader
Cathy Hall
Administrative Assistant
716-665-2423
|
|
|
|
|
|
